What to Do When Your Flight Is Delayed with Kids

Flight delays are, unfortunately, a realistic possibility when traveling by air, especially recently. Some of these are fairly predictable, such as when severe weather is forecast across a wide area. Others, such as mechanical issues and air traffic control delays, are more difficult to predict. Continue reading to learn about what to do when your flight is delayed.

Disclosure: I've received a complimentary year of TripIt, but am currently paying full price. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, and a purchase through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no cost to you.

What to Do When Your Flight Is Delayed with Kids

Making Sure You are Prepared

Start by booking flights with potential delays in mind. While you can't control external conditions, leaving extra time between flights and before important events can make things easier if you do get delayed.

When I cruise, for instance, I always leave at least a day before. That way, I won't miss my ship if I do get delayed (unless it's a very long delay). It's also best not to schedule important events, such as concerts and sporting events, on the day of your arrival. You'll also want to make sure you don't have anything essential at home that you need to get to on your way back.

I've had delays ranging from 5 minutes to 36 hours, so it's best to be prepared before your trip.

Keeping Track of Flights

Information is essential when your flight is delayed. You'll want to be sure you get alerts as things change, so you can make adjustments as soon as possible.

First, be sure to provide the airline with your contact information so you'll receive texts and/or emails when delays or cancellations occur. Also, download the airline's app, log in, and connect your flight to your account so you get push notifications (make sure they're enabled on your phone).

I use two paid apps to track potential delays and find that those apps provide me with more actionable information earlier. I've received information about ground stops at my destination airport before my flight crew has.

These two apps are Flighty and TripIt. I have them set up so that I send all of my flight confirmations to TripIt, and they automatically flow through Flighty. These apps give me helpful information, including flight delays for my aircraft before it arrives and historical information about delays on that route.

Weather Concerns

As a New Englander, I'm used to weather conditions delaying my flights. Even if the boarding isn't delayed, de-icing can still cause a flight delay.

Watch the weather forecast at home and at your destination. Often, for widespread weather events, airlines will waive change and cancellation fees. If your plans are flexible, you can be proactive and perhaps leave a day earlier or later.

Types of Delays and How to Handle Them

Air Traffic Control

Air Traffic Control delays are almost impossible to predict. These occur with Air Traffic Control (ATC) delays and with the departure or arrival time of an aircraft. The airline has no control over these.

With an ATC delay, these can be changed at any time. So it's recommended that you stay near the gate in case it gets "pulled in", meaning the departure time has been moved forward. In this case, there isn't much you can do during the delay, because you'll want to stay right near the gate.

Mechanical Issues

Mechanical issues are also difficult to predict. Unfortunately, these can affect your flight even if the issue is resolved earlier in the day, because any delays carry throughout the day.

Mechanical issues can be very minor, including things like broken luggage overheads or seats. On occasion, it can be a larger issue. I've had long delays when a part for the aircraft needed to be flown in from another site.

Generally, when a mechanical issue occurs with your flight, you'll want to pay attention to the gate announcements. If it's predicted to be a long delay, you'll have more flexibility in walking away from the gate for a while.

You are most likely to get hotel and/or meal vouchers when you have a mechanical delay (in comparison to the other delay types).

Weather Delays

Weather delays are the most predictable because you can follow the forecast to see what kind of weather is at your departure and arrival airports. In icy conditions, you may be delayed by de-icing even if your boarding isn't delayed.

However, sometimes adverse conditions in another part of the country can cause downstream issues. So even if the weather is good at your departure and arrival airports, there still can be weather delays.

This is another situation where you'll want to listen to announcements to find out the projected delay and how long it will be. If it's caused by a delay in your aircraft arriving at your airport, the delay is more likely to be accurate (because at this point, the flight is just catching up).

Unfortunately, you won't get any sort of compensation for weather delays.

Other Types of Delays

There are other situations where you may face delays. These include issues related to the flight crew and computer system malfunctions. Or if there's a medical issue on the plane, that can also cause delays.

If Your Flight Is Delayed Before You Get to the Airport

Keep an eye on your flight before you leave. If you use Flighty, see where the aircraft is currently and whether it will get to your airport without issues. Even if this information isn't immediately actionable, it's good to be prepared.

For some delays, you'll still want to arrive at the airport on time, because things can change. In other situations, you can delay your arrival.

If you have a connecting flight, determine how much of a delay is okay before you need to change things. Call the airline as soon as you have concerns, to give them the most flexibility in rescheduling.

If Your Flight Is Delayed At the Airport

If your flight is delayed once you are at the airport, listen to the gate agent to find out what type of delay it is. If it's an ATC delay, you'll need to stay near the gate area.

Again, you'll want to keep a lookout for any connections that you have. If you have concerns that you'll miss your connecting flight, go to your airline's help desk at the airport. Also call the airline on your phone, if there's a line. In many cases, I've gotten through to the call center before reaching the front of the line.

What To Do During a Delay

In most cases, all you can do is wait. If it's an overnight delay, ask the airline if you can get a hotel voucher. However, airlines don't provide those for flight delays due to weather.

If you are stuck at the airport all day, you may consider a day stay at an airport hotel. When you book a day stay, you will get a hotel room to use for a specific number of hours to use during the day, and can also use the hotel amenities, like a pool or gym. These are especially helpful for families with kids who need to nap.

Even if you limit screen time for your kids, you may make an exception for flights delayed at the airport. Be sure to pack all your chargers in your carry-on bags so they're ready to go. As you pack your carry-on bags, be sure to pack everything you need and any extras, especially when traveling with babies and toddlers.

Travel Insurance

Are you wondering if travel insurance is worth the expense? I generally recommend purchasing it.

When dealing with flight delays and cancellations, travel insurance can help cover additional expenses not covered by the airline, such as hotel stays and costs for delayed/lost luggage. You'll want to check with your specific policy to see exactly what is covered, and be sure to have the policy and company phone number easily accessible when you travel. Save all of your receipts.