Flight delays are common during summer. Here's what travelers should be aware of.

• Summer is generally peak season for flight disruption.
• According to Federal Aviation Administration data, flight delays are mainly due to bad weather.
• The Transportation Department has a dashboard that displays the policies of major airlines, including Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United.

The summer travel season is in full swing, frequently resulting in flight delays and cancellations.

Experts said that travelers may not be reimbursed for disruptions caused by airlines, depending on the cause and policy.

According to Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp, in the U.S., airlines are not legally obligated to pay compensation for delayed or canceled flights.

'High' season for flight delays and cancellations

Typically, flight disruptions are common during mid-June to the end of August, according to Napoli.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration's webpage on summer travel, this season will witness an increase in the number of planes in the skies, frequent bad weather, and higher usage of the nation's airspace.

In 2024, bad weather was responsible for 66% of total flight-delay minutes, according to FAA data through July 21. This is a decrease from the 72% share in 2023.

Thousands of flights were grounded on July 19 due to a global IT outage.

This year, another 15% of delays were caused by "Volume," according to the FAA.

During summer, there is typically an increase in the number of passengers and flights due to the end of school and the large number of Americans going on vacation, according to Hayley Berg's analysis of travel disruptions.

According to FAA data as of Sunday, eight of the 10 busiest travel days of 2024 occurred in June, July, and August.

What you can expect from airlines

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, airlines have a general duty to provide a refund of the ticket price and fees if they cancel a flight or make a "significant change" in the flight, regardless of the reason.

The DOT stated that consumers are entitled to a refund only if they decline an alternative option offered by the airline, such as rebooking on a different flight.

This obligation holds even for those who bought non-refundable tickets.

The DOT has not established a clear definition of a "significant" change, as this determination is influenced by factors such as the duration of the delay, the specific flight, and unique circumstances, the agency stated.

Starting Oct. 28, airlines will be required to promptly and automatically pay refunds to customers due to a recently issued Biden administration rule. The rule also defines a significant change as a delay of three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

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More broadly, airline compensation policies vary for delays and cancellations.

The Transportation Department's dashboard displays major carriers' commitments to customers regarding cancellations or delays exceeding three hours.

Airlines must abide by these promises, the agency stated.

No airline provides cash compensation for a delay of three or more hours, but most offer a hotel stay for overnight delays, and all airlines commit to rebooking passengers on the same airline for free and providing a free meal if cancellation leads to waiting at least three hours for a new flight.

Airline policies only apply to "controllable" delays and cancellations, which are caused by airline operations. However, these policies may not apply to situations beyond their control, such as bad weather.

A global IT outage caused by a failed tech update by CrowdStrike resulted in a "controllable" event, impacting Microsoft services used by several airlines.

Experts said that passengers flying abroad may have more rights under international rules.

According to AirHelp, passengers traveling to and from Europe are generally entitled to more compensation under European Union law.

Tips for passengers

To reduce the likelihood of flight disruptions and handle delays or cancellations more effectively, experts suggest several strategies.

• Flights scheduled between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. are less likely to be delayed than those departing after 9 a.m., according to Berg.
• To minimize the chances of a disruption, it is recommended to avoid connecting flights. However, this may not always be feasible due to factors such as ticket cost, airport, and destination. If a connection is necessary, it is important to leave ample time for a layover. A minimum layover buffer of 45 minutes for domestic flights and 90 minutes for international trips is recommended.
• To avoid missing "big" events or plans, leave "wiggle room" at your destination and build in a buffer day, Berg advised.
• Traveling on Tuesdays or Wednesdays can result in fewer flight delays, more open seats, and cheaper ticket prices, according to Napoli.
• To prepare for potential delays or cancellations, Napoli advised those with a carry-on bag or personal item to pack strategically. This includes having a change of clothes, snacks, electronics, valuables, and a toothbrush on hand in case your checked bag isn't available.
• "Maximize your chances of speaking to an airline representative more quickly by calling the customer support center and getting in line at the same time," Berg advised.