What to do if your flight is canceled

When your flight is canceled, timing is often of the essence. Flight cancellations can complicate any travel itinerary, but there are a few steps you can take to help get your trip back on track or get a refund for your canceled travel. 

What you’ll learn:

• Airlines have to notify you if your flight is canceled, so be on the lookout for email, text or app notifications. 

• The Department of Transportation (DOT) says most airlines will rebook your flight at no additional cost or offer automatic refunds when flights are canceled or significantly delayed.

• Some airlines offer amenities like meal vouchers or complimentary hotel accommodations if your flight is canceled.

• Depending on coverage, travel insurance may cover flight cancellations or delays.

Finding out your flight has been canceled can throw your entire day into chaos. But knowing your options can help you prepare to act fast and figure out your next steps with confidence. 

Here are a few things to consider doing if your flight is canceled.

According to the DOT, airlines have to notify you in a timely manner if your flight is canceled. You might get updates by email, text or app notification, so it can be a good idea to keep your phone close at hand while you’re traveling. You can also check your flight status on the airline’s website and on the flight information display system at the airport.

The DOT says that if your flight is canceled, airlines will typically rebook you on the first available flight to your destination—typically at no cost to you. In some cases, you may need to rebook yourself. 

But before you make any decision about rebooking your flight, it may help to check the DOT’s airline cancellation and delay dashboard to find out about services, fees and vouchers the airline provides for cancellations and delays, which could include: 

• Meal or cash vouchers
• Complimentary hotel accommodations
• Free ground transportation to and from the hotel
• Travel credits or vouchers
• Frequent flyer miles

If you need to rebook a canceled flight, you’ll typically have a few options. If you bought your ticket directly from the airline, you could rebook using its app, website or customer service phone number. If you’re already at the airport, you could also try rebooking at the airline’s ticket counter.

If you didn’t book directly through an airline, contact the travel agency, online travel portal or service provider that you used.

If your flight is canceled and you choose not to accept alternative transportation, DOT rules require airlines to automatically issue a refund. Refunds are also required when a domestic flight is delayed by more than three hours or an international flight is delayed by more than six hours. 

The DOT says this rule also applies to:

• Departures from or arrivals at a different airport

• Increased number of connections

• Instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service

• Connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability

• Significant baggage delays

• Purchased services like Wi-Fi or in-flight entertainment if they aren’t provided

The DOT says refunds need to be:

• Issued promptly: Refunds must be issued within seven business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.

• Offered in full: Refunds must be for the full amount of the ticket price, including any taxes and fees, with the value of any portion of transportation already used subtracted.

• Paid in cash or the original form of payment: Refunds must be provided in cash or the original payment method, including airline miles.

Here are some other helpful things to know if you experience a flight cancellation.

Canceled flights can disrupt your travel plans and leave you scrambling. It can help to know how to deal with the situation proactively and understand federal protections for flight cancellations and delays. 

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