12 Things You Can Do to Handle Flight Delays and Cancellations

Having your travel information available quickly can be key in handling a delay or cancellation. Use a free app like TripIt to do things such as keep flight confirmation emails and create a master itinerary. With the pro version, get real-time flight alerts, locate alternate flights and share travel plans.

In the case of a flight delay or cancellation, you don't want to be standing in a long line with others who are stranded. So bookmark the list of airline phone numbers compiled by travel expert Johnny Jet to beat the rescheduling crowd.

Most airlines have what's called a Contract of Carriage, which outlines what passengers' rights are in case of things including delays and cancellations. Check out the handy list compiled by Airfarewatchdog with links to the contract for major U.S. and international carriers. And click here to see what things the airlines do ​that cause travelers to be dissatisfied.

Sometimes when there’s a delay or cancellation, you need to take matters into your own hands. For those with iPhones or Android phones, pay $2.99 and download this app. You type in the city-pairs you want, add the date, and it will give you a list of the non-stop and connecting flights available. Use this information when you’re negotiating with an airline trying to re-accommodate you.

Most airlines allow passengers to sign up for notifications by flight numbers. By doing this, you will always know where your flight is. And as a bonus, airlines will be proactive while you’re waiting to help accommodate you.

DOT’s monthly Air Travel Consumer Report includes a summary of causes of delay numbers reported by each carrier for the most recent month.  

DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) tracks this data monthly ​and breaks it down by the airline, airport, and what caused the delay.

Intellicast helps travelers track airport delay and weather information by clicking on dots on a map, clicking on an airport name or using the airport search tool.

If the airlines know there’s going to be a major weather event like a hurricane or snow storm, they will post that information on their website.

I did a post on this aviation data company here. One of the many things it does is offer flight notifications, and it even has the ability to tell you what’s happening with your inbound flight.

The Federal Aviation Administration offers travelers flight delay information directly from its Air Traffic Control System Command Center website. The website has a map of the United States that shows the nation’s major airport. You can look at that map and see delays by color code, or you can search by region, airport or major airport.

I currently have A+ Rapid Rewards status on Southwest Airlines. One of the many perks is a dedicated phone number I can call if there are any flight issues. And because I have that status, like it or not, the airline will be more willing to accommodate me because of the money I spend with them.