Frequent Flight Cancellations Explained

Summary

Airlines in the U.S. Can legally cancel flights multiple times due to various factors. They must offer a refund or rebooking on the next available flight. If unsatisfied, you can file a complaint with the Aviation Consumer Protection. For significant costs, consult a lawyer or check travel insurance for coverage. Contact your airline for specific policies on splitting reservations.

Full Conversation

How many times can an airline cancel your flight in a row before it becomes illegal
Hello! The legality of flight cancellations depends on the airline's policies and the country's aviation laws. Could you please share your location to provide you with more specific information?
I'm trying to get from EWR to DFW
If you are in the U.S., there's no legal limit on cancellations. However:
- Airlines must offer a refund if they cancel, make a significant schedule change or fail to operate a flight.
- If on domestic journey, the airline may book you on their next available flight, or a competitor's flight.
So they can cancel any amount of times with absolutely no penalty whatsoever?
Yes, legally they can cancel as many times as necessary due to various factors. However, they are obligated to either refund you or arrange alternative transportation. Penalties may apply depending on the specific airline's policies.
But every flight I book to DFW they cancelled it's my 3rd flight and they cancelled it again. Does that mean I'm just stuck in NYC till they decide to let me go home?
You have rights under the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. Airlines should either offer a refund or rebooking on the next available flight. If not satisfied, you may file a complaint with the Aviation Consumer Protection.
Yes but we have rebooked to * flights by now...
Understandably, this situation is frustrating. Your recourse would be to:
- Request a full refund and book with another airline.
- File a complaint with the Aviation Consumer Protection.
- Consult with a lawyer if you incur significant costs due to these cancellations.
What is the Aviation Consumer Protection?
The Aviation Consumer Protection is a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation. It handles complaints against airlines regarding:
- Flight delays/cancellations
- Refunds
- Baggage
- Discrimination
- Other airline service issues
You can file a complaint online through their website.
When will they get back to me if I file a complaint now?
The Aviation Consumer Protection typically responds within *-90 days after a complaint is filed. This may vary based on the complexity of your specific case.
But I don't have that time
I understand your urgency. In this case, apart from filing a complaint, you might want to consider:
- Requesting a full refund and booking with another airline.
- Consult with a lawyer about any significant costs due to these cancellations.
Yes but if we request for a refund we still have to buy the tickets due to summer the ticket cost is sky rocketing and that would be a big out of pocket sum to pay
I understand your concern. You might want to consult with a lawyer about potential compensation from the airline for the extra cost of rebooking. Alternatively, you can check if your travel insurance covers such situations.
So there is nothing I can do
I understand your frustration. However, in addition to what we've discussed:
- Consult with a lawyer about potential compensation.
- Check your travel insurance for coverage.
- Continue to press your airline for satisfactory resolution.
Remember to keep all related documents as evidence.
Can we unclub the tickets? So we can fly one parent and one child or do we have to make a new reservation and pay out of pocket expenses?
The ability to split a reservation depends on the airline's policy. Some may allow you to split the tickets, but others might require a new reservation which could incur additional costs. I'd recommend contacting your airline for specific information.
Okay thank you
You're welcome! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Safe travels!