Whether you may be flying with your family for leisure or probably for work or a business meeting, arriving at your destination on time or merely a couple of minutes before is something every traveler has wished for but has also taken for granted. While we all prefer being on time, they’re often may be a few circumstances where your flight delay claim may get delayed or cancelled. From airport construction and security issues to severe weather and technical airline faults, such disruptions are quite common. If you have not experienced it yet, consider yourself lucky.
While some of you may have experienced a mere hour delay, some passengers have to wait for over 12 hours! This can be quite stressful especially if you have to be somewhere on time or if you are stranded on an international airport. In such situations, you probably feel like you have no way out but that is not the case, You can always make a Flight Delay Claim when applicable and take the necessary steps when needed for a delay/cancellation in the flight.
This article will go in-depth with all the expert strategies you need to know to possibly receive compensation or recover from flight alterations made to your travel plans.
1. Stay alert for flight delay claim
The first thing you should do is to remain attentive to what they are saying. Rather than being infuriated and not thinking through, you may miss out on the flight notifications. Late flight departures can also impact connecting flights or travel. Be sure to sign up for airline alerts when you purchase your ticket or ask for flight delay claim your travel agent to keep you informed. This is especially necessary with the frequent changes in flights due to the global pandemic, or in a place with severe weather changes. Inform your destination reservation authorities
The next thing you should do is to call your hotel or chauffeur service, friends, or family and inform them of any delays or cancellations. The last thing you would want is to suffer more from the delay by facing embarrassment or having to pay extra through penalties. Keep them updated so you don’t ruin your trip later!
2. Be informed of your passenger rights
Keep your travel rights in mind when you fly. Get in touch with Nayyar Solicitors if you’d like to know more about them before each flight to ensure you as a passenger are not exploited or treated unjustly and get what you deserve. Always check the airline’s contract of carriage and the legal rights that persist between the airline and you. Educate yourself on your rights.
3. Be aware of international flight passenger rights
There are several regulations that protect passengers who may be flying to or from another country. In cases like political unrest and weather unpredictability, the circumstances are not covered. However, there may be disruptions that are out of the ordinary and some airlines may even make up for compensations for delays lasting over three hours. This also means compensation for passengers who were denied boarding.
4. Act Quick when you find out about the delay/cancellation
The best thing that you could do is to get in line to speak with an agent or travel advisor. If you have travel insurance, ask your insurance provider about the applicability of some compensations. However, if that’s not possible try rebooting yourself from the airline’s app or through their social media accounts/customer service.
5. Stay calm and positive
Always remember to be polite and respectful to those around you including the customer service personnel. Whether it may be someone trying to assist you on the phone, social media, or in-person, maintain a respectful attitude and be kind. Not to mention it may even lead to accommodating or getting an upgrade for the next flight
6. Rebook or accept an airfare refund
Depending on the circumstances, you may be offered a refund or the choice to rebook your flight. The passenger may be entitled to a full refund in case they refuse to be booked on that airline and the same rule is applicable for flight delays when the refund/rebook option is made available to you by the airlines.
7. Look at your credit/debit cards to avail some perks
Why not make the most of your time and chill out? Some debit card service offers complimentary perks which involve free wifi to stay productive during delays or access to an airport lounge with snacks. Some cards even offer concierge service.
8. Stick to your travel advisor’s advice and assistance
Travel advisors have a number of tools to help you out. For instance, if flight delays are expected due to weather travel advisors receive advance waivers allowing them to choose alternative flights before being sold out. This is a great example of acting quickly and wisely in the event of flight delay or cancellation.
9. Apply for compensation from the airlines if possible
If you have been denied boarding involuntarily there are a few events that could lead to or trigger the need for compensation. The compensation may consist of flight vouchers possessing a certain value, meal vouchers, etc. This may vary depending on how long you need to wait till you get rebooked to the next flight. Ask your travel solicitor or your travel agent for more details on compensation.
10. Minimize chances of delays or cancellations
Lastly, there are some ways for you to slim down the chances of cancellations or flight delays with the right measures. For instance you can check the cancelled histories for the flights you prefer and only reserve non-stop flights (if that’s possible). You can also opt for morning flights and try flying on off-peak days like Tuesday or wednesday. As per AirHelp, the least cancellations happen between 6 am and 11:59am
The next time you are flying and you may experience a similar event, remember to stay informed of your rights and of the steps that follow or which you may need to take. Happy travels!