Flight Cancellation Guide: Your Options When It Happens

First, get in the queue at the counter - it is your fallback. Second, open the airline app and look for automatic rebooking. Third, call the reservations line, or better, call the airline's international number, which is often less busy.

Airlines like United and American have shifted rebooking into the app, but the app usually shows only the airline's own flights. A phone agent can put you on partner airlines under interline agreements.

Do not ask for the next available flight. Look up the schedule yourself first - Google Flights or FlightAware works well - then ask specifically for that flight, including via partner carriers.

For a cancelled LAX to London on British Airways, an agent can often put you on the American Airlines equivalent from LAX, or reroute you through Dublin on Aer Lingus. You need to ask.

In the EU and UK, cancellations announced with less than 14 days notice can trigger EU261 compensation of 250 to 600 euros unless caused by extraordinary circumstances like severe weather or ATC strikes.

In the US, there is no automatic cash compensation, but overnight cancellations usually include a hotel voucher, meal vouchers, and rebooking on the next available flight at no charge.