You can spend weeks planning a trip, but unforeseen circumstances like a flight delay can scupper these plans in an instant. We hope a lengthy delay won’t happen to us, but it’s always good to be prepared in case it does. Whether you’re reading this because you’re currently facing a delay or you want to know what to do just in case, then read on for tips on the next steps to take.
Can you get compensation?
Whether or not you get compensated will depend on the length of the delay and the airline you’re flying with. Flights to and from EU countries offer compensation or sometimes a full refund if arrival at your destination is delayed by 3 hours or more. In the US, airlines are not required to compensate delayed passengers in the same way, but they may offer things like free meals or hotel rooms for longer delays.
Wherever you’re flying from, you will need to check the airline’s policy or talk to a member of staff to find out what kind of compensation, if any, they can offer you. Apps like AirHelp allow you to check whether or not you can receive compensation.
Does your travel insurance cover the delay?
This is one of the situations where travel insurance is extremely important. It’s always a good idea to include coverage of flight cancellations and delays in your policy. If you’re facing long delays, check your policy to see what is covered and what you could be entitled to. Most of the time, you will be compensated by your insurance company if your flight is delayed for 4 hours or more.
What about connecting flights?
If your delayed flight causes you to miss a connecting flight, and if your journey is booked on a single ticket rather than as two separate bookings, then the airline will help you book onto the next available flight to your end destination. To what extent they compensate you for this will depend on the airline, so always be sure to ask the ground staff what you are entitled to.
Try to enjoy the delay
A flight delay is frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Try to make the most of the time you have to kill while waiting for your flight. If you’re stuck in the airport for a few hours, then why not watch a film or binge your favourite series on your tablet or smartphone. Airport WiFi can be spotty, so it helps to have a product like Teppy to give you a private secure WiFi connection.
If your flight delay is much longer, then you might be able to get out of the airport and see the city. This will depend on the country and airport you’re in and how strict they are about this kind of thing. Always check online or with airport staff before leaving the airport if you want to return later.
If you can leave, you could go out for a meal or see the local sights. Just make sure you have enough time to get back for your flight, taking security checks in consideration. Keep checking in for updates on your departure time online or through an app like FlightAware.
In case your flight gets delayed, it always helps to have Teppy on hand so that you can access fast and reliable WiFi while you wait. This will allow you to download and use the apps you need, check the airline’s website, and keep yourself entertained. Get pocket WiFi with TravelWifi today!
