5 Secrets About Flight Delays You Should Know And Make The Whole Experience Less Unpleasant!
If you don't fly frequently, you could believe the issue is entirely out of your control, and you'll end up stewing in frustration and confusion. However, there are strategies to lessen your chances of experiencing a flight delay or, at the very least, know when one is on its way to make the trip less unpleasant.
#1. Earlier flights are less likely to get delayed.
When an early flight is delayed, it might have a 'ripple effect,' causing later planes to be delayed as well. We recommend always scheduling the first flight out whenever possible to minimize the impact of earlier-in-the-day delays.
Morning flights, of course, are not safe to delays and other issues. Even if something goes wrong with your morning flight, or it is cancelled, you will usually have a lot more alternatives for travelling to your destination on the same day.
#2. You can actually track your aeroplane.
It's a good idea to download the airline's mobile app in order to receive updates regarding gate adjustments and delays before they're announced on the airport screen. However, you may also use it to track your plane's progress before it arrives at your airport and predict any flight delays.
Of course, there are also a lot of non-airline apps and websites that actually allow you to keep track of your flight and previous departures. Normally, all you need is your flight number, the airline and the departure date.
#3. Go for a direct flight.
Flying non-stop obviously reduces your chances of getting delayed because there are fewer aircraft involved. The non-stop alternative may be more expensive, but it eliminates the need to visit as many airports and gates. You can also avoid missing your connecting if your initial flight is delayed. If you require that peace of mind and simply can not afford delays, pay a little more may be helpful.
Having said that, non-stop isn't always a solution. In certain scenarios, you might be smart about your stopover options in terms of timing and location. Allow yourself at least an hour in between flights. You should also aim to connect through a location with numerous flights to your final destination.
#4. Be alert to the weather pattern.
Another strategy to keep track of aircraft delays is to consider the weather, which also influences your flight connections.
As your journey approaches, keep an eye on weather trends at your departure and destination airports, as well as along the flight path. Knowing about major storms ahead of time might help you anticipate potential delays, especially over the holidays, when winter storms are a risk.