How To Weather Airport Delays
With the East Coast on lockdown with an expected snowstorm, chances are that flight delays are on the minds of many a seasoned traveler. And it’s not just the weather we have to worry about - equipment failures, personnel problems, and air traffic control could all turn your tight connection into a missed connection.
Believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to weather a flight delay. Below are our tips for keeping calm and carrying on in the face of impending doom...uh...an airport wait.
Stay Calm
It’s natural to be disappointed when your travel plans are interrupted, delayed, or dashed entirely. Lashing out at the gate attendants, however, will not get you to your destination any faster. Nor will it improve your situation. Let go of the negativity and resolve to stay positive. Approach the extra time as an opportunity.
Ask About Your Luggage
If you have a connecting flight, there’s a slight chance your baggage could finish the trip before you do. Ask the flight attendant where your luggage has been routed and what the airline’s policy is for ensuring its safety while you’re stuck. If your luggage has not yet been lost in the bowels of a plane, ask if and when it will be returned to you if your trip is delayed overnight. This way, there will be no (read: fewer) surprises for the rest of your trip.
Sign Up for Alerts
None of us need extra mail, but many airlines offer alert services for passengers when a flight is delayed. In many cases you can choose either text or email, depending on your personal preferences. Often, you will get them before an announcement is made by the gate attendant, allowing you to gauge your wait and keep those at the other end of your trip up to date.
These alerts are especially useful if you have a connecting flight. You’ll be the first to know if you will need to be rerouted, helping you to avoid the terrible lines at the customer service counter.
Do Something Fun
Now that you’ve gotten all of your delay business handled, now it’s time to have some fun! Whether you’re a fan of movies or love the trashy novels that line airport bookshelves (guilty...), do yourself a favor and indulge. Sure, you could use the extra time to revise your presentation or finish some homework, but you could also catch up with a friend or relative you haven’t spoken to in a while.
Ride the escalators. Dance on a moving sidewalk. Make a funny video. The airport is your oyster!
Get Cultured
Some airports, such as Chicago’s O’Hare and Paris’s Charles de Gaulle, have museums and galleries peppered throughout their terminals. Learn a bit about aviation history or art to impress those waiting for you at your destination. If you’re abroad, try some of the local (airport) fare, instead of McDonald’s or Starbucks. Strike up a conversation with your seat neighbor and learn something new.
A great app to help you locate hidden airport features is GateGuru, which not only organizes your flight information, but also provides terminal maps, airport features, restaurant reviews, and travel stats.
If All Else Fails, Just Pay for the Internet
We know, $8 seems like an exorbitant amount to charge for a few hours of internet, but trust us, you’ll be glad you did it.