Why are airline refunds taking so long?

That may be because of the large number of flight cancellations and delays, as the airline industry has struggled to keep up with the post-pandemic demand for travel. On average, 1 in 5 flights arrived behind schedule as of July 2022.



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Southwest is one of the best airlines if you need to cancel your flight. You can cancel a Southwest flight for free if you do so at least 10 minutes before departure. For Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares — the two least expensive fare types — you'll receive a credit for the amount paid.

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Some airline policies can be challenging to keep track of, but the federal rules that govern refunds are — relatively — straightforward. You are owed a refund for any unused portion of your ticket: If your flight is canceled, significantly delayed, or has its schedule significantly changed. No matter the reason why.

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If every passenger was able to cancel for a full refund at any time, airlines would have to raise their prices across the board to account for this increased risk. This is also why nonrefundable fares are often the cheapest tickets offered by an airline.

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How the major airlines ranked for cancellations in 2022
  • Hawaiian Airlines and its partners – 0.92% of flights canceled.
  • Delta Air Lines and its partners – 2% of flights canceled.
  • Alaska Airlines and its partners – 2.16% of flights canceled.
  • United Airlines and its partners – 2.71% of flights canceled.


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When a flight delay occurs, you are entitled to assistance and a choice between rerouting, reimbursement, or rebooking. If you arrive at your destination more than 3 hours after your scheduled arrival time, you are entitled to the same reimbursement, rerouting, and rebooking structure as a denied boarding.

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The amount of your flight refund is always the cost of the ticket. The amount of your compensation depends majorly on the travel distance of your flight. In the case of a replacement flight, it also depends on the flight time. It is possible to receive both flight refund and compensation at the same time.

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Take the Cash The significantly better option that you are entitled to, however, is cash. If a flight is cancelled or you are involuntarily bumped due to an overbooked flight, ask for a check, which the airline is required to tell its customers is available as an alternative on the spot.

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You might avoid these carriers, when possible, to be less likely to encounter unpleasant flight experiences. U.S. travelers report that American Airlines is the most unreliable airline in the world when measured by the total flight problems and reported complaints in 2022.

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  • Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) has the highest cancellation rate in the country for 2022: 5.55% - up from 1.43% in 2021. ...
  • LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City saw the largest increase in canceled flights – from 1471 in 2021 to 8795 in 2022 - a 497.89% jump.


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Contrary to popular belief, airlines don't cancel flights just to save money, for instance if there aren't enough passengers to make it worth their while. But they do cancel flights to prevent even wider cancellations and delays.

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A plane that flies half empty has many fixed costs like the aircraft itself, employees, IT systems, and airport facility fees. Reductions in variable costs like fuel are not enough to ensure the flight remains profitable, so it is imperative that the airline sell as many seats as possible.

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If you purchased a round-trip flight and need to change the first leg to a different day, your best bet will likely be to pay the change fee and book a new flight. If you only need to change the return portion of a round trip, however, it may be cheaper to book a new one-way flight than to pay the cancellation fee.

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Request cash—even if you volunteer
When your flight is overbooked, they may ask for volunteers in exchange for a voucher or a gift card. But it's your right to request money instead. In fact, under federal law, you have the right to a cash option.

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