Ask any frequent air traveler what their worst travel nightmare is and most of them will simply call out delayed flights. Flight delays are quite common in all parts of the world and are becoming even more frequent in the post-COVID world. Even if you enroll in TSA PreCheck to enjoy the fastest airport services and less hassle, a flight delay is going to affect you like everyone else.
Of course, it is annoying not to be able to board your plane at the fixed time and not reach your destination in time too. Let alone the boredom that comes with long-hour sittings in the airport lounges, this wait for itself is so tiring that it often gets many travelers sick. But, is there any way to foresee or avoid a flight delay? Of course, no!
But, we still have a solution for you to beat the boredom during your waiting hours at the airport. Below, we are sharing some amazing tips to make the most of your waiting time and not let yourself get affected by a delayed flight. So, let us get into this:
Table of Contents
1. Relax And Don’t Let Your Anger Overcome You
Of course, you are disturbed to hear the news of your flight’s delay while you have no way back home. Now, you’d have to sit at the airport for God knows how many hours before you can board the plane. All of this is frustrating and has a 100% chance of making you angry.
But, it is in your control not to let this distasteful situation get the best of you. Airport staff is already very much overwhelmed by the complains and queries and you misbehaving with them is not going to help.
Just be calm and think of how this situation is simply a game of fate and no one’s fault. You might not believe this but being calm about such unpredictable situations is less likely to tire you of all the waiting and your pleasant mood can also help you make the most of your time at the airport.
2. Book an Alternative Flight
In some cases, it is possible to move your booking to another flight that is either accessible on a shorter delay or is on another day so you can go back home and come later on the right time. While this saves you a lot of weight, it can be costly to book cancel one booking and book new seats altogether. Maybe your airline has a good refunding policy or is top cheap flights happy to move your bookings with no costs charged. Just make sure you try your best to avail this option if long hours of waiting are not your forte.
3. Enjoy Your Free Meals And Hotel Delays
You know how everyone emphasizes the importance of paying for your flight bookings with a credit card that has travel insurance activated, well, there’s a reason for that.
Depending on the insurance you have, you are most likely to get $500 to $1000 to enjoy free hotel meals and stays if your flight is delayed for more than 4 to 6 hours. This way, you can eat and enjoy your time lavishly at the airport without having to pay for anything from your own pocket.
However, you are only going to get these amazing services if the cause of the flight delay was not natural and under the airline’s control. Otherwise, you might have to wait. Or, you can simply book lavishly hotel rooms within the airport with your own money and enjoy your time over there if that is a feasible option for you.
4. Claim Your Cash Compensation
Many great airlines have the policy to compensate their clients with a good sum of money if their flight has been delayed for a considerable amount of time and has surely caused a lot of disturbance to the traveler.
It is always important to know the rules and regulations of your airline before you travel with them so you know when and how to claim what they owe you. There is no shame in claiming your money. It is your right. After all, you haven’t been a nuisance to their staff during the delay and cooperated as much as possible. This is your gift and you must claim it.
5. Get That One TBR Item Checked
Now, what if you’ve tried all the above options and still haven’t been able to escape the long waiting hours? Well, the old-school trend of reading cute books on subways and in airports is still not over. So, just grab your favorite book from any bookstore that might be at the airport or take one out of your luggage. If nothing else, get a book downloaded or ask a friend to share it with you on your drive link and start reading.
6. Catch Up With All Your Old Friends
If you have a power bank with you and your phone’s charging is not an issue, start some hot gossip sessions because time passes very quickly with those on. You can call a friend from school or someone who always complains about you not giving them enough time and start a discussion on random topics. You can also start texting the person but make sure to ask if they are free before you bombard them with your random texts. Also, while you are at it, taking strolls around the airport is not a bad idea either.
We are sorry if you are an introvert who hates calls though!
Conclusion
If beating boredom at the airport waiting for lounges is the hardest thing for anyone, it has to be for a solo traveler with no company around. The above tips would work great for anyone regardless of how they are traveling. Just make sure not to take retail therapy as one of your ways to deal with this boredom because you would surely need money later for your trip. Also, just stay calm and no matter how hard it is, your airport waiting session will pass!