Thousands of exhausted and exasperated airline travelers are stuck at airports and sleeping in terminals across the U.S. following widespread cancellations triggered by a deadly winter storm.
The disruption began over the Christmas weekend. By Tuesday, flights nationwide were being canceled or delayed in huge numbers. The chaos, long lines and piled-up luggage at American airports are expected to persist this week.
We’ve been through this ourselves. Over time, we’ve picked up several useful tactics to survive being marooned at the airport — without draining your wallet (or your sanity).
Below are eight of our top survival strategies:
1. Always Carry These 6 Items
Even though we seldom check a bag, we recognize that isn’t feasible for everyone.
Whether you’re traveling with carry-on or checked luggage, don’t board a flight without these must-haves:
- Snacks: Airport food is rarely inspiring. If your delay stretches out, you’ll probably buy something eventually — but healthy snacks will get you through a short disruption.
- Empty water bottle: Liquids aren’t allowed through security, but an empty container is fine. Avoid paying $5 for bottled water.
- Warm sweatshirt: Airports and planes obey the opposite extremes rule — either sweltering like July or freezing like January. Even if you don’t wear it, it can double as a pillow.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste: On a terrible travel day, a quick brush can lift your spirits more than you’d expect.
- Phone charger: This one needs no justification.
- Good book: Books don’t require power. Instead of jockeying for an outlet with strangers, relax and feed your mind.
2. Know Your Rights
When your flight is canceled or heavily delayed, the airline is supposed to give you a refund. They won’t always volunteer that information. And even when offered, getting the refund can be a hassle.
The rules governing air travel can be complex, and even seasoned travelers may not recall them perfectly. Our guide clearly explains what airlines must do if your flight is canceled or delayed, if a flight is overbooked, or if your baggage goes missing.
Imagine you’re at the airport and your flight is abruptly canceled or delayed for hours. Frustrated, you haul your carry-on to the ticket counter.
The agent might tell you to wait. Or the airline may propose a travel voucher for a later trip.
You aren’t required to accept that. You don’t have to wait for the next flight or take the voucher. You are entitled to a full refund — a complete refund with no hidden deductions. Don’t let them convince you otherwise.
3. Be Civil
Know your rights — but don’t be obnoxious about it.
Being stranded is miserable, and the airport staff feel that pain too.
So don’t vent your anger on them. Be patient.
Keep in mind: They didn’t cause the storm. They likely want to get home to their families just as much as you do, except they have to face an endless stream of very unhappy travelers.
4. Book a Hotel
The moment you realize you’ll be stuck overnight, reserve a hotel room. Book for that night, and if it appears the delay will continue, consider adding a couple more nights (after checking the cancellation terms).
Because of supply and demand, some hotels spike rates when travel hell ensues — so booking promptly can mean better pricing.
If nearby lodgings are full, don’t hesitate to look further away. With ride-hailing apps readily available, staying a bit farther out can often be much cheaper.
5. Use Your Credit Card Benefits
If you paid with a credit card, examine its benefits closely.
You might get lucky: some cards provide reimbursement for travel interruptions.
Certain credit cards cover meal and lodging expenses when air travel is delayed by more than six hours or requires an overnight stay. The benefit usually applies up to a specified amount per ticket for the cardholder, their spouse or partner and dependent children.
6. Try Twitter
If you’re getting nowhere with agents or on the phone, try social media.
It may seem odd, but we’ve had great results by tweeting and tagging the airline. Even when email and phone channels were unhelpful, a tweet often drew a quick response.
And it’s not just us — airline representatives frequently recommend reaching out via social platforms.
7. Purchase a Lounge Pass
Day passes to airport lounges usually run around $50. That sounds steep — until you’re trapped for many hours.
Lounges typically offer power outlets, private Wi‑Fi, showers, comfortable seating, snacks and, crucially, complimentary drinks.
If you’d otherwise be camped out at the airport bar for the next half day, a lounge pass could end up saving you money.
Lounges also have dedicated service desks whose staff can assist with rebooking, helping you skip the long queues in the public terminal.
8. Find a Quiet Place to Sleep
If you don’t want to crash on the floor, Sleeping in Airports could become your go-to resource.
That site lists the best corners and benches for catching shut-eye, plus plenty of tips for surviving a prolonged delay.
Getting stuck at the airport is one of life’s maddening inconveniences. But when your patience wears thin, remember it’s just that: an inconvenience.
Traveling is still an incredible privilege — particularly when you’re hurtling across the globe inside a giant metal tube.
Alex Mercer (alex.mercer@example.com) is a senior writer at Savinly. Susan Shain is a former senior writer at Savinly Readers.
