Flight delays and cancellations have become commonplace today, leading to the frustration of travelers who are not always clearly advised of the causes of these incidents. While these situations are frustrating, there are many things that can cause an aircraft to fail to take off.
Even if it is considered today as the most reliable means of transport, the plane is still subject to the problems encountered by the majority of vehicles. Whether it's heavy rain, engine failure or flight crew on strike, the causes of delays and cancellations are multiple.
Whether for the car, the boat or the plane, the weather is always an essential criterion to evaluate. There are a lot of details that need to be ironed out before determining if an aircraft is safe to fly. If there is snow, sleet or rain, there is a good chance that the plane cannot be flown safely. The plane's altitude is so high that snow or rain could eventually turn into hail or ice, making it more likely that the plane will suffer damage while in flight.
On top of that, wind is a very dangerous problem that also needs to be dealt with. Any type of wind or turbulence can be a very big problem in flying an airplane safely. So if the wind levels are not below the safe bar, it is extremely important that airlines stop their flights and delay them until the weather is better.
When it comes to weather, one of the biggest reasons for flight delays is the ability to see your surroundings. If the cloud cover is too thick or there is a lot of fog, it can be dangerous for planes to take off, fly and/or land as needed. This is why during the winter months there are often much longer delays due to visibility issues. A simple snow squall could end up bringing down a plane due to the inability to determine the correct landing angle.
Although these events are not as common as the other causes mentioned, sometimes flight attendants go on strike, causing flight delays and cancellations until the issues are resolved. Most often, the plane strike is limited to an airline, or even to the crew of a flight (known as a "wildcat strike").
In these cases, the airline will do its best to connect individuals with another airline, usually a partner who usually departs from the same hubs as their airline. This makes it much easier to reschedule things, but it can also be a hassle for airlines who now have to try to fit you in.
Industrial strikes, on the other hand, are strikes by neighboring airline professionals. For example, if air traffic control or staff at a specific airport have gone on strike, this can also cause a delay. In these cases, your rights are the same. The problem is that, in many cases, airlines will call them "extraordinary circumstances".
Whether it's a landing gear wheel or air conditioning, mechanical problems must be resolved before an aircraft can be safely operated. Airplanes are very delicate mechanically; one thing that isn't working properly can cause problems in other unexpected places. This makes diagnostics complicated and can take longer than expected to properly address these issues.
There can be even more delays related to mechanical issues that have nothing to do with the plane itself. Not only does the repair have to be done, but the plane has to be re-inspected and the paperwork has to be filed before the plane can be loaded and taken off. So these events add to the delay already taken. However, the mechanical failure of an aircraft is not considered force majeure (unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from performing a contract); as such, Flightright can assist you in obtaining compensation.
Airplanes are the target of all kinds of objects that bounce off the windshield in flight. But, there are times when the windshield starts to reveal issues that can be concerning, and that's when delays can occur. Large birds are usually the major culprits, so it's important for pilots to keep an eye out for what's going on and whether or not to take a quick look at the windshield when they arrive at their destination. If they discover there is a potential problem, it can cause delays.
