Why haven't airlines automated the process of rebooking flights following cancellations and major delays? Needing to talk to a human in order to get a new itinerary confirmed is a huge pain for those flying and probably a big cost for the airlines.

Dec 10, 2017 · 10:44 PM UTC

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Replying to @davidbaron
Delta has.
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Have they done it for trips involving multiple carriers or where the best rebooking is on another carrier? (Think intercontinental travel. Also see other replies.)
Replying to @davidbaron
This is actually a thing that works really well in the United mobile app.
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I suspect it all falls apart when there are multiple airlines in the itinerary, or when a reasonable rerouting requires different airlines...
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more replies
Replying to @davidbaron
Actually just happened to me! Delta automatically rebooked me on another airline after they cancelled my flight, zero interaction from me. I think it's hard to scale effectively though
Replying to @davidbaron
BA, I think, once rebooked me automatically. But only on the first, and cancelled leg… Of course, this meant my connection at LHR was then negative time.
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Replying to @davidbaron
For me it worked when flying with Air France/KLM a while ago (those two work together in a holding). IIRC I had a flight with Air France that was cancelled and they sent me an SMS with my new flight (with KLM) and that I can print a new boarding pass now
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