What to Do if Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed
What to Do if Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed Transportation
2. Book flights earlier in the day, with a direct carrier. Zach Griff, senior airline reporter at The Points Guy website, recommends travelers book earlier flights because “once a few cancellations happen, the domino effect means a higher percentage of later flights will be delayed or canceled.” He also suggests booking with a direct carrier (such as United and American) rather than a regional partner (United Express or American Eagle, for example). The parent airlines tend to get priority for staffing and airport access. 3. Avoid checking luggage. Changing a flight at the last minute will sometimes mean checked baggage will be left behind, trailing your new itinerary. Bringing just a roller bag small enough to use as a makes you more nimble to grab a replacement flight, not to mention providing a change of clothes should you get stuck somewhere. 4. Use travel tools. Staying up to date on flight and weather information can help you predict and manage delays and cancellations. Limor Decter, travel advis er at the E mbark Beyond agency, says : “We encourage our clients to download their airline’s phone app and make sure their contact information is updated and notifications turned on. Check on flight status and weather and news , and where the flight originates a day or two prior to departure.” 5. Consider using a travel agent. Should things go wrong, you can use your travel agency for support . “Agencies have direct access and clout with airlines,” Decter says. “We can connect with the right people to rebook a flight that’s canceled.” Join today and save 25% off the standard annual rate. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life.
2. Know your rights. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to give a for any reason. (Check out the department’s new to compare amenities from all U.S. airlines in the event of a delay or cancellation.) Many airlines will try to offer travel vouchers for future trips, but you do not have to accept credit in lieu of cash (or a refund of frequent flier points plus taxes paid). If you choose to be rebooked, airlines “have to accommodate on the next available flight — even with a competitor airline,” says The Points Guy’s Griff, “But sometimes these options are only available in person at the airport with a customer service center or with a gate agent.” 3. Ask your airline for help in case of delay, but be prepared for little or no compensation. The DOT rule is that passengers are “entitled to a refund or compensation if the airline made a significant schedule change .” But what exactly constitutes “significant” has not been defined and varies widely between airlines. Airlines will typically offer meal and hotel vouchers if a flight is delayed or canceled due to staffing or mechanical issues, but they often won’t do so if they claim the delay is due to weather — even if the weather is on the other side of the country. “But it can’t hurt to ask” for more assistance, Griff says. 4. Explore all options if you need to rebook. Given the vast number of in the past few months, it pays for passengers to be proactive in their rebooking. As anyone who has recently tried to change an itinerary knows, airline customer -service phone wait times have been horrendous — sometimes measuring in hours. So try a multipronged approach to rebooking: Contact your travel agent if you used one , check your airline’s website and app , and try to talk to in-person representatives at the airport customer service center and to gate agents. If you have airline lounge privileges, talk to a customer service rep at a lounge, where the line is likely to be shorter. Keyes says if your flight does get canceled, use the airline’s international phone lines. While virtually all US travelers are calling the main US hotline, you’ll have no wait getting through to an agent who can handle your itinerary just the same. 5. Propose a solid plan B. Griff suggests researching a replacement itinerary to propose to the representative. “It’s better than just asking for help,” he says, because “it can speed up the process and give you an option you actually want.” Bill Fink is an award-winning travel writer who has covered cultural travel for Lonely Planet, Frommer's, the San Francisco Chronicle and many other outlets.
Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 14, 2022. It has been updated to reflect new information.
AARP Travel Center Call: 1.800.675.4318 Search Flights Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Flight 2 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 3 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 4 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 5 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Add Another Flight search Search Hotels Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room 6 Room 7 Room 8 search Search Packages Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date You didn't specify child's age Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Room 1 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 2 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 3 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 4 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 5 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age You have more than 6 people total Please select a trip duration less than 28 days search Search Cars Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search Search Cruises Select a valid location Select a month search Search Things to Do Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search × Let's Go Reset Featured AARP Member Benefits See more Car Rentals offers > See more Travel offers > See more Hotels & Resorts offers > See more Gas & Auto Services offers > Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
What to Do if Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed
How to keep your trip on track as air travel disruptions and chaos continue
Bloomberg/Getty Images Travelers at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York on July 1, 2022. Air travel has been a bit chaotic lately so it’s always good to be prepared for a delayed or canceled flight. Here are tips on what to do before you book a flight and advice for when you’re at the airport to make your trip as smooth as possible.Before your trip
1. Reduce or optimize connections.2. Book flights earlier in the day, with a direct carrier. Zach Griff, senior airline reporter at The Points Guy website, recommends travelers book earlier flights because “once a few cancellations happen, the domino effect means a higher percentage of later flights will be delayed or canceled.” He also suggests booking with a direct carrier (such as United and American) rather than a regional partner (United Express or American Eagle, for example). The parent airlines tend to get priority for staffing and airport access. 3. Avoid checking luggage. Changing a flight at the last minute will sometimes mean checked baggage will be left behind, trailing your new itinerary. Bringing just a roller bag small enough to use as a makes you more nimble to grab a replacement flight, not to mention providing a change of clothes should you get stuck somewhere. 4. Use travel tools. Staying up to date on flight and weather information can help you predict and manage delays and cancellations. Limor Decter, travel advis er at the E mbark Beyond agency, says : “We encourage our clients to download their airline’s phone app and make sure their contact information is updated and notifications turned on. Check on flight status and weather and news , and where the flight originates a day or two prior to departure.” 5. Consider using a travel agent. Should things go wrong, you can use your travel agency for support . “Agencies have direct access and clout with airlines,” Decter says. “We can connect with the right people to rebook a flight that’s canceled.” Join today and save 25% off the standard annual rate. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life.
At the airport
1. Be polite to airline customer service reps. Being polite, either in person or on the phone, is not only the nice thing to do — given the amount of stress airport and airline employees face — it may inspire them to take that extra step to help rescue your travel plans.2. Know your rights. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to give a for any reason. (Check out the department’s new to compare amenities from all U.S. airlines in the event of a delay or cancellation.) Many airlines will try to offer travel vouchers for future trips, but you do not have to accept credit in lieu of cash (or a refund of frequent flier points plus taxes paid). If you choose to be rebooked, airlines “have to accommodate on the next available flight — even with a competitor airline,” says The Points Guy’s Griff, “But sometimes these options are only available in person at the airport with a customer service center or with a gate agent.” 3. Ask your airline for help in case of delay, but be prepared for little or no compensation. The DOT rule is that passengers are “entitled to a refund or compensation if the airline made a significant schedule change .” But what exactly constitutes “significant” has not been defined and varies widely between airlines. Airlines will typically offer meal and hotel vouchers if a flight is delayed or canceled due to staffing or mechanical issues, but they often won’t do so if they claim the delay is due to weather — even if the weather is on the other side of the country. “But it can’t hurt to ask” for more assistance, Griff says. 4. Explore all options if you need to rebook. Given the vast number of in the past few months, it pays for passengers to be proactive in their rebooking. As anyone who has recently tried to change an itinerary knows, airline customer -service phone wait times have been horrendous — sometimes measuring in hours. So try a multipronged approach to rebooking: Contact your travel agent if you used one , check your airline’s website and app , and try to talk to in-person representatives at the airport customer service center and to gate agents. If you have airline lounge privileges, talk to a customer service rep at a lounge, where the line is likely to be shorter. Keyes says if your flight does get canceled, use the airline’s international phone lines. While virtually all US travelers are calling the main US hotline, you’ll have no wait getting through to an agent who can handle your itinerary just the same. 5. Propose a solid plan B. Griff suggests researching a replacement itinerary to propose to the representative. “It’s better than just asking for help,” he says, because “it can speed up the process and give you an option you actually want.” Bill Fink is an award-winning travel writer who has covered cultural travel for Lonely Planet, Frommer's, the San Francisco Chronicle and many other outlets.
Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 14, 2022. It has been updated to reflect new information.
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AARP Travel Center Call: 1.800.675.4318 Search Flights Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Flight 2 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 3 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 4 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 5 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Add Another Flight search Search Hotels Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room 6 Room 7 Room 8 search Search Packages Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date You didn't specify child's age Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Room 1 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 2 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 3 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 4 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 5 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age You have more than 6 people total Please select a trip duration less than 28 days search Search Cars Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search Search Cruises Select a valid location Select a month search Search Things to Do Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search × Let's Go Reset Featured AARP Member Benefits See more Car Rentals offers > See more Travel offers > See more Hotels & Resorts offers > See more Gas & Auto Services offers > Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures