Air travel is something of a modern miracle. It allows us to visit places that, just a few generations ago, would have been entirely inaccessible – unless you were willing to spend a few weeks on a boat.

But the world of modern air travel isn’t without risk. Among the most common problems are delays. Whatever causes your flight to be delayed, the knock-on consequences for your itinerary and your stress levels can be considerable. So, what’s the best way of dealing with the problem?

Plan Ahead

Before you set out for the airport, you should have an idea of whether your flight is arriving as planned. Make sure that you have all of your essential items, like passports and boarding passes, stowed safely in a special wallet, so that they can be easily retrieved as you’re going through the various gates.

It’s also important, more generally, to ensure that you aren’t delayed, even if your flight is. Arrive at least two hours before your plane is due to depart. That way, you’ll be able to deal with any unforeseen delays, including the delays that you introduce yourself, through your own mistakes and those of your fellow passengers.

Speed Through the Airport

If fast-track services are available for airport lounges and security checks, then it’s worth thinking about investing in them. Certain airports, like Gatwick, are more prone to delays, thanks to a combination of staff shortages and technical issues. If you think that you’re at risk, the extra you spend on a fast-track access might be worthwhile.

Keep Busy and Entertained

If you’re forced to spend time sitting around, waiting to travel, then it’s easy to become bored. But if you have access to the right entertainment, this won’t be a problem. Online games like bingo can be a great way to kill a few minutes here and there. Podcasts, audiobooks, and films can do the same job. Just make sure that your devices are suitably charged and that you have a means of recharging them. If you’d rather take a break from the digital world, of course, you might instead read a paperback or write a few notes in a journal.

Know Your Rights

If your flight is significantly delayed or even cancelled, then you might end up out of pocket. At the very least, you’ll be inconvenienced to the point that you can claim compensation. Under UK law, you’re covered against significant delay on flights that are departing from an airport in the UK on any airline, or arriving in the UK on an EU or UK airline. Check your rights and claim accordingly.