Flights between the U.S. mainland and Caribbean resumed on Sunday, but many travelers faced significant frustration due to delays stemming from the weekend disruptions.
Early Sunday morning, airlines began restoring normal operations to Puerto Rico and the Eastern Caribbean, following a day of extensive flight cancellations caused by U.S. military actions in Venezuela.
However, passengers battled to secure flights home during what was assumed to be the final busy weekend of the holiday season.
In a bid to alleviate the chaos, airlines announced the addition of extra flights and larger aircraft to help ferry stranded vacationers back home.
Yet, reports flooded in from numerous travelers indicating they might face a wait of several days before returning.
Air service returns to a semblance of normalcy
The positive news on Sunday was that flights were largely back to normal, a welcome improvement after the wave of cancellations, particularly impacting flights to and from San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU), the busiest Caribbean hub connecting to the U.S. mainland.
By 8:45 p.m. EST Sunday, only 24 departures had been canceled at San Juan, as per FlightAware data.
This figure marked a drastic improvement compared to the 200 flights that were eliminated on Saturday.
As crowds filled the terminal in San Juan on Saturday, many remained hopeful that the situation would improve rapidly. MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/GETTY IMAGES
Travelers scramble to secure seats
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With limited open seats on departing flights from Caribbean islands, securing a spot became a significant challenge for many travelers on Sunday and potentially in the days that followed.
On Sunday, American Airlines added extra round-trip flights to several sought-after Caribbean islands, including: Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, Dominica, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Maarten, and St. Lucia.
Additionally, American planned to deploy its largest jet—the twin-aisle Boeing 777-300ER—for two round trips on Monday between its Miami International Airport (MIA) hub and San Juan to accommodate more travelers following the disruptions of the weekend.
The Boeing 777-300ER seats 304 passengers, providing significantly more capacity than the single-aisle jets typically used on most San Juan routes.
Moreover, late Sunday, the airline announced it would operate several rare interisland flights within the Caribbean on Monday. American Eagle service was slated between San Juan and Anguilla as well as Beef Island in the British Virgin Islands.
Delta Air Lines noted on Sunday evening that it planned to increase capacity by adding approximately 2,600 extra seats throughout its Caribbean network for Monday.
The Atlanta-based airline committed to accommodating all passengers stranded by Tuesday.
However, Delta also cautioned that their increased airlift might lead to delays in flights, as well as potential waits at security checks at some Caribbean airports.
Travelers were reminded to arrive at airports at least three hours prior to their flights on Monday. ANDREW WEVERS/GETTY IMAGES
Travel waivers remain active
Travel waivers are still applicable at all major U.S. carriers, allowing passengers to reschedule flights or adjust itineraries even if they are booked on restrictive basic economy tickets.
Some of these waivers will remain valid through Tuesday.
Traveling this weekend? Here’s what to consider.
Monitor your airline app closely
If your flight was canceled on Saturday, keep your airline’s app accessible for any available rebooking opportunities. Act quickly to secure new seats before they fill up.
For guidance in case of flight cancellations or delays, refer to helpful travel advice.
Explore alternative booking routes
If your airline cannot offer you a nonstop flight, inquire about potential options through other connecting cities with open seats on different flights.
About backup flights
If you’ve been stuck since Saturday with an urgent need to return home, consider purchasing a ticket from another airline.
Even though you would cover the expense for the new ticket, federal regulations entitle you to a refund for your original canceled flight.
For details on obtaining refunds for canceled or delayed flights, investigate the policies in place.
Will airlines offer compensation?
Unfortunately, most airlines will not cover hotel stays, meals, or additional costs incurred if stranded, as these situations often arise from factors outside the airline’s control.
Consumer rights regarding flight disruptions can be explored at FlightRights.gov, though passenger protections typically apply only in conditions that are directly related to the airline, such as maintenance setbacks.
Keep your receipts!
If you find yourself stranded, retain your receipts, as there’s no guarantee expenses might be reimbursed.
Travelers who secured travel insurance prior to Saturday’s military events may be eligible to claim unexpected costs, depending on the specific policy details.
The same rule could apply for passengers who made bookings with credit cards offering travel insurance protections. Keep in mind that benefits and coverage can vary widely among plans, and the interpretation of policies will differ by provider.
For instance, some Chase card benefits exclude coverage for scenarios like “war, insurrection, or any actions taken by military personnel.”
Cruise passengers also affected
Flight disruptions have also posed challenges for cruise-goers eager to embark on journeys in the Caribbean. Virgin Voyages informed customers they could receive full voyage credits for future bookings if they couldn’t board due to flight issues.
Some cruise lines have adjusted schedules to assist travelers arriving late due to flight disruptions.
Still, cruise passengers disembarking in Caribbean ports over the weekend faced hurdles in securing hotel accommodations or alternative lodging during these delays.
