How to Manage When Your Flight is Canceled Due to Weather
There is no word more dreaded by air travelers than "canceled." Arriving at the airport to see that your flight isn't going anywhere anytime soon --- whether because of fog in 'Frisco or snow in Santa Fe --- usually means that you have long waits and headaches ahead. Weather delays are inevitable in air travel, though, and with some advance planning and a good dose of patience, you can manage when your flight is canceled.
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Instructions
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Check the weather and your flight status before leaving your hotel or home. If there is an impending storm, and the airline anticipates delays and cancellations, you may be able to change your flight ahead of time without a fee, saving you the headache of rebooking after the flight has been canceled.
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Pack your carry-on bag with essentials in case you are caught overnight and the airline cannot retrieve your checked luggage. Include a travel pillow and blanket, toothbrush and toothpaste, medications and contact lens supplies, if necessary. If you have room, pack a change of clothes. You may not be totally comfortable, but having supplies can make the delay slightly more bearable.
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Plan ahead if you are traveling with babies or children. Carry several days' worth of food and diapers for an infant in your carry-on. The extra weight will be worth it if you have to spend the night in the airport.
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Check the airline's website with your computer or web-enabled phone. In some cases, the airline computer's may automatically rebook passengers, and you can find out if you have been rescheduled via the web.
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Program the airline's telephone number into your phone before leaving home. If your flight is canceled, call the airline directly to rebook instead of waiting in line. You may have more flight options if you call right away than after you've waited in line for two hours.
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Reserve a hotel room at a nearby hotel as soon as your flight is delayed, if you are already en route or at the airport. Many times, flights are delayed several times before they are canceled for weather, and booking in advance can get you ahead of the crowd when all of the passengers are looking for a place to sleep. Pay close attention to cancelation policies; most hotels require that you cancel before 6 p.m. on the day of your reservation.
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Maintain a positive attitude. It may not feel like it, but the airline staff is doing everything they can to get passengers to their destinations. Getting angry or upset is not going to get the snow to stop falling any faster, so show appreciation and be pleasant when interacting with the airline staff. Being polite may pay off with an earlier rebooking or vouchers for food or drinks.
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Seek alternate forms of transportation if possible. In some cases, renting a car and driving will get you to your destination faster than waiting for your ticket to be rebooked. If you opt to take this approach, speak with the airline beforehand and cancel your ticket to avoid losing any potential refunds or credits.
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Tips & Warnings
Airlines will make every attempt to book you on the next available flight, but that flight may not leave for several days. Be prepared to make alternate arrangements if that's the case.
In most cases, airlines will not pay for your accommodations if your flight is canceled due to weather. Plan to cover the cost of a hotel room yourself.
If you expect weather delays, do not check your luggage until you determine the status of your flight. In most cases, you cannot get your bags back once you've given them to the airline.
References
- MSNBC; Flight Canceled? Tricks to Get on Another Plane; Scott Friedman; June 2011
- MSNBC; What Can I Do if My Flight is Canceled?; Sept. 2008
- The Denver Channel; What To Do If Your Flight Is Canceled Due To Weather; Marc Stewart; Dec. 2010
- "New York Times"; How to Fight Back When Your Flight Is Canceled; Michelle Higgins; Jan. 2011
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
