Let me tell you about a little travel misadventure I had recently. I was on a business trip, and my flight out of Charlotte (CLT) was scheduled to depart at 1:00 PM. JetBlue, always diligent with updates, kept me informed with a series of texts about delays—first to 1:40, then 2:00, and finally a relaxed 3:45 PM. With that last update, I figured I had plenty of time to get to the airport, so I booked my Charlotte airport car service without a worry. But then, out of nowhere, they suddenly moved the departure up to 2:20 PM!
Cue the scramble. I quickly wrapped up my work, jumped into my Charlotte airport car service, and raced through the terminal, making it to the gate by 2:00 PM. Sweating and slightly out of breath, I was greeted with the news that the flight had already closed, even though the plane was still sitting there on the runway. The next JetBlue flight to Chicago (ORD)? Not until much later that night. Just what you need on a business trip, right?
Not wanting to waste any more time, I quickly booked a last-minute flight on United and decided to deal with JetBlue later. Once I landed in Chicago, thanks to my trusty Chicago airport car service, I contacted JetBlue to see if I could get some kind of credit for the missed flight. Their initial response? A firm, “Nope, you should’ve been at the airport on time.” Turns out, all those texts did mention sticking to the original schedule—I just hadn’t scrolled far enough down to catch that part.
Not one to give up easily, I decided to go straight to the top and reached out to JetBlue’s CEO. I wasn’t expecting much, but to my surprise, her office got back to me almost immediately. They not only refunded my missed flight but also gave me a $100 credit for a future trip! Talk about a turnaround. JetBlue went from frustrating to fantastic in no time, and they’ve definitely secured my loyalty for future business trips.
So, Should You Arrive On Time If Your Flight Is Delayed?
Absolutely. I learned the hard way that airlines can change delay times without much notice. One minute you’re taking your time, and the next you’re sprinting through the airport. Being at the airport early ensures you won’t miss your flight if it suddenly decides to leave earlier than expected. Plus, you’ll have extra time to handle any last-minute changes, check your bags, and get through security. Consider it part of a smooth business travel routine.
TUXEDO’s Pro Tip:
At TUXEDO, we often have clients on business trips who request to push back their pickup time when their flight gets delayed. Our advice? Stick to the original schedule. Airlines have a knack for moving up departure times at the last minute, and the last thing you want is to miss your flight because you relied on those delays. Stick to your plan and avoid any last-minute surprises—because, as I learned, “delayed” can quickly turn into “undelayed”!
