Few parts of the traveling experience are as unnerving as having a flight canceled.

Thousands of Southwest Airlines Co. customers faced this experience with more than 2,000 flights canceled since the weekend, according to FlightAware, a flight-tracking website. The issue began Friday when severe weather in Florida and issues with air-traffic control resulted in a large number of cancellations, leaving customers and crew out of place, an airline spokesperson said Saturday.

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Few parts of the traveling experience are as unnerving as having a flight canceled.

Thousands of Southwest Airlines Co. customers faced this experience with more than 2,000 flights canceled since the weekend, according to FlightAware, a flight-tracking website. The issue began Friday when severe weather in Florida and issues with air-traffic control resulted in a large number of cancellations, leaving customers and crew out of place, an airline spokesperson said Saturday.

But Southwest is hardly alone, as millions of passengers return to the skies. On Thursday and Friday last week, for example, 2.06 million and 2.16 million travelers went through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints. That is more than double the numbers recorded on the same dates last year, before a Covid-19 vaccine was available, and nearing the 2019 pre-pandemic levels of 2.6 million and 2.68 million respectively.

That rush of people has caused problems.

Some airlines were overly ambitious with their plans and are now regretting such large flight schedules. Spirit Airlines Inc., for example, canceled nearly 6% of its flights between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Airlines are also dealing with other issues such as vaccine mandates, unruly passengers and mask regulations. Together, the issues make flying harder and can lead to an outright cancellation.

While a cancellation is out of the fliers’ hands, it is helpful to know how to make alternative plans. Here’s a quick guide on how to be prepared.

Before You Go

Check your flight’s status and download the airline’s app.

All airlines have apps for mobile phones that travelers can use to check their flight status. Similar tools exist on airline websites. Customers can sign up for push alerts on their phones or text messages and emails.

Alerts can be helpful in letting customers know if their flight is canceled or delayed, or a gate has changed. Alerts can also let customers know when a flight is about to begin boarding and provide other information, such as which baggage carousel your luggage will arrive at.

When Your Flight Gets Canceled

Most airlines will typically offer a new flight. While the alternate flight will likely be on the same day at the airport or hub you’re in, the severity of the issues that caused the initial cancellation and its lingering impact can limit the options. Open seats on the next available flight are usually offered.

Rescheduling can often be done via an app, or passengers can call airlines directly. Alternate options are to speak with the gate agent or a customer-service representative in the terminal itself, depending on the airport.

Whether or not you bought your ticket directly from the airline or with a third party will determine the level of service you receive. In some instances, customers might be told to reach out to the booking company, such as Expedia, rather than the airline.

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Refunds

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, your right as a passenger to get a refund is unambiguous.

“A passenger is entitled to a refund if the airline canceled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the passenger chooses not to travel,” the policy reads. A refund should also be granted if there is a “significant” schedule change or delay.

The definition of what constitutes a significant change or delay relies on many factors, and there is no overarching definition, according to the USDOT. The factors include “the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances,” according to the federal agency.

Related Video

Video shows long lines at busy airports this weekend as Southwest Airlines canceled and delayed thousands of flights across the U.S. Photo: David Zalubowski/Associated Press The Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition

Your Status With the Airline Might Matter

Many passengers are part of frequent-flier programs, and some have special status within the airline because of their loyalty and amount of yearly travel. This can have its own perks regarding cancellations.

Often, specific phone lines and desk agents at an airport can help reschedule a fight for valued customers. United Airlines, for example, has a Premier Priority Desk to help with bookings and other scheduling needs, including finding new flights after cancellations.

Other Airlines and Airports

If flying with the airline you originally chose is no longer an option, or you received a refund, looking for flights on another air carrier may be the next best thing.

Still, the cost of that flight might be significantly higher due to the last-minute nature of the purchase and sudden demand if many other flights to your destination are canceled. Similarly, nearby airports could be your next best option.

In addition to the likelihood of increased prices, be prepared for additional expenses, such as transportation to the closest airport or car rental costs.

Write to Talal Ansari at Talal.Ansari@wsj.com