What are your rights if your flight is canceled during the shutdown?

The government shutdown has reached major airports across the U.S., and travelers with canceled flights are scrambling to get their trips back on track.

The Federal Aviation Administration is reducing the number of flights at 40 U.S. airports beginning Friday, with an anticipated 25 already canceled at San Diego International Airport. NBC Responds reached out to the major airlines that operate at those airports.

The reduction comes as a consequence of the shutdown holding up the pay of federal airport workers, which in turn may increase staffing pressures going into the holidays.

For the most part, the major U.S. airlines are relaxing their cancellation rules as a way to minimize the impact on travelers. 

Here is what four of the major airlines operating out of SAN told NBC Responds:

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Due to the ongoing government shutdown and nationwide air traffic control staffing shortages, the FAA directed airlines to reduce schedules to maintain safe airspace operations. Per FAA requirement, we have reduced flight schedules by 4% at 40 airports Friday through Monday, amounting to about 220 flights canceled each day. Even with these cancellations, we plan to operate around 6,000 daily flights. We are continuing to communicate with impacted customers. We encourage everyone to check their flight status on AA.com or the mobile app.

Disrupting customers’ plans is the last thing we want to do, and we have issued a travel waiver. To provide additional flexibility during the impacted travel period, customers whose flights are canceled for any reason or who choose not to travel will be able to change their flight or request a refund without any penalty.

We’re deeply grateful to federal aviation workers who continue working without pay to keep our skies safe. This is unacceptable. We, once again, urge leaders in Washington to reach an immediate resolution to end the shutdown.

DELTA AIRLINES

Delta expects to operate the vast majority of our flights as scheduled, including all long-haul international service, and will work to minimize customer impact while keeping safety our top priority. We are providing additional flexibility to all of our customers during the impacted travel period to change, cancel or refund their flights, including our basic economy fares, without penalty.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

While the vast majority of our customers’ flights will not be disrupted, all Southwest customers with travel booked through next Wednesday, Nov.12, may adjust their travel plans at no cost or receive a refund if they choose not to travel, regardless of whether their flight is affected.

UNITED AIRLINES

The U.S. government plans to restrict flights due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Our schedule changes for Friday, Nov. 7; Saturday, Nov. 8; and Sunday, Nov. 9; are now in place. Check your flight status to see if your upcoming flight was affected. For flights after Sunday, we will let you know if you’re affected as soon as possible, but anyone flying between Nov. 6-13 can request a refund or reschedule for free.

Passengers’ rights

It’s important to note that international flights are not affected by the flight reduction and that most flights across the board are expected to operate normally.

While the airlines are being flexible during the shutdown, remember that if the airline ever cancels your flight, by law they have to offer you a refund if you choose not to take another flight.

Here is a link to the U.S. Department of Transportation page that details your rights when it comes to air travel.