Whether you regularly travel for business, love your city breaks, or chase the sun all year round, chances are you’re used to travelling by plane. Some people are lucky and never run into issues – luggage never gets lost; flights are always on time and cancellations simply never happen. However, others (I would say the majority!) have experienced it all. Dealing with flight problems is a total pain and of course airports aren’t exactly the most relaxing places to start with.
With that in mind, here’s some tips to help you cope with being stuck in the airport:
1. Plan for the worst
I guess what I really mean is pack for the worst. This isn’t saying you should be negative from the start, it’s just that flight irregularities are so common you may as well make sure you’re prepared for them. If you have to wait for hours in the airport, one of the most important things is comfort, so make sure you have clothes to change into and some essential toiletries – toothbrush and toothpaste for example. Throw some snacks in your bag or take a couple of sandwiches to keep you going and invest in a neck pillow so you can take a nap.
2. Explore
Tons of airports these days have put the effort into making the passenger’s experience more enjoyable. Head to the aquarium in San Francisco Airport, take in the butterfly garden in Singapore Changi, or pet one of the dogs belonging to the Canine Airport Therapy Squad in Denver Airport. If the airport you’re in doesn’t have anything particularly special, you can still wander around the shops or simply go for a stroll – at the very least you’ll have a change of scenery.
3. Fuel up
If you didn’t bring any food with you, or you’ve been waiting so long you’ve eaten it all, it’s really important to stay fed. This sounds so obvious, but a lot of the time people will hold out to avoid paying the typically high prices at the airport. The thing is, sometimes you may end up staying overnight and there’s really no need to add hunger to your stress and frustration, it’s a recipe for disaster! You can try some local cuisine or snacks to make it a little more fun.
4. Relax
It’s easier said than done, but unfortunately, you’re stuck in this situation, so it makes sense to try and make the most of it. Always bring your phone charger in your hand luggage – firstly, for peace of mind to make sure you don’t run out of battery as you need to be able to contact people and secondly, so you can watch a movie, listen to podcasts or catch up on a favourite show. Enjoy that time when you’re able to just sit down and chill as it doesn’t happen very often!
5. Check if you can get compensated
The good news is that in a lot of cases, passengers can claim for compensation of up to 600 € when their flight is delayed or cancelled, or if they’ve been denied boarding. To find out more detailed information, check out MYFLYRIGHT and enter your information into the compensation calculator for free. If it turns out that you have a claim, they’ll pursue your case for you – yet another way to relieve your stress and make the most of your situation!
