No one likes it when their flight gets delayed or canceled We get it That’s why we’ve partnered with Keryn Means of Walking On Travels to give us a few tips and answers to get you through the mess of rebooking and figuring out what to do with your time when the unfortunate happens
Flights get delayed Even worse, flights get canceled Sadly, there isn’t much you can do about either as a passenger, but what you can control is how you respond to the situation Let’s dive right into what to do when flights get canceled, so you can stop the panic and embrace the calm
Photo credit: Keryn Means/Walking On Travels
Why Do Flights Get Canceled?
The first thing you need to know is WHY your flight got canceled The two biggest reasons are weather and equipment failure You can get mad all you want, but when your rational brain thinks about it, do you really want to be in the sky in a broken plane that could crash? Do you actually want your plane to be struck by lightning or tossed around in strong winds? Airlines and control towers don’t cancel your flight to torture you Trust me, it is more of a headache for them to rebook an entire flight than it is for you to be delayed a day They really do want to get you to where you need to go
Other reasons your flight can get canceled include flight crews timing out, which can happen when a flight is delayed Usually this means the crew has been working so long that day that they cannot safely fly you to your destination Just like you don’t want a doctor operating on you if they have been working more than eight to 12 hours, you really don’t want that pilot falling asleep at the controls when he is flying you home
Photo credit: Keryn Means/Walking On Travels
What To Do When Your Flight is Canceled?
Stay calm Do not start screaming at the ground crew Yes, you are frustrated It is not the gal at the desk’s fault that someone at the airline made this call All she wants to do is get home to tuck in her kids Instead, she now has to work late to rebook you
Smile Everyone is more apt to help someone who is kind to them and smiles at them, especially in an airport Airline staff get yelled at a lot Be the person who shows them patience and kindness and chances are they will show it back
Get on the phone ASAP! Yes, get in the customer service line you were just directed toward, but get on the phone with the airline while you are in that line Customer service agents on the phone can help you much more quickly and just as easily as the ground staff Sometimes they can see the broader picture faster than the ground crew, too They haven’t been yelled at by the ten people in front of you either Stay calm, explain the situation and let them know what you need
Understand your rebooking options Normal flight rebooking protocol is to get you on the first available flight that can get you home This could mean a connecting flight when your original flight was nonstop Keep this in mind when rebooking If you want a nonstop flight home, be ready to get home the next day or later the same day You need to be flexible if you have stipulations to how you want to fly If you are dealing with a canceled flight while traveling with kids, you need to be even more flexible
Photo credit: Keryn Means/Walking On Travels
Meals and Hotel Reimbursements
If your flight is canceled, the airline may give you meal or hotel vouchers This can be a tricky business Sometimes the airline offers it up Other times you have to ask for it If the cancellation is due to weather, the airline will claim they owe you nothing If it is mechanical, they should give you a night at a hotel Pay close attention to why your flight is canceled Even if the weather knocked out the computer system, you may be able to claim mechanical issues It doesn’t hurt to ask
You Just Scored Extra Free Time
OK, so your flight has been canceled You now might have a lot of time on your hands Find the airport information counter Ask about transportation options into town Grab a meal at a local restaurant, do a little shopping, catch the latest exhibit at a museum or walk around downtown Just make sure you get out and explore! Don’t look at this as the airline taking down your trip or delaying your journey home Look at it as a new adventure
If you are delayed while trying to get out of your home airport, use this time to do a little hometown exploring Don’t just go home and do chores Head to that restaurant you’ve always wanted to try, take the kids to the art museum and discover the local history of your city There is no reason to be down right now You can always find something fun to do with the right mindset!
Keryn Means
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Delayed flight ? Not enough time to leave the airport and explore the town ? Find out if there is rest area with loungers and dim lights, as in Schipol, Amsterdam . Spend some time in the quiet chapel. Carry, or browse for, that book you’ve been wanting to read . Skip the fast food and treat yourself to a quiet corner in a more upscale restaurant , or find one with a book corner as in Atlanta. Travelling with children ? Have books , colored pencils, puzzles etc. and settle in a gate area with no flights due – plenty of floor room for playing and no worry about disturbing other passengers.
Cancelled flight ? Follow Keryn Means tips – stay calm, be polite to agents, phone the airline company , be flexible .
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My flight on American Airlines from Orlando to Cleveland 3/25/2020 was cancelled Saturday 3/21/2020. My Itinerary # 7516302961982. Will I get a credit or a refund?
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