Flight Delays

When you are booking your flight:

When booking your next trip, here are a few tips for how to find the best flights to avoid those pesky delays:

• Whenever possible, book non-stop flights. A flight listed as “di­rect” is not a non-stop. It will stop en route, but continue on with the same flight number. In the event of severe travel disruptions, even a direct flight may have a portion of the route cancelled.
• Take flights early in the day. Delays tend to ripple through the sys­tem, getting worse as the day goes on. “Originators” are flights on planes that begin the day at the specific airport. You are least likely to see a delay on these flights, because you will not have to wait for a plane to arrive from another location.
• Avoid peak travel times and full flights.
• Check the on time performance for your flights before you buy the ticket. Some flights are notoriously delayed. Your airline is required to provide you with this information.
• Avoid major hub airports in most cases. If your destination is served by multiple airports, using a secondary airport can provide a less hectic or congested experience.

What about Connections?

Tips to Make Your Connection
If you couldn't get the direct flight to your destination and have to make connections, here are some tips on how to make of running down a terminal never happen to you again.

• Avoid tight connections. Load factors are very high, making it more difficult for airlines to accommodate passengers with missed connections on later flights. Remember airlines are NOT required to have any consistent policy on holding planes, so do not EVER count a plane being held for you and your fellow passengers.
• Consider the size of the airport when accepting minimal connec­tion times. It takes a long time to get across some airports and airlines do not assign gates based on the needs of connecting passengers.
• Check the on time performance for your flights before you buy the ticket. Some flights are notoriously delayed. Your airline is required to provide you with this information.
• Avoid major hub airports in most cases. If your destination is served by multiple airports, using a secondary airport can provide a less hectic or congested experience.

I am already at the airport. What can I do?

When you get to the airport, sometimes you are still going to be in for some delays, but these tips will help with the stress.

• Respect the carry on limits. Having to gate check baggage may delay a flight unnecessarily, especially if the airline is trying to turn the flight around quickly.
• Bring snacks and a good book to help pass the time.
• Remember, the airline employees are there to help you, but are frequently inundated with distraught passengers. Your travel disruption is not their fault and dealing with them in a respectful, polite or friendly manner will go a long way to improving the situation for everyone.

Info From:
http://www.avoiddelays.com/check-your-flight/default.asp