The best tips to avoid flight issues during the holidays can make the difference between a smooth departure and a trip disrupted by a delayed flight, cancelled flight, overbooking, missed connections, or lost baggage. During peak travel periods such as summer, Christmas, New Year, Easter, and public holidays, air traffic increases significantly, and with it the risk of disruptions also rises.
For this reason, knowing in advance the key tips to avoid flight issues during the holidays is essential for every passenger. Being well prepared before departure, knowing what to check before heading to the airport, and understanding your rights in case of a delayed or cancelled flight can help reduce stress, save time, and avoid additional costs.
In this article, you will discover how to prevent the most common issues and what to do if, despite everything, your trip is disrupted. In addition, if you have experienced a disruption, ReFly can help you check whether you are entitled to compensation for delayed or cancelled flights.
Flight problems during the holidays increase because, during peak travel periods, the number of passengers, the volume of baggage, airport traffic, and operational pressure on airlines all rise at the same time. This means that even a small delay can quickly turn into a domino effect across multiple flights.
Among the most common causes of flight issues during the holidays are:
airport congestion;
delays carried over from previous flights;
adverse weather conditions;
technical issues;
staff shortages;
strikes;
overbooking;
baggage handling difficulties.
That’s why applying practical tips in advance to avoid flight issues during the holidays is the best way to reduce risks and protect your trip.
How to choose the right flight to avoid problems during the holidays
Book morning flights to reduce the risk of delays
One of the most useful tips to avoid flight issues during the holidays is to choose, when possible, a flight early in the day. Morning flights generally have a lower risk of delays because they are less affected by operational disruptions from earlier flights.
On the other hand, a delayed flight in the afternoon or evening is often the result of cumulative delays throughout the day. If you want to reduce the risk of a delay during the holidays, departing early can be a very effective choice.
Avoid peak travel dates
Another key tip to avoid flight issues during the holidays is to avoid peak travel days whenever possible. The days immediately before holidays, major return travel days, and peak summer weekends are when the likelihood of cancellations, delays, and long airport waits is highest.
If you have even a small degree of flexibility, departing one day earlier or later can help you avoid many flight issues during the holidays.
Connections, stopovers, and bookings: how to avoid mistakes that increase disruptions
Always allow more time between flights
Tight connections are one of the main sources of stress in air travel. One of the best tips to avoid flight issues during the holidays is to allow enough time between your first and second flight, especially if the connection is in a large or busy airport.
A small delay, long disembarkation times, terminal changes, or security checks can be enough to miss a connection. And a missed connection during the holidays can make continuing your journey much more complicated.
Book a single itinerary whenever possible
Another effective tip to avoid flight issues during the holidays is to purchase your entire journey on a single ticket. When the itinerary is unified, the airline or its partners usually have greater responsibility to provide assistance and rebooking in case of disruption.
With separate tickets, the risk of being left without protection in case of a delayed flight or missed connection is significantly higher.
What to check before departure to avoid problems during the holidays
Always check your flight status
One of the most practical tips to avoid flight issues during the holidays is to check your flight status before leaving home. Check the airline’s official website, app, emails, and SMS notifications. If the flight has already been changed, you can plan accordingly and avoid unnecessary waiting.
Check in online
Online check-in is a simple but very useful tool. It helps you save time, reduce issues at the airport desk, and receive updates more quickly. This is also among the best tips to avoid flight issues during the holidays.
Arrive at the airport well in advance
During peak travel periods, arriving early at the airport is essential. To avoid flight issues during the holidays, it is recommended to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three hours before international flights. Queues at security, check-in, and baggage drop can be much longer than usual.
Baggage and documents: tips to avoid problems during the holidays
What to pack in your carry-on
One of the most important tips to avoid flight issues during the holidays is to keep all essential items in your carry-on: documents, medications, chargers, valuables, and at least one change of clothes. If your checked baggage is delayed or lost, you will have what you need to manage the situation.
Label your suitcase and keep receipts
To reduce baggage-related issues, always label your suitcase with your name, phone number, and email. Taking a photo of your luggage before departure can be useful in case it gets lost. If your baggage is delayed and you need to buy essential items, always keep the receipts for potential reimbursement.
Save all travel documents
Keeping your boarding pass, booking confirmation, payment receipts, airline emails, and notifications of delays or cancellations is essential. Complete documentation is crucial for requesting a refund or compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight.
What to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled during the holidays
Ask the airline for official information immediately
If your flight is disrupted, immediately ask the airline for the reason for the delay or cancellation, the expected waiting time, and available alternatives. If possible, request written confirmation of the issue.
Keep evidence of the disruption
Take photos of airport screens, save emails and messages received, and keep receipts for any extra expenses. This evidence is very useful when requesting a refund or compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight.
Do not give up your rights
Many passengers, especially during the holidays, accept vouchers or less favorable solutions without fully understanding their rights. In reality, a cancelled flight or a significant delay may entitle you to important financial compensation. That’s why it’s essential to know your rights and carefully assess your case.
ReFly is your trusted partner to help you obtain compensation in case of a delayed or cancelled flight!
How much is the compensation?
€250
The €250 compensation for a canceled flight specifically applies to flights under 1500 km.
€400
The €400 compensation for a canceled flight applies to flights between 1500 km and 3500 km.
€600
The €600 compensation for a canceled flight applies to flights over 3500 km.
When you can obtain a refund and compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight
Difference between a refund for a cancelled flight and compensation for a delayed flight
A refund for a cancelled flight generally refers to the reimbursement of the ticket price or certain expenses related to the disruption. Compensation for a delayed flight, on the other hand, is a financial payment provided in specific circumstances under applicable regulations.
In many cases, passengers may be entitled to financial compensation of up to €600 for delayed or cancelled flights, depending on the route, the length of the delay, and the cause of the disruption. Cases of overbooking or denied boarding may also entitle passengers to compensation.
Why it is important to check your case with a specialized service
Understanding whether you are entitled to refund or compensation for delayed or cancelled flights is not always straightforward. It requires assessing the type of flight, the applicable regulations, the cause of the disruption, and the available documentation. For this reason, many passengers choose to rely on an expert service like ReFly.
It only takes 2 minutes
How can I get my compensation?
Here's how to do it in 3 simple steps:
1
Send the claim request
It only takes 1 minute to discover the amount of your compensation.
2
We work for your rights
Our legal team will collaborate with the airlines and authorities regarding your case.
3
Receive your compensation
As soon as we win the lawsuit, you will receive the money in your bank account
How ReFly helps you in case of flight issues during the holidays
If you have followed all the tips to avoid flight issues during the holidays but your trip was still disrupted, ReFly can help you check your right to compensation for delayed or cancelled flights.
ReFly supports passengers in assessing their case, gathering documentation, and managing the claim with the airline. This helps simplify the process, reduce stress, and increase the chances of obtaining the compensation you are entitled to.
If you experienced a delayed flight, a cancelled flight, a missed connection, or an overbooking issue, you can rely on ReFly to quickly review your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions about flight issues during holidays
To avoid flight problems during your holidays, it’s recommended to book morning flights, avoid peak travel days, allow extra time for connections, check your flight status before departure, and arrive at the airport well in advance. Proper management of your carry-on luggage can also significantly reduce inconvenience in case of disruptions.
Yes, in many cases a delayed flight may entitle you to financial compensation. The right to compensation depends on the length of the delay, the route, and the cause of the disruption. ReFly can help you check for free whether your case qualifies for a refund or compensation.
In many cases, yes. If your flight is cancelled, you may be entitled to a refund of your ticket or to be rebooked on an alternative flight. In certain circumstances, you may also be entitled to additional financial compensation. ReFly helps you understand which claim to submit to the airline.
If the connection is part of the same itinerary, the airline should provide assistance and an alternative solution. If you purchased separate tickets, the situation may be more complex. In both cases, it is important to keep all travel documentation. ReFly can help you assess whether you are entitled to a refund or compensation even in the case of a missed connection.
It is important to keep your boarding pass, booking confirmation, airline emails, receipts for any expenses incurred, any vouchers, and, if possible, photos of airport screens showing the delay or cancellation. These documents are essential for requesting a refund or compensation and allow ReFly to properly assess your case.
It depends on the situation, but in general a cash refund offers more flexibility than a voucher, which may have validity limits or usage restrictions. Before accepting any offer from the airline, it is always advisable to check your rights. ReFly can help you understand which option is more beneficial based on your specific case.
Remember that following these tips to avoid flight issues during the holidays helps you travel more smoothly and reduces the risk of delays, cancellations, lost baggage, and missed connections. Choosing your flight carefully, arriving prepared at the airport, keeping your documents, and knowing your rights are the most important steps.
However, if your trip is disrupted by a delayed flight or a cancelled flight, don’t give up what you are entitled to. With ReFly, you can quickly check whether you are entitled to compensation for a cancelled flight or compensation for a delayed flight and receive support in submitting your claim.
If you didn't find the answers you were looking for, contact us!
ReFly operates in accordance with regulations
related to passenger rights
Only a few air travelers are aware of their rights, and many of them lack the legal understanding necessary to claim compensation for flight delays. Even if they are aware of their rights, the process of requesting compensation from airlines can be challenging.
