Air travel is back to near‑prepandemic volumes even as disruptions from weather, staffing shortages and air‑traffic constraints climb, leaving more passengers stranded during peak seasons. For travelers, preparedness is now as important as price shopping: a short set of steps can materially lower the financial and time cost of a cancelled or rerouted trip.

Start with ticket strategy. Morning flights and non‑stop itineraries historically suffer fewer cascading delays, so booking the earliest practical departure reduces exposure. Where flexibility matters, choose refundable fares or low‑penalty change options; these usually cost more upfront but can save substantially if you must rebook. Travelers should also weigh separate “split” tickets cautiously: two one‑way fares can be cheaper but leave you unprotected if the first carrier’s delay causes a missed connection on another airline.

Know your rights before you fly. In the United States the Department of Transportation requires airlines to provide refunds when carriers cancel flights or make significant schedule changes, even for nonrefundable tickets. For tarmac delays, DOT rules limit time passengers can be kept onboard without deplaning — three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international — except for safety or air traffic control reasons. In the European Union, Regulation EC 261/2004 can entitle passengers to financial compensation up to €600 for long delays or cancellations on qualifying routes. Familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to your itinerary and keep itinerary and receipt records if you seek refunds or compensation.

Travel insurance and credit‑card protections are increasingly worth the premium. Comprehensive trip‑interruption or “cancel for any reason” policies cover a wider set of contingencies than standard plans, while many major travel credit cards offer reimbursement for expenses such as hotel and meals for covered delays. Read policy fine print for qualifying delay times, coverage caps and documentation requirements; insurers commonly require receipts to process claims.

Operational preparedness reduces immediate disruption costs. Download airline apps, enroll in real‑time alerts, and save airline customer‑service numbers and chat links. Pack critical medications, chargers and at least one day’s clothing in carry‑on luggage. At airports, identify rebooking counters early; during major events online systems can be overloaded and in‑person agents may be faster. If an airline offers a travel voucher, calculate whether a refund is a more valuable option based on your plans and cashflow needs.

The broader economic and policy backdrop matters. Disruptions impose real costs on carriers and the travel ecosystem, increase demand for ancillary products such as insurance and flexible fares, and have prompted calls for accelerated investment in air‑traffic modernization and terminal capacity. Climate‑driven extreme weather is also making schedule reliability a longer‑term concern, pushing airlines and airports to build more operational resilience and for regulators to tighten consumer protections.

For individual travelers, the takeaway is simple: expect some level of disruption, plan for it, and use the regulatory and market tools available to limit both inconvenience and out‑of‑pocket losses. Prepared passengers have better outcomes; the rest risk seeing small delays turn into major travel headaches.