A severed fiber optic cable knocked out thousands of flights across the East Coast on Monday, prompting immediate refund demands and raising questions about compensation.
Refund Rights Under U.S. Law
Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp, said U.S. domestic law guarantees a full cash refund for any canceled flight, regardless of cause.
“Under U.S. domestic law on flights, the rules are that you’re entitled to a full cash refund,” Napoli explained.
European Compensation Not Applicable
Because the disruption stemmed from a tower‑to‑ground issue beyond airline control, European Regulation 261/2004 does not trigger the €700 payment for U.S. carriers.
“If you are flying to and from Europe and the cause is directly attributable to the airline, then you could be entitled to up to $700. In this case, this is completely outside of the airline’s control,” Napoli said.
Airlines Blamed, Then Refuted
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy accused Amtrak of cutting the cable, but Amtrak responded that the incident occurred on New Jersey Transit property and involved a New Jersey Transit contractor.
Amtrak said the work was performed by a New Jersey Transit contractor on its property, while NJ Transit claimed the crew dug about 10 feet away from the marked utility lines.
Customer Options and Proactive Steps
Napoli advised travelers to request a cash refund rather than accept airline rebooking offers, noting that accepting a rescheduled flight waives the refund right.
“If you decide to take the flight, then you wouldn’t get your money back because you have consumed a service,” he explained.
He urged passengers to be proactive in securing food vouchers, transportation, or lodging, as airlines may not automatically provide them.
AirHelp Resources
AirHelp offers a 24/7 chat, a website with detailed information, and a mobile app that tracks flight status to help travelers navigate delays.
“Generally, if you don’t ask for it, you’re not going to get it, so you have to be pretty proactive,” Napoli said.
Calm and Civil Interaction
Napoli recommended staying calm and speaking civilly with airport staff, emphasizing that anger does not speed up resolution.
“Having information beforehand and knowing how to navigate is always best. Be prepared. Things can go wrong, and we get angry and upset. But getting angry at the people at the airport desk doesn’t help the situation,” he told Fox News Digital.
Fox News Digital contacted the Department of Transportation, Amtrak, and New Jersey Transit for comment.
