Almost 5,000 US flights delayed, canceled amid severe weather in Northeast

USA Today

5 hours ago

Severe weather across the Northeast is canceling hundreds of flights Tuesday.
The region is set to experience a cold front bringing scattered thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds from New York down to Richmond, according to the Weather Channel. Along with the storms, cities like Boston have also been issued heat advisories with temperatures expected to reach up to 100 degrees.
Over 4,400 U.S. flights are delayed and more than 500 canceled as of 4:20 p.m. ET Tuesday, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.
New York's LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport are seeing the most cancellations and delays, followed by Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C.
Many U.S. carriers have waived change and cancellation fees for impacted travelers departing on Tuesday or Wednesday from Northeast cities such as Baltimore, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
Here's what to should know if your flight is delayed or canceled.
Which airlines are offering waivers?
Weather waivers vary by airline and airport, and only apply to specific time windows, so be sure to check the details for your specific waiver below.
What does an airline owe you if your flight is canceled?
If your flight is canceled for any reason, you are entitled to a refund if you choose not to travel.
When a flight is canceled for reasons within an airline's control, travelers who choose to stick it out are eligible for compensation or accommodations, like rebooking on another flight or airline at no added cost, lodging or meal vouchers, and other benefits. Weather is notably outside an airline's control.
The Department of Transportation has created a dashboard for travelers to easily access information about services U.S. airlines provide in the case of controllable cancellations or delays.
Click here to access the DOT Cancellation and Delay Dashboard.
What is a controllable cancellation or delay?
According to the DOT, a controllable cancellation or delay is one caused by the airline itself. Controllable reasons include maintenance or crew problems, cabin cleaning, baggage loading and fueling. Things like weather or air traffic control flow programs do not count against the airline.
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What happens if a flight is delayed?
A DOT rule that went into effect in October requires airlines to refund passengers if their flight is significantly delayed for reasons within the carrier's control. It also makes airlines more responsible for following their own customer commitments in those cases.
If your flight is delayed significantly for a reason within the airline's control, you are entitled to a refund if you choose not to travel. If you decide to stick it out, you may be entitled to some compensation or accommodation, including rebooking on another flight or airline at no cost, meal and lodging vouchers for qualifying delays, and other benefits if the delay was controllable.
No U.S. airlines currently offer cash compensation for delays, but the big four (American, Delta, Southwest and United) all offer hotel and ground transportation vouchers for controllable overnight delays.
Airline-specific details can be found on the DOT's dashboard.
What is a significant delay?
The DOT defines a significant delay as a departure or arrival that is three hours late or more for a domestic flight, or six hours late or more for an international flight.
What to do if your flight is canceled or delayed
Look up your airline's policies and be your own advocate. Get in touch with the airline however you can, whether it's through the app, through social media, by phone or at the airport help desk if you're already on your way.
It's good to have some alternative flights in mind when you speak to an agent, and be sure to ask for any accommodation or refunds you may be entitled to if you plan to take advantage of those policies.
Contributing: Josh Rivera, USA TODAY