We’re sure there are many more frustrating experiences than having your flight or train delayed while trying to make it somewhere important, but when you’re in that moment, you wouldn’t say so. If you have to wait for an hour or two usually we can get over it, but a cancelled flight that needs to be rebooked, or even a huge wait that takes all day to complete, can be frustrating.
Of course, usually waits that long mean the service provider is either trying to rejig a delay they’ve had through no fault of their own, or maintenance and security related, meaning that at the very least they are trying to service you. But that doesn’t provide much comfort when you’re tired, unhappy, and have hours to burn in an unfamiliar place.
Having a handy guide you can read straight after the bad news, prepping you for the wait, can make this experience a little less irritating. We hope this post serves as a guide to get you started with confidence:
Update Your Relatives/Friends/Professional Connections
It’s always wise to first and foremost let people know about your delay. A quick message to family keeps them from worrying, and updating work contacts helps manage expectations – they may even book you on the next flight immediately or shorten your trip wait through some other means. Write a simple email explaining the situation and your estimated new arrival time in that case. Most people understand these things happen.
You can also share your location with close family members so they can track your progress. This saves you from sending constant updates when you’re already pretty darn stressed. On the professional side, iIf you’re heading to a business meeting or event, contact the organizers early. They might be able to adjust schedules or make alternative arrangements to accommodate you, knowing that this does happen. Apologize anyway, even if it’s not your fault.
Buy An Airport Novel
Reading is a great way to make the time go by, and being stuck in an airport is the best time to read a pulpy thriller or detective story. There’ll usually be at least one store selling some kind of paperback novel in any airport, and it’s a nice purchase to make.
It’s fine to take some time (you have it to spare after all), to browse the shelves and pick something that catches your eye – maybe that bestseller you’ve been meaning to read or a magazine you normally wouldn’t buy but piques your interest this time. It can help you feel a little less trapped in your terminal, and reading helps people often feel their best.
Just look for something engaging but not too heavy. Unless you have a special interest you don’t want to be reading about the most intense battles of WW2 while you’re also dealing with a headache and the irritation of being delayed past your usual time.
Relax In The Local Cafe/Bar
While the prices might be a little higher than they are where there’s more competition around, you can still find a quiet corner in a cafe where you can settle in for a while. Order something comforting – a proper coffee instead of the usual rushed cup, or maybe treat yourself to a nice meal or sandwich. It’s important to stay hydrated and avoid those hangry feelings that can lead you to swear off the world. Most airport cafes expect people to linger, so don’t feel pressured to rush either.
You can use this time to catch up on podcasts or watch that show you’ve been saving on your laptop. Many airport cafes have comfortable seating and charging points too. Just remember to keep an eye on your belongings and check the departure boards regularly from there. Don’t worry, there will be many people in your position, and you won’t look as odd as the people drinking a beer at 7 am thanks to an overnight flight.
Play Simple Games
Your phone likely has enough games to keep you entertained for hours. Download a few new ones while you have WiFi access. Simple puzzle games or word search games work well – they’re engaging enough to pass the time but easy to put down when you need to check flight updates or jump on the next available flight that becomes available.
If you’re travelling with others, classic travel games like Twenty Questions or Word Association can make the time fly or at least give you thirty minutes of entertainment, and hey, during an eight-hour weight that’s about 6.25% of engagement compared to your total waiting time! Not bad!
If In A Couple, Get Some Shut-Eye
Taking turns to nap makes perfect sense when you’re stuck waiting, just make sure you have someone else with you at this time instead of doing it alone, because that makes you and your luggage vulnerable. One person can watch the bags and monitor updates while the other catches some rest. Look for quiet corners in the terminal or dedicated rest areas, believe us when we say you won’t be the only person sleeping against their bags or on their seat in the waiting areas. Some airports even have sleep pods or lounges you can use for a few hours if you want to pay for it.
Before napping, set an alarm and make sure you’re visible to your partner. Using your bags as pillows keeps them secure and gives you a chance to get some surprisingly decent rest, especially if you’ve been up since early morning. If there are local shops, check for memory foam earplugs, that can help block out the noise near you, and so can headphones playing calm ambient tracks. Just don’t let the music prevent you from hearing about your gate opening.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily manage the wait for a delayed flight, especially with so many other commuters around. It’s unlikely to be the most comfortable time you’ve ever had traveling from place to place, but at least with this guide you can retain your sanity a little!