Airlines have begun canceling flights in the coming days as the Federal Aviation Administration imposes a 10% reduction in flights operating in the United States due to the longest government shutdown ever and resulting staffing challenges. In fact, more than 800 flights have already been canceled today, several times the normal number.
Fortunately, my Sunday flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (IAH) to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) operated by United Airlines was one of thousands of flights preemptively canceled due to an FAA mandate.
Here’s how I was notified of this cancellation and what I did to try to get to my intended destination.
Being proactive is key to trying to rebook if your flight is cancelled
I signed up for communications from United, so I was notified via text about this change three days before my planned travel. It’s possible that the carrier sent an email as well, but the email (assuming there is an email) likely went to the agency that booked my trip, since I’m attending a media event in Florida.
The notification I received via text message said that my flight had been canceled and that the airline was trying to rebook us and would notify me if they could find a new flight.
However, I didn’t want to wait until another option was found for me – and I wouldn’t advise you to do that either if you really want to get to your destination.
Reward your inbox with TPG’s daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG experts.
So, I logged into my United account Immediately After receiving the cancellation notice I looked for other flight options on the same day, as I knew there would likely be at least one plane full of people now trying to do the same thing. Fortunately, there were some other options available, and I was able to choose another flight online within about three minutes of receiving the cancellation notice at no additional charge. United noted that about 50% of affected travelers so far have been able to get on a different flight within four hours of the original flight… but that also means 50% are out of luck.
If I wanted a refund, I could have done that too. In fact, United is currently offering a refund to anyone who requests one and chooses not to fly from November 6-13.
Most airlines make these back-to-back cancellations within a few days of departure, so monitor your reservations closely, subscribe to all notifications and then act quickly if your flight is canceled to increase your odds of getting where you want to go.
Here are some additional tips if you’re planning to travel during the government shutdown:
