It's almost as inescapable and unavoidable as death and taxes: If you travel by air, either a little or a lot, at some point in time, you'll probably have to deal with a delayed or canceled flight.
Airlines delay or cancel flights all the time and for a lot of different reasons, like bad weather, heavy air traffic, and mechanical or maintenance problems. Any one of these reasons might make you late for a business meeting, family gathering, or long-awaited vacation. To potentially save yourself some money and aggravation, learn about your rights and take steps to protect yourself before you book a flight.
Also, when delays and cancellations happen, passengers and their bags don't always end up in the same place at the same time. Vacations and business trips are ruined fast. What can you do? Hold the airlines accountable for their mistakes. If you can't come to a friendly agreement, think about filing a lawsuit.
Before You Book: Learn About Airline Policies for Delays and Cancellations
Regardless of what you might have heard or been told, federal law doesn't currently require an airline to give you anything if your flight is delayed or canceled.
Nonetheless, every airline has its own set of rules or policies about what it will and won't do for passengers when a flight is delayed or canceled. For example, the airline might offer you:
- accommodations at a local hotel until the next available flight
- payment for meals
- discounts on future flights, or
- a seat on another airline going to your destination at a discount or at the same price you paid for your ticket.
While making your travel plans, ask the airline about its policies for delays and cancellations, or take time to read the fine print when booking.
Prepare for Your Trip
Before buying your ticket, here's what you can do to help ease the stress of a delay or cancellation.
Buy Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will help protect you against having to pay all the costs involved when a flight is delayed or canceled. Many companies offer trip insurance, which you can buy online or through a travel agent.
Usually, this insurance covers a wide range of potential financial losses you might suffer, including canceled flights, medical emergencies, and lost luggage, and often comes with travel advice and assistance. Not only will travel insurance cover financial losses, but the company could also provide you with help finding another flight if necessary.
Bring Extra Money
When packing, take some extra money with you just in case. Whether you have to buy tickets on a different airline or just an extra meal in an overpriced airport restaurant, having money set aside will help you avoid having to skimp on meals while you're traveling or having to use credit cards to pay for meals, which could lead to extra debt when you get back home.
Have a Backup Plan
It's a good idea to know what you'll do in the face of a flight problem before you actually encounter one. Know where alternative nearby airports are, take a few extra days' worth of prescription medications, and know where you might be able to stay if you can't get to your destination.
What You Can Do After a Flight Is Canceled
After your flight has been delayed or canceled, consider the following.
Stay Positive
Remaining positive has two main benefits: The first is that you're traveling for an important reason (family, work, or vacation) and your primary focus should be enjoying yourself or getting your job done and done well. The second benefit is that staying positive is a good idea because in a sea of angry travelers, you'll stand out. You'll likely find airline employees would much rather deal with you than somebody else in a foul mood.
Get Help
If you're having a hard time working with your airline to find an alternate flight, get some more help. If you have a travel agent, trip insurance, or bought your airline tickets through a service, contact them. If you're traveling with someone, one of you can wait in line to talk to the airline employee while the other gets on the phone.
Get Your Money Back
If your airline can't get you on an alternate flight, seek a refund. Of course, you'll have to make new travel arrangements, but you might get to your destination as scheduled.
Filing a Suit Over Lost Luggage
In one case, two airline passengers on their way to Italy for a cruise had to make a change in travel plans when their connecting flight in New York was oversold. They were assured several times their luggage would make the trip with them. Unfortunately, they made it to Italy, but the bags didn't until over five days into the cruise. They spent five days of a seven-day cruise looking for basic necessities and clothes and not enjoying the cruise.
According to one of the passengers, the airline's effort to "make good" on the debacle ($300 in ticket vouchers) wasn't good enough, so they filed a lawsuit. The passengers won $2,000 apiece, and the airline paid the court costs.
How It Worked
The passengers' suit was based on negligence; the airline didn't do something it was legally obligated to do, and the passengers were harmed by it. They also claimed negligent misrepresentation. The airline staff said the luggage was on the passengers' plane when they knew, or should have known, otherwise.
Protect Your Luggage
Millions of bags are misplaced each year. Here are some things you can do to help ensure you and your luggage make it to the same place at the same time or, if not that, to help pay for replacing what's lost.
- When possible, use carry-on bags and avoid checking luggage altogether.
- Make sure your checked bags are properly labeled with your name and other identifying information.
- Take direct flights when possible. When you have to change planes, so does your luggage, thereby increasing the risk of lost bags.
- Buy travel insurance and make sure it covers lost luggage in an amount you need. If it doesn't, look into separate excess valuation insurance coverage.
What to Do If Your Bags Are Lost
If your luggage is lost, try to stay calm and take these steps:
- Talk to airline staff immediately for information about filing a claim for lost luggage. Each airline has its own policy.
- Keep receipts for anything you need to buy, like clothes and toiletries.
- Be reasonable when asking for compensation from the airline for the inconvenience. The airline should be reasonable, too.
- If necessary, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- Contact a lawyer if you're unable to resolve the problem in a way that's fair to everyone.
Traveling is much easier and more enjoyable when you don't have to worry about your luggage. Taking some precautions before you fly can make for a smooth landing for you and your luggage.
Getting Help
If you're entitled to a refund, but the airline refuses to give it to you, you can file a consumer complaint with the Department of Transportation.
Also, if you have a dispute with an airline about a ticket refund or some other issue and are not adequately compensated, consider talking to a lawyer. A lawyer can tell you about your rights, available legal remedies, and any statute of limitations deadlines.