Tips for Delayed Passengers

Where to Check Your Flight Status

Most airlines will list a flight's status on its web page. But if customers want a second source or more comprehensive information, Flightstats.com is worth a try. Users can sign up to receive an e-mail or text message updating them on their flight's status. So extensive is Flightstats.com data, which is culled from 800 different sources, even airports and the airlines themselves are using it.

The Federal Aviation Administration also tracks flight data in real time on the FAA web site.

Rating the Airlines by Their Delays

Of the five major U.S. carriers, Delta Airlines had the least delays in May 2007. American Airlines had the most delays that month, with 71% of its flights arriving on time, according to World Air Transport Statistics.

Which American Airports Have the Least and Most Delays

Salt Lake City, Oakland and Cincinnati's airports had the most on-time arrivals in May 2007, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics". All three of New York City's regional airports — JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark — comprised the three worst on-time arrival rates in May.

Where to Seek Help if You've Been Delayed

"The short answer is there isn't a good place to go to file a complaint about the airlines," says Paul Hudson, executive director of advocacy group Aviation Consumer Action Project, which was founded by Ralph Nader. Two traditional options are filing a written complaint with the Department of Transportation or taking up issue with the airline's customer service department. But Hudson says that often proves ineffective. If a passenger has been stranded on the tarmac for more than four hours, Hudson advises calling the hotline of the Coalition for an Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights, which is compiling data on tarmac delays.

What to Expect From the Airline If You're Delayed

Depending on the airline and how long you were delayed, you may be entitled to travel vouchers covering the cost of the flight or even more. Some airlines will also put passengers up in hotels and provide them with alternative means of transportation if their flight has been cancelled. To determine what you are owed by the airline, check the airline's Contract of Carriage, which is provided to passengers upon request and usually available on the airline's web site.