This summer, your vacation could get shaken up by severe turbulence — but not at 35,000 feet.
With jet fuel shortages changing how Americans travel, experts are warning that flight cancellations and other last-minute changes could become inevitable.
“Travelers are set to face continued travel disruption, as rising tensions in the Middle East have resulted in a jet fuel shortage, putting pressure on airline schedules,” Chris Harrington, travel expert and managing director of airport and travel source Hoppa, told The Post.
In mid-April, the International Energy Agency (IEA) set off alarms, warning that Europe could run out of jet fuel in six weeks — bringing us perilously near the end of that timeline. Some airlines have even started to cancel flights already, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Air Canada, AirAsia X, Lufthansa and SAS.
But if a flight is cut due to a fuel shortage, passengers have rights that they should be aware of, according to Harrington.
While they may not get you to a dreamy villa in Rome or your favorite Las Vegas casino any faster, he has shared exactly what travelers should do if they’re in a sticky situation — thanks to jet fuel woes.
What to do if your flight is cut
Unsurprisingly, the first thing is to contact the airline, Harrington said.
And if you’re already at the airport, go to your carrier’s customer service desk to speak to staff directly — otherwise, time may not be on your side.
“With disruption expected, acting quickly is essential, as available seats on alternative flights may be limited and only available for a short time,” he advised. However, since many people will be facing the same issue at the same time when at the airport, using the airline’s app or customer service line to find out the next steps might be quicker.
Once you manage to speak to a representative, ask to rebook on a later flight. In many cases, the airline will already offer to book another flight for you, though airline policies can vary.
“While rebooking isn’t an airline’s legal obligation, a refund is, giving you the option to book your own,” Harrington said.
He suggested considering an alternate route — such as flying into another airport near your final destination, or asking the airline if they can book you on a partner carrier to avoid similar problems.
Nothing is guaranteed, of course, so being flexible during travel disruption is key, the expert said.
Travelers should also be asking the airline directly about what they offer for canceled flights, since some may give meal vouchers or complimentary hotel stays.
Can travel insurance help?
Travel insurance is “worth considering” because it can also help minimize disruption, Harrington said.
But don’t count on it as a total life-saver.
“Flight cancellations due to global fuel shortages would not be covered under standard policies, which means coverage can be more limited and added benefits are needed, so understanding your travel insurance policy details in advance is key,” Harrington warned.
If a flight is canceled, review your policy carefully since they’re all different. Some may reimburse certain expenses like meals, hotel stays or transportation, though coverage limits vary from plan to plan.
But if a flight is nixed due to the actions of the airline, such as staffing or maintenance issues, many will just rebook you on another flight — though cash compensation is not a requirement by federal law.
However, the US Department of Transportation says that travelers are entitled to a full refund if the flight is canceled and the traveler chooses not to rebook — even if they have a non-refundable ticket. Beyond that, any compensation or support is dependent on the airline or travel insurance policy, as well as the circumstances of the disruption.
Unfortunately, when cancellations are caused by broader issues outside of the airline’s control — like the jet fuel shortage — then “support may be more limited,” Harrington said.
“This is similar to what happens in events like extreme weather,” he explained. “In these cases, travelers should be prepared for fewer rebooking options and the need for flexibility.”
What flights are most likely to be impacted?
You may want to rethink that eight-hour flight you booked from New York to mega-popular Barcelona.
Travelers should be aware that long-haul routes are easily the most at risk to be cut compared to short-haul flights if fuel shortages continue throughout the summer and beyond, Harrington said. Flights to Europe, Asia and the Middle East naturally require more fuel, and they’re also more exposed to disruption across international routes — particularly where fuel supply chains are under pressure.
“These trips are substantially more expensive for airlines to operate during periods of disruption,” he cautioned, “so it’s likely we’ll see these routes experience price hikes, face less availability, or be cut altogether.”
Short-haul flights are less at risk of being canceled completely since they run multiple times a day and are less expensive to operate.
“With that said, these trips aren’t fully protected from the current industry issues,” Harrington said, adding that the recent implosion of Spirit Airlines underscores how volatile air travel is right now.
“Rising fuel costs are putting increased pressure on low-cost carriers, which can mean fewer flights to local destinations and fewer options if other similar airlines are forced to strip back operations.”
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