Travel experts share tips for Long Islanders stuck in the Caribbean

When flights out of the Caribbean abruptly came to a halt Saturday, one Long Island family found themselves stuck outside an airport in Aruba, luggage in hand, without a boarding pass or access to the terminal.

The breakthrough did not come from an airline alert or a customer service line.

It came from a hotel concierge.

"The concierge knew someone who worked at Delta," said Leslie Jantz, owner of Sayville-based Azure Skies Travel. "They exchanged numbers, and that connection is what got my client, a mother traveling with two children, on a flight the next day."

As airspace closures rippled across the region amid U.S. military action in Venezuela, familiar travel rules fell away.

Restrictions around Caribbean airspace were lifted as of midnight Saturday into Sunday. 

During the shutdown, flights initially did not appear online, rebooking systems stalled and timelines remained unclear. For thousands of travelers trying to get home, progress depended on fast action and preparation.

Here is what travel experts say Long Islanders should know if their trip is suddenly interrupted.

Check your airline

Unlike winter storms or hurricanes, sudden airspace closures leave airlines without a firm schedule for reopening routes.

"The biggest issue was that airlines didn’t know when things would reopen," Jantz said. "So they didn’t have flights open a week out like they normally would with weather delays."

Without advance notice, airlines often cannot automatically rebook passengers. Flights may open unexpectedly and fill quickly, making it difficult for travelers to secure seats through normal channels.

Experts recommend checking airline apps frequently and speaking with airline staff at the airport whenever possible, even if wait times are long.

"If it's possible, face-to-face consultation with the airline staff can go a long way, rather than over the phone," Jantz said.

Consult your hotel

Hotel concierges can play a critical role in helping stranded travelers navigate airport restrictions and limited flight availability.

According to Jantz, Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba initially didn’t let her clients inside without confirmed reservations. A staff member who worked at both the St. Regis and the Ritz-Carlton helped track availability across properties while monitoring flights, eventually securing a flight back to Kennedy Airport.

"If you’re stuck, your concierge can be more powerful than an app," Jantz said. "In this scenario, local connections were key."

Consider alternate routes

Even when direct flights to the United States are suspended, other international routes may remain open.

"People don’t always realize they can look at alternate cities," Jantz said. "You might be able to fly to Colombia or Panama and then connect back to the U.S."

Flexibility is key. Travelers may need to accept longer routes, additional connections or arrivals at different U.S. airports.

Who pays for delays?

Airlines are generally not required to cover hotels, meals or extended stays when disruptions are not weather-related.

That means travelers typically must pay out of pocket for additional expenses, including:

• Hotel stays
• Meals and toiletries
• Taxis and transfers

Experts recommend asking hotels for a distressed or extended-stay rate and booking accommodations as soon as possible before availability tightens.

"If you can’t find a hotel, an Airbnb may be a last resort," Jantz said. "Just be very careful about scams."

Travel insurance often covers trip interruptions, but coverage depends on the policy and how the disruption is classified.

Jantz and Nicole Brown of Wonderland and Beyond Travel highly recommend travel insurance for international trips and urge travelers to read policies carefully.

Travelers should:

• Confirm coverage with the insurer
• Contact insurer immediately
• Keep every receipt from the moment delays begin
• Expect to pay expenses upfront and seek reimbursement later

"Clients usually have to pay out of pocket first and submit to the insurer after for reimbursement," Jantz said. "Reimbursements can include everything from food to toiletries to taxis and hotel fees. Keep receipts for everything, and don't wait to contact them. Act fast."

Some premium credit cards, including Chase Sapphire and American Express Platinum, also offer travel protections. Travelers should contact their card issuer directly to confirm benefits.

Planning ahead

Long Islanders looking to travel internationally should consider booking through a travel adviser, who can take action as soon as disruptions begin.

Advisors can monitor flight inventory as it opens, work directly with airline representatives and help secure last-minute accommodations and transportation while travelers deal with airport logistics.

"Having a professional to contact in an emergency is priceless," Brown said. "Instead of being on hold with everyone else affected, you have someone working the problem from multiple angles."

That support does have limits. During geopolitical or airspace-related shutdowns, options may be scarce for everyone.

"There are times when our hands are tied," Brown said. "But having someone in your corner still matters."

Experts say disruptions like this highlight the importance of planning for uncertainty.

Recommendations include:

• Buying travel insurance and understanding the coverage
• Building flexibility into itineraries
• Flying in early for cruises or time-sensitive plans
• Working with a travel adviser who can advocate during disruptions.