Eight secrets behind flight delays to know before your next trip

Flight delays are not uncommon for most airlines, and sometimes  travelers are forced to face them. It can be caused by bad weather, a delay of the previous plane, a breakdown, or other factors, most of which can be tracked in advance.

Air travel experts and experienced travelers shared 8 ways to predict changes in flight schedules and avoid them whenever possible. They told Huffpost about it (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the photo).

Keep an eye on the weather

When planning your flight, experts advise you to first monitor the weather conditions in the cities of departure and arrival, as a severe storm or low visibility can postpone the flight indefinitely. By choosing a favorable day, you can avoid unnecessary problems and anxiety.

Choose direct flight

If possible, when choosing a convenient plane, you should pay attention to a direct flight, as it will not only get you to your destination faster, but also reduce the likelihood of delays.

The non-stop option may cost more, but it will avoid many hours of waiting at airports and the risk that the second flight will not take off on time.

Choose rarly flights

Morning flights are usually less prone to schedule changes than evening flights. Experts attribute this to the "chain effect," where several planes are briefly delayed during the day, which significantly delays the departure time of night passengers.

Download the relevant app

Most airlines create apps and websites where you can track flight changes before they appear on the board. In addition, you can also track the geolocation of the desired plane and calculate the estimated time of arrival.

According to the host of the Gaycation Travel Show, Ravi Roth, it takes about 6 hours to prepare for a new flight, so knowing the arrival time, you can actually calculate whether there will be changes in the schedule.

Ckeck flight statistics

Regulations require airlines to share flight and delay statistics on their websites. When planning, this makes it possible to estimate how often a particular plane arrives on time.

Learn your rights

If a flight is delayed and the staff does not give you concrete answers, experts advise you to refer to your rights. Airlines usually protect passengers from such incidents and oblige staff to fully reveal information about changes in the schedule and their reasons.

Make sure the airline has paid compensation

Some airlines promise passengers monetary compensation if a flight is delayed for 3 hours or more. This information is usually listed on the websites, but few people know about it. After proving that the delay really exceeded 180 minutes, you can safely ask for a refund of the ticket price.

Plan B

Experts recommend playing it safe and not flying close to an important holiday or celebration. You should always consider the possibility of a significant flight delay and prepare for it. For example, ask for a ticket for the next plane or have time to choose another route or transportation.