Over 1,000 US Flights Delayed and 58 Cancelled on Thursday: What to Know About Refund Rules
More than 1,000 flights were delayed across the US on Thursday, and another 58 were cancelled outright, according to FlightAware data cited by NJ.com. The count of delays came to about 1,059, so if you spent part of the day stuck at a gate, you were in very good company.
Weather was the main culprit. Strong winds hit Boston and the New York metro area, thunderstorms rolled through Phoenix, and rain slowed things down in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas. Seattle had its own headache in the form of low clouds. If you’re flying on any of those routes, it’s probably worth checking your flight status with the airline before you head to the airport, and taking a quick look at their cancellation and refund policies while you’re at it.
What the US Refund Rules Actually Say
Since 2024, US Department of Transportation (DOT) rules have covered anyone flying to, from or within the country. If your flight is cancelled or significantly changed, you’re generally entitled to an automatic refund. Long delays count too: more than three hours on a domestic trip, or six hours on an international one. The catch is that you only qualify if you turn down whatever alternative the airline offers.
That means saying no to rebooked flights, revised itineraries and extras like travel vouchers. Once you do, the airline is supposed to issue your refund automatically, without you having to chase it. Credit card payments should be sorted within seven business days, while other payment methods can take up to 20 calendar days. One more thing to keep in mind: the refund typically won’t apply if the ticket has already been used.
What If the Airline Refuses a Refund?
It’s not unheard of for an airline to drag its feet or flat-out say no, so it helps to build a paper trail early. Hang on to every email and text message the airline sends you, along with your boarding passes and the receipts for anything you had to pay for because of the disruption, like meals or a hotel. Snap a quick photo of the departure boards at the airport too, since they can back up your timeline later. If you can, ask the airline to put the reason for the delay or cancellation in writing.
If they still won’t follow the rules, you’re not out of options. You can file a complaint with the DOT, and having all of that documentation ready will make your case a lot easier to follow.