You’re off on your next international business trip, and things are going well so far. You made it to the airport on time, you ventured through security without fuss, and now you’re at your gate with plenty of time to spare — and then, it happens. It’s announced that your flight is delayed for hours. Don’t despair — a flight delay can have a silver lining. In this blog, we will go over ways you can make the most out of the inevitability of occasional flight delays.

Be Early

In general, evening flights are more likely to be delayed than early morning flights. Regardless of the time of your flight, it’s best to be prepared and get there early. That way, if your flight is delayed or cancelled, you have ample time to decide what you want to do. Not to mention, you will be the first in line for customer service so you can have the greatest chance of getting a good deal out of it.

Understand Your Rights

Why not make lemonade out of those lemons? In some situations, you may be able to reap some benefits from your flight delay. If your travel is delayed due to inclement weather and you have to hang around for a few hours, you have rights. Airlines are required to provide certain provisions for clients in these situations, such as complimentary hotel stays, alternative transportation, or food vouchers. Familiarize yourself with the fine print on your ticket to ensure that you are getting everything you can out of your delay.

Pack Strategically

Before your flight is even delayed, make sure you are prepared. Your carry-on bag should be prepared with the essentials that you need in case you need to rearrange your travel, including your cell phone, charger, and credit card. Also make sure that your bag includes things you will need to entertain yourself during a delay.

Put a Sapphire Wi-Fi Hotspot in Your Briefcase

In many airports, you are offered free Wi-Fi for a period of time. But at what cost? It’s often a weak signal and you have to sign in multiple times. Joining a unsecured “free” public network puts your cyber security at risk. Airports are hotbeds for security theft. When you have a Sapphire Wi-Fi hotspot device, however, you have access to your own private, secure network in more than 100 countries around the world. Connect up to five devices to your Sapphire hotspot simultaneously. Shop our international Wi-Fi hotspots today!

Prioritize Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is something you should never cut from your budget. The more you travel, the more you are at risk for the common hiccups in travel: lost luggage, unexpected illness, etc. Yes, you have to pay more, but in these situations with travel delays, the expense pays for itself. A travel insurance policy is generally much more cost-effective in these types of situations.

Go Sightseeing

You have the extra time; why not make the most of it with some micro-tourism? This doesn’t mean you have to leave the airport, though if you have six hours to kill in a layover city, you might venture out. There are many nooks and crannies in airports that offer a cool opportunity to explore. Of course, there is always the duty-free shop to explore, where you can go ahead and stock up on your favorite perfume, cologne, or alcohol, or do some Christmas shopping. But you might be surprised about the unique features in some of the world’s airports. For example, did you know that the Singapore Changi Airport has a movie theatre? If you have a few hours to kill, why not check out a new film?

Make Friends

They say that misery loves company, so why not take the opportunity to be social with the other people stuck at the airport? It’s easy to bond over shared misfortunes, and who knows, this could turn out to be a great networking opportunity for you. On the logistical side of things, if you do make new friends, you could split a taxi into the city to save some money. Don’t forget to extend your friendliness to airport employees — it isn’t their fault that your flight is delayed, plus they are way more likely to help out nice travelers than grumpy ones.

Bring Work

Of course, when you’re traveling for work, a flight delay doesn’t have to be a total waste of time. Pack your carry-on bag with your laptop, charger, and a Sapphire WiFi hotspot. Connect to your company’s website and your files.

Catch Up on Sleep

As we covered in a previous blog, sleep is something that business travelers often struggle to prioritize. If you have a delayed flight, this may be your perfect opportunity to catch some z’s before your trip. Try to find a quiet corner where you can curl up. You might even include a light blanket in your carry-on bag for this situation. While this might not be the most comfortable situation, one night of sleep in the airport is not the worst way to spend your time.

Pack Some Snacks

Many people are under the impression that they can’t bring food from home through airport security, but this isn’t true. As long as there is nothing liquid, you are fine to bring your food along with you. This way, in the event of a delay, you can bring something wholesome, healthier, and cheaper than what you would find in the airport terminal. It’s also a good idea to pack yourself a reusable water bottle that you can fill once you’re through security.