Flight delays? Don't sweat it
By Priyanka Elhence, 06 November 2017
1540
However this luxury of punctuality is not something you should take for granted when travelling anywhere else in the world. Different cities face different challenges, and you never know when a flight can get delayed for a multitude of unforeseen reasons such as hurricanes or storms and bad weather, poor visibility, mechanical trouble, air strikes, or just extreme air traffic. In a study conducted by Business Times in December 2016, the U.S Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that more than 1 million flights were delayed between June 2015 and June 2016, with the three main causes for delay being the US aviation system, weather, and airline related issues.
Indeed, having a flight delayed when you're ready to board is extremely irritating, and no one likes having a spanner tossed into their travel plans, especially at the last minute. But as we know, flight delays are extremely common. So while we might not be able to predict the next time our flight gets delayed, there are a few things that we can be doing (apart from just catching up on sleep), to take the edge of the sting, especially if you are travelling with young children.
1. Check airport travel schedules whenever possible
Check travel schedules ahead of time to avoid travel delays as much as possible. For example, my husband and I travelled with our nine year old twin boys from Lhasa to China on vacation last year, but weren't able to check flight schedules. What was supposed to be a 7am departure, ended up being delayed for 4 hours due to bad weather, made worse with having to deal with cranky kids. If we had checked the airport travel schedule, we would not have been unnecessarily stuck at the airport.2. Bring your own entertainment
And in the same way, always pack books and games or toys to keep children entertained. Bonus if you allow them to play on an iPad or tablet. Likewise, packing a book for me was a huge benefit as it kept me occupied, which helped time to pass a tad quicker. Also, I've learnt that it pays to have your phone fully charged at all times (either the night before or with a portable charging pack), because whiling away time when your flight is delayed by playing on your phone is great for making time move.
3. Always pack snacks and an extra layer of clothes
Flight delays usually means hungry and cranky kids, and travelling with children has taught me to always pack plenty of snacks for them. Early or late departures may mean that most places in the airport are closed, so instead of finding yourself helpless and frustrated, anticipate the worst in case of flight delays. It is easy to travel with small packs of dried fruit, some candy, fresh fruit, a sandwich or two (easy enough to get from your hotel), and water or juice packs.
Likewise, packing an extra change of clothes (and toiletries) for my kids when we travel has often been a lifesaver for me, especially when it is very common for them to dirty their clothes at the most inconvenient of times. I've also learnt the hard way that packing warm clothes also goes a long way, since airports (and planes) are usually quite cold. This doesn't mean having to prepare for the Arctic weather with heavy woolens – rather, socks, jeans, a long sleeved shirt or a sweater will do the trick. Furthermore, warm clothes can also double up as pillow or blanket for a quick catnap.
4. Invest in good travel insurance
The old adage prevention is better than cure certainly rings true in the case of flight delays or even overnight delays, and I cannot stress the importance of getting comprehensive travel insurance coverage enough. For example, Income's travel insurance offers comprehensive coverage packages against travel inconveniences and medical expenses, giving you complete peace of mind when having to travel overseas. In the event of flight delays, its travel insurance plans also provide coverage that are over six hours, as long as the travel delay is not directly caused by you. I may forget to pack something for a trip, but I never leave home without travel insurance now. For more information on which Travel Insurance suits you best, check out Income's Travel Insurance.5. Make the most of your surroundings
I've also learnt that while flight delays are extremely annoying, they are also a great way to explore the airport you're stuck at – something you wouldn't do necessarily if things were going according to plan. For example, we've taken advantage of a 1920s Hollywood-inspired mini- cinema at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport a few years ago; enjoyed shopping at Munich Airport's Christmas Market while the kids were entertained at the children's play rooms; chilled out at the green Zen gardens at Dubai International Airport; and even just watched a scientific planetarium show at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. For a glimpse of some of the fun things you can do the next time you're stuck at an airport, we've found some cool things to do in airports around the world.So remember, a flight delay doesn't have to mean the end of the world. With a little pre-planning when travelling with children, taking adequate travel insurance, checking flight schedules and doing the best you can under the given circumstances, delays can be just a minor bump in the road. Safe travels!
