They must also notify passengers within 30 minutes of becoming aware of a situation that will delay, divert or cancel a flight.

BBC: US strengthens airline passenger rights

If they cancel a flight, those 90 passengers have to be carried on subsequent flights, and it will take roughly nine flights to accommodate them all.

FORBES: Making Bad Travel Worse: Did Airlines Cancel Early For Hurricane Sandy?

"It's really difficult to un-cancel a flight, " he said.

WSJ: Airlines Cancel Thousands of Flights Before Hurricane Irene

Yesterday a brake problem on a Dreamliner forced authorities to cancel an All Nippon Airways flight at Yamaguchi Ube Airport in Japan.

BBC: Is the Boeing Dreamliner safe?

Airlines may let you rebook with no penalties, cancel with a refund, or give you credits toward a future flight.

FORBES: Travel Tips for Hurricane Irene and Other Weather Disasters

Instead, I had to cancel a meeting so I could arrive at the airport an hour before my flight to check-in.

FORBES: Ex-BlackBerry Addict: My Smart Phone Wasn't Smart Enough

The Air Transport Association, the lobbying group for airlines, says a three-hour limit would have the unintended consequence of forcing airlines to cancel more flights, leaving people stranded in cities for perhaps several days until they can get a seat on another flight.

WSJ: How Airlines Can Stop Marooning Passengers