American Airlines cancels flights

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - American Airlines canceled hundreds of flights this week and is expected to cancel more in the coming weeks.

Many pilots called in sick after a contract dispute, forcing the airline to cancel flights.

Travel agents say travelers need to check their flight status long before leaving home.

“You need to go online, aa.com, contact your travel agency as well, they'll be able to check the status of your flight,” Bethanne Harrison-Brown with The Travel Authority said. ”We contact American and see what's going on as far as are they going to [book] you on an earlier flight, a later flight, or it is a situation where unfortunately you're not going to fly on American and you'll get a refund on that particular airline ticket?”

For those travelers who are issued a refund, she said, American Airlines does not rebook tickets on a different airline. This means passengers could be forced to buy a last-minute ticket on another airline for a much higher price.

Harrison-Brown also said folks with travelers insurance should keep all receipts should they need to be reimbursed.

She stressed that travels need to check all flights if they have a layover, and warned that passengers run the risk of being stranded midway if the second portion of the trip is canceled.

Click here or call (800)223-5436 to reach American Airlines.