Let me tell you about a recent business trip that didn’t go quite as planned. My flight out of Phoenix (PHX) was scheduled to depart at 1:00 PM, and as usual, JetBlue kept me in the loop with a series of delay notifications—first to 1:40, then 2:00, and finally a leisurely 3:45 PM. With that last update, I figured I had plenty of time, so I booked my Phoenix airport car service without any rush and took my time getting to the airport. But then, out of nowhere, JetBlue suddenly moved the departure up to 2:20 PM!
Cue the panic. I quickly wrapped up my work, hopped into the Phoenix airport car service, and dashed through the terminal, arriving at the gate by 2:00 PM. Out of breath and a bit frazzled, I was hit with the frustrating news that the flight had already closed, even though the plane was still sitting there on the runway. The next JetBlue flight to San Francisco (SFO)? Not until much later that night. Perfect timing when you’re on a tight business schedule, right?
Not wanting to waste any more time, I quickly booked a last-minute flight on United and decided to deal with JetBlue later. Once I landed in San Francisco, thanks to my reliable San Francisco airport car service, I reached out to JetBlue to see if I could get some sort of credit for the missed flight. Their initial response? A firm, “Nope, you should’ve been at the airport on time.” Apparently, all those texts did mention sticking to the original schedule—I just hadn’t scrolled down far enough to notice that part.
Not one to let things go easily, I decided to take my issue straight to the top and contacted 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 a frustrating situation around. JetBlue went from irritating to impressive 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 taking it easy, 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 breeze 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”!
