Blizzard 2015: 5 Tips for Waiting Out a Cancelled Flight
Get a massage or a food voucher to pass the time while you wait.
— -- With a major blizzard making its way across the Northeast, thousands of flights are being delayed or cancelled, causing major travel headaches.
If you’re traveling, or just stuck at an airport, here are some tips to help pass the time and, more importantly, keep your sanity.
1. Ask for vouchers
Often, airlines will offer vouchers to their customers when flights are grounded because of bad weather. Go to your airline’s customer service desk or ask the nearest gate agent for food vouchers. They will help you to save a couple bucks while eating in the airport. If your flight has been cancelled through the night, you can also ask the gate agent for a hotel voucher so that you can stay the night at a nearby hotel at a discounted price.
2. Look for services
Many airports offer places to get your nails done, or even a massage. If you have the spare cash, make an appointment to get a manicure or pedicure, or even an hour-long massage. This will help to relax you and prepare you for the long hours ahead.
3. Get comfortable
When flights are cancelled because of poor weather, there’s not much you can do other than wait it out. A suggestion: Go to the nearest airport store to purchase a pillow, blanket or both, so that you can make yourself a bit more comfortable while waiting.
4. Indulge in entertainment
Have a smartphone, tablet or laptop? Great! You can use your device to catch up on that movie you’ve been trying to make time to see. Staying in the airport for a while? Now would be a great time to binge watch that show that all of your friends are talking about. Most airports are equipped with WiFi -- and often it’s free -- so take advantage of it. If that’s not your thing, go to the nearest book store in the airport and purchase a new book or magazine.
5. Just be patient
Lastly, don’t forget that patience is a virtue. We all know keeping your cool can be difficult, especially when everyone has places to be and people to see. But if the flight is cancelled, take a deep breath and try to relax. Maybe even try meditating. Everyone else is just as aggravated and upset as you are, so try to contain your not-so-nice feelings. Get up, stretch your legs, and walk around the airport a few times. Remember, you will get to your destination -- eventually.
