Even when flight delays and cancellations rain on your metaphorical parade, head to a lounge to reschedule and soon you’ll have nothing but blue skies! Photo by: Evan Berman

This morning, the FAA grounded all flights until a systemwide glitch was fixed in the tech system. I’m not an IT expert, so I can’t offer advice on how to fix those issues! 😉 That being said, if your flight is cancelled at the gate or if you miss your connecting flight, go to your nearest airline lounge and ask for assistance from those agents and you’ll have the best chance of success.

Why Visit a Lounge?

Picture this: you’ve boarded a plane and the captain tells you and your fellow passengers that there is a mechanical issue with the plane– it would be unsafe to take off. You have a connecting flight and with a delay, it’s highly improbable you will make your connecting flight. Upon deplaning, everyone will be looking for a flight change and the gate agents will be overwhelmed. Plus, many times they aren’t able to help or aren’t interested in doing so. 🙂

A lounge is great for relaxing and grabbing a bite to eat before a flight, but remember: not everyone has access and the space is designed as an elite space for elite fliers. So, when the above example happened to me when flying on Delta, I went to the Sky Club and the kind agent was able to assist me in finding new flights. The agents at the check-in of the lounge will be able to access the entire flight inventory and re-book you if appropriate.

Just make sure you hurry– I took the stairs instead of the elevator and was first to arrive. The elevator opened and 6 people stepped outside. Had I waited longer, I would have had to wait in line and it’s possible the only seat that was available on a flight that I needed to take in order to get home would have been taken by someone else.

Note: I am referring exclusively to airline lounges (ex. Admiral’s Club for AA, Sky Club for Delta, United Club Lounges for United). Centurion Lounges are great but the employees do not work for an airline and may or may not be able to help you.

Make Sure You Know Your Options

If you do end up needing to book another flight, make sure that you are prepared. Make a beeline for the front desk of the lounge and describe the situation: where you need to go. Explain the situation and any information that is relevant. While the clerk is attempting to locate options, do research of your own. Search Google Flights for the flights that are available from your current location to the desired destination. Even if you’ve booked a flight on Delta, look at the options on American, United, JetBlue, Southwest, etc. if applicable. A few pointers:

• If you do not take a scheduled flight on an airline, you are eligible to receive a refund for any and all missed segments. This will be in cash.
  • If an airline offers you a voucher for a cancelled flight or a flight that you miss due to IRROPS (any irregular operations such as a mechanical issue which requires your flight to be grounded), stand your ground and demand cash or a credit to your credit card.
• If you must stay overnight due to IRROPS, the airline is required to provide a hotel room for you. However, unlike with the rescheduled flight, this will not happen unless you ask for it. I recommend the lounge, but you may also call the airline or ask the gate agent.

Final Thoughts

Delays and cancellations when flying are always a headache. If you have this unfortunate experience, visit the nearest lounge and ask the agent to rebook you on another flight. Research the alternate routes and what your rights are and you can make the most out of a bad situation. Next up, I’ll share some stories about my most chaotic delay experiences. What’s your worst experience? Send me a message or let me know in the comments below!

Evan