The Federal Aviation Administration’s directive to reduce air traffic by about 10% at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports has left travelers confused and airlines scrambling for options. Amid the travel confusion as the nation’s biggest travel day approaches, passengers have some remedies available to them.
Travelers are expected to see severe flight delays — and, sometimes, cancellations — as the FAA’s measure begins to be implemented, starting Friday. However, whether you can get a refund or avoid paying for flight changes can vary. Remedies depend on the airline a person flies with and the circumstances surrounding the delays.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Transportation rescinded a Biden administration rule that would have required airlines to compensate passengers at least $200 when their flights were delayed for more than three hours, The Points Guy reported in September.
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At least one airline executive advises travelers to take extreme measures to ensure they arrive at their desired destination.
Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle wrote on LinkedIn on Thursday that passengers should buy a second, backup ticket on another carrier that departs after the first flight they’re booked to take. He said that would ensure people have immediate backups, especially those traveling for weddings, funerals or other must-attend events.
“Carriers like Frontier will be putting you on the next available flight, but that may not be until after your event due to the scale of this disruption,” Biffle wrote. “Make sure you buy a backup that is changeable into a credit or full refund. If you don’t need the insurance, keep the credit for your next flight.”
“Apologies for the disruption,” Biffle wrote. “This will be necessary until the government shutdown is ended to ensure safety for all travelers, given reduced staffing levels with ATC.”
Flight cancellations, ‘significant delays’
Despite the recent rule change, relief is still available for passengers who run into travel problems.
According to the DOT, if an airline cancels a flight for any reason and a person chooses not to travel on another flight, the passenger is entitled to a refund.
Passengers may also be compensated for “significant delays,” defined by the DOT as a departure at least three hours behind schedule. The same is true if the departure or arrival airport is changed, a person is involuntarily downgraded or if connections are added to the itinerary.
Passengers with a disability have relief if a change is issued on the aircraft or at the airport. The rule doesn’t specify whether people are entitled to a full or partial refund, or if they’re owed a different form of compensation, such as flight credits or a complimentary hotel room. The department does require airlines to notify passengers about their rights to a refund.
“Airlines are required to notify you about flight cancellations and significant delays/changes and your right to receive a refund,” the DOT said. “If you subscribe to receive notifications by email, text message, or mobile app push notice, these notifications must be provided to you by the notification method to which you have subscribed.”
Ineligible refunds
There are exceptions to the DOT’s policies regarding refunds, primarily due to a few limitations.
A person who takes a significantly delayed, changed or alternate flight that the airline offered isn’t entitled to a refund under the DOT’s rules. But people can request compensation if the airline could have prevented the delay and it caused a “long enough” inconvenience.
People who purchased nonrefundable tickets and decide against traveling entirely, or arrive at the airport late, aren’t entitled to refunds. Nor does unsatisfactory service require a refund.
Airlines, however, are allowed to have more relaxed policies.
Alaska, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Allegiant or Spirit airlines have yet to release information about travelers’ options during the reduction.
Here’s what other airlines have to offer for travelers.
American Airlines
The airline said in a Thursday update that its flights will be affected starting Friday. It expects most customers’ travel to be unaffected. But it said those whose flights were canceled or who choose not to travel may change their flight or request refunds, penalty-free.
Delta Airlines
Delta said on its website that most passengers would remain unaffected by the new travel restrictions, but said that people can do the following without incurring penalties during this time period: change, cancel or refund flights, including those booked as Delta Main Basic.
This is only applicable for tickets reissued on or before Nov. 16, and travel that’s booked no later than that same date. If a new flight is scheduled after that date, people can expect to pay a difference in flight fares.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines wrote on its Facebook page that people flying on Friday and later can expect to be notified about cancellations and be automatically rebooked on another flight, in most cases. If a flight is canceled and a person decides against traveling, the airline said refunds may be issued.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to notify travelers about flight changes and their rights to refunds.
United Airlines
United CEO Scott Kirby said in a news release on Wednesday that United’s flights to and from its hubs and internationally will not be impacted by the directive. He said the airline is focused on targeting regional and domestic flights that do not travel between its hubs.
United has hubs at O’Hare in Chicago, Denver International, Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport in Guam, Houston/George Bush Intercontinental, Los Angeles International, Newark Liberty, San Francisco International and Washington Dulles.
Ticketed passengers can expect to receive notifications from the airline, along with rebooking options, if their flights change, Kirby said. He added that anyone who is traveling is eligible for a refund if they don’t want to fly, even if their flights aren’t affected, and even if they have nonrefundable tickets or are flying on basic economy status.
“Even with these schedule reductions,” Kirby wrote. “United and its United Express partners will still offer about 4,000 flights per day to fly our customers to their destinations. And because of the early November timing, our flights have more seats available than before the summer, meaning we should be able to find seats for many customers even if their flight is canceled.”
