What happens If The Airline Cancels Your Flight?

Since the start of the year, many air travelers have been dealing with delays and canceled flights due to the harsh weather. Cases of Omicron variant infections have also spiked.
Several airlines have started reducing their flights due to the shortages of skilled flight attendants. United Airlines and JetBlue Airways cited the same issue.



While most flights are still on schedule, there are some things that travelers can do to minimize their chances of getting delayed or canceled.

Related : Is It Worth Upgrading to Economy Plus on United?

Avoid getting trapped at the airport

One way to do this is by going to a search bar on Google to get the status of your flight. It's also helpful to have someone else pick you up.

According to Keyes, you should sign up for text alerts when your flight is about to take off.

One of these is to check your flight status before going to the airport. Many of the systems that notify you about delays are not always updated at the last minute.

One of these is to check in at home or a hotel room before traveling. It's also better to find out about the delay than to go to the airport.

Related: How Do I Upgrade to Class on United?

If you're at the airport already

Usually, delays and canceled flights happen after you get to the airport. Keyes said it's best to get in touch with the airlines' agents as soon as possible.

Having a fast-paced environment can make a difference in how quickly you get through the airport.

Once you're ready to get on the phone, call the carrier's call center to get the latest information about your delayed flight.

Since most US-based travelers don't call the Canadian help line, they tend to get through to an agent much faster.

In addition, American Airlines has a self-serve kiosk that can be used to check your boarding pass and other details.

Attitude and research matter

According to Keyes, airlines have been dealing with a lot of irate customers due to the pandemic. Their agents have been the most dedicated to helping their customers.

Keyes also noted that it's important to prepare for the possibility of making changes to your travel plans.

Your agent can help you get new routes and other details about your travel plans by giving suggestions.

If the price is the same, then book directly with the airlines. Doing so will prevent you from getting confused with different policies and procedures.

A consumer advocacy group called US PIRG advises against using stopovers when booking.

The organization also backs up Keyes' suggestion that consumers should be nice and polite to agents.

Trapped for the night

If your flight is delayed, consider getting a hotel stay instead. Usually, airlines will not provide a hotel gift or a refund. However, it's not required by law.

Usually, delays and canceled flights are caused by factors such as the weather or staffing issues. For instance, Keyes noted that the outbreak of Omicron has caused many airlines to cancel flights.

Learn about the policies of the airlines. For instance, Delta Air Lines provides a hotel voucher if your flight is delayed for more than four hours.

You also should check your credit card details to see if it has enough protection against delayed flights. Usually, it provides free hotel rooms and other perks.

If your flight is delayed, consider staying at the airport. Since it's possible that you might need to spend several hours there, it might be easier than going to a hotel.

Wait for a Final Resolution

You may get more compensation down the road, but it could still take a while to get there.

It can take a long time for airlines to sort out their mess after a customer's flight was canceled. Likewise, getting compensation for lost luggage can take a while to process.

The stressful moments leading up to an airplane flight can feel like a sprint. But, in reality, these are typically marathon situations.

Conclusion

Knowing your rights and exploring your options can help you get through a flight cancellation.

Unfortunately, air travel is still going through a strange new normal.

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