The Cost of Increased Flight Delays & Cancellations: How Travel Insurance Can Help

In 2022, the increase in flight delays and cancellations has caused a more chaotic experience for travelers worldwide. According to airline tracking service FlightAware, in the United States alone, there have been about 146,000 flights canceled between January and August 2022, which is roughly 11% higher than pre-pandemic numbers in 2019. Flight delays have also become more common with nearly 1.3 million delays in that same timeframe.

Why the Increase in Delays & Cancellations?

Many travelers who canceled trips during the COVID-19 pandemic have since been booking their long-overdue vacations as countries around the world are, once again, accepting international visitors. With this increase in demand, thousands of additional flights were scheduled by major airlines, which resulted in a major staffing shortage to service these flights. In recent months, many airlines have hired additional staff, including pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics, but this has created new obstacles around training, as it takes time to bring the new workers up to speed with the pre-pandemic teams.

Staffing shortages aren’t the only reason behind these cancellations and delays. Air traffic congestion, COVID-19 outbreaks, and the ever-present inclement weather are all factors playing into this issue. If there are too many scheduled flights, it can be difficult for air traffic control to get planes out on time or get them into the air at all. Staff members and pilots who contract COVID-19 have to miss work for several days, which can also result in a delay or cancellation of their scheduled flight. And when it comes to weather delays or cancellations, no one has control over mother nature.

What Should You Do When Planning Your Next Trip?

If your flight is delayed or canceled, it can come with increased travel costs, stress, and potentially missing scheduled activities on your trip. While many airlines work hard to correct these unexpected hiccups, not every company has the same policies to protect customers' investments. The U.S.

Department of Transportation recently launched a customer service dashboard that helps travelers see what kinds of guarantees, refunds, or compensation the major domestic airlines offer if a flight is delayed or canceled due to controllable circumstances. This gives travelers the opportunity to compare commitments offered by each airline.

This dashboard can help flyers decide which airline to choose and determine which airlines guarantee certain refunds/compensation for delays and cancellations. But the airlines don’t cover your trip or the things that you miss if your trip is delayed or canceled. If your flight is impacted, any non-refundable activities or events will not be covered by your airline.

IMG’s iTravelInsured plans provide varying levels of coverage for trip cancellation, baggage delay, trip interruption, accident and sickness medical benefits, and many other travel-related events and expenses. All plans cover up to 100% of prepaid non-refundable insured trip costs and provide some trip delay benefit (see plans for details). These plans were designed to protect you from financial losses resulting from any mishaps that may happen before or during your trip, including several situations where your airline may not provide assistance. Travel insurance can help you navigate the uncertainty around flight status confidence and ease your mind while embarking on your next trip.