Some flights still canceled, delayed after storms slam Northeast
Air travel is getting back on track in the Northeast after heavy rain and floods pounded the region on July 31, but some flights are still being impacted.
More than 600 U.S. flights have been canceled and over 2,100 have been delayed as of 10 a.m on Aug. 1, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.
Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines have the majority of cancellations with 7% and 2% of their schedules impacted respectively.
Travelers should check their flight status before leaving for the airport.
Here’s what air travelers should know if their plans have been upended.
Airline waivers
More than 1,900 U.S. flights were cancelled and nearly 11,000 others were delayed on July 31.
Delta, and United offered fee-free rebooking to travelers whose Northeast flights were impacted on July 31.
American, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and Spirit don’t have any active travel advisories listed as of Aug. 1.
However, travelers whose flights are cancelled for any reason on any airline are eligible for rebooking or a refund if they choose to no longer fly, according to Department of Transportation rules.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
A DOT rule that went into effect in late October requires airlines to refund passengers if their flight is significantly delayed for reasons within the carrier's control – if they decide not to travel.
Customers who choose to wait it out are eligible for various degrees of compensation including rebooking and possibly meal vouchers or overnight accommodations, depending on the scenario and airline. Again, that’s if the delay was within the airline’s control.
Weather is outside of their control and not subject to the same level of compensation.
Travelers can find airline-specific details on their carrier’s website and the Transportation Department’s Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard.
Contributing: Zach Wichter, Paste BN