Here’s how to reduce your risk for delays, know when they’re coming and make the experience less miserable overall.
Flight delays are inevitable, but they can be incredibly frustrating.
If you don’t fly very often, you might think the situation is completely out of your hands, and you’ll wind up stewing in annoyance and uncertainty. But there are ways to reduce your risk of facing a flight delay or, at the very least, know when they’re coming, to make the experience less stressful.
Here’s some tips on what many inexperienced passengers don’t know about flight delays. After all, knowledge is power.
You can track your airplane.
It’s useful to download the mobile app for the airline you’re flying to get notifications about gate changes and delays before they even get announced on the screen at the airport. But you can also use it to follow your plane’s journey ahead of its arrival at your airport and anticipate potential delays to your flight.
In the app for your airline, you can often see specifically where the plane is coming from and if it is arriving on time
Earlier flights are less likely to get delayed.
Later flights, which are relying on crew and potentially the plane itself from a prior segment, are more susceptible to be delayed. In other words, an early flight getting delayed can have a ‘ripple effect’ in which subsequent flights are also delayed. Consider booking the first flight out if you can to avoid any impact of delays from earlier in the day.
Flying nonstop also offers better odds.
In addition to booking a morning flight, you can also try to avoid delays by opting for nonstop when possible.
You lower your odds of being delayed by flying nonstop because there are fewer flights involved. The nonstop option can cost more money, but you don’t have to go to as many airports and gates. You can also avoid worrying about missing the connection if your first flight is delayed. If you crave that peace of mind and can’t stand delays, paying a little extra might be worth it.
That being said, nonstop isn’t always an option. In those cases, you can be strategic about your layover choices with timing and location. Aim to give yourself at least an hour between flights, depending on your itinerary. You should also try to connect through a city that has many flights to your final destination.
Choose a route that’s offered several times in the day. That way your chances of getting rebooked on another flight quickly are better.
Paying attention to weather patterns can help.
Another way to stay on top of flight delays is to think about weather. This also plays into your choice of flight connections.
As your trip approaches, you might want to pay attention to weather patterns at your departure and arrival airports and along the flight route. Being aware of bad storms ahead of time can help you anticipate potential delays, especially around the holidays, when winter storms are a concern.
Weather issues in other parts of the country can also have a cascading effect on flights across Canada, including places that aren’t directly affected. And, of course, weather isn’t the only cause for delays.
Keep in mind that even in clear weather conditions, airlines can still face delays and cancellations as a result of disruptions to incoming flights, staffing issues, technical issues or other unforeseen circumstances, so don’t let clear skies stop you from being vigilant.
You can check the on-time percentage for your flight when you book.
Federal regulations require airlines to share the on-time flight performance data on their websites. So, when you’re scheduling your travel, you can usually see how frequently a given flight arrives on time. Understandably, you might want to opt for one with a higher on-time percentage.
Additionally, there is travel insurance that include trip delay protection, so you could get reimbursed for expenses that the airline won’t cover. Let’s chat about your various options.
Delays happen. Build in a buffer for important trips and don’t take it out on airport workers.
Sometimes travel stakes are high. You might be flying to your wedding weekend or trying to make it home for the holidays for the first time in years. In these instances, it’s helpful to build in a buffer to avoid having a delay derail your plans.
Try to incorporate some flexibility into your schedule if you can, especially for Christmas and New Year’s holidays coming up. It’s always a good idea to buffer an extra day or so, in case there are disruptions to your trip, to ensure you can make it in time for any holiday festivities. Delays are normal, especially in peak travel season. The days just before Christmas and New Year’s Eve are some of the busiest of the year, and the air travel industry is still recovering from staffing shortages. It’s been an unusual year for travel with flight disruptions and changing COVID-19 restrictions. This has led to many heated interactions at the airport and on planes, and a rise in unruly passengers, which have impacted the overall travel experience.
Whatever happens with your flights, taking out your frustration on airport workers will probably not make the experience more pleasant.
Patience is key to managing the ups and downs of travel, as it will always be a little stressful to navigate schedules and crowds. Prepare for potential disruptions and pack a smile.
Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before travelling. OnantaForbes.com does not endorse travelling against government advisories.
