How To Successfully Get Through Unexpected Flight Delays, Cancellations

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Written By: Cindy Bertram

Flying used to be the easiest and fastest way to get from one destination to another,
especially when driving was not an option. But now, with airlines being short staffed,
overbooking, and flights being cancelled on a daily basis? Flying right now is stressful, not easy and people are referring to it as a flying meltdown.

Over the Memorial Day weekend alone, U.S. airlines cancelled close to 3,000 flights. And so far, during the Fourth of July weekend over 15,000 flights were delayed along with close to 1,500 flights that have been cancelled. And we’re still not through this weekend.

Why Is This Happening? And What Should Flyers Do To Get Through This?

As far as the why? Airlines are short staffed, because they had furloughed their workers and staff, including pilots and flight attendants during the height of the pandemic. But now there is a surging demand because more people are traveling. Scheduling issues, some computer glitches, flights are over booked and lack of staffing, including a shortage of pilots are why this is happening.

And it is not going to disappear soon.

What should flyers being doing now to get through this? I’ve experienced this myself and thought it would be helpful if I also shared some tips.

My Own Recent Experiences With Flights Cancelled, Delays And More

Over the past few months, I’ve personally dealt with unexpected flight cancellations, and flight delays which resulted in my not being able to make a connecting flight. This has happened to me twice.

Unexpected Flight Cancellation On April 1, 2022

On April 1, I not only dealt with unexpected flight cancellation myself (it was not an
April Fool’s Day joke) but then dealt with delays on those new flights the airline rebooked me, now departing April 2. And that airline did not provide me with any
assistance as far as finding a hotel for to me to stay at the evening of April 1, not did
they provide any monetary compensation. I wound up getting back to Chicago on April
3 at 4am in the morning, two days later. I had chosen to receive text messages from the
airline I was booked on, and starting on April 1 and going through April 3, I received 16
different text messages.

May 8, 2022 Situation – Flight Departed Late, Missed My Connecting Flight, And Then
Rebooked On A New Flight Departing May 9

When flying on a completely different trip on May 8, I ran into another flight situation.
The plane I was on sat on the runway and the flight attendant finally made an announcement that there was a backup of about 50 minutes – flights were taking off late. As a result, and I missed my connecting flight departing from Baltimore Washington at 9:05 pm to Chicago. The airline sent me a text message that I was now rebooked on a new flight departing the next day, May 9 at 6:35 am. I still went to the gate and spoke with a few of that airline’s representatives. They told me there was nothing they could do and gave me an app to download that I could use to find and book a hotel myself. They offered no other assistance. I found, secured and paid for a hotel myself. I got to the hotel at 11 pm May 8, and then got back to Baltimore Washington Airport early the next morning on May 9 at 4:30 am to depart on the 6:35 am flight this airline had rebooked me on.

When I got back on May 9, I checked with someone who works at that airline about the
situation I had dealt with on May 8, where I missed my connecting flight. This person
checked into this for me, apologized and then told me generally speaking the airline
would cover hotels up front for “controllable” reasons – maintenance, crew shortages.
In addition this airline usually would often provide discounted hotel rates for “uncontrollable” reasons such as weather and traffic control delays. Then this person
said that the staff at the Baltimore Washington Airport should have assisted me with
finding a hotel and then paying for the hotel. This didn’t happen.

In my case, I was returning on May 8 after taking a cruise and had purchased a travel
insurance package. I submitted my paid hotel receipt in a claim with the travel
insurance company and received a reimbursement check for the cost of the hotel three
weeks later.

My Suggestions And Travel Tips

Going through this myself two different times in the past few months, as well as what
I’d previously done when working as a travel advisor? Today as travelers we cannot control these unexpected issues, which are now being referred to as “The Travel Meltdown.” But we can and need implement key things ourselves.

Tip #1 – Purchase A Travel Insurance Plan

There are some terrific travel insurance companies out there, and I’ve run across a few
that also have a year long annual travel insurance plan people can purchase. This is a
completely different type of travel insurance plan that you can purchase for year long
travel. It’s different from a travel insurance plan you can purchase when taking a vacation or cruise trip. So definitely look into purchasing a travel insurance plan, knowing there are different and new options available.

Tip # 2 – Book the earliest morning flight you can, and book a nonstop flight

Avoid booking flights departing later in the day, and instead book the earliest morning flight you can. More delays take place after 12 noon and continue on later in the day and evenings. Also BOOK a nonstop flight ! Avoid booking connecting flights because these are where flight delays are occurring.

Tip # 3 – Always make sure you take a carryon bag, and pack extra needed clothes
along with extra needed medications

Airlines are also short staffed when it comes to luggage handling, and you could run into a situation where your luggage doesn’t make it. Or in the case of dealing with unexpected flight delays and missing a connecting flight? You won’t have your checked bags with you. So in your carryon bag, pack extra needed clothes extra medications,
snacks, phone chargers and more.

Tip # 4 – Investigate options as far as sending/shipping your regular luggage in advance to where you’re going to. This eliminates checking your bags in with the airline you’re flying on

Over my own years traveling, I’ve run across people who ship their luggage down to
where they are going. This way they know their luggage arrives safely, and it eliminates the stress of worrying if your checked bags will also arrive. There are companies who do this, and worth checking into.

Tip # 5 – Fly down a Day or Two Early

Now more than ever, this is incredibly important if you are flying in order to sail out on
a cruise. If your departing flight gets delayed or cancelled, you would miss embarking
on the ship.

Tip # 6 – When checking bags with the airline? Use Air BagTags or Samsung SmartTags

With flight cancellations and delays on the rise, checking bags in with the airline is a bit scary. They could get routed wrong, and not show up. A great option frequent flyers I know use is either Apple AirTags or Samsung SmartTags. You insert these special tags in your checked bags, and then can actually keep track of where your bags are. For Android phones, use Samsung’s SmartTags. For iPhones then use the Apple AirTags. You can purchase these online and they are definitely worth the investment.

Tip # 7 – Use travel tools

Download the airline’s phone app and use it. I had downloaded this airline’s phone app, and this really helped me out with the recent situations I dealt with as far as my flights getting cancelled, delayed and misconnecting.

Tip # 8 – Ask the airline for help in the case of a delay, or cancellation

It can’t hurt to ask the airline for help if your flight is unexpectedly cancelled or delayed. But if you do this via phone call, be prepared to be on hold for a long time. And they might not come through with anything, but it cannot hurt to ask. And document your responses.

Tip # 9 – Consider working with a travel agent/travel advisor – travel agency

These professionals can provide you with support because they have direct access with
airlines and can connect you with the right people to help you.

Tip # 10 – File a complaint online with that airline’s site

Go to that airline’s website and then see if they have an option for you to use to file a
complaint or submit an Inquiry. Keep it transparent, and just share the specifics of the details of what you dealt with yourself. They should get back to you and might provide
something.

Final Thoughts

Don’t stress out when dealing with these trying situations. Also be polite to the customer service representatives. They are dealing with a great deal of stress themselves at the airports. These chaotic times will not be going away immediately, and it is going to take some time. Have a back-up plan in place and consider the tips I’ve provided. And don’t fall into a hole of negativity ! Traveling does bring joy to our lives, being able to experience and explore the beautiful places throughout, creating those memories of a lifetime.