Small Business

How to Avoid Flight Delays and Cancellations

By Rick Broida

Updated on: July 10, 2007 / 9:01 AM EDT / MoneyWatch

True story: My sister recently took a business trip to D.C. -- or tried to, anyway. When she got to the airport, she learned her flight had been canceled. The airline hadn't notified her, and there wasn't another flight available until the next day. So her entire trip got scrubbed. What should you do in a similar situation, and how can you avoid it altogether? The Airfarewatchdog Blog offers 10 tips, including:

Book the first flight of the day. Just as your doctor or dentist will see you on time if you're the first appointment, first-of-the-day flights tend to be on time as well.
If your flight is cancelled or delayed, get in line with the other unfortunates, but while waiting call the airline on your mobile phone to make other arrangements. By the time you get to the front of the line at the check-in desk, all the alternative seats may be booked.
Know your rights. If you are heading out to a wedding or other scheduled event (meeting, funeral, whatever), and you're going to miss it entirely because your flight outbound is cancelled or delayed, even if you have a non-refundable ticket the airline is required to refund you in full. You do not have to take and pay for a futile journey. Check our links to airline contracts of carriage.

Of course, sometimes delays and cancellations are just plain unavoidable, which is why I've always got my PDA stocked with at least one good e-book. What's your best advice for dealing with (and avoiding) flight headaches? Hit the comments and give us the scoop.