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Delayed and Cancelled Flights
Airline delays caused by bad weather, traffic control problems, and mechanical
repairs are hard to predict. If your flight is canceled, most airlines will rebook
you on the earliest flight possible to your destination, at no additional charge.
If you're able to find a flight on another airline, ask the first airline to endorse
your ticket to the new carrier. This could save you a fare increase, but there is no
rule requiring them to do this.
Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers;
there are no federal requirements. If your flight is delayed or canceled, ask the
airline if it will pay for meals or a phone call. Contrary to what many people
believe, airlines are not required to do so.
| Be Wise While You Wait
While waiting for your flight, remember to follow these important
recommendations:
- Watch your luggage and belongings at all times
- Do NOT accept packages from strangers
- If you see unattended baggage or packages anywhere in the airport terminal
or parking area, report them immediately to a security officer or authority
- Report any suspicious activities to airport security
- Do NOT joke about having a bomb or firearm
- Do NOT discuss terrorism, weapons, explosives or threats while going
through the security checkpoint
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Overbooked Flights
Selling more tickets than there are seats is not illegal. Most airlines overbook
their flights to compensate for "no-shows." If there are more passengers than seats
just before a plane is scheduled to depart, you could be "bumped" or left behind
against your will. Whether you are bumped or not may depend on when you officially
check-in for your flight, so try to arrive early. The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires airlines to ask people to give up their seats voluntarily,
in exchange for compensation. Airlines decide what to offer volunteers, such as
money, a free trip, food or lodging.
Federal rules protect you if you are "bumped" on most flights within the United
States and on outbound international flights. Passengers who are involuntarily bumped are protected under Federal Aviation Administration guidelines. If you volunteer to be bumped, you are agreeing to a deal with the airline that is not regulated and will depend on negotiating at the gate. The airline must give you a written
statement describing your rights, as well as the airline's boarding priority rules
and criteria. If the airline is not able to get you to your final destination within
one hour of your original arrival time, you may be entitled to a maximum of $400 compensation ($800 coompensation on international flights within four hours of your original arrival time). The amount depends on the price of the ticket and the
length of the delay. To receive this payment, you must have a confirmed reservation.
You must also meet the airline's deadlines for ticketing and check-in. An airline
may offer you a free ticket on a future flight in place of a check, but you have
the right to insist on a check.
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