When does a flight delay become an issue for you?
Jul 2, 2015 | 5:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, Club Carlson Gold, HHonors Gold, Best Western Diamond Select, BA Blue
Posts: 1,335
When does a flight delay become an issue for you?
I've seen a few comments on here over the months that a 1-2 hour delay isn't that big a deal. However, I'm of the school of thought where the delay, when measured as a proportion of the flight time, becomes an issue if it's more than around 30% of the flight time.
So, take my regular UK domestic flight which is a 50-minute flight (elongated to 1 hour 10 minutes by BA to absorb 20 minutes of delay/taxiing on the ground). If this flight is delayed by more than 15 minutes (which is 30% of the actual flying time) then that is unacceptable to me.
Yet, these flights are regularly delayed by anything from 10 minutes to 2+ hours - that's more than 200% of the actual flying time for the 2+ hour delays.
Currently the delay is measured as an absolute value, but I think that a better way of assessing the impact of a delay is as a proportion of the flight time. If you're on a 10-hour flight and you land an hour later then that, psychologically, is less frustrating in my opinion.
So, I'm of the opinion that airlines should be using the relative delay values to measure their performance (if they don't do so already). These values should also be used for compensation claims, rather than ridiculous absolute values of 3 hours that are currently used (for EU compensation claims) - certainly for flights where the flying time is under 3 hours.
So, take my regular UK domestic flight which is a 50-minute flight (elongated to 1 hour 10 minutes by BA to absorb 20 minutes of delay/taxiing on the ground). If this flight is delayed by more than 15 minutes (which is 30% of the actual flying time) then that is unacceptable to me.
Yet, these flights are regularly delayed by anything from 10 minutes to 2+ hours - that's more than 200% of the actual flying time for the 2+ hour delays.
Currently the delay is measured as an absolute value, but I think that a better way of assessing the impact of a delay is as a proportion of the flight time. If you're on a 10-hour flight and you land an hour later then that, psychologically, is less frustrating in my opinion.
So, I'm of the opinion that airlines should be using the relative delay values to measure their performance (if they don't do so already). These values should also be used for compensation claims, rather than ridiculous absolute values of 3 hours that are currently used (for EU compensation claims) - certainly for flights where the flying time is under 3 hours.
Jul 2, 2015 | 5:46 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PBI/FLL/MIA
Programs: DL DM/360 2.8MM, MR Ambassador, National EE
Posts: 1,616
Never because planes break, weather happens, crews time out, etc., etc., etc.... I try to not let things I have absolutely no control over become an issue because "stuff" happens.
Jul 2, 2015 | 6:27 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, AmEx, NorthWest WorldPerks, Jelly of the Month. S&H Green Stamps, Subway sub club
Posts: 1,754
I've seen a few comments on here over the months that a 1-2 hour delay isn't that big a deal. However, I'm of the school of thought where the delay, when measured as a proportion of the flight time, becomes an issue if it's more than around 30% of the flight time.
So, take my regular UK domestic flight which is a 50-minute flight (elongated to 1 hour 10 minutes by BA to absorb 20 minutes of delay/taxiing on the ground). If this flight is delayed by more than 15 minutes (which is 30% of the actual flying time) then that is unacceptable to me.
Yet, these flights are regularly delayed by anything from 10 minutes to 2+ hours - that's more than 200% of the actual flying time for the 2+ hour delays.
Currently the delay is measured as an absolute value, but I think that a better way of assessing the impact of a delay is as a proportion of the flight time. If you're on a 10-hour flight and you land an hour later then that, psychologically, is less frustrating in my opinion.
So, I'm of the opinion that airlines should be using the relative delay values to measure their performance (if they don't do so already). These values should also be used for compensation claims, rather than ridiculous absolute values of 3 hours that are currently used (for EU compensation claims) - certainly for flights where the flying time is under 3 hours.
So, take my regular UK domestic flight which is a 50-minute flight (elongated to 1 hour 10 minutes by BA to absorb 20 minutes of delay/taxiing on the ground). If this flight is delayed by more than 15 minutes (which is 30% of the actual flying time) then that is unacceptable to me.
Yet, these flights are regularly delayed by anything from 10 minutes to 2+ hours - that's more than 200% of the actual flying time for the 2+ hour delays.
Currently the delay is measured as an absolute value, but I think that a better way of assessing the impact of a delay is as a proportion of the flight time. If you're on a 10-hour flight and you land an hour later then that, psychologically, is less frustrating in my opinion.
So, I'm of the opinion that airlines should be using the relative delay values to measure their performance (if they don't do so already). These values should also be used for compensation claims, rather than ridiculous absolute values of 3 hours that are currently used (for EU compensation claims) - certainly for flights where the flying time is under 3 hours.
Rumbataz? Try RumChata.
Jul 2, 2015 | 7:38 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 6,095
If it adversely impacts me. I measure that by whether that means I'll miss a meeting, (infrequent or last of the day) connection, family event. I'm sure I can think of more things. If it primarily means I'll just get into my hotel or back home a couple hours later than I would have, or I have to stay over in a hotel with no impact to my critical meeting schedules, then no worries.
Jul 2, 2015 | 8:04 am
#6
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,856
It depends. If I'm going on a short trip and have plans for right after I land, it can become an issue if it's a half hour. If I'm just coming home or have no set plans at my destination, it doesn't become as much of an issue until the delay is extensive. Plus, if the delivery isn't weather related, it might lead to some compensation.
Jul 2, 2015 | 10:01 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: AA Plat Pro, ex DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,447
If it adversely impacts me. I measure that by whether that means I'll miss a meeting, (infrequent or last of the day) connection, family event. I'm sure I can think of more things. If it primarily means I'll just get into my hotel or back home a couple hours later than I would have, or I have to stay over in a hotel with no impact to my critical meeting schedules, then no worries.
Jul 2, 2015 | 12:56 pm
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,439
Jul 2, 2015 | 1:03 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: California
Programs: various
Posts: 4,240
What if the next available flight after your missed connection is long enough in the future that the resulting delay means that you miss something that you had scheduled to do at your destination?
Actually, this is probably the most relevant criterion in determining how bothersome a flight delay is. If a flight delay does not cause you to miss something you intended to do upon arrival, it is much less of a problem than if the flight delay does cause you to miss something (business meeting, wedding, funeral, cruise ship departure, etc.).
An additional criterion would be if the delay imposed some unreimbursed cost to you, such as requiring an overnight hotel stay due to a missed connection on the way home.
Actually, this is probably the most relevant criterion in determining how bothersome a flight delay is. If a flight delay does not cause you to miss something you intended to do upon arrival, it is much less of a problem than if the flight delay does cause you to miss something (business meeting, wedding, funeral, cruise ship departure, etc.).
An additional criterion would be if the delay imposed some unreimbursed cost to you, such as requiring an overnight hotel stay due to a missed connection on the way home.
Jul 2, 2015 | 1:24 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, AmEx, NorthWest WorldPerks, Jelly of the Month. S&H Green Stamps, Subway sub club
Posts: 1,754
What if the next available flight after your missed connection is long enough in the future that the resulting delay means that you miss something that you had scheduled to do at your destination?
Actually, this is probably the most relevant criterion in determining how bothersome a flight delay is. If a flight delay does not cause you to miss something you intended to do upon arrival, it is much less of a problem than if the flight delay does cause you to miss something (business meeting, wedding, funeral, cruise ship departure, etc.).
An additional criterion would be if the delay imposed some unreimbursed cost to you, such as requiring an overnight hotel stay due to a missed connection on the way home.
Actually, this is probably the most relevant criterion in determining how bothersome a flight delay is. If a flight delay does not cause you to miss something you intended to do upon arrival, it is much less of a problem than if the flight delay does cause you to miss something (business meeting, wedding, funeral, cruise ship departure, etc.).
An additional criterion would be if the delay imposed some unreimbursed cost to you, such as requiring an overnight hotel stay due to a missed connection on the way home.
Jul 2, 2015 | 7:48 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 2,029
Currently the delay is measured as an absolute value, but I think that a better way of assessing the impact of a delay is as a proportion of the flight time. If you're on a 10-hour flight and you land an hour later then that, psychologically, is less frustrating in my opinion.