A severed fibre-optic cable disrupted thousands of flights to and from East Coast airports, prompting questions about passengers’ rights. Legal expert Eric Napoli said US travellers are entitled to a full cash refund if they reject rebooking, but generally receive no additional compensation because the disruption was outside airlines’ control.

Passengers who accept an alternative flight normally lose their right to a refund, so they should decide carefully and request refunds proactively. European passengers would not qualify for compensation of up to $700 in this case, while costs such as meals, taxis and hotels may require travellers to seek assistance directly from airlines.