Looking forward to a great vacation? Better keep your eyes on the sky.

Airlines are dealing with turbulent times, and so are travelers. Schedules are changing, flights are being grounded, and people are getting stuck at the airport. So what can you do to make sure you get to your final destination? That's what we wanted to find out.

So did Shawn Miller. When he discovered his brother was getting married, he immediately booked a flight. He wanted a low fare, but the departure time was even more critical.

"We wanted to work through the day and leave for the airport and get on a flight later on that evening but not too late because we have four kids," Miller explained.

Shawn found the perfect itinerary and booked his seats. But, before his flight was set to leave, the airline canceled both legs of his trip and automatically reassigned new flights and times.

"I was surprised the airline could do this after we paid," Miller said.

But they can…. In fact, the airline industry says a carrier can change your itinerary at any point.

David Castelveter, who is with the Air Transport Association, explained why. "Carriers do adjust their schedules and they adjust them based upon operational needs as well as market conditions."

Big changes are happening now. High fuel prices have major airlines grounding planes, cancelling flights-- and as we've seen here-- even canceling service to some airports altogether.

"In addition to pulling out of cities they serve, they'll be reducing the number of flights on particular routes," Castelveter noted.

So, what does this mean for you? Ticket prices are likely to go up. And if you've already booked a flight, consumer experts like George Hobica with Airfarewatch.com says there arere no guarantees.

"It's really a jungle out there when it comes to knowing if your flight is actually going to go where you want it to go," Hobica told us.

If the airline no longer flies your scheduled route, you may be switched from a non-stop to two or more connecting flights to get you to your destination. However, getting there may not always be possible, Hobica said.

"If a flight is canceled, you will get a full refund. But unfortunately, you're going to have to buy a ticket on another airline or drive or find another way to get there," he explained.

The airline may cancel your flight and automatically book you on an earlier or later departure. If the new times don't work, the airline will typically work with you, David Castelveter said.

"If you had a two o'clock flight that now is leaving at five and you were going to miss a cruise, you were going to miss an engagement, absolutely, the airline will work to put you on an earlier flight."

In Shawn's case… his airline did change his reassigned flight times to better fit his needs. So he and his family made it to the church on time after all.

If changes are made to your itinerary, the airline will typically contact you. But it's a good idea to check on your reservation yourself either online or by phone before your departure date.