Airlines are working to help passengers affected by the Federal Aviation Administration's order to cut 10-percent of flights at 40 U.S. airports starting today due to the federal government shutdown. The FAA made the announcement on Wednesday to maintain safe airspace operations during the shutdown. Here’s how some of the major airlines are handling the changes to today’s flight schedule:
· American Airlines said it will cancel about 220 of its roughly 6,000 daily departures, though long-haul international travel will stay on schedule. The airline said customers whose flights are canceled or who choose not to travel can change their flight or get a refund without any penalty.
· Delta Air Lines said it expects to operate most of its flights as scheduled, including all long-haul international service, and is offering extra flexibility for customers to change, cancel or refund their flights without penalty, even for basic fares.
· Southwest Airlines said it will contact affected customers directly using their booking information and will automatically rebook passengers where possible. Customers whose flights are canceled and who decide not to travel can get a refund.
· JetBlue issued a travel alert saying it will reach out to affected customers and automatically rebook them on the next available flight in most cases. Passengers who don't want to travel after a cancellation can request a full refund.
· United Airlines plans to cancel less than 200 of its more than 5,000 flights each day through the weekend. The airline has listed the flight cancellations on a special website along with other information for travelers.
All airlines have told customers to check their flight status online or through mobile apps for the latest updates. The carriers emphasized safety as their top priority while trying to minimize disruptions to passenger travel plans.