What to Do If Flights Get Canceled or Delayed by the Government Shutdown

Millions of travelers are about to be stuck in a government-directed slowdown of air travel as the strain grows on unpaid and overworked air traffic controllers.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that, starting on Friday, officials are cutting 10% of flights at 40 US airports.

The aviation analytics company Cirium compiled a list of about 100 potentially affected airports. Six have so far confirmed to Business Insider that they are among the 40, including Anchorage, Atlanta, Charlotte, Seattle, Boston, and Philadelphia.

A dozen others said they have not yet been notified of reductions and referred Business Insider to the government and airlines.

Airlines are preparing to make schedule adjustments. The flight disruptions are certain to affect many travelers, and this article contains some tips and policies so you know your options.

Frontier Airlines told Business Insider that customers will be proactively notified of changes, but did not have the exact flights. Southwest had similarly minimal details.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement that the carrier’s long-haul international routes and hub-to-hub flying would not be affected. Instead, regional flying and domestic mainline flights that do not fly between hubs would be cut.

Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle warned passengers to prepare for the worst: “If your flight is canceled, your chances of being stranded are high, so I would simply have a backup ticket on another airline,” he said in a LinkedIn post.

In most cases, customers will be rebooked on an alternate flight in the case of a cancellation. Customers with long enough delays are also entitled to compensation if they choose not to fly.

Here is the best advice for what to do if your flight is disrupted.

1. Know your rights as an airline passenger in the US

According to the Department of Transportation, there is no law requiring US airlines to compensate passengers for disruptions caused by uncontrollable events, such as weather. That also includes air traffic control delays.

The only rule carriers must follow is to refund customers in the event of cancellations, even for non-controllable events. And that does not mean travel credits or vouchers — it must be cash, and includes any add-ons, such as bags or seats. Government-directed flight cancellations would qualify.

But carriers do not owe meals, hotel rooms, or financial compensation for shutdown-related cancellations or delays — because the cause is the government, not the airline.

Passengers are still entitled to a refund or rebooking on the same airline, but carriers are not required to provide additional accommodations or rebook on another airline.

Some, like American, Delta, United, and Frontier, have flexible travel policies in place amid the reductions, allowing customers to change or cancel their flights.

If you choose to travel but your flight is delayed or canceled, ask the airline for the reason — ideally in writing — so you know what you’re entitled to. Airlines have different policies for disruptions they control, like crew or maintenance issues.

The DoT’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard — launched in 2022 — shows what the 10 largest US airlines promise in those cases, including rebookings, meal vouchers, and hotel accommodations.

2. Monitor your airline’s app for rebooking options

When a flight delay or cancellation is announced, expect people to flock to the nearest customer service line for assistance, and for the phone lines to clog.

Wait times can be painfully long, and the best alternatives will likely go quickly. However, some airlines offer the option to rebook on their website or mobile app and waive any fees, making it sometimes easier to make changes online than in person.

If all available options are exhausted, have a plan B, such as waiting to speak with a live agent, contacting the airline through social media, or booking a hotel for the night.

Direct messaging on Facebook or Twitter can actually serve as a virtual placeholder, and you may hear back via chat before speaking to a live agent.

Here are the phone numbers for each airline:

• Alaska: 1-800-252-7522 or text 82008
• Allegiant: 1-702-505-8888
• American: 1-800-433-7300
• Avelo: 1-346-616-9500
• Breeze: No phone number to call, but you can text the airline at 501-273-3931. If you call this number, it’ll tell you different ways to contact Breeze, like via email or Facebook Messenger.
• Delta: 1-800-221-1212
• Frontier: No phone number. The best way to contact Frontier is via online chat or email.
• JetBlue: 1-800-538-2583
• Southwest: 1-800-435-9792
• Spirit: 1-855-728-3555
• Sun Country: 1-651-905-2737
• United: 1-800-864-8331

3. Ask for a hotel or meal voucher

For controllable delays or cancellations that result in a customer waiting at least three hours for a new flight or requiring an overnight stay, several airlines will offer meal or hotel vouchers. 

Carriers offering both are Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines, per the DoT dashboard.

Frontier Airlines is the only carrier that does not offer accommodations in the event of an overnight delay or cancellation, but it will provide a meal voucher.

For US airlines not listed on the dashboard, or in cases where the disruption is uncontrollable (like due to the shutdown) or the compensation is unclear, simply ask.

It never hurts to request a meal or hotel during flight disruptions, and you might get lucky with a goodwill gesture from the carrier.

4. Check if your credit card company offers travel insurance

Several major banks offer credit cards that come with travel insurance, like Chase’s Sapphire Reserve or American Express’ Platinum Card. Both offer trip protection, meaning customers who purchased their flight with that specific card can reap the benefits.

For example, in the case of a major storm system, it’s likely many passengers will end up stranded in random cities across the US.

However, banks with travel insurance included can reimburse cardholders for unexpected expenses outside their control, including hotel, meal, and transportation costs. 

Travel insurance does not apply in all circumstances, like short delays or possibly government-mandated cancellations, so be sure to check your policy before making a claim — but it also doesn’t hurt to make the claim anyway, even if the answer is no.

5. Know when to walk away

During the holidays, which look increasingly uncertain as the government shutdown drags on, it’s easy to lose sight of your purpose — seeing friends and family or simply getting away from home for a few days.

However, delays and cancellations are inevitable, especially as airlines reduce their flying schedules to meet the government’s 10% cut request.

But, don’t spend all day sitting around waiting — give yourself a cut-off time. Once that moment passes, consider alternative means of getting to your destination, such as driving or taking a bus or train (which may also be covered by travel insurance).

If you are stuck in another city and have no other option but to stay in a hotel or wait at the airport, decide how you want to spend your time and make a plan.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2023 and has been updated.