More than 300 flights to and from US airports were canceled this week due to severe weather affecting various cities and states across the vast North American country.
According to local press reports, hundreds of thousands of passengers were affected by these weather-related disruptions. Airlines were forced to cancel hundreds of flights, while thousands more experienced significant delays.
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airports in Atlanta, Denver and Newark Liberty were among the most affected.
The airline with the highest number of cancellations was Delta Air Lines, with more than 200 flights canceled from its main hub in Atlanta.
For its part, United Airlines was not immune to the disruptions; the airline based at Newark Liberty Airport had to cancel nine routes and delay the departure of more than 140 flights scheduled for August 2.
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Is it possible to receive compensation?
It is true that when a flight is canceled or delayed for several hours, each passenger on the flight is entitled to assistance and financial compensation (up to $1,350 or 400% of the airfare), but the right to compensation depends on the nature of the event causing the flight disruption.
In the case of a flight delayed or canceled due to bad weather, this is considered an extraordinary circumstance that prohibits airlines from compensating their passengers. However, passengers are entitled to a refund if their flight is permanently canceled.