When your travel plans decide to go a little sideways and you see those dreaded words: CANCELLED Flights – stress levels tend to get really high. There was such excitement when you booked those plane tickets and you had big hopes for a smooth journey. But whether it’s down to the weather, mechanical issues with the plane, or air traffic delays, a cancelled flight can really ruin your whole trip. However, it doesn’t have to. Do you want to know how to make the best of a flights cancelled situation? Keep reading.
How to prepare for a flight being cancelled
Nobody wants to think about a flight cancellation when they’re excitedly packing for their trip and making that giddy journey to the airport. However, it’s always best to be fully prepared for any eventuality when travelling. This includes making sure you have the appropriate travel insurance that covers you for any cancellations or delays.
It’s also important to pack any essentials in your carry on, such as a toothbrush, hairbrush, hand sanitiser, tissues, water bottle, snacks, power bank, cash/cards, and a ziplock bag with minis of your overnight toiletries. Always make sure you have any medications you may need too, and a spare change of clothes is always a good idea. I always like to have my kindle on me personally for any waiting around, but take any device that is important to you to pass the time.
What to do when your flight gets cancelled
Don’t join the queue – Firstly, don’t get in those big long queues at the airport, use your airline app or find a customer service number to call. It’s a much quicker way to have the best chance at getting the next available seat on an alternative flight. This is especially important if you’re travelling with your family as you’ll likely need multiple seats on a different flight which is a lot trickier than just getting a single seat.
Start to plan your next steps – It depends which airline you’ve used, but you’re likely to be entitled to rebooking yourself on the next available flight, booked into some hotel accommodation to see you through the delays, some vouchers to cover any food you’ll need during that time, or a full refund and potentially some compensation. AirHelp can help you quickly check if you’re eligible for flight cancellation compensation. Being on the ball and knowing your rights is so important in these situations and can help relieve the stress a little.
Look for alternative flights – If you can’t get rebooked on the next flight, it may be worth trying to fly from a different airport or airline. If you have a quick google and try and find some alternative flights whilst your previous flights cover your food and accommodation for the night, it may mean that your travel plans don’t have to be fully cancelled. Make sure you keep any receipts so that you can claim these back from the airline that cancelled your flight, or from your travel insurance.
Hopefully your flight doesn’t get cancelled at all, and if it does that it leads to some exciting new travel plans or fancy upgrades. Good luck!
