The airlines have started canceling flights for the next few days, as the Federal Aviation Administration has ordered a 10% reduction in flights operated in the US due to what is now the The longest government shutdown in history and the resulting personnel problems. In fact, today there are already more than 800 canceled flights, several times the normal number.
As luck would have it, my Sunday flight from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) operated by United Airlines was one of thousands of flights that have been proactively canceled due to the FAA mandate.
Here’s how I was notified of that cancellation and what I did to try to get to my intended destination.
Being proactive is key to trying to get your reservation changed if your flight is cancelled.
I opted to receive communications from United, so I was notified by text about this change three days before my planned trip. The airline may have also sent an email, but the email (assuming there is one) was probably sent to the agency that booked my flight, since I’m attending a media event in Florida.
The notice I received via text message indicated that my flight had been canceled and that the airline was attempting to rebook us and would notify me if they could find a new flight.
However, I wasn’t going to wait for them to find another option for me, and I also don’t recommend that you do if you really want to get where you’re going.
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So, I logged into my United account. immediately After I received the cancellation notification and looked for other flight options that same day, as I knew there would probably be at least one plane full of people trying to do the same thing. Fortunately, there were other options available and I was able to select another flight online approximately three minutes after receiving the cancellation notification at no additional charge. United has noted that about 50% of affected travelers so far have been able to get a different flight within four hours of the original… but that also means 50% haven’t been so lucky.
If I had wanted to get a refund, I would have been able to do that too. In fact, United is currently offering a refund to anyone who requests one and decides not to fly from November 6-13.
Most airlines make these back-to-back cancellations a few days before departure, so keep a close eye on your reservations, accept all notifications, and then act quickly if your flight is canceled to increase your chances of getting where you want to go.
Here are some additional tips if you plan to travel during the government shutdown:
