12 Essential Actions to Take When Your Flight is Canceled or Delayed

Flight delays can be frustrating. You arrived at the airport to get to your destination quickly, but delays are often unavoidable. Whether it’s due to unexpected weather, mechanical problems, FAA system failures, or even rare events like UFO sightings near airports, delays happen. Here’s a guide to managing your time and stress if your flight is delayed or canceled.

1. Know your passenger rights during a flight delay ...

Interesting note: Your legal rights are limited. In the U.S., airlines aren’t legally obligated to compensate you for delays. However, most airlines have a Contract of Carriage outlining potential benefits like meal vouchers, discounts, refunds, or hotel accommodations if the delay is their fault. Always review these terms when booking. Additionally, check out the Airline Customer Service Dashboard by the Department of Transportation, which provides transparency on services airlines offer to ease passenger inconveniences caused by issues within their control.

2. ... This is particularly true for flights within Europe.

For flights within Europe or on European airlines, passengers are entitled to additional rights. Under Regulation EC 261/2004, delays exceeding three hours or denied boarding due to overbooking could qualify you for compensation up to €600, approximately $700.

3. Significant financial losses due to flight delays or cancellations may be eligible for compensation.

As Airfare Watchdog highlighted in 2017, “If you can demonstrate financial losses due to an international flight delay and prove the airline could have avoided it by taking 'reasonable measures,' you might qualify for additional compensation under the Montreal Convention. This treaty governs most international travel and, under Article 22, allows for a maximum compensation of 4150 SDRs (currently $5870).”

(For context, an SDR, or “Special Drawing Right,” is an international monetary unit based on a combination of five currencies: the U.S. dollar, the British pound, the euro, the Japanese yen, and the Chinese renminbi. It’s the primary unit used by the International Monetary Fund.)

4. Immediately verify the status of your connecting flight.

Airlines typically rebook passengers on the next available flight, but they may not notify you. Contact customer service or check online promptly to confirm your updated itinerary. Sometimes, the airline might have already rebooked you on an alternative route to your destination.

5. Start making calls as soon as your flight is delayed or canceled.

If you’ve rented a car, inform the rental agency at your destination about your flight delay. If the delay extends into the night or risks becoming a cancellation, and the airline isn’t offering hotel accommodations, consider booking a hotel yourself. Many hotels don’t charge until check-in, and with flexible cancellation policies, you might not lose anything if the airline resolves the issue.

6. Investigate flights with a history of chronic delays.

With extra time on your hands, explore the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Travel Consumer Report, which provides monthly insights into flight delay causes by carrier. Additionally, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics tracks delay causes and maintains a list of “chronically delayed flights.” While it won’t help your current situation, it can guide you in choosing a more reliable flight next time.

7. Hold off on lodging complaints until the delay is significant ...

If your flight delay is less than three hours, don’t expect compensation or sympathy. Complaining prematurely wastes time. If you have travel insurance, coverage typically activates after a four-hour delay. Contact your insurer at that point to explore potential benefits, depending on your policy and provider.

8. ... But avoid dozing off.

Sometimes, airlines announce a three-hour delay only to unexpectedly call for boarding shortly after. Flights can be “undelayed,” so stay alert. If you plan to nap, ask someone to wake you up if needed. (Similarly, if a flight is delayed before you reach the airport, you must arrive on time for check-in as if the flight were departing as scheduled.)

9. Check your credit card terms—it might include flight delay coverage.

Many credit cards offer travel protection benefits, including reimbursement for flight delays if you booked with that card. Review your card’s perks to determine if you qualify for such benefits.

10. Get moving.

Airports are perfect for people-watching and plane-spotting, and they’re also great for staying active. (Let’s face it—you might need to release some stress.) Many airports now feature gyms and complimentary yoga studios. For example, Phoenix Sky Harbor offers a “Walk The Sky Harbor Fitness Trail” [PDF].

11. Explore the unique attractions within the airport.

Denver International offers a free outdoor ice-skating rink during winter. Seattle-Tacoma International showcases over 60 art pieces and provides a self-guided art tour. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport features exhibits from the famous Rijksmuseum, highlighting Dutch masterpieces. Meanwhile, Singapore’s Changi Airport Terminal 3 includes a four-story slide for entertainment.

12. Spend time with an animal companion.

Feeling stressed, anxious, or angry? At San Francisco International Airport, you can meet Lilou, a therapy pig who roams around in costumes and is ready to offer cuddles. Alternatively, LAX’s PUP program—short for “Pets Unstressing Program”—provides free comfort from therapy dogs. Suddenly, being stuck at the airport due to a flight delay doesn’t seem so terrible.