With millions of people expected to hit airports this Thanksgiving week, many are anticipating flight delays and possible cancellations.
The busiest days to fly will be Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 2.6 million passengers on Tuesday and 2.7 million passengers on Wednesday. Sunday will draw the largest crowds, with an estimated 2.9 million passengers.
To help prepare travelers for possible cancellations or delays, here is a list of major airlines that are experiencing delays and their refund policies. The list will continue to be updated through Thanksgiving Day.
American Airlines
As of 12 p.m. ET on Thursday, no flights are delayed.
What to Do if Your Flight Is Affected
If your flight was delayed or canceled, you have two primary options: rebooking the flight or requesting a refund. If you don't accept the alternative arrangements or none were available, American will refund the remaining ticket value and any optional fees, according to its involuntary refund policy. If your flight is canceled or delayed, causing you to miss your connection, the airline will rebook you on the next flight with available seats and will reroute your bags automatically when you check in for your new flights.
How to Get a Refund if Your Flight Is Canceled
There are three ways to view your new trip or to choose a different flight: open the American Airlines app, view or change your trip on aa.com or use a kiosk in the airport. If you bought your ticket or related travel products and services through American Airlines, you can request a refund or check your refund status on the airline's website.
Delta Air Lines
There were no delays as of Thursday afternoon.
What to Do if Your Flight Is Affected
If there is a flight cancellation or significant delay of more than 120 minutes, you will be rebooked on an alternative flight, or your ticket will be converted to an eCredit for future travel.
How to Get a Refund if Your Flight Is Canceled
Customers who book directly on the Delta website or the Fly Delta app have Risk-Free Cancellation. You have up to 24 hours after booking to cancel it for any reason and receive a full refund with no fees.
If Delta has already canceled your flight and you would like to request a refund, you can complete the Travel Disruptions form.
Southwest Airlines
As of 12 p.m. ET on Thursday two flights were delayed.
What to Do if Your Flight Is Affected
You can change or cancel your flight up to 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time. If your flight is canceled by Southwest and you choose to cancel your trip as a result, you are entitled to a refund upon request for the unused transportation—even for nonrefundable tickets.
If your flight is delayed 30 minutes or more, you'll be notified by email, phone or text within half an hour of Southwest being aware of the delay. Southwest can rebook you on the next flight or offer a LUV voucher that you can use toward future Southwest flight purchases. If you miss a connection because of a plane swap and must stay overnight, you can request a hotel voucher and transportation to your accommodation.
How to Get a Refund if Your Flight Is Canceled
You can also ask for a refund of the unused portion of the ticket, but you'll have to find an alternative flight to your destination on your own.
United Airlines
As of 12 p.m. ET on Thursday, no flights are delayed.
What to Do if Your Flight Is Affected
If your flight is canceled, delayed by more than an hour or you missed a connection, you can speak with an agent at the airport or at the United Customer Contact Center and cancel your trip. You can then fill out the United refund request form.
When your itinerary requires rebooking because of a flight delay or cancelation, United's automated systems will try to confirm you for the next available United flight.
How to Get a Refund if Your Flight Is Canceled
You can also use delay and cancellation options on the United app to change your flight, see bag information and more. Use Agent on Demand if you're within 24 hours of your flight, and use a kiosk in the check-in area or inside the terminal by the customer service centers.
To reduce delays ahead of the busiest travel days, the Federal Aviation Administration said it will open new routes under the Holiday Airspace Release Program. "This is the restricted airspace off the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico that the military releases to the FAA for commercial plane use," according to the agency.
"While we don't control the weather, we're doing everything in our power to keep flights safe and keep cancellations and delays low this Thanksgiving," said Mike Whitaker, the FAA's new administrator, on Monday. He said those traveling this week should be aware of a record-high demand for flights and potential bad weather.
Unexpected things can happen that could impede your travel plans, so check your flight status on the airline's app or website.
Update 11/23/23, 12:34 p.m. ET: This story was updated to reflect that no flights are currently delayed.
Update 11/21/23, 2:15 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with the time status for the reported flight delays.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Natalie Venegas is a Weekend Reporter at Newsweek based in New York. Her focus is reporting on education, social justice ... Read more
