Over 3,000 flights canceled for storms this week. Do you get refunded?

More than 3,000 U.S. flights have been canceled this week, according to FlightAware, as severe weather has hammered parts of the country, including the Northeast.

Airlines have issued travel waivers for customers impacted by the Northeast storms, but so far, none appear to have been issued for Tropical Storm Bertha, which made landfall in Louisiana on July 22. 

Travelers planning to fly in coming days should still check their flight status with their respective airline and know what they are and aren’t entitled to if weather upends their plans. 

What happens if your flight is canceled or delayed? 

Airlines will try to rebook customers on the next available flight whenever there is a cancellation or major delay, typically longer than 3 hours.  

If a flight is canceled for any reason, the Department of Transportation requires airlines to offer travelers refunds if they choose to no longer fly.  

Airlines are not required, however, to offer any compensation for delays for reasons outside their control, like weather, though some may choose to do so.  

All U.S. airlines offer some sort of compensation for significant delays within their control. Travelers can find details on each airline’s website and at a glance on the DOT’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard. 

Travel waivers for Northeast storms 

Travelers with flights scheduled to, from or through certain Northeast airports may rebook flights without penalty or cancel for flight credit due to the storms. 

Terms and deadlines vary by airline: 

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

Frontier Airlines isn’t offering a storm-specific waiver, but its website allows travelers to rebook or cancel domestic flights that have been delayed by more than 3 hours. 

Customers of other airlines should reach out to them directly about disruptions. 

(This story has been updated with new information.)