Warmer weather and PTO aren’t the only things summer 2022 is bringing. A new phenomenon known as Travel Armageddon is occurring at airports around the world. Don’t worry, it’s not another strain of COVID or the end of the world — but it’s something that may impact your travel plans this summer.
Let’s take a look at why this event is occurring and how travelers can prepare for an inevitable chain of flight delays and cancellations.
What is Travel Armageddon and why is it happening?
The word Armageddon, when not used for the film, refers to the final mythological battle between good and evil. When it comes to Travel Armageddon, you may find yourself in a battle with your airlines. See the article : Crew Works Biomedical Science and Hologram, Robotics Tech. There were massive flight cancellations — over 10,000 flights in one week, according to USA Today.
Why is this happening? There are many reasons for this, one of which is that more people are traveling now. According to a Vacationer poll, about 80 percent of Americans will be traveling this summer. That’s about 20.8 million travelers.
There are also typical reasons such as weather conditions and lack of support. Caroline, author of the Veggie Wayfarer blog, emailed BGN through HARO and shared her recent travel experiences. “I had to take 6 flights, one of them was canceled and the other five were delayed. [Some of the flights] were delayed because of a storm, understaffing and Scirocco winds,” she explains.
According to Frank Harrison, Regional Security Director of North America at World Travel Protection, the pandemic has not only pushed some veteran pilots into early retirement, but has also slowed training and hiring. This resulted in fewer pilots, reduced routes and canceled flights. And it seems that not only a lack of pilots affects the flight cancellations.
Katelynn Sortino, a frequent flyer, emailed BGN and shared her experience during a recent trip. “I flew back from Brussels Charleroi Airport and the flight was extremely delayed. Hundreds of us had to sit in small waiting areas for over three hours. They cited a staffing problem and not having enough flight attendants as the reason,” Sortino said. That was the worst she has experienced in over 20 years of flying.
How to prepare for flight delays and cancellations
Knowing why this is happening can ease your frustration, but not eliminate it. The good news is that passengers and travelers still have a lot of power. On the same subject : American Airlines glitch leaves thousands of key unmanned flights. Daniel Green, co-founder of travel insurance startup Faye, emailed BGN and offered his advice.
1. Do not plan events and activities in the first few days of your trip
Part of the fun of vacations is trying new activities and adventures. However, it is advisable not to plan your most important activities in the first few days. This gives you some leeway if you are late. Also, if you’re traveling for a major event, plan to travel to your destination a day or two early.
2. Pack your most important things in your hand luggage.
There is a big chance that you will be separated from your luggage or spend a night at the airport or in a hotel. Pack a change of clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, medication or anything else you think is important in your carry-on baggage.
The sooner you can get off, the better. “I’m speaking from three to four in the morning,” Emel, a world traveler who emailed BGN with her travel advice. “Even if your flight is cancelled, you have a better chance of being [transferred to the next flight]. The cascading transfers usually get worse throughout the day.”
Emel also recommends signing up for an airline’s frequent flyer program. “American Airlines’ AA Advantage program is free to enroll and gives you priority over those who don’t,” she suggests.
4. Consider other travel options
Depending on where you are going, you might want to get to your destination by car or by train. Yes, gas prices are high, but if you do a little math you can probably get a decent price. Even if you get stuck at a stopover and your destination is only a few hours away, rent a car and go. It may be faster than waiting for the next available flight.
Travel insurance can cover mishaps from canceled flights to lost luggage. Green shares that with certain policies, “You can get $200 for common travel inconveniences and delays, e.g. B. lost or delayed luggage of 6 hours or more, flight delays of 6 hours or more or canceled flights.”
Even more travel advice
Traveling this summer is a situation where all hands are on deck. Read also : Air travel this summer is expensive, messy and growing. Here’s some additional advice to help you with that.
Download the airline app on your phone. This way you will receive instant notifications and can easily rebook if necessary
Familiarize yourself with your airline’s cancellation and rebooking policies: nobody likes to read the fine print, but it can help you get refunds and travel vouchers.
Use a credit card to book your flights: Geobreezetravel’s Instagram, which features travel tips to save money, suggests buying flights with credit cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred, which have travel protection. This protection can help you get reimbursed for your expenses when you need it.
How to prepare for the worst
There may come a time when you’ve done everything you could, but you still find yourself in a random destination. If that happens, here’s what you can do.
What if your flight is canceled while you’re at the airport?
Move fast: Casago Vacations Rentals VP of Operations Larry Snider suggests rushing to the airline agent counter as soon as you realize your flight is being canceled. If you’re in a long line, try calling your cell phone provider. The third option is a self-service kiosk. Snider says, “Scan your boarding pass or enter your record finder to view your updated trip details. There you can also rebook your flight and print out new boarding passes.”
File a claim: Mattias Magnusson, founder of CruiseTrail, suggests that you keep all your receipts for expenses. “You need these items to make a claim. There are even service providers who can help you with your claim,” Magnusson recommends.
Be patient and understanding: no one can solve all these problems with a magic wand. When you see travel agents making last-minute decisions, remember that you don’t know everything that’s happening in their world. After all, everyone who works at the airport does their job to the best of their ability. A positive or at least neutral attitude can make life a little easier for everyone.
Be flexible: It is always best to ask yourself: “What can I do now and what are my options?” Dealing with the problem will not help you achieve your goal. Use all resources and try to talk to other people in similar situations. The more you are willing to adapt and compromise, the more options you have.
Kiersten is a freelance writer and coach. As a writer, she has written for Travel Noire, Passion Passport, BAUCE magazine and various travel and lifestyle blogs. As a writer, her goal is to write content that inspires others to take action. As a coach, her goal is to empower women to be their most authentic selves. In her free time she dances to every song everywhere.
