This is probably premature, but it’s good to be prepared. Some friends and I are going to Vegas next March. In an attempt to save a buck or two, we decided to buy plane tickets way early since it looked like fuel prices would continue to rise. So, we now have seats on a Northwest flight scheduled for next March and I’m reading experts that say that Northwest is in great danger of bankruptcy. If Northwest files what is going to happen to those of us who have purchased tickets? I’m sure it will depend on the type of bankruptcy they file, but I guess I’m mostly curious about being able to do a charge back on our credit cards as a last resort? Will this be possible months from now if necessary?
I searched for this topic and found a few threads. I think I know the answer(s), but the threads were several years old. I’m kind of curious how things worked out with other airlines since those threads were posted or if anyone has other information.
Well, in general, airlines in bankruptcy go ahead and fly all the time, since they are going through reorganization, not termination. I believe United Airlines is currently going through reorganization in bankruptcy court, as an example; USAir also were recent participants.
So, the possibility of bankruptcy isn’t itself a problem for you.
Much more problematic is the concept that a flight will actually leave from your departure point to your destination at the time described and making the same connections, if any, described on your ticket. Even without such intervening issues as bankruptcy, that’s a bit problematic. Airlines re-arrange schedules all the time, dropping connections, changing the departures/arrivals, adding or dropping flights between major hubs. When that happens, you SHOULD get a notification from the airline, allowing you to reschedule your ticketed flight. If you don’t, I’d check a month or so ahead anyway, and make certain that it is still operating as planned. If not, you’ll be offered the opportunity to make needed changes.