3 Ways to Avoid Delays in Your Travel Plans

Is there anything worse than seeing “delayed” beside your flight information? It could be argued that there is, especially as this situation will likely have a domino effect on the rest of your travels. A delayed flight could lead to a missed connection, which could mean you are late to check-in at your hotel. It’s fair to say that many people have been there.

3 Ways to Avoid Delays in Your Travel Plans

If you’re one of those unfortunate souls, then you might want to learn how to avoid delays when travelling. This sort of information could be very useful in the future. With this in mind, this post has summarized three of the best ways travelers can avoid delays when jetting off to a new destination.

Fly at a Quieter Time

The time of your flight can make a big difference if you want to avoid running into travel delays. As there are more people boarding at peak time, these flights are more prone to delays than off-peak take offs. Off-peak hours for flights are considered to be late mornings or early afternoons, with midweek flights being the best options. There are also less crowds to deal with at these times, which is an additional bonus as flights will be more punctual.

You should attempt to select an off-peak flight if you can. Delays often get worse throughout the day, with some airports experiencing delays of 20 minutes or more in the evening. This will definitely impact connections and other aspects of your travel plans, making it much more difficult to arrive at your hotel or other accommodation in a timely manner.

Check the Weather Conditions

Although flight delays can be caused for numerous reasons, weather-related delays make up almost 75% of all air traffic delays, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration. This is often the result of airlines prioritizing passenger safety; bad weather, like thunderstorms and strong winds, could risk the safety of those on board the plane. Planes might struggle to take off or land during adverse weather conditions, leading to delays.

By keeping track of the weather conditions around your departure and arrival airports, you can predict whether the flight will be delayed. Some travelers say it is wise not to book the first or last flight of the day as these will often be the first fights to be cancelled if the weather takes a turn. However, you might also avoid travelling at times of the year when the weather is known to be worse; for example, September is often the month with the most storms in the US.

Book a Private Car Service

Whether you are travelling on business or your off on vacation, hiring a professional driver service is another way to avoid delays. This won’t affect flight delays, but it will help you get to and from the airport on time. A delayed flight might mean you miss your coach transfer or connecting flight, and no one wants to wait outside too long for a taxi, especially if there are many delayed travelers doing the same.

Instead, you could use a car service that has been booked in advance. The process from the airport is super simple, too. For example, if using a service like Executive Car Service LAX, you can text your driver after collecting your luggage at the baggage claim area and the driver will meet you at the curbside. This means you avoid the queues for taxis and can continue your journey to your destination.

If you follow the three tips outlined in this post, you will have a better understanding of how to avoid travel delays when you head off to your next holiday destination.