Traveling can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be difficult when things go wrong. Unfortunately, flight disruptions can happen despite your best-laid plans. While there is no surefire way to prevent problems during your travels, there are a few things you can do to decrease stress and take care of your mental health during a flight delay or cancellation.
Know Your Rights
Familiarize yourself with your rights and options regarding flight delays and cancellations so that you do not feel helpless and lost in the situation. For instance, if you experience a flight delay with British Airways, look up British Airways compensation policies online so that you know what you can expect to receive. For instance, you are entitled to compensation when your flight is delayed for more than three hours or if you lose your seat due to the flight being overbooked. By knowing exactly what you are entitled to, you can ensure that you are treated fairly. It can also be reassuring to know that you will receive extra funds that can help you to pay for the resulting changes to your travel arrangements.
Ask for Help
Most people are sympathetic when it comes to dealing with flight disruptions, so do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it. If you are dealing with a serious flight delay or cancellation, ask airline staff for assistance in getting you to another location, finding a place to stay for the night, or getting a refund. Airlines usually have customer service agents who can help you navigate any changes in your itinerary and get things back on track as quickly as possible. If you are traveling with young children or elderly people, you are entitled to seek extra assistance from airline crew such as free snacks or lounge access to ensure that everyone in your group is comfortable and taken care of properly.
Take a Step Back
It can be hard to keep a cool head when something goes wrong during travel. You may want to lash out at the airline crew or other passengers, but this will only make things worse. Take a step back from the situation to soothe your nerves and reevaluate your options. This can help you think more clearly about what to do next and get you in a better mental state to negotiate with the airline. If possible, walk away from the gate or counter and give yourself some space to think. Take a few deep breaths to clear your mind—breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose, hold your breath inside your chest for a few seconds, then blow out hard through your mouth. This will help you to relax and calm down.
Use a Mindfulness App
Mindfulness refers to the practice of focusing on the present moment and detaching yourself from external distractions and situations. This in turn allows you to gain helpful perspective; You may realize that the problem you are experiencing is not as devastating as you first thought. It can also help you to stay at peace in a chaotic environment where angry passengers are jostling and shouting around you. There are numerous mindfulness apps that you can download onto your smartphone and many of them are free! These apps feature guided mindfulness exercises and tools to help you center your mind and stay Zen no matter what.
Talk It Out with a Friend
When you are facing a stressful situation, it can be beneficial to talk to someone you trust to get your emotions in check and help you see things with a balanced view. If you are traveling with a companion, sit down with them and discuss your concerns about the flight delay. If necessary, write them down so you have a clear idea of what you need to say to the airline staff. If you are traveling alone, seek out a sympathetic ear by sharing your concerns with a family member or friend over the phone. Venting your fears and frustrations can help you feel better. When you feel settled, you can present your case to the airline crew in a way that is more likely to result in a positive outcome.
Let Someone Else Handle It
If trying to deal with the airline staff at the ticket counter yourself is too overwhelming, consider asking a travel companion or family member to handle it for you instead. Because they are less stressed, they may be able to resolve the matter quicker than you. You can also seek the assistance of expert flight compensation negotiators who specialize in dealing with airlines on behalf of dissatisfied travelers. These experts are usually paid a contingency fee based on the settlement they secure for their clients, so they are motivated to get you the best possible deal. This means that you can step away from the problem but still receive a favorable resolution.
Flight delays and cancellations do not happen very often, but they disrupt travel plans and cause frustration when they do. If you find yourself facing such an annoying situation before your next flight, try one of the above tips to stay calm and keep your stress levels to a minimum. With luck, you will be rightfully compensated and on the way to your travel destination before long!