Flight reductions lead to better protections for fliers

EAST BOSTON, Mass. —

One bright spot for travelers in the midst of this government shutdown: it’s now easier for fliers to cancel their flight and get a refund. That applies to passengers of several major airlines, even if their flight is not impacted by the FAA-mandated reductions.

The nation’s three legacy carriers — Delta, American and United — now say every passenger is eligible to cancel their ticket and get a refund, regardless of whether their flight is canceled or delayed.

Usually, only passengers whose flights are canceled are eligible to get their money back, but these airlines are significantly broadening that protection while the reductions persist. If a passenger doesn’t want to fly, no matter the reason, they can cancel their ticket and pocket the money.

However, JetBlue,