How to Avoid Air Travel Delays

Guide Note Air travel can be a necessary part of life, but some airlines are notorious for delays, which causes nothing but grief for the weary traveler. With a bit of insider knowledge, you can make better decisions to help you avoid air travel delays.

Table of Contents

How to Avoid Air Travel Delays Tips

  1. Check the airline's record of delays and cancellations.
  2. Book nonstop or have 2-4 hours between connections.
  3. Fly as early as possible and on an originator flight.
  4. Avoid peak travel times.
  5. Check flight status and airport wait times before heading out.

Newest How To Guides

Tips on dealing with difficult people

Great ideas for mixed drinks

Beat the cold of winter by making the perfect cup of hot chocolate

Need to save money? Learn how to spend less on food

All the information you need to make the digital TV switch

Introduction

  • Flying can be a nightmare--the mad dash across the terminal, the missed flight, the endless wait in the airport lounge for the next flight out--don't let it happen to you. Skip the many headaches of air travel by knowing a few tricks of the trade and avoiding delays.

Step 1: Choose the Right Airport

  • Choosing the right airport is key to avoiding delays. Keep these tips in mind when selecting your airport.
  1. (Creative Commons photo by Till Krech)
    (Creative Commons photo by Till Krech)
    If you have the choice between flying through a major airport and a secondary airport, choose the secondary airport.1
    • Smaller airports are less congested (with both people and planes) so usually have less delays.1
  2. When booking a flight that has a connection, consider that it may take a long time to get to the connecting gate at large airports.1
  3. Check the National Air Traffic Controllers Association website for tips on particular airports.2
    • It shows the best times to fly both in and out of that airport.

Step 2: Choose the Right Airline

  • When searching for airfare, keep in mind the record and reputation of the airline.
  1. Check the airline's on-time averages.3
    • -For example, compare the statistics of airlines between January 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008 found on the Bureau of Transportation Statistics website:4
      • 32% of American Airline's flights were late, and 4% were canceled.
      • 21% of Delta 's flights were late, and almost 2% were canceled.
      • 21% of Southwest's flights were late, and less than 1% were canceled.
    • -For an even more comprehensive report, the DOT publishes a monthly report on airlines including data like flight delays, mishandled baggage, oversales, consumer complaints and more.5
  2. You can also check NATCA's Avoid Delays website to see the most delayed flights and airports.6

Step 3: Choose the Right Flight

  • When purchasing your airline ticket, it's important to know which flights are prone to delays and which travel times have the most congestion.
  1. (Creative Commons photo by joiseyshowaa)
    (Creative Commons photo by joiseyshowaa)
    Book a nonstop flight if possible.7 One less flight means one less opportunity for delay.
  2. If you can't get a nonstop flight, avoid tight connections.1 Airlines are not required to hold their flights for connecting passengers.1
  3. Get an earlier flight.7 Delays affect the schedule down the line, and gets worse throughout the day.7
  4. Avoid the last return flight. If your flight is delayed or canceled, you still have options for that day.9
  5. Get an originator flight.7 These are flights on planes that begin the day at the airport.7
    • This way, you won't have to wait for a plane to arrive from another location.
  6. Some flights are notoriously delayed.1 Use FlightStats to check the history of a certain flight number.10
  7. Avoid Monday - Friday peak times of 7:00am-10:00am and 4:00pm-8:00pm.11

Step 4: Day of Travel

  • Be prepared on the day of travel. Don't leave for the airport without confirming your flight and airport status.
  1. Before leaving for the airport, check to confirm that your flight is on time by calling or checking the airline's website.8
  2. Also check the TSA site to get wait time information for your airport and time of day.12
  3. Know the carry on limits. Having to gate check may delay the flight.13
  4. Know your airline's Rule 240.14 You may be entitled to certain vouchers or reimbursement if your flight is canceled.14

Conclusion

References for How to Avoid Air Travel Delays

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Avoid Delays: Making Your Connections
  2. ↑ NATCA (National Air Traffic Controllers Association): Tips From the Experts on Avoiding Delays
  3. ↑ RITA: Airline On-Time Statistics
  4. ↑ RITA: Summary Statistics Airline
  5. ↑ Department of Transportation: Air Travel Consumer Report
  6. ↑ Avoid Delays
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Avoid Delays: Booking Your Flights Tips
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 The Airfarewatchdog Blog: Ten tips for avoiding delayed/canceled flights and what to do if all else fails
  9. ↑ CNN: Savvy travelers find ways to avoid airport delays
  10. ↑ FlightStats: Flight Rating
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 USA Today: Eight ways to avoid air travel delays
  12. ↑ TSA (Transportation Security Administration): Security Checkpoint Wait Times
  13. ↑ Avoid Delays: At the Airport Tip
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 PC Mag: 8 Tricks to Beat Airport Delays


Didn't find what you were looking for?

Ask a question about How to Avoid Air Travel Delays


110 characters left.