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Summer tourist season is at its peak, regularly bring more flights delayed and canceled.
But visitors can bad luck When it comes to reimbursement for such disruptions, it depends on the root cause and the airline’s specific policy, experts say.
“Generally speaking, in the United States, airlines are not really obligated to pay you anything, at any time,” said Eric Napoli, legal director at AirHelp, which helps passengers claim compensation for delayed or canceled flights.
‘Peak’ season for flight delays and cancellations
Napoli said mid-June to late August is typically the “peak season” for flight disruptions.
“This summer will see more planes in the sky, more frequent bad weather and increased use of national airspace,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration. webpage about summer travel
According to FAA data as of July 21, bad weather accounted for 66% of all flight delays in 2024. In 2023, the rate was about 72%.
Such data would probably include a global IT blackout on July 19 caused thousands of flights to be canceled.
The FAA said “volume” was responsible for 15% of delays this year.
Summer typically brings “higher volumes of passengers and flights” because school is out and “millions of Americans are on vacation,” Hayley Berg wrote in a recent post. Analysis of travel disruption.
Indeed, eight of the 10 busiest travel days in 2024 are in June, July and August, according to the FAA. data as of Sunday.
What you can expect from airlines
In general, airlines have a general obligation when it comes to compensating passengers: Carriers must refund fares and fees if they cancel a flight or make a “significant change” to the flight—regardless of the reason, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The Department of Transport said consumers would only be entitled to a refund if they chose not to accept an alternative option from the airline, such as rebooking on another flight.
This obligation still applies to those who have purchased non-refundable tickets.
One caveat: The DOT doesn’t currently define what constitutes a “significant” change. The agency says that decision is based on factors like the length of the delay and the flight, as well as the specific circumstances.
Starting October 28, airlines will be required to “promptly” and automatically refund customers, according to a recent rule issued by the Biden administration. The rule will also define a “significant” change as a delay of three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.
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More broadly, airline compensation policies for delays and cancellations will vary.
Department of Transportation Dashboard Outline the promises of major carriers for customers in case of flight cancellation or delay of more than three hours.
The agency said airlines “must comply” with these promises.
For example, all airlines commit to rebooking passengers on the same airline for free and providing free meals if a cancellation results in a delay of at least three hours for the new flight. Most offer hotel accommodations for flights delayed overnight. None offer cash compensation for delays of three hours or more.
It’s important to note that these airline policies only apply to “controllable” flight delays and cancellations, meaning delays and cancellations that are due to the airline’s operations. The same obligations may not apply to situations beyond their control, such as bad weather.
A series of recent delays and cancellations related to the global IT outage have occurred. considered a “controllable” eventfor example. A technology update failed by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted Microsoft services used by several airlines.
Passengers flying abroad may have more rights depending on international regulations, experts say.
For example, passengers flying to and from Europe often have more rights under European Union compensation law, according to AirHelp.
Tips for passengers
Experts recommend several ways to minimize the chances of flight disruption and better cope with delays or cancellations if they occur:
- Book the first flight of the day. According to Berg, flights departing after 9 a.m. are twice as likely to be delayed as flights departing between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.
- Avoid connecting flights to reduce the risk of disruption. This isn’t always possible, depending on factors like fare, airport, and destination. If you have a connecting flight, allow plenty of time for your layover, Napoli says. At a minimum, passengers should allow at least 45 minutes for domestic flights and 90 minutes for international flights, Berg says.
- Create a buffer day. Berg says to leave “space” at your destination so you don’t miss out on “big” events or plans in case your flight is delayed or canceled.
- Fly on less busy days. Traveling on a weekday like Tuesday or Wednesday tends to have less flight traffic, Napoli says. Travelers are less likely to experience certain types of delays and have more available seats if they need to rebook. Tickets also tend to be cheaper on these days.
- Pack smart. Those with carry-on bags or personal items should pack strategically in case of delays or cancelFor example, you can bring a change of clothes, snacks, electronics, valuables and a toothbrush if your checked luggage doesn’t have one, Napoli says.
- Multitask while waiting. In the event of a flight delay or cancellation, use your time wisely, experts say. “Get in line to speak with an airline representative at the same time you call the customer service center,” Berg says. That way, you’ll maximize your chances of speaking with a representative more quickly if multiple passengers are trying to get through at the same time.
