What to do if your flight is cancelled or delayed?
Temperatures are dropping. You visualize that overwater bungalow in Moorea. Feel the warmth against your face biking through Hanoi. Smell the salty air in Mykonos. You can’t wait, and arrive at SeaTac four hours early for your flight. What’s the worst that can happen?
At SeaTac you notice your flight number is not on the board. You wait 20 minutes in line to check in. You’re up. Then the airline agent says those dreaded three words, “your flight’s cancelled.” No warning. The plane is just not operating. You’re told to wait to the side with the other frustrated travelers. Stress builds. What should you do?
Flight cancellations and delays happen. Especially in today’s travel world. And you’re not the lone ranger. But that doesn’t matter when you’re stuck at the airport. Take a deep breath. There are resolutions, if you prepare beforehand, and know your rights.
Prepare
You’ve made sure the airline has your mileage number and Global Entry, but have you made sure they have your cell phone number and email?
The airlines are required to notify you and/or your travel advisor if there’s been a cancellation or change. Did the airline agent take your cell number? Your email? Did your travel advisor relay that same information to the airline on your behalf?
More than 24 hours: If the cancellation/change is more than 24 hours out, your travel advisor will notify you and offer you a new time, routing change, or both. You’ll be given a choice to accept the new flight, change it or reject it. This is usually due to an under booked flight cancellation or switching flight equipment.
Within 24 hours: The above applies.
Here’s the caveat. The airlines will notify you directly, before your travel advisor. It’s up to you to accept or reject the change. Advisors may not see changes for a simple reason, such as time of day. Inform your advisor about the change to make sure everyone’s on the same page. Sometimes an air ticket will need to be reissued. It’s extremely important to make sure that ticket number is given to your travel advisor as well.
Know Your Rights
In 2024, the Department of Transportation passed a new rule in favor of airline traveler rights, which now mandates automatic refunds for passengers when flights are canceled or face significant delays.
No need to negotiate. Airlines are now required to refund your money directly to your original payment method. Refunds must be issued within seven days for card payments and within 20 days for payments made with cash or points.
What’s in the rulebook?
The rule formalizes what qualifies as a “significant” delay — three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international ones, per the Department of Transportation.
Additional protections include:
Full refunds if the airline changes your arrival, departure, or connecting airport, adds a connection, or places you on a less accessible plane if you have a disability.
Refunds for baggage fees if your luggage is lost (a report is still required), and for services like wi-fi or seat selection if they were paid for but not delivered.
Here’s the caveat: Refunds are not that easy peasy. You must first meet all the criteria of the cancellation/delay, and you must have rejected the offer the airline gave you. To date, a small percent of refunds have qualified. And do you really want to forfeit your vacation at the last minute?
Final word: You’ll be lying on that sandy beach or riding that bike path halfway around the world in no time, by staying smart and informed.
Have a question or travel related story to share? Email travel@laconnercommunitynews.org.
Teri Goldstein is a La Conner Community News contributor. Her column Ciao Teri: Travel Tips and Tales appears online and in print bimonthly. She is also the owner of TG Travel Group LLC, a published journalist, travel writer, author, and travel consumer advocate. She lives in La Conner with her husband and two kitties.
