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Travel Tips

The best ways to survive flight cancellations

26 Nov 2024

Though rare, you can come across flight cancellations which can more than trouble you, as you will be hoping for a comfortable and safe flight, instead of hearing this unfortunate announcement. Your flights can get canceled due to bad weather at the airport you are catching your flight from, bad weather on the route, or bad weather at the destination airport. There are parts of the USA that expect storms and hurricanes at certain times of the year, while others can be unpredictable. The other major reasons for cancellations are engineering faults with the aircraft which can make the flying machine unfit for any flights. The airlines always try to inform you of the cancelations at the earliest as those who get this information after reaching the airport will be most disappointed.

Handling such shocks

Now, most people will be wondering what next after they get to know about the cancellation of the flights, in which you have invested a good amount and around which you have planned your business or leisure trips. If you have just got your last-minute flights or you are flying due to any emergencies, some of you may get a little agitated, though it will be best to stay cool and calm to see what is possible. Here we suggest some ways to handle these heartbreaking scenarios.

Seeking alternatives

The first thing you should do in these cases is to contact the airline that offered the flight that got canceled. If you are at home when you get to know of these you should call their customer care team. If you are on your way to the airport or at the airport, you should try to get to the airline counter at the airport at the earliest. You will not be the only one doing this, all the people who would have been flying with you will be doing the same. You may find large crowds at the counters if several flights have been canceled. You should patiently wait for your turn, and when you reach the right authority you should explain your situation and ask what they will be doing for you.

The alternatives you will get

Most airlines in such events will be offering you flights over alternative routes or a flight at a later date. However, some of you may be expecting the whole airfare to be refunded which may or may not be possible, as it all depends on the type of air ticket you possess. Those with business class or first class air tickets will always be treated as a priority for seats on the next available flights. The same cannot be said about the economy class tickets and if you have purchased one that takes care of cancellations, what you have paid will definitely be refunded. Some of you may have been careful considering the weather in your state or at the destination if you fly there regularly, and have bought policies for cancellations that are often offered by the airlines or your chosen Online Travel Agency. In this case, you can contact them or the insurance company that you picked for this, which often offers these in their travel insurance package.

The waiting list

All this will mean that you may have to wait for some period for your refund. However, if you have sufficient funds you can always book another flight and do what you have planned, as the money will usually be transferred into your account without any action from you. Keeping this in mind the airlines often offer you flights with their partner airlines, just to show that they care for you and that they are doing everything that they can do for you. The savior for you in such circumstances will be the records of everything related to your flights, including copies of the tickets and insurance documents. These will make sure that you get what you are owed and take action if nothing is done for you. Some airlines often offer you their credit points which you can use to book any flight with them, whether to your preplanned destination or another.

In the middle of nowhere

Things will be relatively simpler for you if you are catching the flight from your home city, as you will have the comfort of your home to return to, in case alternative flights are not offered on the same day. But if you are coming to catch your return flight or the flight is canceled while you are at a stopover, things can get a little complicated. You will have nowhere to return, so you will be expecting the airlines to arrange accommodations for you. If you are at an airline hub, like that of Air Emirates in Dubai, they will have vouchers for hotel rooms and meals ready for you. The option of being stranded at the airport till the next flight becomes available can often be difficult. So, you should try to find out what will be done in such situations and the airlines apart from travel insurance companies will be your only hope for any assistance.

Conclusion

Flight cancellations are something that no one will want to face as these will jumble up your travel plans. Yes, an alternative flight arranged quickly will always make you smile, but if not you will be hoping for a quick refund, which is your right by the laws of most Western nations. Here we have suggested the solutions to the difficulties you may face.

By FlightsChannel Team
Category
Featured Blog
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