Flight Cancellations and Delays Due to Tech Outage: What Now?
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Thursday night’s global technology outage is continuing to affect air travelers today, and it may be hours before airlines can catch up.
The outage was caused by a software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, which affected millions of devices using Microsoft, including computers used by airlines, banks and other businesses. Even though CrowdStrike says a fix was deployed and airlines have resumed operations, there will continue to be cancellations and delays today.
As of 2:30 p.m. EST, more than 2,000 flights within, in and out of the U.S. were canceled today — and that’s not counting the delays, which totaled more than 7,000, according to flight tracking service FlightAware.
If you are flying today, check your flight status frequently with your airline before you go to the airport. The most up-to-date information is usually in the airline’s app, so make sure to download it ahead of time for quick access to the latest updates.
You might also want to monitor updates from your departure airport. Some airports are experiencing delays of two hours or more, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the hardest hit airport in the U.S. right now, experiencing average delays of 374 minutes (roughly 6 hours) for departures. New York City-area airports are also some of the hardest hit, with John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) delays averaging 171 minutes (nearly 3 hours) and LaGuardia (LGA) averaging 129 minutes (just over 2 hours).
Here are some other steps you can take if you are one of the affected passengers traveling or planning to travel today.
Change your flight
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines have issued waivers for passengers traveling today from certain airports. These waivers will allow passengers to change flights to another day without having to pay a fare difference or change fee. You cannot change the departure or arrival airport or your cabin.
Delta’s and Frontier’s waiver applies to all customers flying today, regardless of airport. Spirit Airlines’ waiver applies to all customers flying today and tomorrow.
Delta's waiver is available for all travelers whose flights were impacted between July 19-23, 2024. New tickets must be reissued before July 28, 2024 to be eligible.
American’s waiver, meanwhile, is available for flyers traveling to, from or through these airports:
Boston, Massachusetts (BOS).
Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT).
Chicago-O’Hare, Illinois (ORD).
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas (DFW).
Los Angeles, California (LAX).
Miami, Florida (MIA).
New York-JFK, New York (JFK).
New York-LGA, New York (LGA).
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PHL).
Phoenix, Arizona (PHX).
Washington-Reagan, Washington, D.C. (DCA).
The United Airlines waiver affects travelers going to, from or through these airports:
Cleveland, Ohio (CLE).
Denver, Colorado (DEN).
Newark, New Jersey (EWR).
Frankfurt, Germany. (FRA).
Guam, United States (GUM).
Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL).
Washington-Dulles, Washington, D.C. (IAD).
Houston, Texas (IAH).
Los Angeles, California (LAX).
London- Heathrow, United Kingdom (LHR).
Orlando, Florida (MCO).
Chicago-O’Hare, Illinois (ORD).
San Francisco, California (SFO).
What to do if your flight is canceled
If an airline cancels your flights, look for rebooking options in the app or online right away. That’ll be faster than waiting for a customer service agent over the phone or at the airport. Keep in mind that airlines are being bombarded with calls and messages right now, so expect longer on hold times.
Here are the cancellation policies by airline:
If you’re not getting through to a customer service agent, you can try reaching out to your airline on X (formerly Twitter).
» Learn more: 8 money moves to make when your flight is canceled
What to do if your flight is delayed
If you must fly out today, get comfortable at the airport. You might be waiting a while. This is when a credit card with lounge access might be handy. Though you probably won’t be escaping crowds there, it might give you a more comfortable place to sit while you wait it out.
In the interim, you can work on getting your flight delay compensation to pay for meals at the airport during the delay. Most airlines will give meal vouchers for delays of three hours or more.
Here are the flight delay compensation policies by airline:
Other ways to get compensation
When an airline cancels or significantly delays a flight, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) only requires airlines to refund passengers if the passenger chooses not to accept the rebooking. If you opt to not travel with your original airline or you simply decide not to travel altogether, you are entitled to a refund.
DOT made a new rule requiring automatic cash refunds in April, but the rule doesn’t require airlines to change their policies until October. You also may be eligible for compensation if you have travel insurance or you paid for the flight with a credit card that provides travel insurance protections. Keep your receipts so you can file your claim for trip delay or trip cancellation reimbursement.
$95
$550
$695
$95
• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.
• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.
• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.
• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.
• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.
• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.
• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.
• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.
• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.
• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.
• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.
• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.
• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.
• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.
Terms apply.
• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.
• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.
• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.
• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.
• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.
Delayed or lost baggage recourse
If you have made it to your destination but your beloved checked luggage has not, hold out hope.
When your luggage doesn’t arrive on the same flight as you, it’s considered delayed. Your bag won’t be considered lost until it cannot be located for a specific number of days as determined by the airline, usually between 5-14 days after your flight.
You may be eligible for reimbursement or compensation. Read our full breakdown of delayed baggage compensation policies by airline.
According to the DOT, you are entitled to compensation for reasonable incidental expenses you incur because of your delayed baggage, up to the maximum liability limits, set by statute. For U.S. domestic flights, this is $3,800 per passenger; international flights are capped at around $1,700 per passenger, in accordance with the Montreal Convention.
Or start filing your claim:
Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance
Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan
Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
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