MINNEAPOLIS — From winter weather to COVID-19 call-outs, airlines are in dire need of some reinforcements and it's wreaking havoc on travel right now.
And the problems could persist into the early part of next year.
If you plan to travel soon, you should know your basic rights as a passenger, despite some experts saying the United States is akin to the wild, wild west when it comes to protections.
"They were actively telling people, 'We can not help you, we can not refund you, we cannot book you on another flight, go home,'" said Patrick Buckle about the Sun Country Airlines agents. Buckle is stuck in Wisconsin after his flight to California was canceled Monday.
Sun Country canceled hundreds of flights after a system-wide disruption it now says only a software upgrade can fix, leading to even more cancellations on Tuesday.
"What happened with Sun Country, in particular this week, is just a small fraction of the problems that we've been seeing nationwide," said Kyle Potter. He's the executive director of the website Thrifty Traveler.
He says despite a 2009 Department of Transportation ruling, it really only includes one passenger-friendly requirement.
"And that is if an airline cancels your flight for reasons other than weather, they owe you the option of a refund," said Potter. "Everything beyond that really is just a matter of what airlines feel like they should do because of damage to their brand."
He says European Union law allows passengers to claim up to nearly $700 if the plane arrives at least three hours late. He thinks it's time the United States does the same.
Buckle agrees.
"There needs to be something stronger than the good will of a corporation," said Buckle, who's also keeping his fingers crossed after finally being able to re-book his flight home Wednesday morning.
"I don't see how it's acceptable to essentially just leave people stranded," said Buckle. "It really just makes you not want to travel through air."
The newly-updated Department of Transportation rules can offer some other help when it comes to lost bags and tarmac delays.
But Potter says when it comes to cancellations, it's best to check your flight status frequently, be kind to the agents and prepare for the worst, as this problem isn't going anywhere, anytime soon.
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