Delayed and cancelled flights are not unusual this summer.

Delayed and cancelled flights are not unusual this summer.
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6 Top Tips for Avoiding Airport Chaos Amid Flight Cancellations

With flight delays and cancellations a hot topic of travel conversation this summer, we look at the best tips for preventing disruption, handling unforeseen itinerary changes and averting confusion and disappointment.

Delayed and cancelled flights are not unusual this summer. Many airlines have to cancel flights at present, or planes can only take off with considerable delays due to various airport problems, leaving passengers with little chance of escaping the chaos.

However, there are a number of top tips to consider when planning a trip and booking flights to reduce the likelihood of disruptions, delays and disappointments. 

Here are the best tips to follow to bypass any interruptions to your planned route, whether it be for a work trip or holiday:

1. Fly without changing planes

If possible, choose direct flights. Routes that do not require you to change planes reduce the risk of missing your connecting flight due to cancellations or delays. If you have to change planes, schedule long layovers. One or even two hours between flights might not be enough to give you sufficient time between connections to make your next flight.

2. Early morning flying

The earlier a flight departs, the less risk there is of delays or cancellation. Over the course of a day, problems can accumulate at airports, affecting flights that take off later in the day. London Heathrow Airport in the UK is an example of one airport where this problem is acute.

3. Book directly with the airline

If you experience flight cancellations or severe delays and have booked directly with the airline, you will receive compensation quicker and easier. And according to insiders, the airline will also give these passengers preferential treatment.

It is always worth checking if your travel insurance will cover flight cancellations and delays (a topic we have written about here.

If you book a package holiday, you can get back the total cost of the whole trip even if you only cancel a single part of it. Alternatively, the travel company has to rearrange the journey for you.

4. Use airline apps

Even if some airline apps have bad ratings, you may wish to use them. Airline apps can give you updates about delays and assigned gate numbers to notify you of any changes to your flight.

5. Do not book the cheapest fares

If an aircraft is overbooked, passengers with the lowest fares will be the first to be excluded from the flight.

6. Be patient and friendly

Although the travel industry is suffering from staff shortages, the people working at the airport, on planes or on the reservation line cannot prevent or fix flight delays or cancellations. If you are patient and remain friendly, you have a better chance of addressing your concerns and receiving thorough answers to your questions.

Falstaff Editorial Team
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