Haylin Urbanowski, an 18-year-old college student, had a night to remember – but not for the right reasons. Flying back to San Diego from Tampa via Austin, she experienced the nightmare many travelers faced this week: flight cancellations and delays due to severe winter weather.
Her nightmare began with a seven-time delay on the first leg, followed by a cancellation that left her stranded in Austin. Southwest Airlines rebooked her for a midnight flight on Thursday, arriving just hours before her first class. But the ordeal wasn’t over.
With the hotel full, Urbanowski spent a freezing night huddled in the baggage claim, bundled in layers but still shivering. This wasn’t an isolated incident. Across the country, thousands of travelers shared similar stories.
Nearly 1,100 flights were canceled and over 6,100 were delayed on Friday, with United Airlines bearing the brunt, scrapping a staggering 233 flights (9% of its schedule). The culprit? A winter storm bringing snow and frigid temperatures, impacting over 115 million people from Iowa to New Jersey.
So, what happens if your flight is canceled or delayed?
Flight Cancellations:
- Airlines are required to offer refunds for canceled flights, regardless of the reason.
- For controllable cancellations (not weather-related), some airlines like Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, and United offer:
- Rebooking on the same or partner airline
- Meals or vouchers for meals if the wait for a new flight is 3 hours or more
- Hotel accommodations and ground transportation for overnight cancellations
Flight Delays:
- No federal laws require compensation for delays, but airlines might offer it for significant delays within their control (definitions vary).
- Airlines like Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, and United might offer:
- Rebooking on the same or partner airline
- Meals or vouchers for meals if the wait for departure is 3 hours or more
- Hotel accommodations and ground transportation for overnight delays
What to Do if Your Flight is Disrupted:
- Ask airline staff about meal or hotel compensation.
- Check the DOT dashboard for your airline’s official policies.
- Consider travel insurance or credit card benefits that cover travel disruptions.
Remember, airline policies can vary, and sometimes they might offer compensation even in situations not formally covered. So, don’t hesitate to ask!
Haylin Urbanowski’s experience highlights the importance of being prepared for travel disruptions, especially during winter months. Having travel insurance, knowing your airline’s policies, and staying informed about weather conditions can help ease the stress and make a potentially frustrating experience a little less nightmarish.
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