Last summer, I found myself stuck at JFK Airport after my JetBlue flight to Fort Lauderdale got cancelled out of nowhere. The weather wasn’t even bad, so I was both confused and frustrated — especially since I had a connecting cruise the next morning. I decided to figure out how to claim compensation for the inconvenience, and honestly, it turned out to be easier than I expected once I knew what to do.

Here’s exactly how I handled it, step by step:

Step 1: Confirm the reason for cancellation
First, I went to the JetBlue website and checked the flight status section to confirm it was officially canceled. Then I checked my email — JetBlue had sent a cancellation notice, which I later needed for my compensation claim. Pro tip: if your flight was canceled for reasons within the airline’s control (like crew scheduling or maintenance), you’re more likely to be eligible for compensation than if it was weather-related.

Step 2: Contact JetBlue directly
Instead of waiting in the long customer service line at the airport, I called 844-734-0813 — it’s by far the fastest way to reach a live JetBlue representative. The rep I spoke with was super helpful and immediately checked my booking details. She rebooked me on the next available flight and explained that I could also claim compensation due to the disruption.

Step 3: Request compensation
The rep told me that since my cancellation was due to a “crew scheduling issue,” I was eligible for a travel credit and a partial refund of my original ticket. She processed the claim right over the phone. Within a few days, I received both the refund and an email confirmation with a $150 JetBlue travel credit.

Step 4: Keep all receipts
If you had to stay overnight or buy food because of the cancellation, keep your receipts. JetBlue may reimburse reasonable expenses depending on the cause of the delay or cancellation. I submitted a quick claim through their online compensation form (found in their “Customer Bill of Rights” section).

Step 5: Follow up if needed
If you don’t hear back within a week, call 844-734-0813 again — they can track your claim and push it through faster. In my case, the follow-up was smooth, and I received confirmation within 48 hours.

My takeaway:
JetBlue can be surprisingly fair with compensation — but only if you take initiative and contact them promptly. Always check the reason for your cancellation and use the dedicated support line instead of just waiting at the counter. Calling 844-734-0813 saved me a ton of time and stress that day.

Hope this helps anyone dealing with a similar mess! Don’t hesitate to ask for compensation — you’re absolutely entitled to it if the cancellation was within JetBlue’s control.