From Business Insider · Taylor Rains · · 3m
Nearly 7,500 flights canceled in FAA outage: what you can do
An air traffic control outage grounded thousands of US flights. Here's how to get refunds, rebooking and compensation.
In brief
An air traffic control outage grounded thousands of US flights. Here's how to get refunds, rebooking and compensation. Nearly seven thousand five hundred US flights were canceled after an FAA ground stop on Friday. Airlines are not required to provide hotels or meals for uncontrollable disruptions, but passengers can…
Rare outage grounds thousands
An FAA air traffic control outage issued a nationwide ground stop around three forty-five pm on Friday.
Ground stop lifted but chaos continues
The stop was lifted around eight thirty pm, but after so many cancellations, flight chaos is nearly guaranteed to stretch into the weekend.
Airlines not required to pay for uncontrollable disruptions
According to the Department of Transportation, delays and cancellations caused by an ATC outage are considered uncontrollable disruptions. Airlines are not required to provide hotels, food vouchers, or other freebies.
Refunds are mandatory regardless
The only rule carriers must follow is to refund customers for cancellations, even in cases of uncontrollable events.Refunds must go to the original form of payment and include any add-ons such as bags or seats.
Rebook online to avoid long lines
When a flight delay or cancellation is announced, expect long waits at customer service. Most airlines allow customers to rebook on their website or mobile app and waive any fees, making it easier than waiting…
Contact airlines by phone or social media
If online rebooking options are exhausted, call your airline or contact them through Facebook or Twitter.
Ask for vouchers even if not required
For controllable delays or cancellations, several airlines offer meal or hotel vouchers. Eight carriers offer both: Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
Frontier offers meals but no hotel vouchers
Frontier Airlines is the only carrier on the Department of Transportation dashboard that does not offer accommodations in the event of an overnight delay or cancellation, but it will provide a meal voucher.
Check your credit card travel insurance
Several major banks offer credit cards with travel insurance, such as Chase's Sapphire Reserve and American Express' Platinum Card. Both offer trip protection and can reimburse cardholders for unexpected hotel, meal, and transportation costs.
Know your credit card policy limits
Travel insurance does not apply in all circumstances, such as short delays. Check your policy before making a claim, but it does not hurt to make the claim anyway, even if the answer is no.
Set a cutoff time and find alternatives
Do not spend all day waiting. Set a cutoff time and once that moment passes, consider alternative ways to reach your destination, such as driving or taking a bus or train, which may also be…
The big picture
Nearly seven thousand five hundred US flights were canceled after an FAA ground stop on Friday. Airlines are not required to provide hotels or meals for uncontrollable disruptions, but passengers can rebook online, request vouchers, check credit card travel insurance, or pursue alternative transport.
