I had a delay of around 30 hours. AKL-IAH-MIA around 2019 for work. We arrived at AKL , went to check in and were told that the jet normally used had been sent to one of the Pacific Islands to help with a jet shortage. It was supposed to be back in time but then we were told there would be a 5 hour wait, so we went home. We came back later and checked in, then waited and waited. About 7 hours later we finally got to board. Luckily we were J, and were met with a pre flight drink.Unfortunately, while we were waiting for the flight a storm had come in and closed the airport due to cross winds. This isnt usually a long issue, so I had another pre flight bubbly and started to watch a movie. An hour later and the wind was still ferocious. This was around midnight, so I asked the crew if we could have our meal on the ground and then after takeoff we could sleep uninterrupted by service. They thought this was a good idea and started our meals. One unusual aspect was wine. We were allowed champagne as pre departure drinks, but the alcohol licence prevented them from serving anything else. We finished the meal, I was way past the movie, then started thinking when the crew would time out. And about 2.am they called the flight. Everyone had to get off and wait for an announcement at the gate. There was more bad news. Due to the wind, no staff were allowed outside to get the luggage. About 10 pax had carry on, so we were allowed to leave, clear immigration ( yes, we left the NZ border, no we did not travel) and go home. It got even weirder as the storm had taken out the power and there were no lights.
The next day, I checked the re-scheduled flight, got to AKL and found another 3 hour delay. But the flight finally left. Unfortunately, we missed the IAH connection and had to wait there for another few hours.
It was more an interesting experience than some of the traumatic flight experiences we hear about