Last Updated on September 27, 2024 by Nadeem Ahmed
Here’s a little travel adventure for you: Yesterday, I was on a business trip and my flight out of Baltimore (BWI) was supposed to depart at 1:00 PM. JetBlue, being their usual proactive selves, sent me a string of texts with delay updates—first 1:40, then 2:00, and finally a leisurely 3:45 PM. With that last update, I figured I had plenty of time to get to the airport, so I arranged my Baltimore airport car service without a rush. But then, out of nowhere, they decided to move the departure up to 2:20 PM!
Cue the panic. I scrambled to wrap up my work, hopped into the Baltimore airport car service, and raced through the terminal, arriving at the gate by 2:00 PM. Out of breath and sweating, I was hit with the frustrating news that the flight had already closed, even though the plane was still just sitting there on the runway. The next JetBlue flight to Boston (BOS)? Not until much later that night. Perfect for a business trip, right?
Not wanting to waste any more time, I quickly booked a last-minute flight on United and decided I’d deal with JetBlue later. Once I landed in Boston, thanks to my trusty Boston airport car service, I contacted JetBlue to see if I could get some sort of credit for the flight I missed. 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 see that part.
Determined not to let this slide, 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 responded almost immediately. They not only refunded my missed flight but also gave me a $100 credit for a future trip! Talk about turning things around. JetBlue went from frustrating to fantastic in no time, and they’ve definitely earned 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 leisurely preparing for your trip, 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 stress-free 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 trusted those delays. Stick to your plan and avoid any last-minute surprises—because, as I found out, “delayed” can quickly turn into “undelayed”!
