By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
When traveling abroad by plane, you’re bound to encounter delays or cancellations — for example, a heavy snow alert may lead all flights to be grounded for safety reasons, forcing many travelers to spend the night at the airport. When faced with such sudden situations, it’s a good idea to understand your rights in advance to avoid disrupting your travel plans.
Be aware of your rights when flights are delayed or canceled (Image/Unsplash)
1. Follow the airline’s arrangements
When a delay or cancellation is confirmed, the airport will announce the situation. For longer delays that affect travel plans, the airline will have relevant follow-up arrangements.
2. Don’t leave the airport
If your flight is delayed or canceled, it’s recommended to stay at the airport and await updates. Any follow-up arrangements will be announced via broadcast.
3. Request a flight delay certificate
If it's confirmed that the flight delay is due to uncontrollable factors like weather, be sure to get a delay certificate from the airline. This will serve as documentation for any future compensation claims and can also make the process smoother.
Stay updated on airport or airline arrangements during delays — don’t leave the airport (Image/Unsplash)
4. Keep an eye on announcements from the airline and airport
When a flight is delayed or canceled, it's essential to monitor updates from the airline and airport. You can also ask airline counter staff for the latest information and next steps.
5. Understand the compensation standards for delays
Each airline has different compensation policies and methods for flight delays or cancellations. Knowing these rights in advance can make the handling process more efficient. For example, in Europe, compensation is based on the length of the delay and the flight distance. However, no compensation is provided for natural disasters and similar events.
6. Proceed with procedures at the connecting airport
For passengers with connecting flights, first confirm whether you need to go through any rebooking procedures. Even if it's not the same airline, carriers usually offer arrangements or services for passengers experiencing delays during connections.
Understand the airline’s compensation standards and rules for delays (Image/Unsplash)
7. Process changes or refunds
If the flight delay is significant, you can request a flight change at the counter. The airline will arrange the next available flight. In the event of a delay, it’s generally faster to adjust your itinerary or apply for a refund.
8. Purchase travel delay insurance
Buying travel delay insurance in advance — or having it included with your credit card — provides certain protections against unexpected flight issues. Travel delay insurance covers a variety of situations, including compensation for losses caused by delays, cancellations, or lost luggage. However, non-human-caused events like natural disasters may not be covered, so it’s advisable to check with your insurance provider before purchasing.
9. You can file a complaint with the airline
If you experience a flight delay or cancellation, it’s best not to cause a scene at the airport. If airline staff feel threatened, they may call the police, which could result in you being barred from the flight or even detained for compromising aviation safety. You can file a formal complaint through official channels. Airlines generally value customer feedback and have dedicated departments to handle such cases.
This airport actually has hot springs and saunas — a great place for transit passengers to relax~
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