I fly 100 flights a year, so I consider myself somewhat of an expert at flying. About 20% of all flights in the U.S. do not arrive on time. If your flight is delayed, increase the chances of getting to your location by taking these actions:
- Check the status. Use the airlines smartphone app or Flightview to check on the status of the flight before you leave. Unfortunately, most airlines won’t officially delay the flight until one hour before departure. The best actual indicator if a flight will leave on time is if it will arrive on time. Most airlines need 45 minutes from the time a plan lands until it can take off again. If the flight is delayed, check in these apps on the status of the incoming plane that is your outgoing flight. Airlines sometimes switch around flights so keep checking this every thirty minutes.
- Check the weather. Use Flightview to determine if the departing or arriving airport is under a FAA delay program which will severely affect every flight.
- Upon arrival at the airport. If there is an earlier flight to get on to your destination, take it. Never break this rule regardless of where you sit on the new flight. Most airlines let a traveler standby for free.
- If the plane is at the gate. Ask the gate agent if the crew is on board yet. Many flights are delayed because the crew for that flight as not yet arrived. I have spent a lot of time at airports when airlines are “looking” for their crew.
- If the flight is delayed. Call the airline to go standby on the next flight or try an alternate route. Do not wait in line at the gate for an agent. If another airline has a better flight, ask them to reschedule you on that airline. Remember, every connection you take to get to your destination can mean more delays. Allow no less than 90 minutes between connections.
- Inquire on the cause of the delay. Flightstats will actually report officially why the flight is delayed. If the cause is weather, check Flightview to see if delays are increasing or decreasing at the arriving airport. If the delay is related to maintenance, the minimum time is typically an hour. Try to find out if they are fixing something (1-2 hours) or waiting for a part (4 to 8 hours).
- Book a rental car. If your destination is within driving distance. reserve a rental car immediately. Remember, there is no penalty for canceling this type of reservation. The car can also be used to drive to another gateway city for a direct flight.
- If the delay is late at night. Immediately book a room near the airport since these have a tendency to sell out. You do not want to spend the night at any airport. Check to see if there is a cancellation fee.
- Tweet about it. Most airlines are very responsive on Twitter if there are delays. Let them know your situation and they may even be able to help get you to your location sooner.
Be polite, but use your airline frequent flyer status (if you have one) to impress upon gate agents that they need to help you. Many of my conversations start with me showing them my two-million-mile badge on American!
