7 Things to Do Immediately When Your Flight Gets Cancelled
Your flight was just cancelled. The next few minutes matter. Here are 7 specific actions to take immediately, in order, to maximize your chances of getting rebooked fast and protecting your compensation rights.
The 7-Step Checklist
- 1
Open the airline app and check for self-service rebooking. Many airlines show alternatives within seconds of a cancellation.
- 2
Call the airline while simultaneously joining the rebooking line at the gate. Use the airline's phone number, not the general customer service number if possible.
- 3
Screenshot everything: the cancellation notification, the departure board, and any messages from the airline. This is your evidence.
- 4
Ask the gate agent for the reason: weather, mechanical, crew, or operational. Note the answer. This affects EU261 extraordinary circumstances.
- 5
Request meal vouchers if the wait will be 3+ hours. Do not wait for the airline to offer them.
- 6
If overnight, request hotel accommodation. For controllable delays, airlines committed to the DOT pledge must provide it.
- 7
Keep your boarding pass and all receipts. These are evidence for your compensation claim.
Do all of this in the first 10 minutes. Speed matters because every passenger on your flight is competing for the same alternative seats. Early action gets the best options.
After the Immediate Crisis
Once you are rebooked (or have decided to request a refund), shift to protecting your compensation rights. For the refund process, see our refund guide. For EU261 eligibility, check your flight. For the full airport survival guide, read our cancellation guide. For DOT rights or EU261 rights, see our rights pages.