How to effectively handle flight delays or cancellations
flight delays and cancellations
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more information.

Few things suck as much as a flight delays or cancellation. It’s especially bad if you’ve been planning a trip for weeks or months!

Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about the dreaded flight delays and cancellations. If the decision has been made to delay or cancel a flight, no amount of yelling or screaming from any passenger will help. However, there are a few ways to deal with this dilemma. 

First, if you have connecting flights, check to see if your planned schedule is still going to work. If it doesn’t, make sure the airline knows. They should offer alternative flights or help you rebook so that you can make the rest of your journey.

SERIOUSLY HELPFUL TIP! Always be polite to airline employees. Keep in mind, they are not the ones delaying or canceling your flight, yet they are at the receiving end of many disgruntled passengers. Be understanding and remember that they can choose to help you or not. If you’re nice, they’re more likely to help!

What to do about flight delays and cancellations

If possible, check-in online

Most airlines have apps that allow you to check in online hours before your flight. Do so because once you are checked in, you can get flight status updates before you’ve even left for the airport. However, some airlines are very strict about sticking to your check-in time. If you know your flight is delayed, check to see what time you need to be at the airport.

Call your airline

If your flight has been canceled, there’s going to be a long line of people trying to rebook. If you can somehow make it to the front of that line, great. If not, call the airline while you are standing in line. Chances are good that you can get someone to help you on the phone before you even make it to the front of the line.

Entertain yourself

Once you are able to rebook, you’re probably going to have a wait a while. Here are a few options on what you can do to pass the time:

Go window shopping – There are lots of shops at the airport. They’re over-priced most of the time, but you can window shop.

Check out the bookshops – All airports have bookshops or magazine shops. This can be quite entertaining.

Walk around – Explore the airport. Once you finally get on that flight, you’re going to be sitting for a long time. Why spend your waiting time sitting.

Catch up on work or social media – Getting WiFi at the airport is usually not a problem. Why not take advantage of that and catch up on your emails or work. Otherwise, see what friends are doing on social media.

Grab a meal – The airports offer lots of different kinds of restaurants. Restaurant food is usually better than airplane food (if they give you food), so it might be a good option.

Ask for a lounge pass

Who wants to sit and wait at the gate terminal if you can wait in one of the airport lounges.

If your flight has been delayed, politely ask your airline for a lounge pass. In the lounges, they often have food and drinks, comfortable seats, and free WiFi.

If possible, use carry-on luggage only

If your flight has been canceled, it is very annoying to wait for your checked baggage to be returned to you, especially if you’re rushing to grab another flight. This can be avoided if you have carry-on luggage only.   

If possible, don’t plan activities for your arrival day

If you have planned or even paid for an activity, you’re going to be a little stressed out, wondering if you will make it in time. Avoid the hassle and leave your arrival day free of any booked activities or tours. 

Also, consider that even if there is no delay or cancellation, you might be jet-lagged. 

Check your travel insurance

If you have travel insurance, check your policy for delayed or canceled flights. Your policy may cover the cost of meals and booking into a hotel.

LOVE THIS POST? SHARE IT...
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

RELATED POSTS

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About The Author

Hi! We’re the Cheltens’. We visit South Africa 1-2 times per year. We want to share our experiences with you so that you may make educated decisions when you plan your next trip to the rainbow nation.

Time now at South Africa (GMT+2)

12:45 pm
Sunday, March 31, 2023

Upcoming festivities/holidays in South Africa

March 2023

MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
27
28
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Human Rights Day (National Holiday)
All Day
On this day in 1960, police opened fire on protesters in Sharpeville (the Sharpeville Massacre). Sixty-nine people were killed and 180 wounded. In apartheid South Africa, this day was commemorated as Sharpeville Day. It was not part of the apartheid government’s official calendar of public holidays. However, the , ...
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
Want to have your business or product featured?
We’re always looking for awesome places, products, activities, restaurants, travel accessories, or anything else that promotes the rich and colorful culture of South Africa.
Travel Categories
Best Travel Products
Sale
Ceptics South Africa Travel Plug Adapter (Type M) - 3 Pack [Grounded & Universal] (GP-10L-3PK)
  • Small Travel Size - 3 Pack
  • Standard: Type M plug, South Africa CEE 7/16. Grounded 3-Prong plug.
  • Accepts plugs from all countries including USA.
  • New conductivity design - internal metal interfaces provides better Conductivity
  • Grounded 3 Round Prong plug. Max Capacity Up to 3000 Watt (max 250 Volt, 13 A)
Money Belt for Men Travel Security Belt with Hidden Money Compartment Pocket, Belt with Hidden Pocket Cashsafe Anti-Theft Wallet Non-Metal Buckle
  • PATENT PENDING ; (🔥 KEEP YOUR CASH HIDDEN FROM YOUR WIFE / GF!🔥 ) Travel Security Money Belt
  • 🔒 BYE BYE PICKPOCKETS 💵 - DESIGNED FOR TRAVEL TSA 🧳 - keep your cash safe from pickpockets; equipped with an easy-to-use hidden zippered...
  • 💪 DURABLE - Made with Premium YKK Zipper with reinforced non-slip buckle, Adjustable wear-resisting nylon materia for waist sizes 26 to 42 inches....
  • ✅ Easy access and storage; quickly stash and remove your bills, coins, and keys with ease
  • ✅ NOT JUST A NORMAL BELT - It is a Long-lasting companion; made of premium quality top-grade webbing, YKK zipper, and a reinforced buckle; this...
TRAVELREST Nest Patented Memory Foam Travel Pillow / Neck Pillow - Washable - Voted Best Travel Pillow for 2018-2022 by NYTimes Wirecutter - Packs to 1/4 of its Size (2 Year Warranty)
  • THE BEST TRAVEL PILLOW FOR 2022: As featured on New York Times Wirecutter. After taking four cross-country red-eyes in window, aisle, and middle...
  • UNIQUELY ANGLED BACK: Travelrest Ultimate sets it apart from other travel pillows because it can lay flat against the seat back. Most other pillows...
  • THERAPEUTIC DESIGN: Made from special thermo sensitive memory foam to provide optimal neck, shoulder and head support. Non-slip backing holds pillow...
  • VERSATILE: Great for long flights, car trip, trains, buses, lounging on the couch, wheelchairs, watching TV.
  • SCIENTIFICALLY TESTED: Developed originally by NASA, memory foam forms perfectly to your neck for maximum support. Ideal for chronic pain sufferers.
Sale
INIU Portable Charger, Slimmest 10000mAh 5V/3A Power Bank, USB C in&out High-Speed Charging Battery Pack, External Phone Powerbank Compatible with iPhone 14 13 12 11 Samsung S22 S21 Google LG iPad etc
  • ✅【From INIU--the SAFE Fast Charge Pro】Experience the safest charging with over 38 million global users. At INIU, we use only the highest-grade...
  • ✅【Market's Thinnest 10000mAh】 The market’s one and only 0.5-inch power bank that breaks the limit of 10000mAh, easily slipped into any travel...
  • ✅【Only 5% Got USB-C IN&OUT】INIU is the only 5% of power banks got a USB-C IN&OUT port. Unlike others only recharge via USB-C port, INIU can...
  • ✅【3A High-Speed Charging】3A fast charging fuels iPhone up to 78% in just one hour. INIU's AutoFit identifies and meets your device's ideal...
  • ✅【15-Layer SAFE Charging】INIU's unique 15-Layer SmartProtect system shrugs off any unusual charging at the start. Take overheating risk and...
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @YEBOSOUTHAFRICA