Summer is here, and many people want to make the most of it. As usual, traveling is one of the best ways to enjoy one’s summer, so we have curated a few essential tips for those who want to travel this season.
Even though summer is the high season for flight delays, these tips will help you avoid them and maximize your trips this season!
Essential Tips for Travelers
There are many ways to reduce the probability of a flight disruption and to make the best of any delays or cancellations that may occur. According to experts, these tips are not widely known, but they can help you avoid flight disruptions without having to do so much.
They include avoiding connecting flights, booking the first flight of the day, flying on days with less traffic or less busy, and many more. Let’s get into it!
Book the First Flight of the Day and Add a Buffer Day
According to Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper, flights scheduled between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. are less likely to be delayed than those departing after 9 a.m.
Flights scheduled at 9 a.m. and after are two times more likely to be canceled. Therefore, book an early flight to avoid disruptions. Another pro tip is to add a buffer day to your trip. If you are traveling for an important event, make sure you book a flight scheduled two days before the event.
Avoid Connecting Flights
Many people may know that connecting flights are often delayed and disrupted. Therefore, experts believe that it is best to avoid such flights. However, it is not always possible to avoid these flights due to ticket prices, the destination, and the airport.
Berg says the best thing to do for these people is to leave a 45- to 90-minute layover buffer between domestic and international flights, respectively.
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Fly on Days With Less Flight Traffic
According to Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp, one of the most important ways to avoid flight delays this summer is to fly on days with less flight traffic. This means you should aim to travel on days when fewer people are traveling.
This is usually on weekdays like Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as most people travel on those days. What’s more, you can save some money because most flight tickets are cheaper on those days!
Stay Informed on Flight Delays
Staying informed can help you avoid many airline delays that you may not be aware of. To do this, simply go to the FAA’s National Airspace Status website and check for the most recent information about airport ground stops and Air Traffic Control delays.
On this website, you can see predictions of high winds, computer outage systems, and heavy precipitation that could affect your flight. It also shows how long they could last and whether your flight will be able to take off regardless.
Pack Strategically for Flight Delays
According to Napoli, packing smartly can help when a flight is delayed, canceled, or disrupted in any way. Therefore, ensure that your carry-on bag has most of your essentials to help minimize discomfort.
Experts recommend packing a change of clothes, some electronics, snacks, valuables, toothbrushes, or mouthwash to help prepare for flight disruptions. This way, you can stay as comfortable as possible before your flight is ready to go.
Use Waiting Time Wisely
If your flight is canceled or delayed, you must use your time wisely while you wait for help. Berg recommends that you “get in line to speak with an airline representative at the same time you call the customer support center.”
If you do this, your odds of talking to a customer representative are significantly higher, as many other passengers are also trying to reach out for customer support.
How Do You Deal with Travel Delays?
Flight delays can be very frustrating for everyone. This is why the best way to deal with travel delays is to be ready for them. More often than not, travelers do not have the authority to change the delays or cancellations.
Therefore, the only options are to manage or avoid the delays completely. Since most delays or cancellations happen unexpectedly, it is better to be prepared for the worst-case scenario with these essential tips.
Expect Many Flight Delays This Summer
According to Napoli, about three months of the “high season” for flight disruptions occur from the middle of June to the end of August. These months are at the peak of summer, and many people go on vacation or travel to visit their loved ones.
According to the official website of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), travelers should expect more travel delays this summer. This is because of the “frequent bad weather and increased use of the nation’s airspace.”
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Why Are There So Many Flight Delays This Summer?
Apart from the frequent lousy weather the country is currently experiencing, volume is another reason there have been so many flight delays this summer. It has caused about 15% of the delays that have happened so far this year.
The FAA said there are “higher volumes of passengers and flights” in the summer, leading to more human traffic and flight disruptions. The FAA also verified this, noting that 8 out of 10 of the busiest travel days this year were between June, July, and August.
What Are the Factors Affecting the Delay of Airlines?
Apart from the obvious reasons, many other internal factors can occasionally cause flight delays. A notable one is technical issues that the operations team may be facing. For example, a CrowdStrike software malfunction earlier this year caused a significant number of delayed and grounded flights.
The late arrival of aircraft due to unforeseen circumstances can also cause a huge flight delay.
What Can You Expect From the Airline After Flight Delays?
According to a rule by the U.S. Department of Transportation, airline carriers owe a refund of the price of the ticket and fees if a flight is canceled. It also applies if they make a “significant change” in the flight. It also applies to those who bought non-refundable tickets.
However, the rule of compensation does not clearly define the “significant changes”, leaving way for some airlines to maneuver their way around it.
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