Over the holiday weekend, subfreezing temperatures, heavy snow, and strong winds disrupted thousands of flights throughout the U.S. Sunday saw over 1,000 U.S. planes canceled and another 4,000 delayed.
Over half of Buffalo Niagara International Airport flights were canceled. Many flights were canceled or delayed at Chicago O'Hare, Denver, and Seattle-Tacoma airports.
Southwest Airlines had the greatest flight delays, with 928 delayed (22% of schedule) and 313 canceled (7%). United Airlines also canceled 249 flights, 10% of their schedule.
Knowing your rights if weather delays your flights is crucial. Depending on the situation, the airline may compensate or repay you. The Department of Transportation's airline customer service dashboard explains the essentials and binds airlines to its commitments. If your flight is canceled for whatever reason and you don't take the alternative flights, you're entitled to a refund. Airlines must pay you for staff scheduling or mechanical delays. However, "uncontrollable delays" like weather or air traffic control requirements are rarely compensated.
The following airlines are giving change waivers for Northeast travel in the coming days. Click each airline for policy details. Systemwide Alaska Airlines American Air Delta Airlines Southwest Air USA Airlines JetBlue, Spirit Airlines What happens if my flight is canceled? Any cancellation without travel results in a refund. Your rights change if you accept alternate flights.
In the event of a controllable flight cancellation, American, Delta, Hawaiian, or United will:
Provide free rebooking on the same or partner airline, a meal or meal voucher if a passenger waits at least three hours for a new flight, and complimentary hotel accommodations for overnight cancellations.
Offering free ground transportation to and from a hotel for overnight cancellation passengers.