Several airlines have eased their normal rules regarding refunds and ticket exchanges in the wake of last week's plane hijackings and terrorist attacks. For travelers who were planning to fly in the next several days, the latest information on flight cancellations, delays, and scheduling questions is available from travel agents, or directly from the airlines.
Some useful phone numbers and Web sites:
AirTran: 800-247-8726; www.airtran.com
American and American Eagle: 800-433-7300; www.aa.com
America West: 800-235-9292; www.americawest.com
Continental and Continental Express: 800-523-3273; www.continental.com
Delta: 800-221-1212; www.delta.com
Northwest: 800-225-2525; www.nwa.com
Southwest: 800-435-9792; www.southwest.com
TWA: 800-221-2000; www.twa.com
United: 800-241-6522; www.ual.com
US Airways: 800-428-4322; www.usairways.com
Several online booking sites also are operating customer-service telephone lines.
Travelocity's (www.travelocity.com) toll-free number for inquiries is 888-709-5983. For inquiries about cruises or vacation packages, call 877-815-5446.
Expedia's (www.expedia.com) customer service number is 800-397-3342. The companies request that customers holding reservations beyond 48 hours defer calls.
Other useful Web sites include these:
Federal Aviation Administration; www.faa.gov
Department of Transportation: www.dot.gov/airconsumer
American Society of Travel Agents: www.astanet.com