What to Do If Your Flight Is Delayed or Canceled

There’s nothing so distressing as checking the departures board to see that your flight has been delayed—or worse, canceled. Whether you’re heading on vacation or trying to get home, flight disruptions can be frustrating. However, with these simple steps, you can take control of the situation.

First, don’t panic—check your airline’s app or website. Many carriers post real-time updates and even allow you to rebook your flight directly from your phone. If you don’t already have the app for your airline, download it now. The app can help you stay updated about the status of your flight and book a new one or ask for flight delay compensation should your flight be seriously delayed or canceled. Having the app can help you check whether any weather waivers are available. If severe weather is forecasted, an airline may allow you to take an earlier or later flight at no charge to you to avoid any weather-related flight disruptions. You can also reach out to a service like AirHelp to get compensation for your delayed flight or a canceled one.

Get in line ASAP—but also go online. If you’re at the airport when you discover that your flight has been affected, head to the customer service desk immediately. While you’re waiting, also call the airline or use their online chat feature; you might get through faster to resolve your issue.

Understand your options. If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, you likely will be given the opportunity to book another flight or get a full refund. Additionally, some airlines offer food vouchers or hotel accommodations for delays, so be sure to ask! If you need a place to stay, be sure to contact local hotels immediately. If you accept the chance to rebook from the airline, it may also give you some cash back or travel credits. If your baggage is significantly delayed, you might get your checked baggage fees refunded too, but you’ll need to file a mishandled baggage report with the airline to do so.

Look into other options. Check for alternate flights with the same airline—or even with a different one if you’re willing to pay more out of your own pocket. You might even consider renting a car or taking a train to get where you are going, depending on your destination.

Keep your receipts. If you end up having to pay for meals, overnight accomodations, or transportation because of the delay or cancellation, take care to save your receipts so you can show them to the airline; you may be reimbursed later. You may also need your receipts if you took out travel insurance and are looking to get reimbursed.

Don’t get angry. Finally, keep your cool, especially when communicating with the airline or customer service. Getting irritated will only make you feel worse. You may also annoy the representative who is trying to help you and make it more difficult for them to assist you. If you can stay polite, you might get better results.

Remember, travel hiccups can happen, but being prepared and having a calm demeanor can turn a stressful day into just a temporary detour.