How to Deal with a Flight Cancellation

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Find out if you have any recourse if your flight gets canceled or you get bumped.

Step 1: Know your rights
Know your rights before booking a flight. Visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection web site for information aimed at consumers with cancelled or overbooked flights.

Step 2: Visit airline web site
Visit your airline’s web site and find their ticketing contract information before buying your ticket. Read their policies regarding cancellations and overbooking.

Step 3: Call airline to rebook
If your flight gets canceled and you're already at the airport, call your airline to rebook. This may shortcut long lines at the ticket counter.

Tip
Most major airlines have computer programs that quickly rebook your flight.

Step 4: Call other airlines
Call other airlines to find an alternative flight. Make sure they will honor your cancelled flight’s ticket.

Tip
No federal laws require airlines to compensate passengers whose flights have been cancelled.

Step 5: Seek compensation if bumped
Seek financial reimbursement or ticket vouchers as compensation if you’re bumped from an overbooked flight. Be sure to ask about expiration dates and other restrictions.

Tip
No compensation is required if the airline arranges another flight within one hour of bumped passenger’s original scheduled arrival time.

Step 6: Seek compensation if the airline goes out of business
Seek compensation if the airline goes out of business. Contact your credit card issuer to remove flight charges under the FTC’s Fair Credit Billing Act.

Did You Know?
In 2008, 63,612 passengers were bumped off overbooked flights on U.S. airlines.