How to handle airline woes, from cancellations to refunds to lost bags
Here are tips to solve problems -- or avoid them in the first place
For nearly five years, airline travel has been a huge source of stress. We had understandable cancellations during the early months of the pandemic in 2020, when most people didn’t want to fly anyway. But getting those legally mandatory refunds was a major headache for many travelers.
The last few years, we’ve seen airline schedules disrupted by staff shortages. Sometimes we have massive cancellations and meltdowns during bad weather. Sometimes they happen on perfectly calm, sunny days, when technology fails.
Reforms by the airlines and additional consumer protections are a work in progress. While we’re waiting for those much-needed changes to take effect in some cases and get approved in others, here are links to things you should know and steps you can take:
What to do if your flight is canceled or delayed for hours
Airline travel tips you shouldn’t fly without – what to do before, during and if there’s a problem
A guide to all of your legal rights
The new passenger protections approved in 2024, and when they take effect
Learn how to get a refund when the airline cancels your flight for any reason
Understand how credits and vouchers work for the 10 largest airlines
How to file a complaint with the DOT
Topics
Authors
Teresa Murray
Consumer Watchdog, U.S. PIRG Education Fund
Teresa directs the Consumer Watchdog office, which looks out for consumers’ health, safety and financial security. Previously, she worked as a journalist covering consumer issues and personal finance for two decades for Ohio’s largest daily newspaper. She received dozens of state and national journalism awards, including Best Columnist in Ohio, a National Headliner Award for coverage of the 2008-09 financial crisis, and a journalism public service award for exposing improper billing practices by Verizon that affected 15 million customers nationwide. Teresa and her husband live in Greater Cleveland and have two sons. She enjoys biking, house projects and music, and serves on her church missions team and stewardship board.
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