Summary of Contents
- Keep Your Travel Information in One Place
- Use Your Phone
- Know Your Passenger Rights
- Download the NextFlight App
- Sign Up for Airline Flight Status Notifications
- Look at Causes of Delay Numbers
- View Airline On-Time Statistics and Delay Causes
- Use Intellicast to Check on Delays and Cancellations
- Go to Airline Websites for Weather Information
- Sign Up for FlightView
- Go Directly to the Source: the FAA
- Use Your Airline Elite Status
Keep Your Travel Information in One Place
Having your travel information readily available can be crucial during delays or cancellations. Utilizing a free app like TripIt enables you to consolidate flight confirmation emails and put together a master itinerary. Furthermore, with the pro version, you can receive real-time flight alerts and identify alternate flights.
Use Your Phone
When faced with a flight delay or cancellation, it’s advantageous not to stand in long lines with other stranded passengers. Consequently, bookmarking a list of airline phone numbers compiled by travel expert Johnny Jet can help you quickly reach the airline and avoid crowds.
Know Your Passenger Rights
Most airlines provide a Contract of Carriage which outlines passenger rights regarding delays and cancellations. You can find a comprehensive list created by Airfarewatchdog that contains links to the contracts for major U.S. and international airlines.
Download the NextFlight App
In situations where there’s a delay or cancellation, taking initiative is sometimes necessary. For devices like iPhones or Androids, consider downloading the app for $2.99. Simply enter your desired city-pairs and date, and it will present you with available non-stop and connecting flights, which may assist you in discussions with airlines for re-accommodation.
Sign Up for Airline Flight Status Notifications
Most airlines enable passengers to subscribe to notifications via flight numbers, ensuring you always have up-to-date information on your flight’s status. Moreover, airlines often provide proactive assistance while you wait.
Look at Causes of Delay Numbers
The Department of Transportation’s monthly Air Travel Consumer Report summarizes delay numbers reported by each airline for the recent month, providing valuable insights into patterns of delays.
View Airline On-Time Statistics and Delay Causes
DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) routinely tracks this data on a monthly basis, breaking down statistics by airline, airport, and the reasons behind any delays.
Use Intellicast to Check on Delays and Cancellations
Intellicast offers a user-friendly way to monitor airport delays and weather conditions. You can obtain information by clicking on airports or utilizing the airport search tool on the interactive map.
Go to Airline Websites for Weather Information
If airlines anticipate major weather events like hurricanes or snowstorms, they will typically post important information on their websites to keep passengers informed.
Sign Up for FlightView
FlightView, an aviation data platform, provides flight notifications and can keep you updated on the status of your inbound flight. This service helps you remain informed in times of disruption.
Go Directly to the Source: the FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides flight delay information on its Air Traffic Control System Command Center website. The site features a map of the U.S. displaying delays at major airports, which can be viewed by color code or by specific regions.
Use Your Airline Elite Status
Having A+ Rapid Rewards status with Southwest Airlines provides significant advantages, including access to a dedicated phone line during flight issues. Consequently, due to your spending, airlines are likely to prioritize accommodating elite status holders.
