Essential advice from a flight attendant to steer clear of summer travel troubles

This summer, we’re experiencing a relatively smooth start regarding flight delays and cancellations — quite a contrast to last year, which was marked by chaos. However, summer storms have already disrupted travel this year (both in the U.S. and Europe), but it pales in comparison to summer 2023, when airlines struggled to bounce back from weather-related issues.

Last summer’s travel chaos was fueled by packed flights, strikes, severe weather, a lack of air traffic controllers, and overwhelmed airports; fortunately, most staffing challenges, particularly pilot and crew shortages, seem to be improving. While the air traffic controller shortage persists, it hasn't yet resulted in significant disruptions.

Nonetheless, it's still fairly common for flights to be canceled or delayed for hours (or even overnight) due to adverse weather conditions.

We have numerous strategies to help you navigate delays and cancellations, ensuring you receive the assistance you need before your flight.

That said, it’s always beneficial to seek further advice, so we consulted Lisa Kulpa, co-founder of the Basic Travel Couple blog and a flight attendant with a major airline.

She shared her top tips for avoiding delays, what to do if you find yourself stuck this summer, and how to enhance the travel experience for everyone involved. (Spoiler alert: Kindness towards crew members really makes a difference.)

This conversation has been condensed for brevity.

When is the best time to fly to avoid delays?

The earliest flight of the day is typically your best option for several reasons.

Firstly, you face the least likelihood of delays with the first departure, as the plane has already arrived the night before. This ensures that you won’t have to wait for it to come in from another location.

Flights scheduled later in the day are more susceptible to delays caused by weather, maintenance issues, and delays with gate access, which can disrupt the entire day's flight schedule.

If you're in a smaller city that isn’t a hub, catching the first flight is crucial since the crew likely spent the night there and will be ready for your journey. (The only exception could be if a crew member falls ill, necessitating a replacement.)

Another advantage of flying early is that the aircraft will have been thoroughly cleaned overnight, ensuring you board a fresh and tidy plane.

What are some common reasons for flight delays and cancellations?

There are numerous factors leading to delays, but the primary culprit during summer is thunderstorms, as flying through them poses safety risks.

Staffing challenges have also significantly contributed to delays. There’s not only a shortage of pilots, but also a lack of flight attendants, gate agents, ramp operators, and other essential personnel.

It takes a coordinated effort from many individuals to ensure a plane departs on time, and if even one person is absent, it can hold up the entire flight. For instance, I once experienced a 45-minute delay while boarded due to baggage complications caused by staffing shortages in ground operations.

Delays can also occur due to maintenance problems, air traffic controllers holding flights because of weather, or congested runways. International flights may cause additional delays at border control, as customs can hold passengers on the plane if too many flights arrive simultaneously to prevent backups.

How early should travelers arrive at the airport?

I’ve noticed a rise in the number of travelers passing through security. Make sure to allocate sufficient time for this process.

If you don’t have TSA PreCheck (or Clear), factor in extra time to remove your liquids and electronics, take off your shoes, and so on. Consider packing lighter to make the security process smoother.

Aim to be at the gate at least an hour before your scheduled departure, and remember to add time for security checks.

How much time should travelers allocate for layovers?

All airlines are facing challenges with staffing and various uncontrollable factors previously mentioned.

If a direct flight isn’t an option, I recommend at least two hours for connection times. This allows for some cushion in case of delays at either leg of your journey. Any connection shorter than an hour is risky.

Remember, for domestic flights, boarding typically starts about 30 minutes before departure, while for international flights, it's usually 45 minutes. Additionally, factor in 15 to 20 minutes to disembark, plus the time it takes to navigate through the terminal. Even a slight delay of 15 minutes can make you miss a tight connection.

What’s the best way to rebook or find information about your delayed flights?

FlightAware is an excellent app to stay ahead of the curve. You can track any flight in the air, view details about its landing time, and its origin. It also indicates whether a flight is on schedule, which helps assess potential delays.

Your airline's app can be quite useful too, as it may provide quicker notifications regarding any delays or cancellations.

If your flight is canceled or delayed, contact the airline right away and/or join the line at the customer service desk. Be prepared for both options to take some time.

Consider looking for flights on other airlines if necessary. Google Flights is a fantastic tool for finding available same-day flights.

What items should you pack for your flight, and what can you leave behind?

When flying, always have a carry-on with essential items like car keys, medications, electronics, and anything else that is hard to replace or that you don't want to lose. If you're checking a bag, make sure to include a change of clothes and a toothbrush in your carry-on.

I also suggest bringing a small blanket or sweater, as airplanes can get quite chilly, and we typically can’t adjust the temperature. If you prefer not to wear shoes on the plane, consider bringing flip-flops; just avoid going barefoot in the restroom.

Always pack headphones, especially for children who will be using electronics.

Please, please, please refrain from bringing your own alcohol and consuming it during the flight. We need to be aware of your sobriety (for your safety and the safety of those around you). By serving you alcohol onboard, we can keep track of your intake. Alcohol impacts you differently at high altitudes, and if something goes wrong or you lose consciousness, we won't know why. Additionally, it's a federal offense and could result in hefty fines.

Here are some items you should avoid bringing on the flight: nail clippers, nail polish, and nail polish remover. These products can create unpleasant odors, and some passengers may be sensitive to them. Highly fragrant foods can also make the cabin smell unpleasant; even fast food can be a culprit.

What do flight attendants wish you knew?

Please be kind. We're much more inclined to assist you if you're polite, and there's no reason to be rude. We understand you're frustrated about missing an event or dealing with delays. However, we don’t intentionally delay or cancel flights to ruin your plans. Unforeseen circumstances arise. If you need to be somewhere important, consider flying out a day early to allow for flexibility and reduce stress.

Also, ensure you purchase trip insurance, either through a quality premium travel credit card or separately. If your flight is delayed for an extended period or canceled, the insurance can help cover your hotel and meal expenses (depending on your credit card benefits or the policy).

If the crew is serving snacks or drinks, please wait until they finish before heading to the restroom. Maneuvering carts and trays around standing passengers is quite challenging. If possible, try to hold it until they're done.

Also, have your drink order ready. You can find a beverage menu either in the seatback pocket or on the airline's app that we advised you to check. One flight attendant typically serves about 50 passengers, and on shorter flights, we need to be efficient. So just be prepared.

For those feeling anxious while flying, here’s a tip: Turbulence is completely normal, akin to hitting a pothole in the road. It's safe, and aircraft are designed to handle these changes.

Another tip: Pay attention to when flight attendants are seated. If they're buckled in, it usually means we're experiencing rough weather, and we need to remain seated. This isn't a good time to use the restroom. Please prioritize your safety; extreme turbulence can lead to injuries for both you and others around you.

Follow Lisa Kulpa on Instagram at @basictravelcouple or check out her blog at basictravelcouple.com.