10 sanity-saving tips for dealing with flight delays, cancellations
Surprise! Your flight has just been delayed (or even cancelled) and now you have to spend more time at the airport. It doesn’t matter if it’s because of bad weather, overbooking the flight or someone found a suspect package, delays and cancellations just plain suck. But if you use these 10 tips, you’ll keep a shred of sanity before getting off the ground.
1. Get there early
Folks that take a flight in the morning tend to enjoy fewer
delays than those taking to the skies at night. Also, checking in early gives
you the wiggle room to find alternatives to reach your destination should
something go awry.
2. Be sure to know your rights
That massive storm doesn’t look like it’s going away, so you’re
probably staying at the airport for a little bit. Same thing goes for
overbooked flights. You’d like to think the government can help in this spot
but there are no federal requirements. Each airline has its own policies on how
they handle these delays. Check up on those policies so you have a little ammo
to make sure you reach your destination. Besides, knowing is half the
battle.
3. Stay mobile
No, this is not meaning you should be a perfect athletic
specimen to run through the terminal. We mean you need to keep your phone with
you should things change. Flight cancellations and delays can happen in an
instant, so you’ll want that charged and with you to make any changes with
friends picking you up or with your hotel at your final destination.
4. It’s good to be insured
Things will be much easier to figure out if you some travel
insurance. It might seem wasted money, but it’ll be worthwhile if the unexpected
happens. Just make sure your coverage will help every possible need or problem
you may have.
5. Do some exploration
You’re going to be stuck at the airport for a while, so you
might as well make the best of the situation. Take a look at all the things
your part of the airport terminal has to offer. See what kind of attractions
you can find that’ll eat up some time. It’s certainly better than just sitting
around, twiddling your thumbs.
6. Make some new friends
You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, so be pleasant
when dealing with delays or cancellations. Customer service will be more apt to
help someone that’s nice to them (Shocker!). Plus, you could buddy up with your
fellow stranded passengers to perhaps share a cab when you arrive at your
destination to save a little cash.
7. Crash the airport lounges
Those people flying Business Class and with high status in frequent
flyer programs will already be chilling in the VIP room, downing free peanuts
like a boss. These lounges have comfy couches, newspapers and plenty of snacks
in a quiet atmosphere – the perfect escape from terminal craziness. Some of
these spots aren’t exclusive and you can access them for no more than $50. That
might seem too high a price to pay, but well worth the relaxation.
8. Keep yourself entertained
You’ve charged your smartphone, laptop and tablet up. Time to
use the airport’s Wi-Fi to play a game of Candy Crush or watch a few movies on
Netflix. Heck, you could find a great book to read at the terminal newsstands.
9. Catch some sleep
Your flight was cancelled. Now you need to figure out how to
kill as much time as possible. Best way we know is to catch some z’s. Be
prepared for such a moment by keeping a sleeping mask in your carry-on bag.
Some airports, like London’s Heathrow Airport, have hotels you can stay at
inside select terminals.
10. Eat and drink
One of the pluses of being stuck at the airport is you’ll never
really want for food or something to drink. You’ll find several bars and
restaurants throughout the terminal, or you can bring your own food and drink
from home to save some cash.
