Fight or Flight: Customers Battle Covid-19 Airline Cancellations

Airline customer complaints are skyrocketing in the aftermath of COVID-19

When customers were forced to cancel flights once the pandemic hit the U.S. in March 2020, they expected to be refunded for their travel purchases. Unfortunately, though, many are still fighting to get those refunds, and many who settled for airline credit—after jumping through lots of hoops and hurdles—are now learning that their vouchers will expire soon.

In certain cases, airlines are even combating refund requests for flights that were eventually canceled by the airlines themselves. The chance of customers getting that money back is gone.

Meanwhile, adding insult to injury, customers are outraged that airlines are seemingly profiting off the cancellations. On top of keeping ticket sales for canceled flights, they have also received billions in government funds three different times to stay afloat. And guess how who funded those checks? That’s right. Taxpayers. AKA, their own customers.

Other legal issues will inevitably occur between customers and airlines.

We know what you’re thinking: How many lawsuits has this caused? Unsurprisingly, a lot. Lawsuits are happening all over the place with several different airlines, not just in America but around the world.

It’s only a matter of time before other legal issues start to unravel between travelers and airlines, especially as vaccines roll out and new rules and restrictions pop up. For example, it’s possible the flight passengers could raise the following issues to the courtroom level:

• If they believe they contracted COVID-19 from a flight (This case has already happened).
• If they are forced by the airline to wear a mask when they are already vaccinated (as CDC rules change).
• If they are not allowed on an international flight because they are not yet vaccinated.

This is just the start of legal issues in the post-pandemic era.

As society opens up and we all re-adjust to normalcy, legal issues are coming to the surface more and more. Unfortunately, travel-related issues are just the tip of the legal iceberg. Some of the top legal questions you’ll inevitably face and need to start thinking about are:

• Healthcare and health insurance: Will you have to pay for the Coronavirus vaccine? What legal documents do you need to share with your healthcare provider? What if you have already had COVID-19? Will your care be paid for if you are on Medicare?
• Employment and work from home: As of right now, many employees are still working from home and it’s unclear when they’ll return to work. Are you ready to go back or have you realized you like working from home better? What will going back to work for you look like? Can you employer require you to get a vaccine? Can they make you come back into your office after you’ve worked from home for a year? Do you have to provide your medical records to your employer? What will they do around the office to maintain safety?
• School: After this prolonged period of learning from home, you and your kids may be more ready than ever to dust off their backpacks and return to the classroom. When can they go back to school? Will their school require them to get a vaccine before returning? Will there be a “Learn from Home” period until everyone gets their shots? What will the school do to maintain safety measures?
• Financial concerns: How can you check on your stimulus check? What if you were qualified to get one and never received it? How will your taxes be impacted after the financially difficult year we just faced, and what can you do to minimize the costs?
• Estate planning: Did a lot change for you during 2020? Did you lose your job or get a new one? Did you hop on the 2020 home-buying train and purchase a new home? These are all changes that you need reflected in your Will. Do you have a Will yet, and if so, have you updated it recently?

Consult with your lawyer about legal issues and uncertainties you face.

LegalShield provider lawyers are up to date with all coronavirus-related laws in your state, and they are open and ready to help you navigate these murky waters and provide you the comprehensive consultation you and your family deserve.‍

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