Here are your rights if your flight is cancelled during government shutdown

Many travelers could be faced with cancelled flights this weekend due to air traffic cuts mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

That will likely leave many searching for alternative travel plans or their money back, as major airports are required to cut 10% of their traffic. But what, exactly, can you expect from your airline if your flight is cancelled?

• Read more: Check your flight status if you’re flying through these major airports this weekend

Many airlines will give you the option to take a different flight, often at no extra cost. Most will let you re-book on a later flight on the same airline to the same destination, provided there is space on the flight. Some will also allow you to book on other airlines if they have a partnership with that airline, so be sure to research other options.

The U.S. Department of Transportation provides a dashboard for travelers to check what different airlines offer in the event of a cancellation.

Following the announcement of the cuts this week, multiple major airlines have introduced new policies to make it easier for customers to change their flight or get a refund.

United Airlines has said it will provide refunds to anyone traveling during this time, even if their flight is not cancelled, and American Airlines is waiving change fees. Delta is allowing customers to re-book their flight without paying any difference in fare, as long as the rebooked flight is on or before Nov. 21.

Southwest Airlines will rebook travelers automatically if their flight is cancelled, or they may request a refund or to change to a different flight.

What does the law say?

Under federal law, customers are entitled to a refund on their ticket if the airline cancels a flight and the customer does not change to a different one. You may be offered travel credits or a voucher, but if you do not accept these, the airline is required to give you a refund. They are also required to let you know that you are entitled to a refund.

The same is true if your flight is significantly delayed. For domestic flights, this would mean arriving at your destination at least three hours later than scheduled, and for international flights, six hours later than scheduled.

• Read more: Logan Airport hit by cancellations as government shutdown drags on

Before you leave for the airport, be sure to check your flight status. Most airlines will contact you by email or phone if there are changes to your flight, or you can check their website or mobile app.

The federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1 due to a deadlock in Congress over Democrats’ insistence on health care funding. It has become the longest shutdown in the country’s history.

This has left about 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers across the country working without pay for more than a month, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. This has led to staffing shortages, which have, in turn, led to delays and cancellations.