Sorry, Your Flight Has Been Delayed
You know that dreaded feeling—you're so excited to board and get to your destination, only to be stopped by a notice: Your flight is delayed. No one likes to face these holdups when flying, but sometimes it's inevitable. Curious as to why? Here are 10 common reasons why your flight might be delayed—and 10 ways to keep yourself entertained while you wait.
1. Extreme Weather
Extreme weather conditions, such as typhoons, heavy snow, storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and more, are common reasons why your flight may be delayed. You might think that these conditions are minor inconveniences on the ground, but they can disrupt flying to the point that it can be unsafe.
2. Security Issues
Sometimes, a flight may be delayed because of security issues. Different airports have different rules and regulations, which means some processes may take longer than others. Security breaches may also cause delays.
3. Late-Arriving Flight
If the jet your flight will be on is arriving late from a different journey, then that wait time will be passed onto you and other passengers. As for why a plane might arrive late, it could be due to any of the factors on this list, such as adverse weather, maintenance issues, or something else.
4. Crew Problems
While this is typically rare, delays can happen due to the crew. If certain members decide to pull a no-show for work that day, then the flight will need to call replacements to fill their spots before the plane can take off. This is because flights require a set number of staff on board before departing.
5. Labor Disputes & Strikes
Airline strikes or labor disputes by other essential airport personnel can cause holdups, as a shortage of workers makes for disruptions in the entire process. Whether this means air traffic controllers are understaffed or an aircraft is missing members, passenger jets may see delays.
6. Crowded Air Space
Another reason why a flight might be delayed is due to traffic congestion in the air. If there are too many planes crowded in the same air space, other jets may land or depart late, and passengers all across the board will be affected.
7. Loading Baggage
There may sometimes be delays because of the baggage loading crew. If that's the case, don't be too harsh—lifting heavy bags all day can be tiring, and handlers could face other issues, like being understaffed or having to deal with equipment malfunctions.
8. Maintenance
Maintenance may sometimes cause flights to be delayed. If there are issues with the aircraft, such as the engines, tires, or other systems that prevent the plane from flying safely, the jet will need to be grounded and fixed before it can take off.
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9. Aircraft Preparation
Whether it's deicing an aircraft during winter or cleaning the interior after a return journey, passenger jets need time to prepare before they can depart and accept the next group of people. After all, airlines and flight crews need to ensure that not only are their jets fit for flying, but are also clean, safe, and comfortable.
10. Late Passengers
Yup—sometimes, a flight might be delayed because it's waiting on a late family or passenger from a connecting journey. Airlines typically have their own policies regarding how long they'll wait, but that still means you'll be waiting until everyone arrives.
Now that you're aware of some common reasons why your flight may be delayed, here are 10 ways to keep entertained.
1. Read a Book
If you've brought a book with you to read on your flight, why not get a head start on it now? Even just a couple of chapters can give you a taste of what to expect, and you might get so invested that time will fly by. Before you know it, it's time to board!
2. Listen to Music, Podcasts, or Audiobooks
Don't fancy reading? Listen to your favorite playlist, podcast, or audiobook. You might even want to make sure you have these downloaded before you hop on your flight, unless you've paid for WiFi connection.
3. Phone a Loved One
"Hey! Turns out I should've slept in—my flight is delayed!" Sure, your flight has been delayed, but on the bright side, you can use this time to catch up with a loved one, or maybe say a final goodbye before you leave. Or you could even call up a relative if they'll be the one picking you up at the arriving airport.
4. Explore the Airport
If you're at an airport you've never been to before, maybe because of a layover, there's no better time to explore than now. Depending on how many shops and floors there are, you could spend hours looking around.
5. Eat
Let's face it—the grub they serve you on flights can't really be classified as food. So what better excuse to eat than now? This way, you get to eat a real meal and skip the odd glop you'll be given once you're in the air. Just be sure not to choose greasy, heavy eats, or you might regret it later.
6. Take a Nap
We know, we know—you probably want to sleep on the plane instead. But hey, if it's a delay of more than an hour or so, there's no harm in taking a quick nap now. Who's to say you won't remain sleepy by the time it's time to board?
7. Play Games
If you've got a board game (hey, it could be possible to fit it on an airplane table), a mobile game, or some playing cards, you can pull them out for a quick round. Or, if these options are too much of a hassle, you can also play "I Spy" or good ol' 20 Questions.
8. Learn Common Phrases for Your Trip
Heading to a country that speaks a language you barely understand? Here's your chance to learn a couple of common phrases and words before you land! You don't need to sound fluent or like a local, but just getting a few key greetings and expressions down will help.
9. Download Movies
Forgot to download shows and movies to watch on your tablet before you left the house? Take advantage of the airport WiFi (yes, slow as it might be) to get some flicks on there! Then you won't need to worry about having to rely on whatever selection the in-flight entertainment system offers.
10. Review Your Itinerary & Plan
Look on the bright side: having your flight delayed gives you more time to do things you might have missed. And that means you should probably review your itinerary and trip plan. How will you get to your hotel or accommodation? Where should you eat once you land? Will you have time to explore by the time you get to your destination? These are all questions you probably want to know the answer to before you actually get there.
