How Smart Business Travelers Deal With Air Travel Delays

Canceled. Overbooked. Delayed. Nothing can be more frustrating than those sorts of surprises after you’ve shelled out a big chunk of change to meet an important client in person or attend a high-profile industry conference.

I travel quite a bit for reasons related to my business, so I know firsthand the feeling of helplessness when travel plans go awry.

Before you throw your hands in the air with exasperation and concede to simply grin and bear it, realize there are some things you can do to help put your itinerary back on track. And if they fail to work, you may be able to receive some restitution from the airline for your trouble.

Expect smooth sailing but prepare for a rocky ride

According to October 2016 statistics on FlightStats, the majority of flights arrive on time (within 15 minutes of when they’re scheduled). If you want to keep score, I’ve listed the percentage of on-time flights for three airlines that you likely use on a regular basis:

• American Airlines – 84.94%
• Delta Air Line – 90.43%
• United Airline – 84.51%

On most days, you run a good chance of getting to where you want to go by the time you need to be there. But I know that’s little comfort in those moments when you do experience a travel nightmare.

So, you need to prepare ahead of time for the unexpected. Simple things you can do include:

1. Download the airline’s app

This is a convenient way to stay on top of what’s happening with your flight and ensure you receive notifications of changes and updates as quickly as possible. These apps give you an easy way to see if your flight has had a schedule or gate change, and they typically let you book and check in for flights, too.

2. Keep the customer service phone number handy

Sometimes there’s no more effective way to fix a flight issue than to talk with someone directly. Unfortunately, getting face time with an attendant at the gate or check-in counter may prove difficult when hundreds of other passengers are also vying for their attention. That’s why you should keep the airline’s customer service department’s phone number close at hand. On several occasions, phone calls to airlines had helped me secure a Plan B when my flight schedules had run amok.

3. Check for flights leaving from a different airport

Do this in advance so you have the details ready. It will save you from scrambling to find information in the heat of the moment when you learn that your flight has either been significantly delayed or canceled. Depending on the extent of your delay and when the next flight to your destination is due to take off, you may find it more time efficient to ask the airline if they can book you on a flight from a nearby airport instead. The logistics won’t always work in your favor, but if the driving distance isn’t too prohibitive, this might get you where you’re going more quickly than waiting around to leave from the original point of departure.

What can you expect for your trouble?

With a delayed or canceled flight, you may find yourself pulling an all-nighter or otherwise experiencing long, tedious hours in the airport until the airline can book you on their next flight to your destination. So, will the airline give you anything to compensate for your trouble?

It depends. And all airlines have their own policies and procedures.

If you decide to no longer move forward with your travel plans because of a long-delayed or canceled flight, many airlines will issue a refund.

If your flight is canceled because of a mechanical problem or other issue deemed within an airline’s control, then most will typically pay for your accommodations at (and transportation to and from) a nearby hotel—and possibly even your meal expenses during your delay. Note that they might not offer these “perks” upfront. In my experience, you sometimes have to ask to receive.

Words of advice for happy traveling

While many aspects of traveling are beyond your control, I advise focusing on what you can do to make your travel experience as hassle free as possible:

• Arrive at the airport well ahead of time.
• Check your carry-on to make sure you didn’t accidentally stash anything from the prohibited items list (such as the dreaded shampoo bottle that violates the fluid ounce limit).
• Make sure you have your I.D. conveniently within reach.
• If you have paper copies of your itinerary, tickets, and boarding passes, keep them organized in a folder or portfolio.
• Pack healthful snacks to avoid becoming “hangry” in the event of a prolonged trip.

Most of all, try not to obsess over what is in the hands of others or Mother Nature. For your own soundness of mind, resolve to relax and enjoy the ride.