Flight cancellation is one of the most frustrating things a traveler has to deal with. With an estimated 20,000 + cancellations every month in North America alone, it is clear that cancellations affect millions of travelers globally.
Although canceled flights are frustrating, passengers need to understand that most cancellations are in their best interests. The main problem, however, is that many passengers find out that their flights have been canceled through the announcements made on loudspeakers. This can be very frustrating, especially if you have luggage and people seeing you off.
Luckily, there are various ways to track a flight to know if it has been canceled or anything changed. If your flight was canceled, you will need to file a canceled flight claim. How can one tell if their flight has been canceled?
Speak to a representative
This is one of the easiest ways to tell if anything has been changed on a flight. Most airlines have various representatives that can be easily reached on the phone. These representatives have up to date information that they receive from the airline regarding the changes made on particular flights.
Speak to the airline
You can opt to speak to the airline directly to get information about the flight. Most of the major airlines are happy to help their clients because this boosts the client’s confidence in the airline. The airlines can also be reached via phone or specialized apps.
Most airlines have invested in apps that help travelers to check the status of the flight. Many of these apps can also help clients in tracking their bags. Some apps even allow clients to upgrade their choice or make any other changes directly from the app.
Go to the ticket counter
If you are at the airport, you can walk to the airline counter to gather information about the flight. Airlines have a counter and information desks in airports. Travelers can inquire about their flights to know if there are any changes to their flight.
Reasons for cancellation
Airlines might cancel a flight for a number of reasons. In most cases, flights are canceled if something pops up that might jeopardize the travelers’ safety. The main reasons for flight cancellations are:
- Bad weather
- Security risks
- Mechanical issues on the plane
- Computer glitches
- Missing aircrafts
- Missing crew
What to do if it is canceled or changed
Once you become aware that your flight has been canceled or rescheduled, you need to find out the details. These details help one to decide whether to book another flight or cancel the trip altogether.
Canceled flights are a big problem in most places, especially in Europe. Once you find out that your flight has been canceled, you can file a cancelled flight claim.
A canceled flight claim is under EU 261, which is meant to ensure that airlines are held accountable and that they compensate passengers for the inconvenience. According to Travel Refund, “passengers are entitled to compensation for canceled flights or flights that are delayed more than 3 hours.” Moreover, you can have your ticket cost reimbursed and get an additional €600 for flight cancellations.
