What to do if your flight is cancelled

There are few travel moments more deflating than racing through security, grabbing overpriced snacks, and hustling to your gate—only to find your flight has been canceled and the line to speak with an agent is already snaking around the concourse. Although, let’s face it: getting the dreaded flight cancellation notification while you are on your way to an airport isn’t any better. 

Even the best planned vacation can be ruined by flight cancellations. The silver lining? With a few savvy strategies—and the right information—you can skip (some of) the stress by staying one step ahead.

What to do if Your Flight is Canceled

According to Dollar Flight Club According to founder Jesse Neugarten the fastest and easiest way to know if your flight was canceled is through your airline’s website or app. To get the most current information, Jesse Neugarten recommends setting up an email or text alert as soon you book. Airlines usually send out updates instantly there if your itinerary has been impacted.

Neugarten says that there are also tools, such as FlightAware You will have an added layer of visibility. You can see the latest updates in real time from both FAA and airline systems by entering your flight number. The platform also lets you track the aircraft’s inbound journey, offering real-time insights on whether your plane is arriving on time—or if it’s already delayed.

Neugarten says, “You’ll see the signs on the wall long before the airline tells you.” FlightAware is a good place to check both the evening before and morning of your flight. early warning of delays or cancellations “well before the airport monitors.”

How to Rebook

Time is crucial when rebooking an canceled flight. As soon as you receive word of a cancellation, Neugarten advises pulling up the airline’s app or website to review rebooking options—even before getting in line at the gate. He says that airlines often offer rebooking options without you asking for them when there is a cancellation. As everyone is scrambling to book the next flight, options tend to fill quickly.

If you need to cancel your flight, call the airline customer service number. Neugarten gives a helpful tip. If the U.S. wait time is long, call their help desks in other countries like Canada or U.K. These representatives are often able to help and hold times are typically shorter. If you booked through a third-party platform—such as Expedia or Kayak—or a travel agent, Neugarten recommends reaching out to them as well, since they “may have access to different rebooking systems or waivers.”

Last but not least, do not rule out switching airline. Neugarten says, “Sometimes, it’s better to book a new ticket on a completely different airline than take a refund.” This is true, especially when your original airline goes into a complete meltdown.

How to Refund or Get Other Compensation

Katy Nastro says, “Under the new federal regulation when a plane is cancelled (or delayed significantly), you’re entitled to a refund or an e-booking.” Going Scott’s Discount Flights. It applies to all airlines as long as they are departing or arriving in the U.S. The reason for the disruption—whether it’s within the airline’s control or due to external factors like severe weather—doesn’t matter; the same rule still applies. You can find and verify more information on the U.S. Department of Transportation website.)

If you are offered alternative transportation or travel credit, it is important to refuse them before requesting a refund. If the airline refuses to refund the money, you should try to negotiate with them. file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Remember that this information only applies to domestic flights. The rules and regulations for international flight cancellations can be a bit murky. Passengers flying from or to Europe could be entitled to up roughly $700 under EU air passenger protections If your flight is delayed more than 3 hours, you should contact the airline. Neugarten recommends using tools such as AirHelp The following are some examples of how to get started: Compensair, who “make it simple to file claims and take a small cut only if you are paid.”

Avoid Flight Cancellations with These Tips

Although no one is able to predict with certainty if a flight will get canceled, you can mitigate your risks by using smart strategies. How to prepare for a better outcome if your travel plans are disrupted.

Book early morning flights.

You know what they say: The early bird gets the worm—or, in this case, the on-time takeoff. Both Nastro and Neugarten told T+L this. early departures are more likely To leave on time. Neugarten says that this is because they “haven’t been affected” by the delays that have built up throughout the day.

Fly nonstop

While flying nonstop may not always be feasible—especially if you’re headed somewhere remote—it’s almost always the safer bet when it comes to avoiding cancellations. Neugarten explains that the reasoning is straightforward: “Fewer flights means fewer chances of something going wrong,” he says.

Consider larger airports.

While they may come with more crowds, larger airports often have more resources—extra gates, spare aircraft, larger crews, and more frequent flights on similar routes. In the event of a problem, you are more likely to get rebooked or offered an alternative option. A smaller regional airport may offer fewer flights each day, have limited ground staff or longer wait times to get assistance.

Check the on-time record of a particular flight.

Neugarten recommends that you use tools such as Google Flights FlightAware will show you if there are frequent delays and/or cancellations. It will give you a better idea of which airlines or routes are more likely to be affected by disruptions. This can help you make a more informed choice before buying a ticket.

Check the track record of your airline.

Airlines are also required to submit a report to the DOT on their percentage of cancelled flights. U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. This data offers valuable insight into an airline’s overall reliability—and can help you choose a carrier with minimal canceled flights.