Make California Post a Preferred Source Airline passengers stranded by Friday’s nationwide ground stop have several options to change their travel plans without paying additional fees, while federal regulations may entitle some travelers to a full cash refund.
Even though the FAA lifted the four-hour ground stop just after 8 p.m. ET, airlines are warning that heavy delays and residual cancellations will stretch into the weekend.
But passengers should think twice before canceling their reservations themselves. Travel experts urged fliers not to hit the cancel button in their airline apps while a flight is still listed as delayed.
Canceling voluntarily before the airline officially cancels could leave customers with a travel credit instead of a cash refund they might otherwise qualify for under Department of Transportation rules.
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United and JetBlue also announced cancellations affecting the vast majority of their remaining Friday night flights, with select international routes among the exceptions.
Passengers also have federal protections independent of the airlines’ offers. Under federal Department of Transportation rules, travelers are entitled to a full refund if an airline cancels their flight and they decline an alternative flight or decide not to travel.
The requirement applies regardless of the cancellation’s cause, including an FAA-ordered ground stop.
The DOT generally defines them as three hours or more for domestic flights and six hours or more for international flights, based on arrival time.
Accepting an alternative flight or travel credit instead of a refund generally means surrendering the right to a refund.
Airlines may also provide meal vouchers and hotel accommodations when cancellations or significant delays are within their control, according to the DOT’s airline customer service dashboard.
