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The federal government shutdown has entered its second week, and already a shortage of air traffic controllers has disrupted operations at some US airports and disrupted flights.
expertsAnd union leaders representing air traffic controllers and security inspectors have warned that the impact could be much worse if the shutdown continues and workers go without pay.
Here’s what you need to know about your rights as a traveler and what you can do if the number of delays and cancellations starts to rise:
Check before going to the airport
It’s better to be stuck at home or in a hotel than to be stuck in an airport terminal, so before you head to the airport, use airline apps or flight websites to make sure your flight is still on. it FAA The site can be checked to see if there are any massive delays at your airport.
Thrifty Travel executive editor Kyle Potter cautioned that it may be difficult to obtain compensation if a problem occurs.
Potter said, “In the United States, Americans have surprisingly few rights as passengers. When things go wrong, it’s really left up to the airline industry to figure out what it means to do right by customers.”
My flight was cancelled. what now?
If you’re already at the airport, it’s time to find another flight. Get in line to speak to a customer service representative and call or go online to connect with the airline’s reservations staff. It also helps to reach out on X, formerly known as Twitter, because airlines can respond quickly there.
Airlines Will rebook you on a later flight at no extra charge. The good news at the moment is that this is not the peak travel time, so passengers have a better chance of getting seats. But the busy holiday season is right around the corner with Thanksgiving next month and Christmas in December. During those peak times, passengers may have to wait for days for a seat on a new flight.
Can I ask to book a ticket on another airline?
You can, but airlines are not required to put you on a flight on another carrier. Except for a few airlines, including the largest airlines south west And discount airlines say they can put you on a partner airline, but even then it’s often hit or miss. Jeff Cleary, CEO of CheapAir.com, recommends researching alternative flights while waiting to speak to an agent.
Am I due a refund?
If you no longer wish to travel, or you have found another way to reach your destination, the airline is legally required to refund your money, even if you purchased a non-refundable ticket. It doesn’t matter why the flight was cancelled.
“If the airline cancels your flight, you can say, ‘Okay. I’ll take a refund and get my money back,'” Potter said. “The important thing is that you get your payment back. You’re not just settling for an airline voucher that may expire in a year or less.”
You’re also entitled to a refund for any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras you didn’t use.
Can I get compensation?
US airlines are not required to pay additional cash compensation and cover lodging and meals for stranded passengers, even if the flight cancellation is the airline’s fault.
The Biden administration proposed a rule that would have changed this and required airlines to pay passengers for delays and cancellations in more circumstances, but trump The administration rescinded it last month and airlines praised it for doing so.
Travel insurance can help if you’ve purchased a policy when booking or used a travel credit card that offers one. But Potter said you shouldn’t assume you’ll be covered even if you have insurance. Check the fine print to see if you’re covered in situations where problems arise due to a labor shortage.
Which airlines will cover
Each airline has its own policy. The U.S. Department of Transportation has a site that lets consumers view the commitments made by each airline to cover refunds and other expenses if a flight is canceled or significantly delayed.
Other Tips
If too many flights are cancelled, airline agents will soon be overwhelmed. If you’re in a group and one person is in a higher tier of the airline’s frequent-flyer program, use the number associated with that person to call the airline. You can also try calling your airline’s international support number – usually available online – as those agents can make changes to your itinerary as well.
It would be good. The agent you’re talking to is probably dealing with other frustrated travelers as well, and yelling at the agent won’t make them want to help you. The cancellation is not their fault.
Consider Other Options
If these problems become more widespread, you may consider whether it is appropriate to travel by train or car or bus, but there is really no way to predict when and where staffing shortages may occur. And the ongoing shortage of controllers is so severe that even a small number of absences could cause problems.
Potter said the shutdown is different from a situation where a single airline is having problems and travelers can choose another airline. This is creating problems for entire airports at once.
“It’s the entire airport-airline infrastructure,” Potter said. “As the shutdown drags on, these problems grow and spread, it’s unlikely that a single airline will be able to stay afloat on time if everyone else is failing. It’s going to impact the entire system over time.”