Bad weather can derail even the best-laid travel plans. When that happens, U.S. airlines must provide refunds for canceled flights. If winter weather is expected, airlines might also allow you to postpone your trip without fees.
Delta Air Lines estimates that it lost $200 million due to the longest government shutdown on record. CEO Ed Bastian says refunds increased and bookings slowed during the 43-day shutdown, leading to a loss of about 25 cents per share.
Air travelers could face more frustration as U.S. airports need to meet a higher FAA target for reducing flights. The FAA ordered airlines to drop 4% of flights at 40 major airports due to staffing issues.
The 40 airports impacted by the cuts span more than two dozen states. The Federal Aviation Administration said the reductions would start at 4% and ramp up to 10% by Nov. 14.
Delta Air Lines issued an apology to travelers for the continued problems following Friday's CrowdStrike system update, which caused thousands of flight cancellations throughout the country.
Passenger complaints about airlines rose sharply in the first half of the year, according to consumer watchdogs. The number of canceled flights declined, but delays and other problems increased.
The Department of Transportation says it is looking into the airline's flight scheduling practices and will hold it accountable for refunds. The 16,700 canceled flights cost Southwest $800 million.
The transportation secretary is one of the many travelers who had their flights cancelled in recent days. His happened the day after he met with airline CEOs about their operational struggles.
The transportation secretary is one of the many travelers who had their flights cancelled in recent days. His happened the day after he met with airline CEOs about their operational struggles.
The unofficial start of summer is offering a troubling look at what lies ahead for travelers during the peak vacation season. U.S. airlines canceled more than 2,800 flights over a five-day stretch including the Memorial Day weekend, as bad weather, crews calling in sick, and other factors snarled their operations.
