How to Handle a Flight Cancellation Like a Pro

Winter in New England is beautiful… and unpredictable. We’ve all been there: sitting at the airport, coffee in hand, when suddenly the loudspeaker crackles and you hear the dreaded words—your flight has been canceled. Or maybe you were lucky enough to get notified via email before arriving at the airport. Either way, your plans are now upended. Some travelers seem to handle it effortlessly, while the rest are left scrambling. The difference usually comes down to preparation… and whether you used a travel agent (me).

If you’re flying solo, here are the first steps to take to stay calm and get back on track quickly:

1. Confirm the Cancellation and Know Your Rights

If you're at the airport, start by pulling out your phone or laptop—don’t rush to that long, chaotic line at the counter. Often, you can confirm your flight’s cancellation and get the information you need directly from your online account or emails from the airline.

Most airlines also have extended support hours specifically for situations like this—call them or use the chat feature. Unless it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another major travel day, you’ll most likely reach someone online or on the phone before waiting at the counter.

While confirming your flight, make sure you know your rights and the airline’s rules for rebooking: Are you allowed to switch to a different carrier? Must you maintain the same connecting cities? Understanding your options upfront helps you make smarter decisions and avoid unnecessary stress. Each ticket comes with its own set of “fare rules” that dictate how cancellations or schedule changes are handled—and surprisingly, they can even differ for passengers on the very same flight. Be sure to carefully review your specific ticket, reservation, and fare rules.

2. Look for Your Own Alternative Flights

When it’s time to rebook, don’t rely solely on the airline agent to handle it for you. That is a BIG rookie mistake. They’re trained to get you the first available flight for the least amount of money—but that doesn’t always mean it’s the best route, connections, or terms. Do yourself a huge favor and research alternative flights on your own before talking to the booking agent. Knowing exactly which flight you want to rebook will save both of you time—and save you a lot of stress.

3. Get Creative with Your Rebooking

Start by searching for your original flights—that’s the easiest and most logical solution. If you can rebook for a similar time and cost, wonderful! If not, here are some ways to get creative:

• Consider one-way tickets. If your ticket is round-trip and this is your departure flight, booking separate one-way tickets can open up more options.

• Check nearby airports. Is there an alternative airport within 1–2 hours of your destination that you’re comfortable flying into? Sometimes a short drive can save hours of delay.

• Piece together flights yourself. Instead of relying on the airline agent to find a single itinerary, try connecting flights through major hubs. For example, flying from Boston to Los Angeles, you could consider Boston → JFK → Los Angeles, or Boston → Chicago → Los Angeles.

  

Getting creative with your options often makes the difference between spending hours waiting in line and actually getting on a flight that works for your schedule.

All that said, don’t wait around. You’re not the only one looking for an alternate flight, which means availability will shrink and prices will climb—sometimes by the minute. I’ve seen fares jump over $1,000 in just five minutes, and watched seats disappear while I was in the middle of booking them. So do your due diligence, take action quickly, and get yourself back on track. This is not the time to put things off hoping it will “calm down.” In reality, you’ll wait just as long using the methods I outlined—but with fewer options and less favorable results.

Pro Tip: While these steps can help you navigate a canceled flight on your own, the easiest and least stressful option is to work with a travel agent—me. I have relationships with airline partners, experience handling these situations, and can save you hours of stress and phone calls. And don’t forget—trip insurance is your best friend in these unpredictable moments.

Canceled flights are frustrating—but with the right approach, you can get back on track quickly and sometimes even improve your travel experience.