As dealing with flight delays is part of traveling, it’s well worth finding simple ways to occupy oneself and find out what there is to do while waiting for things to be back up and running.
Tips on dealing with flight delays:
1. Consider downloading an app that will keep you up to date with your flight information
If you don’t want to wait by your departure gate, until your delayed flight finally starts to check in passengers, it’s well worth downloading an app for your airline, in order to stay up to date with your delayed flight’s announcements.
Sometimes you may find that a flight which has been delayed an hour, ends up being delayed for a further hour. So there’s no point waiting by your departure gate for an extended period of time when you can browse shops or relax in an airport lounge, bar or restaurant until you hear further news about the new departure time.
2. Don’t wear headphones when your flight is delayed
One easy mistake that you can make, whilst waiting for a delayed flight is to wear noise cancelling over the ear headphones, which may prevent you from hearing messages about your flight which may be relayed over a loud speaker. In fact, it’s best not to wear headphones at all, when you’re waiting for a delayed flight.
As airports are busy places and it’s often hard to hear any official announcements which are made.
3. Consider charging your electronic devices whilst you’re waiting for your flight
While many individuals will use an airport’s free internet whilst they’re killing time waiting for a delayed flight, instead of using up the battery on your smart phone, tablet or laptop, use the free time up your sleeve to charge your electric devices at one of the many PowerPoint which you’ll find in your airport.
4. Make sure to inform any friends or family members who may wait for you at your arrival airport, of your flight delay
If you have a friend or family member, who is meant to meet you at your arrival destination, make sure to call or text them, to let them know that your flight is delayed. It’s also well worth giving them your flight number and information so that they’ll be able to track any further delays online. As most airports around the world provide up to the minute information on their flights.
5. Make sure to watch your carry on luggage at all times
Make sure that you keep your carry on luggage, at hand at all times. As airports are often targets for pickpockets. Also, make sure to take your carry on bags with you, should you use a public rest room.
6. Try to find out if your onward flights will be affected
If your delayed flight is not your final flight in your journey, and you have a connection flight or layover it’s well worth calling your airline or talking to a customer service representative at the airport, to see if you need to change your ongoing flights. This is important as you do not want to miss any connecting flights.
7. Flight delay compensation
Dealing with flight delays is super frustrating.
So if you travel on a frequent basis, it’s well worth using the 6 tips listed above to calmly deal with pesky, annoying flight delays. It can also cause stress especially to those who have to wait extremely long waiting times while being stuck inside an airport. What can make matters worse is that sometimes there are no alternative flights. If you find yourself stuck in this situation or similar, you may be eligible to receive flight compensation for the troubles.
So if you travel on a frequent basis, it’s well worth using the 6 tips listed above to calmly deal with pesky, annoying flight delays.
Join the discussion on this topic with Art Backpacking by visiting our contact page.
