Hurricane Cancels 3,000+ Flights As Airports Long TSA Snarl

As the powerful storm barrels toward the Northeast on Monday, March 16, flights are already facing widespread disruption while travelers face another obstacle at the airport: unusually long security lines tied to a lack of funding at the Department of Homeland Security.

Airlines have begun canceling and delaying flights ahead of the system, as hundreds have been pulled from schedules and more are expected as heavy snow, strong winds and poor visibility move into the region. More than 3,700 US flights have been canceled as of 3 p.m. ET, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. Chicago O’Hare International Airport, La Guardia Airport, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport are the hardest hit so far.

Even Transport Secretary Sean Duffy warned in X of a “major storm today affecting flights across the country” on Monday.

Carriers have begun rolling out travel fees that allow passengers to change flights without penalty to ease airport congestion.

At the same time, Transportation Security Administration checkpoints reported significantly longer wait times due to reduced staffing during the cash outage. Travelers should plan to arrive earlier than usual, as airlines are not required to refund tickets if a passenger misses a flight due to long security lines or airport delays beyond the airline’s control.

What to Do When You’re Planning to Fly

Be prepared for disruption. Be aware of your airline’s updates and consider rebooking if you can. More information about airline-specific rebooking policies related to this storm in the section below.

If you have to go all out, be prepared to roll with the punches. Many flights may be delayed or canceled as the storm progresses. Research your rebooking options and alternatives in advance, and use the airlines’ self-service tools to avoid long lines at airport agent desks or long phone holds.

“Speed ​​is going to be critical,” Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going, previously told USA TODAY. “We want those flying to make other arrangements as soon as possible to make sure they get a reservation that works best for them. There won’t be endless seats to get you back to … there’s no time like the present to give yourself the best chance at a decent rebooking.”

It’s also a good idea to pack extra supplies when you’re headed to the airport.

According to Matas Cenys, head of product at eSim company Saily, it brings extra clothes and doses of any medicine you might be taking, as well as essentials like charging cables, which can come in handy if you get stuck.

Travel Waivers by Airline

Terms vary, but these waivers generally allow travelers to rebook without penalty or receive flight credit if they cancel their trip.

Customers can find details, including affected airports and key dates, on each carrier’s website linked below.

• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Frontier Airlines
• JetBlue
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines

What Happens If The Flight Is Canceled?

Airlines will automatically rebook you on another flight if your flight is cancelled. Usually, it’s on the same airline, but depending on the reason for canceling with the carrier, others may be able to rebook you on a partner flight.

If your flight is canceled for reasons beyond the carrier’s control – say, due to crew or aircraft maintenance – you are entitled to a meal if you have to wait more than three hours for the next flight. If you end up stranded overnight, most airlines will reimburse you for your hotel and ground transportation if the cancellation was under their control.

The weather is significantly outside the control of the aircraft.

If your flight is canceled for any reason and you choose not to fly, Department of Transportation regulations require the airline to provide you with a refund, regardless of ticket type.

You can find airline-specific information on the DOT’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard.

What happens if my flight is delayed?

Airlines are required to get you to your destination, but they owe you nothing for delays due to weather or anything else outside of their control.

It’s a different story of major delays due to issues beyond their control.

All airlines will rebook customers on their own airline due to significant delays (at least three hours) under their control, but some will rebook customers on partner carriers.

Airlines will also cover meals for controlled delays of at least three hours. Most airlines will also cover hotel stays and ground transportation due to overnight delays under their control.

Also, the weather is out of the plane’s control.

More information can be found on the DOT dashboard. It is important to note that US regulators do not require cash payments for delays. And, even when not required, airline customer service representatives may have the ability to provide meal vouchers, mileage credit or other compensation for your problem, per se.

This article first appeared in USA TODAY: Storm cancels 3,000+ flights as TSA lines consume airports

Reporting by Eve Chen and Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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