Flight delays, cancellations begin at Detroit Metro Airport: How to check flight status
Winter storm warnings and blizzard warnings were set to take effect across Michigan and other parts of the country as a snowstorm barreled through the Midwest, disrupting holiday travel just days before Christmas.
Flight cancellations were climbing Thursday, surpassing 1,700 flights nationwide, including nearly 50 cancellations and 75 delays at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport as of Thursday afternoon, according to FlightAware.com. Travelers planning to fly in or out of the airport were encouraged to keep a close eye on their flight status.
The delays and cancellations affected travelers trying to get to Detroit as well. Sue Fullington, 68, of Titusville, Florida, sat patiently at 11 a.m. at Orlando International Airport, waiting for a delayed Southwest flight to Detroit; she grew up there, working as a food and beverage director for teams including the Detroit Tigers.
"The blizzard is going to hit Detroit tonight or tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to that," she said. But she said she is really looking forward to seeing her daughter and grandchildren in Rochester.
More:Winter storm to bring 3-7 inches of snow, high winds to metro Detroit: Timeline of events
More:Michigan snowfall predictions: See how much your area will get during winter storm
Meanwhile, Roger Hay, a 57-year-old electrician from Waterford, agreed to delay his departure a day prior to the weather warning. He was in Daytona Beach helping friends, and they're flying him home with Southwest points.
"Gosh, I hope I didn't make a mistake. I would've been home already," said Hay, whose father, Herman Hay, retired from Ford having worked as a UAW-represented vehicle inspector at the Wixom Assembly Plant.
How to track your flight status
The best way to keep track of your flight status is to download the app of the airline you're flying with and allow notifications to alert you of any changes to your itinerary. Airlines will also alert you through email, so keep a close eye on your inbox.
There are also websites that keep track of flight statuses, including:
What do I get if my flight is delayed or canceled?
If your flight is canceled or a significant change is made − regardless of the reason − you're entitled to a refund even if you bought a nonrefundable ticket, as required by the Department of Transportation. Even if the airline offers to rebook you on another flight and you decide against rebooking, you're still entitled to a refund.
The rules for compensation in the event of a delay vary by airline, ranging from meal vouchers to complimentary hotel stays. The Department of Transportation has a dashboard that details each airline's flight delay customer service protocols at bit.ly/3v8t51k. These amenities are commitments by the airline in the event of a controllable delay or cancellation, which includes maintenance issues, cabin cleaning and fueling.
More:8 steps to prepare for a Michigan winter storm
Airline weather waivers
Many airlines are offering travelers in affected regions of the country options to alter their travel itineraries to avoid weather complications. Here's an overview by USA TODAY:
American Airlines: Passengers booked on existing tickets to travel to, from or through parts of the Midwest between Dec. 21 and 23 or parts of the Northeast between Dec. 22 and 24 can push their plans to as late as Dec. 30 without paying change fees or fare differences.
Delta Air Lines: The airline has issued multiple waivers covering travel through Dec. 25 in certain regions. Depending on which airports are included in the original itinerary, travelers may be able to change their ticket to fly as late as Dec. 28 without paying fare differences. Delta does not charge change fees, except on basic economy tickets.
United Airlines: Travelers in most of the country through Dec. 25 have the option to move their plans to Dec. 28 or 30, depending on the region, without paying a change fee or fare difference. Exact waiver applicability dates and locations vary by region.
Southwest Airlines: Most travelers have the opportunity to change their tickets for travel through Dec. 26 in the Rockies, Midwest and Northeast without needing to pay a fare difference. The airline does not charge change fees.
Spirit Airlines: Passengers traveling to, from or through many airports in the Midwest through Dec. 23 and Northeast through Dec. 24 can move their flights to Dec. 28 or sooner without paying a fare difference or change fee.
Frontier Airlines: Travelers scheduled to fly through Dec. 24 to, from or through certain airports in the Northeast, Midwest and South can change their travel dates without paying a change fee.
Alaska Airlines: Is allowing travelers booked to fly through Dec. 23 in the Midwest and Dec. 25 in the Northeast to push their departures as late as Dec. 29 without paying a change fee or fare difference. The airline is also allowing passengers with nonrefundable tickets in that timeframe to cancel their trips and receive credit for future travel.
JetBlue: Many passengers traveling in the Midwest or Northeast through Dec. 23 can move their trip to Dec. 25 or sooner without paying a change fee or fare difference.
Free Press reporter Phoebe Wall Howard and USA TODAY reporter Zach Wichter contributed to this report.
mmarini@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Metro Airport delays, cancellations due to storm
