Sep 6, 2017, 1:54 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
American Airlines Travel Notices and Policy, Resources etc.
What do the technical terms noted in the thread's title mean?
OSO = Off Schedule Operations,
System IROPS or IRROPS = Irregular Operations such as flight delays and/or cancellations
When severe weather or other uncontrollable events impact your flight and travel dates, you may be able to change your trip with no change fee.
Link to AA PDF "Schedule Irregularity (IROPS) - Travel Agency Guidelines 001 and 037 tickets"
As of 30 Sep 2017, if you are affected by OSO / IROPS you may be able to rebook yourself using "Dynamic Reaccom" the AA app, a kiosk or on AA.com. See this post for further information.
NOTE: This thread will be regularly archived to allow more recent OSO issues to be listed. Older posts from 2018 have been archived to ARCHIVE: AA OSO, IROPS / IRROPS, delay, cancelation etc. resources for 2018
Posts pertaining to delays and cancellations go in Flight [xx] Cancellation / Delay / Diversion etc. on [date] 2018 (consolidated)
AA Travel alerts
Link to AA Travel Policy / Travel Notices, including existing Weather Waivers
Relaxed change fee policies
How to change your trip (also see "Dynamic Reaccom" above and post #2)
When severe weather or other uncontrollable events impact your flight and travel dates, you may be able to change your trip with no change fee. (In some cases you might have to pay a fare difference.)
If a travel alert affects you, you may be able to change your trip online if:
OSO Resources and Tools, Links
Link to AA Travel Policy / Travel Notices, including existing Weather Waivers
Link to AA travel exception policy for travel agents (now withdrawn from being downloaded by the public)
Off Schedule Operations special numbers (We have verification this number is still in service for widespread IROPS.)
AA OSO (Off-Schedule Operations) Phone: 1.800.843.3447 "800-THE-EGGS"
(Only if you are affected, please! Only staffed during OSO events.
Twitter: @AmericanAir can help. Send them a request they follow you so you can send them DM (Direct Messages), then you can send them your AAdvantage number and EP status,which they can add to their profile on you. Then you can DM them privately with your PNR etc. (You must have a Twitter account.)
Link to Federal Aviation Administration OIS national airspace system status & delays
Link to FAA Air Traffic Control Command Center Advisories page
Link to AA cancelled flights on FlightAware
Link to "Misery Map" USA from FlightAware - see where it's miserable now
Link to North American airport weather delays (FlightStats)
Link to U S airport delays (FlightAware)
Link to cancelled flights (today, to two days out - FlightAware)
Link to USA Weather Service website
Link to FT thread on PALL List discussing priority for passengers in IROPS, etc.
Thread with alternative numbers (wiki) that can be useful during IROPS: Long wait / delay / hold times for Customer Service / EXP, etc. lines (consolidated)
Link to "AA Protection for OSO / IROPS / IRROPS / Misconnect on Separate AA / oneworld Tickets" thread.
Link to FT Original Routing Credit thread
Link to thread: 2015 AA Travel Notices & Policy, resources etc. (OSO, system IROPS, weather, etc.) (pre-merger forum)[/quote]
Link to 2017 Guide to compensation thread.
Link to FAA list of aviation terms and abbreviations
Link to Wikipedia list of aviation and aerospace Terms and abbreviations
Note: Normally weather waivers allow no changes to origin or destination, but a number of members have optionally been so accommodated; new dates must be within a few days of the original booking. If your plans are totally hammered (missed my meeting, cruise, etc.) or is interrupted and you can't continue, try the phrase "trip in vain" for cancelling and refunding.
Weather (or other "force majeure") caused delays such as FAA ground holds, etc. will generally not gain payment for overnight hotel accommodation or hotel vouchers.
NOTE: Basic Economy fare holders ARE entitled to reaccommodation on other AA flights without requiring B fares, according to recent announcements. 23 Aug 2017)
Other ways of contacting AA reservations:
Link to listing of USA other language than English lines.
Link to worldwide reservations phone numbers.
From outside U.S. can call AA headquarters 1-817-963-1234, use voice menu.
Try Skype or Skype WiFi or other methods of calling if your mobile will incur significant charges.
FAQ
Q. If I'm on an AA award or ticket but the flight is operated by another airline, whom do I call in case of cancellation or IROPS?
Prior to the day of travel, call AA (do so as soon as you become available of changes); on the day of travel, you can call AA but it's appropriate for the operating carrier to reroute and assist you.
Q. The operating carrier canceled or changed my AAdvantage award flight so I'll miss (event, connection, etc.)
AA can change you to AA flights regardless of award seat availability, but they can not force partner airlines to do so. AA may attempt to request the other carrier accommodate you, but the request will be with the carrier's Liaison with AA and may take some time.
Q. When is AA obligated to pay for Hotel in OSO / IROPS?
See this thread with that title.
Q. Im stuck in xxx for the night! Where do I go now?
Start by reviewing the options (hotels, sleep facilities, lounges, ad hoc sleeping in airports) at http://www.sleepinginairports.net.
Q. Gd received my upgrade prior to OSO, now Ill have to change flights.
If your upgrade was confirmed and from a SWU or miles and copay, AA will attempt to preserve your upgrade if seats are available for sale on AA or JBV partners AY, BA, IB and JL, rarely on non-JBV partners. If your upgrade was a CK-EXP-PPro courtesy upgrade or from e500 stickers AA will not likely preserve your confirmed upgrade.
Related issues
NOTE:This thread will be regularly archived to allow more recent OSO issues to be listed.
Posts from 2019 can be seen in the ARCHIVE thread here.
Posts from 2018 can be seen in the ARCHIVE thread here.
Posts from 2017 can be seen in the ARCHIVE thread, here.
Older posts from 2016 and prior can be seen in the ARCHIVE thread, here
What do the technical terms noted in the thread's title mean?
OSO = Off Schedule Operations,
System IROPS or IRROPS = Irregular Operations such as flight delays and/or cancellations
When severe weather or other uncontrollable events impact your flight and travel dates, you may be able to change your trip with no change fee.
Link to AA PDF "Schedule Irregularity (IROPS) - Travel Agency Guidelines 001 and 037 tickets"
As of 30 Sep 2017, if you are affected by OSO / IROPS you may be able to rebook yourself using "Dynamic Reaccom" the AA app, a kiosk or on AA.com. See this post for further information.
NOTE: This thread will be regularly archived to allow more recent OSO issues to be listed. Older posts from 2018 have been archived to ARCHIVE: AA OSO, IROPS / IRROPS, delay, cancelation etc. resources for 2018
Posts pertaining to delays and cancellations go in Flight [xx] Cancellation / Delay / Diversion etc. on [date] 2018 (consolidated)
AA Travel alerts
Link to AA Travel Policy / Travel Notices, including existing Weather Waivers
Relaxed change fee policies
How to change your trip (also see "Dynamic Reaccom" above and post #2)
When severe weather or other uncontrollable events impact your flight and travel dates, you may be able to change your trip with no change fee. (In some cases you might have to pay a fare difference.)
If a travel alert affects you, you may be able to change your trip online if:
- You booked on aa.com or with American Airlines Reservations
- Your travel is within the U.S., Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands
- Look for the 'change trip' button to see if your trip is eligible. If not, please call to change your trip.
OSO Resources and Tools, Links
Link to AA Travel Policy / Travel Notices, including existing Weather Waivers
Link to AA travel exception policy for travel agents (now withdrawn from being downloaded by the public)
Off Schedule Operations special numbers (We have verification this number is still in service for widespread IROPS.)
AA OSO (Off-Schedule Operations) Phone: 1.800.843.3447 "800-THE-EGGS"
(Only if you are affected, please! Only staffed during OSO events.
Twitter: @AmericanAir can help. Send them a request they follow you so you can send them DM (Direct Messages), then you can send them your AAdvantage number and EP status,which they can add to their profile on you. Then you can DM them privately with your PNR etc. (You must have a Twitter account.)
Link to Federal Aviation Administration OIS national airspace system status & delays
Link to FAA Air Traffic Control Command Center Advisories page
Link to AA cancelled flights on FlightAware
Link to "Misery Map" USA from FlightAware - see where it's miserable now
Link to North American airport weather delays (FlightStats)
Link to U S airport delays (FlightAware)
Link to cancelled flights (today, to two days out - FlightAware)
Link to USA Weather Service website
Link to FT thread on PALL List discussing priority for passengers in IROPS, etc.
Thread with alternative numbers (wiki) that can be useful during IROPS: Long wait / delay / hold times for Customer Service / EXP, etc. lines (consolidated)
Link to "AA Protection for OSO / IROPS / IRROPS / Misconnect on Separate AA / oneworld Tickets" thread.
Link to FT Original Routing Credit thread
Link to thread: 2015 AA Travel Notices & Policy, resources etc. (OSO, system IROPS, weather, etc.) (pre-merger forum)[/quote]
Link to 2017 Guide to compensation thread.
Link to FAA list of aviation terms and abbreviations
Link to Wikipedia list of aviation and aerospace Terms and abbreviations
Note: Normally weather waivers allow no changes to origin or destination, but a number of members have optionally been so accommodated; new dates must be within a few days of the original booking. If your plans are totally hammered (missed my meeting, cruise, etc.) or is interrupted and you can't continue, try the phrase "trip in vain" for cancelling and refunding.
Weather (or other "force majeure") caused delays such as FAA ground holds, etc. will generally not gain payment for overnight hotel accommodation or hotel vouchers.
NOTE: Basic Economy fare holders ARE entitled to reaccommodation on other AA flights without requiring B fares, according to recent announcements. 23 Aug 2017)
Other ways of contacting AA reservations:
Link to listing of USA other language than English lines.
Code:
Call us (Within the U.S.) Language Phone Hours (CT) English 800-433-7300 24 hours, Daily Spanish 800-633-3711 24 hours, Daily Japanese 800-237-0027 6 a.m. 12 midnight, Daily Mandarin 800-492-8095 7 a.m. 12 midnight, Daily Portuguese 866-824-8717 6 a.m. 7 p.m., Daily Hearing & speech impaired 800-543-1586 24 hours, Daily
From outside U.S. can call AA headquarters 1-817-963-1234, use voice menu.
Try Skype or Skype WiFi or other methods of calling if your mobile will incur significant charges.
FAQ
Q. If I'm on an AA award or ticket but the flight is operated by another airline, whom do I call in case of cancellation or IROPS?
Prior to the day of travel, call AA (do so as soon as you become available of changes); on the day of travel, you can call AA but it's appropriate for the operating carrier to reroute and assist you.
Q. The operating carrier canceled or changed my AAdvantage award flight so I'll miss (event, connection, etc.)
AA can change you to AA flights regardless of award seat availability, but they can not force partner airlines to do so. AA may attempt to request the other carrier accommodate you, but the request will be with the carrier's Liaison with AA and may take some time.
Q. When is AA obligated to pay for Hotel in OSO / IROPS?
See this thread with that title.
Q. Im stuck in xxx for the night! Where do I go now?
Start by reviewing the options (hotels, sleep facilities, lounges, ad hoc sleeping in airports) at http://www.sleepinginairports.net.
Q. Gd received my upgrade prior to OSO, now Ill have to change flights.
If your upgrade was confirmed and from a SWU or miles and copay, AA will attempt to preserve your upgrade if seats are available for sale on AA or JBV partners AY, BA, IB and JL, rarely on non-JBV partners. If your upgrade was a CK-EXP-PPro courtesy upgrade or from e500 stickers AA will not likely preserve your confirmed upgrade.
Related issues
NOTE:This thread will be regularly archived to allow more recent OSO issues to be listed.
Posts from 2019 can be seen in the ARCHIVE thread here.
Posts from 2018 can be seen in the ARCHIVE thread here.
Posts from 2017 can be seen in the ARCHIVE thread, here.
Older posts from 2016 and prior can be seen in the ARCHIVE thread, here
IROPS "IRROPS" - OSO, Weather, etc. Affecting AA Flyers (master thread)
Jan 21, 2026 | 2:19 pm
#961
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Austin, TX (AUS)
Programs: I have a frequent flyer account with pretty much any airline to exist. Usually use AA and OW.
Posts: 51
Yeah, in your shoes I would call and keep escalating until you get someone who can fix this. I've had agents try to fix things in IROPS who don't clean up the flight record properly and there are orphan segments that would not have magically gone away by waiting. I had to call again and explain, and the extra flights were removed. In your case, the complicating factor is that if an agent removed the MAA-DOH leg from the record, good luck trying to get QR to release award availability back to AA to rebook. Maybe AA has a tighter partnership with BA and you could ask for MAA-LHR-AUS??
I hope someone else has better advice, because this is one of my nightmare scenarios.
I hope someone else has better advice, because this is one of my nightmare scenarios.
Jan 21, 2026 | 7:40 pm
#962
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Austin, TX (AUS)
Programs: I have a frequent flyer account with pretty much any airline to exist. Usually use AA and OW.
Posts: 51
The saga gets more interesting. New ticket issued but has no PNR so now AA and QR are fighting trying to link it... At least they know what the issue is though. QR helpdesk was far far more helpful despite not actually issuing the ticket.
Jan 21, 2026 | 9:20 pm
#963
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM CK, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,650
Yeah, in your shoes I would call and keep escalating until you get someone who can fix this. I've had agents try to fix things in IROPS who don't clean up the flight record properly and there are orphan segments that would not have magically gone away by waiting. I had to call again and explain, and the extra flights were removed.
Jan 22, 2026 | 2:52 pm
#964
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP 3.8MM AC; UA Silver; Hyatt Globalist; Honors Diamond; Bonvoy LT TTM
Posts: 354
I'm flying PBI-CLT-MSY, and there of course non-stops from MIA. However, EXP desk says they can't move me to MIA, as the winter storm waiver doesn't allow you to change your origin city. That seems shortsighted to me when my connection point (CLT) is definitely going to be shut down.
Jan 22, 2026 | 6:12 pm
#965
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: Someplace between SoCal and PNW
Posts: 159
I'm flying PBI-CLT-MSY, and there of course non-stops from MIA. However, EXP desk says they can't move me to MIA, as the winter storm waiver doesn't allow you to change your origin city. That seems shortsighted to me when my connection point (CLT) is definitely going to be shut down.
Jan 24, 2026 | 12:50 pm
#966
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Austin, TX (AUS)
Programs: I have a frequent flyer account with pretty much any airline to exist. Usually use AA and OW.
Posts: 51
DOH-PHL and PHL-AUS both got cancelled. They wanted him to stay in Doha for 2.5 days but I got someone who could ticket my dad on DOH-LHR-PHX-AUS (net delay - 46 mins). It's gonna be a very very fun trip for my dad
Now, as my dad already checked in bags in MAA, will they automatically transfer to BA for DOH-LHR? Or is there something extra I or him need to do?
Jan 24, 2026 | 4:11 pm
#967
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: CLT/RDU
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, AAdvantage, Bonvoy, Hertz 5*, Emerald Club
Posts: 62
Update 3?
DOH-PHL and PHL-AUS both got cancelled. They wanted him to stay in Doha for 2.5 days but I got someone who could ticket my dad on DOH-LHR-PHX-AUS (net delay - 46 mins). It's gonna be a very very fun trip for my dad
Now, as my dad already checked in bags in MAA, will they automatically transfer to BA for DOH-LHR? Or is there something extra I or him need to do?
DOH-PHL and PHL-AUS both got cancelled. They wanted him to stay in Doha for 2.5 days but I got someone who could ticket my dad on DOH-LHR-PHX-AUS (net delay - 46 mins). It's gonna be a very very fun trip for my dad
Now, as my dad already checked in bags in MAA, will they automatically transfer to BA for DOH-LHR? Or is there something extra I or him need to do?
This was before the app tracked bags, FWIW.
Jan 24, 2026 | 10:24 pm
#968
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Austin, TX (AUS)
Programs: I have a frequent flyer account with pretty much any airline to exist. Usually use AA and OW.
Posts: 51
The one time I've had en-route IROPS with a checked bag, they were re-tagged by airline staff and had the new airlines/flights on them when I finally got them back. I did make sure to check with the gate staff at each of my connecting flights to ask if they could confirm that my bags had made the previous flight and were set to be loaded on the new one. Make sure to keep the bag check tag/number.
This was before the app tracked bags, FWIW.
This was before the app tracked bags, FWIW.
Jan 26, 2026 | 6:07 pm
#969
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,363
What's going on with AA2030 ???
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL2030
Clearly some sort of issue. Reaching MI it descended to 15k ft ... but flying all the way back to BOS ????????? Where is now circling with another unexpected coastal snow storm
Why not fly to ORD if there is an issue? I don't get it
Claims weather, but but that doesn't make sense.
BOS 1211P B12
DFW C4 C7 354P
7BOS/AURA DLY FLT IN PROGRESS *0838*CRCYMG
4BOS/OUT1605 OFF1705 WXL-DELAY DUE TO WX CONDS AT BOARDPOINT-I *1605*HDQEU1
3BOS/ETD0742 WXD-DELAY DUE TO WX CONDS AT THE DESTINATION-I *1845
1DFW/ARNTP/RTRN TO BOS ETA1957DFW (MICHAEL GAUSS)
GAUSS *1738
2DFW/PRE1115 *1845
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL2030
Clearly some sort of issue. Reaching MI it descended to 15k ft ... but flying all the way back to BOS ????????? Where is now circling with another unexpected coastal snow storm
Why not fly to ORD if there is an issue? I don't get it
Claims weather, but but that doesn't make sense.
BOS 1211P B12
DFW C4 C7 354P
7BOS/AURA DLY FLT IN PROGRESS *0838*CRCYMG
4BOS/OUT1605 OFF1705 WXL-DELAY DUE TO WX CONDS AT BOARDPOINT-I *1605*HDQEU1
3BOS/ETD0742 WXD-DELAY DUE TO WX CONDS AT THE DESTINATION-I *1845
1DFW/ARNTP/RTRN TO BOS ETA1957DFW (MICHAEL GAUSS)
GAUSS *1738
2DFW/PRE1115 *1845
Last edited by cfischer; Jan 26, 2026 at 6:12 pm
Jan 26, 2026 | 6:32 pm
#970
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,217
Update 3?
DOH-PHL and PHL-AUS both got cancelled. They wanted him to stay in Doha for 2.5 days but I got someone who could ticket my dad on DOH-LHR-PHX-AUS (net delay - 46 mins). It's gonna be a very very fun trip for my dad
Now, as my dad already checked in bags in MAA, will they automatically transfer to BA for DOH-LHR? Or is there something extra I or him need to do?
DOH-PHL and PHL-AUS both got cancelled. They wanted him to stay in Doha for 2.5 days but I got someone who could ticket my dad on DOH-LHR-PHX-AUS (net delay - 46 mins). It's gonna be a very very fun trip for my dad
Now, as my dad already checked in bags in MAA, will they automatically transfer to BA for DOH-LHR? Or is there something extra I or him need to do?
Avoid code-share involving Qatar, Etihad, Emirates, Turkish, Egypt if possible.
You are lucky that your first segment was not on Indigo.
On average, every week about dozen people have their indigo leg disappear on them even on paid ticket.
All the mentioned airlines have good hard product but terrible customer service when something goes wrong.
Even for AA, although PHL_DOH run with excellent load, it s not a priority flight.
Just look what happened today.
Most international flight out of PHL, EWR, JFL took off (with some or none delays)
Flight from even arrived to Philadelphia on time . But AA decided to deploy that aircraft elsewhere to clear massive backlog and cancelled DOha flight again.
Stay away from AA PHl_DOH flight and if you do, stay away from Indigo codeshares.
Jan 27, 2026 | 8:20 am
#971
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA PP, DL PLT, Bonvoy LT Titanium, HH LT Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 13,363
Lesson to be learned:
Avoid code-share involving Qatar, Etihad, Emirates, Turkish, Egypt if possible.
You are lucky that your first segment was not on Indigo.
On average, every week about dozen people have their indigo leg disappear on them even on paid ticket.
All the mentioned airlines have good hard product but terrible customer service when something goes wrong.
Even for AA, although PHL_DOH run with excellent load, it s not a priority flight.
Just look what happened today.
Most international flight out of PHL, EWR, JFL took off (with some or none delays)
Flight from even arrived to Philadelphia on time . But AA decided to deploy that aircraft elsewhere to clear massive backlog and cancelled DOha flight again.
Stay away from AA PHl_DOH flight and if you do, stay away from Indigo codeshares.
Avoid code-share involving Qatar, Etihad, Emirates, Turkish, Egypt if possible.
You are lucky that your first segment was not on Indigo.
On average, every week about dozen people have their indigo leg disappear on them even on paid ticket.
All the mentioned airlines have good hard product but terrible customer service when something goes wrong.
Even for AA, although PHL_DOH run with excellent load, it s not a priority flight.
Just look what happened today.
Most international flight out of PHL, EWR, JFL took off (with some or none delays)
Flight from even arrived to Philadelphia on time . But AA decided to deploy that aircraft elsewhere to clear massive backlog and cancelled DOha flight again.
Stay away from AA PHl_DOH flight and if you do, stay away from Indigo codeshares.
Jan 31, 2026 | 4:13 am
#972
Join Date: Sep 2024
Location: ORD/LHR/YYZ/SYD ad nauseam
Programs: AA EXP, too much W4/6/9
Posts: 27
LHR<>ORD rescue flight
FYI for anyone still stuck in LHR from today's cancelations or flying tomorrow, they're running a 9k flight number to ORD in the morning tomorrow (Feb 1st) that's virtually empty and has confirmable upgrade space.
Feb 22, 2026 | 11:59 am
#974
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,269
Maybe parking is cheaper elsewhere (I'm guessing they pay for space for the planes if they stay on the ground due to delays?).
Looking at JFK's arrivals, looks like AA cancelled pretty much all inbounds other than some international flights (probably to avoid EU261).
Feb 22, 2026 | 12:05 pm
#975
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CLE
Programs: UA,WN,AA,DL, B6
Posts: 4,356
WAG but perhaps they don't want the planes stuck in JFK when they could be flying elsewhere?
Maybe parking is cheaper elsewhere (I'm guessing they pay for space for the planes if they stay on the ground due to delays?).
Looking at JFK's arrivals, looks like AA cancelled pretty much all inbounds other than some international flights (probably to avoid EU261).
Maybe parking is cheaper elsewhere (I'm guessing they pay for space for the planes if they stay on the ground due to delays?).
Looking at JFK's arrivals, looks like AA cancelled pretty much all inbounds other than some international flights (probably to avoid EU261).