Ease of Travel

Hurricane Katrina’s been in the news lately, battering Louisiana and Florida and driving up the price of fuel. One of the consequences of Katrina has been its effects on airlines trying to stay above water:

The storm forced the closure of several airports and caused scores of flight cancellations throughout the Gulf Coast region Monday. It also caused a surge in oil prices, something the airlines have been battling for months with no end in sight.

The result could mean more pain for Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines Inc., a major carrier to the area affected by the hurricane, as it continues to try to avoid a Chapter 11 filing. More broadly, the other airlines also could suffer. Like Delta, Eagan, Minnesota-based Northwest Airlines Corp. also is in danger of bankruptcy.

Check your frequent flyer miles and see what recourse you may have if either Northwest or Delta go under.