Snowed in at the airport? Follow these 5 tips for staying comfortable if your flight gets delayed, canceled
When brutal wintry conditions strike, it may mean bad news for you and your travel plans. Try these tips if you end up stuck in an airport for a while.
When brutally cold and sometimes blizzardlike conditions strike during winter, thousands of travelers may find themselves stranded in airports during lengthy delays – sometimes for days – as flights get rerouted, postponed or canceled altogether.
Fortunately, there are a few tips and tricks travelers can keep in mind to make their lengthy layovers as comfortable as possible. Check out the tips below from experts who themselves have experienced long, unplanned airport stays during adverse weather.
1) Prepare in advance
Travelers will usually know which areas may be susceptible to blizzard conditions and when, and checking the forecast ahead of time can go a long way, said Zeshan Jeewanjee, marketing director at
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Jeewanjee has found himself stuck in multiple airports abroad during snowstorms, unable to get on a flight for over a day.
When traveling in inclement weather, he suggests bringing books, phone chargers, a change of clothes and snacks to keep you entertained and taken care of. Items like a toothbrush, essential toiletries, hand towels, a sweatshirt or blanket and empty water bottle are also recommended.
“Many of the restaurant shops may be closed if workers are unable to make it out, so I always pack protein bars and trail mixes into my carry-on if I know I'm going to places that may be encountering snow,” he said.
2) Check with customer service
As soon as you’re notified of a flight delay, experts recommend contacting customer service either directly in person, since you’ll already be at the airport, or through a call if the line is long.
“When you reach the airline, they can easily provide you with necessary articles like a night kit, toiletries, food and blankets,” said Aparna Pathak, a content writer for travel app GLYD.
3) Chill out in an airport lounge
Lounge access isn't just reserved for business travelers. Everyone can access these less-crowded spots with a day pass for as little as $40, according to frequent flyer Chase Olivieri, who manages the online travel community, Altitude.
Olivieri has utilized this technique to survive major weather delays in Chicago O'Hare International, Miami International and New York’s John F. Kennedy International airports.
“Airline lounges are my go-to choice, since they are reliably quiet and comfortable,” Olivieri told AccuWeather. Many now offer free snacks or food and beverages, so the savings can add up quickly, he added.
“They [also] have highly trained agents that can assist with re-booking, and will closely watch your delayed flight and provide updates if anything changes,” Olivieri said.
Lounges might also include showers and potentially a couch where travelers can catch up on rest. “If the lounge has a shower, towels can double as blankets,” said Janice S. Lintz, a consumer education/travel writer who has visited more than 120 countries.
4) Book a hotel stay
Depending on the length of the delay, stranded travelers can check for availability at hotels near the airport, which might offer transportation from the airport to the hotel. “Hotel prices might hike up, so act fast and contact a hotel within the first half hour of the flight delay,” Pathak said.
If you’ve bought travel insurance, your insurer might be able to help you find accommodation if there’s an airport hotel. They'll even compensate you for it, according to Jeewanjee.
Travelers don’t need to book for a full 24 hours. Many hotels, including Hilton Chicago O’Hare, offer microstays, or day rooms available for a few hours at the fraction of a typical rate, giving travelers a chance to rest, work or freshen up, said Diana Friess, marketing manager at Hilton Chicago O'Hare.
5) Charge your electronics
You’ll want to ensure that you always have a way to charge and power up your electronics, experts say. “Most travelers wander the airport looking for an open outlet to charge their phones, tablets, laptops, etc., and some people huddle down by any open outlet they can find,” Friess said. “Invest in the latest carry-on luggage, which comes with built-in/removable batteries that provide your own personal charging station wherever you go.”
Just make sure you charge your luggage’s battery before you fly, Friess advised.
You can also bring along a USB battery pack, which you should also remember to charge before traveling. “I had a fight delayed for 9 hours last winter, and having my battery saved me from a bit of the chaos, as most travelers had to compete for plugs,” said Quincy Smith, founder of the ESL Authority, a site geared toward individuals interested in teaching abroad.
Having a battery pack not only provides backup power, but increases flexibility on where travelers choose to weather the storm in the airport, Smith said. “We found some great chairs that were removed from most of the other passengers, and the fact that they didn’t have plugs wasn’t an issue.”
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For more safety and preparedness tips, visit AccuWeather.com/Ready.
