Five airline rebooking deadlines after the FAA ground stop

Passengers trying to salvage a trip after Friday’s nationwide air traffic control outage have different deadlines depending on who issued their ticket. American Airlines wants eligible changes booked by Saturday, Nov. 14, for travel through Tuesday, Nov. 17. Delta gives eligible passengers until Saturday, Nov. 21, to make the change and take the replacement flight. Southwest counts five days from each passenger’s original travel date.

The FAA lifted the nationwide ground stop Friday evening. Southwest warned that delays and cancellations could continue as it restores service. If you’re still booked for Saturday and want to travel later, check both the date your airline wants you to make the change and the date it wants you to fly. For Alaska and JetBlue, the first of those deadlines is your original flight’s departure time.

How the five waivers compare

For an eligible trip originally scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, these are the latest dates to start the replacement flight.

American Airlines covers Nov. 13 and 14 travel to, from or through 21 listed airports, including Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, Charlotte and Los Angeles. The ticket must have been purchased by Nov. 12. Basic Economy is eligible. American allows one change under the waiver, with the same origin and destination cities. Keep your original cabin to avoid the fare difference. Book the change by Nov. 14 and fly by Nov. 17.

Alaska Airlines gives passengers originally traveling Nov. 13 or 14 until Nov. 17 to fly in the same cabin without paying a fare difference, though additional taxes may apply. The ticket must have been bought by Nov. 13, and its 13-digit ticket number must begin with 027. Make the change before the original flight departs. The replacement can be on Alaska, Hawaiian, Horizon or SkyWest when booked as an Alaska flight. Alaska also says it won’t accept pets in the baggage compartment on Nov. 13 or 14. In-cabin pets can still travel under its usual rules.

JetBlue covers its own flights scheduled Nov. 13 or 14 and booked before Nov. 13. Rebook before the original departure for travel through Wednesday, Nov. 18. JetBlue says it will waive change and cancellation fees and fare differences on qualifying trips. Groups of 10 or more have to call to make changes.

Southwest covers active reservations for Nov. 13 through Monday, Nov. 16. It allows rebooking or standby without a fare increase between the same two cities within five days of the original travel date. A Saturday, Nov. 14, booking can move through Thursday, Nov. 19. A Monday booking can move through Saturday, Nov. 21. Standby still depends on space opening up.

Delta covers Nov. 13 and 14 travel across its network on tickets issued by Nov. 13. Change the flight and depart by Nov. 21. The published terms waive the fare difference in the original cabin, with a possible charge if the waiver requires the original booking class and that class has sold out. A change of origin or destination can also cost more.

When a refund applies

A waiver can help when your flight is still scheduled and you want to move it. If the airline cancels or significantly changes a flight to, from or within the United States and you decline the alternative flight or credit, the U.S. Department of Transportation says you’re entitled to a refund, even on a nonrefundable fare. Among the qualifying changes are arriving at least three hours late on a domestic flight or at least six hours late on an international one. DOT also requires airlines to refund fees for paid services, such as checked baggage or a seat assignment, that the airline did not provide through no fault of the passenger.

Check who sold you the ticket before asking for your money back. DOT says the company shown as the merchant on your payment statement generally handles airfare refunds. Ask the airline to refund an undelivered extra even if a ticket agent collected that fee.