It’s a startling fact that there are regulations that govern how long and under what conditions an airline can stash pets and livestock in the belly of the plane, but other than watered-down “customer care” proclamations, the airlines give little consideration to the beleaguered people in the seats. Bottom line, when you buy an airline ticket, you have a seat on the plane. Whether that particular seat ever makes it to the destination you’ve booked is not part of the “contract of carriage,” because airlines don’t guarantee their schedules OR that they’ll get you where you want to go.
With this in mind, you should:
1. Have information about airline on-time performance.
2. Try to fly non-stop, avoid connections and hubs.
3. Travel light.
4. Have a back-up flight plan.
5. Go to an airport club.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Book a different airline if yours is historically tardy
If your home airport is served by a number of carriers, look into their on-time performance history. This will tell you a lot about your chances of facing delays and cancellations. If your chosen airline has a consistently bad track record, consider switching to a different carrier. Find data on the overall efficiencies (or lack of) at your home airport and a nearby alternate airport too.I recommend: Check the Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report for the airlines that do the best job of arriving on time, keeping track of checked luggage, and accommodating booked passengers. Use FlightStats to rate specific flights based on their on-time performance. Consider flying out of alternate airports.
Go non-stop if at all possible
Depending on your geographic location, this might be easier said than done, but if non-stop flights are an option, book them. You’ll reduce the chances for mid-journey flight delays and cancellations, and if you check luggage, there’s a much better chance it will arrive when you do.I recommend: For speedy air searches that include non-stop flights, let SideStep or Kayak do the work of scanning multiple Web sites. Be sure to click the “show nearby airports” option. Check out Southwest Airlines, known for its non-hub approach to air routes.
Don’t check your luggage
Your chance of remaining flexible in the face of unexpected delays and cancellations improves significantly if you travel with only carry-on bags. You might have to do some efficient rearranging of your wardrobe (maybe buy a new carry-on bag), and use laundry or dry cleaning services at your destination, but it will be worth it.I recommend: Look for quality carry-on luggage at The Luggage Catalog, Discount Luggage, Luggage Pros, eBags, Irv’s Luggage Warehouse and Altman Luggage. If your bags simply won’t pass muster as a carry-on, consider using one of several luggage-forwarding services that will collect, ship and deliver them to your destination. Check out The Luggage Club, Luggage Forward, Sports Express, and the Luggage Concierge. Ask about corporate and volume discounts too.
Have a Plan B and beyond
Armed with the knowledge that the airlines aren’t legally bound to accept much responsibility for getting you where you need to go (unless they bump you involuntarily), your best bet is to make sure you know what your options are if you’re stranded.I recommend: Have an alternate flight plan in mind when you set out, preferably one that uses a different hub. Find the best flights and connections for over 600 airlines at dohop.com. Let the Official Airline Guide (OAG) scan the best flight options for you. Then program the airlines’ toll-free numbers into your cell phone.
Track your flights
You’ll have a strong advantage if you know whether or not the flight you’re waiting for has left the ground (and that information can also be valuable for those awaiting your arrival). Knowing about weather-related airport delays around the country is important too.I recommend: To track airline flight departures and estimated arrival times, check out Flight Aware (view current airport activity too), Flight Explorer (includes national weather map) and Flight View (includes a delay status map of US airports).
Wait it out at an airport club
In today’s chaotic air travel environment, it’s a given that you’ll eventually face lengthy airport delays, so why not pass the time in the comfort of an airport club lounge? Even if you’re not a member, most clubs will let you in the door on a day pass, typically at a one-time cost of $25-$50.I recommend: Look into one-day passes for Alaska Airline’s Board Room, Continental Airline’s President’s Club, Delta’s Crown Room, Northwest’s World Club, United’s Red Carpet Club, US Airways Club.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Don’t rely on the airlines’ Web site for accurate information on flight delays. Staff shortages mean the information isn’t routinely updated.
- Try to avoid booking smaller regional jets whenever possible. They are more prone to weather delays and cancellations, and space in overhead bins is minimal.
- If you’re flying out of a non-hub airport, try to avoid booking the last flight of the day. If it’s canceled, you’ll have fewer options for rebooking on other carriers.
- Airlines don’t “owe” you meals and a hotel room if they strand you overnight. Some do it as part of their customer service pledge, but don’t count on it. Make hotel options part of your “Plan B” too.
- If you’re an elite member of a frequent flyer plan, program that phone number into you cell phone too. It might come in handy if you need help with rerouting and rebooking a canceled flight.
- If your flight is canceled, do NOT stand in line with all the other passengers wending their way to the ticket counter. Instead, call the airline, your travel agent, or your frequent flyer program, review your options, and book another flight as quickly as possible.
- Use the downtime at an airport club to get work done. Many clubs offer free Wireless Internet access; check the club Web site for details on this and other services as well as hours of operation.
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