Airlines successfully manage between 100,000 and 130,000 flights every day. These flights include commercial, cargo, military operations, private aviation, and training flights.
More precisely, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Air Traffic Organization handles more than 44,000 flights and over 3 million passengers across 29 million square miles of airspace every day. Over a year, this amounts to more than 16 million flights, according to data from the FAA.
Managing so many airplanes, passengers, and operations across multiple countries is extremely complex. Flight cancellations, delays, and disruptions are therefore common.
Airlines strive to avoid disruptions because they can result in $60 billion in annual costs for the industry, according to a report by T2RL, a major airline IT company.
According to Amadeus IT Group, a technology company that provides software for the global travel and tourism industry, the most common reasons for flight disruptions include:
- Weather
- Strike action
- Third-party issues
- Crew logistics
- Natural disasters
- Civil unrest
- Local anomalies
- Mechanical and technical problems
- Operational issues
- Health
Currently, weather is a major factor causing flight disruptions for many carriers, including American Airlines.
Hurricane Melissa forces American Airlines to cancel flights
This October, Hurricane Melissa, forecasted to be the strongest storm in Jamaica’s history, forced American Airlines to cancel flights.
The hurricane reached Category 5 strength, with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph —exceeding even Hurricane Katrina’s intensity, according to CNN.
Related: Another regional airline files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The National Hurricane Center reports that Melissa is located about 135 miles southwest of Kingston, Jamaica. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for vulnerable coastal areas. Melissa has already caused fatalities in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic and is expected to destroy infrastructure and isolate communities.
American Airlines shared earlier this year that it plans to grow its capacity in Jamaica by 20% year over year, highlighting the importance of this hub for the carrier. Melissa is expected to be most destructive through midday Tuesday, Oct. 28, moving past the islands by the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 29.
What airline travelers need to know about Hurricane Melissa
Major airlines have issued travel waivers for destinations affected by Hurricane Melissa, including Jamaica’s main airports, reports Travel Pulse.
American Airlines is enabling travelers to change plans to:
- Boscobel
- Kingston
- Montego Bay
Changes made through October 29, 2025, will not incur penalties, provided tickets were purchased on or before October 23 and the rescheduled flight departs by November 1.
Costs for travelers stranded in Jamaica
When cancellations occur due to events outside American Airlines’ control, such as Hurricane Melissa, travelers are responsible for their own accommodations, meals, and transportation.
Two days in Jamaica can cost stranded travelers around $500, according to TheJamaicanXP, with typical daily budgets as follows:
- Budget travelers: $60 to $80 USD/day
- Mid-range travelers: $150 to $250 USD/day
- Luxury travelers: $400+ USD/day
American Airlines travel alerts
According to American Airlines, when severe weather or other uncontrollable events disrupt flights, travelers may be eligible to change trips without paying a change fee.
This applies to travel between October 24 and November 1, 2025, for passengers traveling to/from:
- Boscobel, Jamaica (OCJ)
- George Town, Bahamas (GGT)
- Holguin, Cuba (HOG)
- Kingston, Jamaica (KIN)
- Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ)
- Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (PLS)
- Santiago de Cuba, Cuba (SCU)
- South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands (XSC)
Your change fee is waived if you:
- Are traveling on an American Airlines flight
- Are booked in any fare class, including Basic Economy
- Bought your ticket by October 23, 2025
- Are scheduled to travel October 25 – 29, 2025
- Can travel October 24, 2025 – November 1, 2025
- Don’t change your origin or destination city
- Rebook in the same cabin or pay the difference
Travelers can update their itineraries online if eligible. If unable to make changes online, they should call Reservations.
American Airlines’ cancellation policies
American Airlines’ policies vary depending on whether the disruption is caused by the airline or external events.
American Airlines provides timely and frequent updates about known delays, cancellation and diversion within 30 minutes of being aware that the flight is impacted.
More Airlines:
- American airline brings back very long flight to New Zealand
- American Airlines makes key beverage change
- Delta Air Lines CEO says airline gives passengers a better experience
If a flight is diverted due to a medical emergency, severe weather, or other situation, the carrier will notify you at the gate before departure, when possible, or make an announcement on board.
Delays and cancellations caused by American Airlines:
When the carrier is responsible for the flight cancellation or delay, you will be rebooked on the next flight with available seats at no additional cost. If no American Airlines flights are available until the next day, the airline will rebook you on one of its partner airlines at no additional cost.
In case of cancellations caused by the airlines, travelers will get:
- A voucher for an approved hotel with available rooms.
- Transportation to a hotel and back to the airport, or a transportation voucher.
- Meal vouchers if your delay is 3 or more hours after your scheduled departure.
- If vouchers are unavailable, American Airlines reimburses reasonable costs.
U.S. Department of Transportation rules allow passengers to request refunds if rebooking offers are declined, even for non-refundable tickets.
Delays beyond American Airlines’ control (such as weather):
- Travelers are responsible for their own accommodations, meals, and transportation.
- American Airlines agents may assist in locating hotels.
- Refunds can be requested for unused portions of tickets.
Flight disruptions cost airlines between $25 billion and $35 billion annually, or about 5% of airline revenue. With projected costs to travelers, corporations and the rest of the ecosystem, that number can reach $60 billion, or about 8% of airline revenue, writes Robyn Grassanovits, VP Traveler Services at Cirium, a global leader in aviation data solutions.
