United publishes cancellations on its website and app, updated throughout the day
United Airlines posts cancelled flights on United.com under "Flight Status" and in the United app. The airline updates this information in real time as cancellations happen, so the list changes hour to hour. You can search by your flight number, departure city, or arrival city to see whether your specific flight is affected.
If you have a ticket, United will also send you a notification by email or push notification (if you have the app) when your flight is cancelled. However, the website and app are faster — notifications sometimes lag by an hour or more. Checking directly is more reliable than waiting for the alert.
The cancellation list does not tell you why a flight was cancelled. United cancels flights for weather, mechanical issues, crew shortages, air traffic control delays, or staffing problems at the airport. The reason matters for what you are owed, which is covered in the section below.
Key Takeaways
- United.com and the United app show cancelled flights updated in real time; search by flight number or city to find your specific flight.
- Weather and air traffic control issues are not United's responsibility, so you get a rebooking or refund but no compensation payment.
- Mechanical failures and crew shortages are United's responsibility, and you may be owed $400 to $750 depending on how late your rebooking arrives.
- If United cancels your flight, you can rebook on the next available United flight at no extra cost, or request a refund of your ticket price.
- Passengers with disabilities or medical needs should contact United directly at 1-800-UNITED-1 rather than using the website, because rebooking options are wider by phone.
Where to check cancellations in real time
Go to United.com and click "Flight Status" at the top of the page. Enter your flight number (the five-character code on your ticket, like UA1234) or your departure and arrival cities and today's date. The page will show whether the flight is on time, delayed, or cancelled.
The United app works the same way. Open it, tap "Flight Status," and search the same way. If you have already booked a flight in the app, you can also tap "My Trips" to see the status of your reservation without searching.
Neither the website nor the app shows you a full list of all cancelled flights for the day. You have to search for your specific flight. If you are trying to find out whether any United flights are cancelled on a particular route, call United at 1-800-UNITED-1 and ask the agent directly.
What you are owed depends on why the flight was cancelled
If weather or air traffic control caused the cancellation: United is not required to pay you compensation. You can rebook on the next available United flight at no cost, or request a refund of your ticket price. If the rebooking gets you to your destination more than three hours late, you may be owed a meal voucher and hotel room if the delay is overnight, but this varies by situation.
If United cancelled the flight for a mechanical issue, crew shortage, or staffing problem: This is within United's control. You can rebook on the next available United flight at no cost, or request a refund. You are also owed compensation: $400 if your rebooking arrives one to two hours late, $750 if it arrives more than two hours late. This applies to flights within the United States.
United will not always volunteer this information. If you believe the cancellation was within the airline's control, ask the agent or write to United's customer relations department after your trip with the flight number and date. Keep your ticket confirmation and any communications from United about the reason for cancellation.
How to rebook or request a refund
If your flight is cancelled, United will offer you a rebooking automatically. You can accept it on the website, in the app, or by calling 1-800-UNITED-1. The airline will rebook you on the next available United flight to your destination at no extra charge, even if it is a more expensive fare class.
If no United flights work for you, you can request a refund of your ticket price. Go to United.com, click "Manage Reservations," enter your confirmation number and name, and look for the option to request a refund. You can also call 1-800-UNITED-1 to request one by phone. Refunds are processed to your original payment method and typically take 5 to 10 business days.
If you booked through a travel agent or third-party site like Expedia or Kayak, contact them first — they may handle the rebooking or refund on your behalf. If they do not respond quickly, you can also contact United directly with your confirmation number.
What to do if you cannot reach United
During widespread cancellations (bad weather, system outages), United's phone lines and website can become overwhelmed. If you cannot get through, try these alternatives:
- Use the United app to rebook yourself. The app often processes faster than the website during high-volume periods.
- Send a direct message to United on Twitter or Facebook. The airline's social media team responds faster than phone lines during crises and can rebook you or answer questions about compensation.
- If you have a disability or medical condition that affects your travel, call 1-800-UNITED-1 and ask to be transferred to the disability services team. They have separate phone lines and shorter wait times.
- If you paid with a credit card, contact your card issuer to dispute the charge if United does not refund you within 30 days.
The app is often your fastest option during peak cancellation periods because it does not rely on phone agents or website servers that may be overloaded. Social media channels also tend to have shorter response times than the main customer service line, especially when the airline is handling a large volume of cancellations at once.
Checking cancellations before you leave for the airport
Check United.com or the app the morning of your flight and again one hour before you are scheduled to leave home. Cancellations can happen at any time, but most are announced by early morning or the night before. If your flight is cancelled after you have already left for the airport, you will see it on the airport monitors, but checking ahead saves you a wasted trip.
If your flight is cancelled and you have checked bags, United will deliver them to your home or hold them at the airport for you to pick up. Ask the agent at the counter or call 1-800-UNITED-1 to arrange this. Keep your baggage claim tags so you can track your bags if they are being delivered separately from your rebooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see a list of all United cancellations for today?
No, United does not publish a master list. You have to search by flight number or route. Call 1-800-UNITED-1 if you want to know whether any flights are cancelled on a specific route — the agent can tell you in seconds.
If my flight is cancelled, do I have to rebook with United?
No. You can request a refund of your ticket price instead. You can also ask United to book you on a competitor airline if no United flights work for you, though United is not required to do this and often declines. A refund is your safest option if you want flexibility.
How long does it take to get a refund after a cancellation?
Refunds are processed to your original payment method in 5 to 10 business days. If you do not see it after 10 days, contact United at 1-800-UNITED-1 with your confirmation number and ask for a refund status.
What if I miss my rebooking because I did not see the cancellation notice?
Call United when ready at 1-800-UNITED-1. If you missed your rebooking through no fault of your own (for example, the notification arrived late), the airline may rebook you on the next flight at no penalty. Explain what happened and ask the agent to note it in your reservation.
Do I get a hotel room if my flight is cancelled?
Only if the cancellation was within United's control (mechanical issue, crew shortage) and your rebooking does not depart until the next day. Weather and air traffic control cancellations do not may have access to you to a hotel. Ask the agent at the counter — they can authorize a hotel voucher if you may have access to.