What to Do If Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed
By Amy Jacques
November 2019
You never know what may happen when you’re traveling by air. There can be last-minute cancellations or delays due to weather, maintenance, or various other issues that crop up like strikes, labor disputes, terrorist events or just airline missteps.
In the recent case of American Airlines Flight 988 scheduled from Lima, Peru, to Dallas-Fort Worth in September, passengers saw their travel canceled three different times. Each day, they boarded the plane and taxied on the runway “only to end up back in the terminal standing in lines to re-enter Peru, collect luggage and ride shuttles to hotels,” according to The Wall Street Journal.
Though American was able to rebook many of the passengers, they were still delayed several days in reaching their final destinations, and the routes weren’t necessarily convenient.
If you’re stranded like these passengers were — or experience any type of long delay or cancellation — know your rights. “In the U.S., airlines have to refund your ticket if they cancel the flight, and pay for hotels and meals if it’s their fault (i.e., not weather-related). In the European Union, additional passenger-rights rules apply,” according to the Journal. Negotiate with your carrier when they rebook you if it isn’t convenient
Also there are several things you can do to be prepared: Always bring extra medicine, baby food and diapers, a change of clothes, toiletries and other important provisions in your carry-on bag. Fly early in the day so that you have more time to get on other flights if need be.
Make copies of your travel documents, and also share your flight info with a friend, family member or travel agent who can help you look for other rebooking options remotely. Always read the fine print when booking a ticket, and consider buying travel insurance, especially if you’re continuing onward (i.e., connecting with a cruise).
Download the tools you need on your mobile device in advance, like the individual airline app, FlightAware for tracking and status updates, and AirHelp to see if you’re eligible for compensation for the delay or cancellation, says U.S. News & World Report.
Keep these tips in mind if you find yourself stranded at the airport.
- Know your air travel rights.
- Use social media and apps.
- Fly early in the day.
- Be prepared with essentials.
- Ask if your credit card has trip delay protection.
- Ask about meal vouchers and hotel credits.
- De-stress by taking a walk or going outside.
- Stay proactive and research rebooking options.
photo credit: shutterstock
Amy Jacques
Amy Jacques is the managing editor of publications for PRSA. A native of Greenville, S.C., she holds a master’s degree in arts journalism from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Georgia’s Grady College and a certificate in magazine and website publishing from New York University.
