Travelling is all fun and games until the departure board starts flashing “DELAYED” and your holiday mood dies down instantly. A flight delay before your long-awaited trip is already sian enough, but one that hits when you’re exhausted and just want to get home somehow feels 10 times worse.
Most of the time, it’s not even your fault – bad weather, technical issues, or air traffic congestion are all possible culprits. So instead of letting your mum go full Karen at the counter or doom-scrolling while resigning to fate, here’s a guide on what to do when your flight gets delayed.
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Terms like these almost feel like they’re all just different ways of saying “you’re not flying anytime soon.” But they actually mean various things, and knowing which one applies to you can help you figure out your next move.
However, if you missed your flight, that’s a whole different story. Airlines generally consider this a no-show, and what happens next depends on your ticket type and airline policy. Check out our guide on what to do when you miss your flight – touch wood you’ll never actually need it.
This is when your flight is still happening, but later than planned. It could be a 30-minute delay or a few hours of waiting around the gate. You’re usually still on the same flight number and aircraft, just with a new departure time. Airlines may offer meal vouchers and hotel stays if the delay drags on long enough.
A cancelled flight means it’s not happening at all. When this happens, airlines typically rebook you on the next available flight, offer a refund, or give you alternative travel arrangements. It’s frustrating, but this is also when you should start asking about refunds, accommodation, and meals, especially if the cancellation was last-minute.
This usually happens before travel day. Your flight still exists, but the airline has changed the departure time or date. You’ll most likely get an email or app notification about this, and in many cases, you can accept the new timing, switch to another flight, or request a refund if the change is significant.
Screenshot from: @biyoukakino1 via X
Back to the topic of flight delays – as annoying as it is, taking a step back to understand why delays happen might save you from raging.
Most delays are caused by unforeseen circumstances such as adverse weather conditions, technical issues with the aircraft, or behind-the-scenes hiccups you don’t usually think about, like baggage handling systems acting up.
Other times, delays happen because of people. Yup, actual humans. Like when an abusive passenger was removed from a Singapore Airlines plane, which resulted in delays, and when a flight to Korea was delayed and eventually cancelled because the pilot exceeded his allowed working hours.
There are 2 main ways you’ll find out your flight is delayed. The first is being informed in advance, before you even set foot in the airport, and this is the best-case scenario. The second option is only finding out on the day of your flight, sometimes when you’re already checked in or waiting at the gate. Either way, no one can predict what will happen, so it’s best to be prepared for both.
Image credit: Wei Yin
If you’re lucky enough to get a heads-up, congrats – at least you can tweak your plans instead of sulking at the boarding gate. The safest move is to check your email a few days before your flight, and again on the day itself. Most airlines will send notifications if they foresee any changes to your schedule.
In my case (see image above), my flight was actually moved forward by 10 minutes. Not exactly a delay, but even small timing changes can affect plans. That’s why we always recommend double-checking your inbox. A typical flight delay email will clearly show your revised flight details, so you know what has changed.
This is the dreaded scenario. You might only find out at the check-in counter, through a boarding gate announcement, or after you’ve already boarded and are asked to disembark. It’s upsetting, for sure, but these calls are usually made with passenger safety in mind.
Image credit: Oscar Chan via Pexels
Flight delays can range from a few minutes to several hours, and even days. A recent delay made headlines when 380 passengers on Singapore Airlines flights from New York and Istanbul were stuck for 2 days because of bad weather and technical issues.
No one wants to be in that kind of situation, but unfortunately, it does happen. All you can do in these moments to keep your sanity intact is to find ways to make the wait a little less torturous.
Image credit: মায়া জাল via Google Maps
Yes, and you probably just heaved a sigh of relief.
That said, many seasoned travellers warn against stepping out unless it’s clear the delay is going to drag on. Flight updates can pop up at any moment, and being around means you’ll be among the first to hear about changes. Staying near the gate or airline counter can sometimes increase your chances of being rebooked onto the next available flight as well.
If it looks like you’re in for a long wait, leaving and coming back later is fine. In some cases, airlines might even offer accommodation, which means you’d have to exit the airport anyway. Just make sure to inform airline staff before heading out, especially if you’ve already checked in. Once you’ve gone through security, you’ll also need clearance to exit, and you’ll have to go through security again when you return.
Image credit: Changi Airport
And if your delay happens at Changi Airport, at least you’re in one of the nicer airports in the world. There’s plenty to do to kill time, from exploring the free T5 In the Making exhibition to strolling along the bamboo grove walking trail outside T2.
For delays elsewhere, we have a guide to things to do during a flight stopover on popular travel routes.
If you decide to ride out the delay, here’s how to make the wait a little less painful:
Image adapted from: @changiairport via Instagram
Yes, but it depends on where you’re flying from or to.
Our national carrier, Singapore Airlines, follows passenger rights and regulations in certain regions like Australia, Europe, Thailand, and the UK, but what you’re entitled to varies by location. For example:
Every airline, whether it’s a full-service one or a budget airline, has its own T&Cs, so it’s worth reading the fine print to avoid missing out on what’s rightfully yours.
As for Singapore, we don’t have specific laws covering flight delays, which means airlines aren’t legally required to compensate passengers. But many will still offer the basics like meal vouchers, refreshments, accommodation, or refunds in certain cases.
Read the fine print – not just to know your rights, but also to understand when compensation may not be viable.
Heads up: not all delays mean you’re automatically entitled to compensation. Airlines draw the line at things completely beyond their control, such as natural disasters or, in rare and unfortunate cases, war.
Sometimes, airlines might offer refunds or perks out of goodwill, but just know that these are the exceptions, not the rule.
Screenshot from: Income Insurance
So if claiming compensation from the airline isn’t an option, your next best bet is travel insurance. Just keep in mind that most policies only kick in if your flight is delayed for a minimum number of hours, which will be stated in the fine print.
As a rule of thumb, the higher your premium, the more you can claim. Let’s say you’re travelling during peak season or with an airline that’s known for delays – it might be worth paying a bit more for extra peace of mind.
Gather all the paperwork before making a claim, and that usually includes your flight itinerary, booking confirmation, and sometimes even a letter from the airline explaining the reason for the delay.
Screenshot from: Singapore Airlines
You can request a flight disruption statement from Singapore Airlines online, while some other airlines might ask you to send an email instead.
There are a few ways to reach out to the airline: approach the service desk, call the helpline, or use live chat. Depending on how long you’re stuck and the airline’s policies, here are some things to politely try asking for:
If your flight is significantly delayed, airlines will usually try to get you on the next scheduled flight with available seats. Alternatively, ask about rerouting via another city, especially if it’s a multi-stop journey. These options may involve a partner airline to get you to your destination sooner.
Your checked baggage usually stays with the airline until your flight departs. They may also assist in transferring your luggage to the new flight for you if you’re rebooked on a different flight.
Airlines often provide meal vouchers, snacks, or drinks to make the wait more bearable. If you don’t see anything being offered, it doesn’t hurt to ask a staff member at the counter.
Some airlines may offer hotel accommodation and transport to and from the airport, especially for flight delays that stretch overnight. Always check with staff about what you’re entitled to.
Screenshot from: Reddit
This one’s rare, but if you’re being rebooked and there’s availability, you might get lucky with a better seat or cabin. Alas, a Redditor has shared that the opposite can also happen, and you could be rebooked into a lower cabin to get you to your destination ASAP. Whether you accept it or wait it out is totally up to you.
Some airlines will cover communication costs, so passengers can make necessary calls or send emails to rearrange onward travel, notify hotels, or keep family in the loop.
If the delay is severe and you decide not to travel, it’s possible to request a refund for the unused portion of your ticket or ask for travel credits to use on another trip.
Flight delays happen to the best of us, but they don’t have to be a total nightmare. While we can’t control the weather or technical issues, we can control how we deal with the chaos.
Finally, you’re probably asking yourself: “Can I just skip the drama altogether?” TBH, there’s no guarantee, but there are a few things you can do to lower the chances of your flight being delayed.
Screenshot from: Reddit
Early birds might actually catch the worm here. Because aircraft and crew start fresh in the morning, there’s less chance of delays snowballing from earlier flights. While this might mean dragging yourself out of bed at an ungodly hour, if being on time matters more than sleep, that 6am first flight of the day could be worth it.
Every connection is another opportunity for something to go wrong. Picking a direct flight means fewer moving parts, less stress, and a smaller chance of your carefully planned trip getting derailed.
Image credit: Philippine Airlines
According to Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, Philippine Airlines topped the Asia-Pacific region for punctuality in 2025, with Singapore Airlines coming in 4th. Air New Zealand and All Nippon Airways claimed 2nd and 3rd place. Choosing a punctual airline might save you hours of unnecessary waiting at the airport.
At the end of the day, flight delays are just part of the travel experience – annoying, but almost inevitable. Try shifting your mindset: a delay means extra time to people-watch, explore the airport, or sneak in some me time. So take a deep breath, stay polite, and remind yourself that you’ll eventually get to your destination.
More travel guides:
Cover image adapted from: The Smart Local
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