Millions of Americans are hitting the air ways, this Fourth of July holiday. AAA expects 77,000 travelers to fly in and out of the Metro DC airports. At Reagan National Airport there were some delays and some cancelations.
Deborah Powell is traveling to New Orleans for the Essence Festival, but says yesterday American Airlines let her know that today’s flight was canceled.
“I get a message yesterday afternoon saying your flight is cancelled. Called the airlines and they said we can get you out July second. I’m like I paid a lot of money for my tickets,” said Powell, who reached out to the company that sold the ticket.
“So, I called Expedia, my booking agent and they did something but they put me on like a little puddle jumper and I am kinda nervous about that,” she said.
Ragina Ali, with AAA, says using a travel agent or booking agent may be helpful, when your flight has been canceled.
“You need to know exactly what your rights are as a traveler and the reality is if you through a travel advisor or travel agency, they sometimes have information that the normal traveler doesn't have,” said Ali.
When it comes to busy travel days, she says airlines overbooking flights and staff shortages are to blame.
“There are certainly pilot shortages. There are staffing shortages. And on top of all of that we're seeing this increased demand, said Ali.
Powell was able to get an alternate flight, with assistance, she said. But she still had concerns about the flight.
“I am disappointed and nervous. I told my husband we are not going to do air traveling for a while,” said Powell, “There is no security no consistency. So you can’t make plans and the day before they just arbitrarily say, ‘Oh well.. this is all we can offer you’ so I am disappointed.”
If you are headed to the airport, consider arriving early, to join a steady crowd at ticket counters and security lines. Also, take a look at parking options. The available parking at Reagan National Airport, is filling up and by Thursday evening was more than 90 percent full, in the economy lot.