After Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in the Southeast U.S., experts warned that consumers looking to change their air travel plans to or from affected areas may not have many options to do so without financial penalties. AirHelp’s Eric Napoli explained that air passengers have limited rights in situations of significant disruption, which is a common issue in U.S. air travel. The North Carolina Department of Transportation advised against unnecessary travel in the state’s western region due to the extensive damage caused by the hurricane, including road closures and landslides.
When it comes to changing flights for free or canceling plans for a refund, passengers may find airlines reluctant to offer financial flexibility in the aftermath of a catastrophic event like Hurricane Helene. The U.S. Department of Transportation states that airlines are generally required to provide prompt refunds to passengers for flight cancellations or significant changes, regardless of the reason. However, weather-related incidents are considered outside of an airline’s control, resulting in limited compensation rights for passengers. Airlines may vary in the concessions they offer to passengers affected by events like Hurricane Helene.
While some airlines are providing concessions for passengers affected by Hurricane Helene, the specific policies can differ depending on the carrier and geography. Airlines like American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines have travel alerts outlining their policies related to events such as flooding in the Southeast. United, for example, is waiving change fees and fare differences for passengers impacted by flooding who choose to reschedule their flights within specified parameters. American Airlines and Delta also have specific provisions for passengers affected by the hurricane in certain regions.
In the event that travel insurance does not cover the costs of flight changes or cancellations, consumers may not have a fail-safe option for reimbursement from their travel provider. It is important for consumers to read the fine print of their insurance policies to understand what is covered and to determine if they have purchased a cancel-for-any-reason policy. Policies purchased after Hurricane Helene was named may not cover claims related to the storm. Consumers who paid for their trip with a credit card may have some travel reimbursement benefits from their card issuer, including coverage for severe weather incidents.
Overall, consumers affected by Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters in the future should be aware of their limited rights when it comes to changing or canceling flights without financial penalties. Airlines may have varying policies for concessions in such situations, so checking with individual carriers for specific details is crucial. Understanding the coverage of travel insurance policies and potential reimbursement benefits from credit card issuers can also help consumers navigate the aftermath of a devastating event like Hurricane Helene.
