How to Avoid Flight Cancellations and Delays
Delays and cancellations are an inevitable reality for air travelers, whether they're caused by staffing shortages, weather events or other unusual disruptions. You can do everything right — triple-check your travel insurance, bring your Real ID and expedite your passage through security — and still be affected, particularly during the busy summer travel season.
But there are tricks to minimizing the risk. Here are a handful of tips to avoid the hassle of a delayed flight or cancellation.
Fly earlier in the day
Booking the earliest flight possible can help you avoid delays, skip the crowds and save money, said Hope Williams, 41, a former flight attendant for 15 years. And don't be discouraged by a pre-dawn trek to the airport: 'The earlier the better,' she said.
Flight delays can ripple through the system; a single delayed flight can affect later flights that use the same plane, crew or airport resources. (The phenomenon is known as 'delay propagation.') 'I always advise the early departure because typically earlier in the day you don't have those delays,' Ms. Williams said.
Another factor that helps keep earlier flights on time is the weather, since thunderstorms are more common in the afternoon and evening.
You'll also have more recourse if and when things go wrong: In cases where an early flight is canceled or delayed, travelers may also have more options to reschedule their flight.
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CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Why now may be the best time all year to visit Las Vegas
(CNN) – So long as you're not made of wax, right now is a great time to visit Las Vegas. Part of this is on Mother Nature; summer temperatures can hit a beastly 115 in the Mojave Desert, a harsh reality that can literally fry an egg on Las Vegas Boulevard and historically has made July and August two of the quietest months of the year in Sin City. You can also thank the bean counters for Las Vegas being much cheaper to visit this summer. In response to recent slowdowns in overall visitation to the city, many overnight and day-trip destinations have rolled out bargain-basement deals on accommodations, parking, admissions and more. Add to these discounts several new attractions, diversions and restaurants around town, and there's certainly no shortage of things to do (indoors, with AC). Hotel deals started at the beginning of June. Downtown's Plaza Hotel & Casino, which starred as Biff Tannen's Pleasure Paradise in 'Back to the Future 2,' was first to the starting line when it unveiled an all-inclusive package that includes a room, two meals a day at participating restaurants and unlimited alcoholic beverages for $125 per person per night. The deal also includes a waived resort fee, which normally is a whopping $44 per night. Closer to the Strip, The Strat Hotel, Casino & Tower rolled out a package with rates of $49 per night on weeknights and $99 per night on weekends. This deal includes taxes and fees, a $25 daily dining credit and free admission to the 106th-floor Observation Deck — an additional savings of up to $36.95. Even casino resorts and attractions on the Las Vegas Strip have gotten in on the act. Resorts World Las Vegas, which comprises the brands Hilton, Conrad and Crockfords, recently unveiled an 'Escape to Summer' package that includes 40% off room rates and a $75 daily resort credit for dining, cocktails and cabanas. Resorts World also suspended its $18 per night parking fee through August 28. This means the property joins Treasure Island, Sahara and Casino Royale as the only casinos that don't charge for parking right now. What's more, Swingers, a popular adults-only indoor mini golf attraction inside Mandalay Bay Resort Casino, is now allowing kids before 6 p.m. daily through August 31. Pricing is $18 for kids under 21 and $30 for grownups; there's also a 'Kids Combo' that includes a round of golf, a kids' meal and a soft drink or juice for $35. Several resorts and other destinations have even unveiled special promotions aimed specifically at locals. Most of these deals are cataloged on Locals Unlocked Las Vegas, a new resource launched earlier in June by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. This page features everything from hotel discounts to deals on admission at local attractions such as the Sphere, Area 15 and the Las Vegas Monorail, to name a few. One hallmark of Las Vegas is that the destination is constantly reinventing itself, and several notable attractions and restaurants have opened in recent weeks. No. 1 on the list: the Hall of Excellence, a museum at Fontainebleau Las Vegas that comprises iconic memorabilia from the sports and entertainment industries over the last 100 years. Many of the items in the collection are on loan from former sports broadcaster Jim Gray and former NFL quarterback Tom Brady. Perhaps the museum's most impressive displays are the dirty jersey in which New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge hit his 62nd home run in 2022, and a heptagonal case with all seven of Brady's championship rings. Another destination that just recently opened to the public: Grand Prix Plaza, the hub of activity during the city's annual Formula One race. Here, a new temporary attraction includes three fan-friendly activities: go-karting that takes riders through garage space and on a section of the actual track; an interactive museum; and race simulators. These activities will be open at Grand Prix Plaza until fall, when F1 officials begin preparing the facility for the third annual Las Vegas Grand Prix, which takes place November 20 to 22 this year. Elsewhere around town, new dining, drinking and partying hotspots have grabbed headlines as well. Venetian Las Vegas recently opened a sushi counter/speakeasy restaurant named Nomikai, and a lively food hall with an outpost of the legendary Florence sandwich shop All'Antico Vinaio. The former serves delicious sushi rolls with the option of freshly grated wasabi; the latter is famous for focaccia sandwiches with fixings such as prosciutto, spicy eggplant, and more. At the Flamingo Hotel & Spa, a partial overhaul of the pool area resulted in the Go pool, a new pool area with several spacious cabanas, a thumping DJ booth, and the only swim-up bar on the Las Vegas Strip. The Go pool is free to both hotel guests and members of the public. In the burgeoning Arts District, Doberman Drawing Room, a taxidermy-adorned craft-cocktail bar, opened in May with a strong collection of drinks from mixologist Juyoung Kang. One drink, the Pillow Book, is made with vodka, nigori sake, strawberry, sumac, lemon and egg white. Another, the zero-proof Coffee Cheesecake, is a rich and creamy take on the classic espresso martini with a surprising twist: parmesan. Another recent addition to the Arts District is Bar Boheme, a modern French restaurant and the latest from Chef James Trees. During a break in service earlier this month, Trees boasted that entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and freedom of mind have helped him build a veritable armada of stellar restaurants around town. 'Vegas is never going to stop being Vegas,' he told CNN. 'That means we've got to keep doing what we do.' While the city's creative wheels are clearly turning, there are concerns: fewer people are visiting Las Vegas. The total number of visitors to Las Vegas in March dropped 7.8% compared to March 2024, the third consecutive month that year-over-year numbers have declined, according to statistics released recently by the visitors' bureau. The data also indicates the March decline followed an 11.9% year-over-year drop in February 2025, though the double-digit plunge could be deceiving because Las Vegas hosted the Super Bowl in February 2024, a month that included an extra day due to the leap year. The decline mirrors trends nationally, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office. Overall, tourism stats comparing visitor volume from the first quarter of 2025 to the first quarter of 2024 indicate a drop of 6.9% to 9.7 million, and convention attendance was down 1.6% to 1.8 million. It's not easy to name all the factors driving these trends, but different people have different ideas. For Steve Hill, CEO and President of the city's tourism board, this downturn is in part seasonal, and a likely response to a sagging economy and government policies that have soured travelers from Canada, Mexico and other big feeder countries on the idea of vacationing in the United States. Other experts fear resorts on the Las Vegas Strip are just getting too greedy. Resort fees in Strip hotels now range from $20 to $55 per night, parking can run $20 to $45 per night, and guests are being nickel-and-dimed in other areas, too. At Bellagio Las Vegas, for instance, guests must fork over a $25 surcharge to receive room service orders with the traditional presentation of ceramic plating and metal silverware. Aria Las Vegas made headlines in June when a guest complained of paying $26 for a minibar bottle of water. The result of these fees and prices is a perception that a vacation in Las Vegas is just too expensive, according to local radio personality and social media influencer Heather Collins. 'We [need to] figure out how to make this city not only great for the high rollers of the world, but also for budget-friendly people,' said Collins, a Vegas native whose Instagram account, Raised in Vegas, has 225,000 followers. 'There needs to be a balance of both.' Better times for Las Vegas may be coming sooner rather than later. According to the visitors' bureau, convention bookings for the second half of 2025 and most of 2026 are nearly sold out — a strong showing that undoubtedly will bring more people into town. Big events also are expected to be solid draws. RISE, the world's largest sky lantern festival, takes place in the Jean Dry Lakebed south of town the first weekend of October, and the addition of a three-day music program this year has organizers planning for a huge crowd. Then, of course, there's the Formula One race, which is always a boon for international tourism and likely will have accessible and affordable options for locals, too. Hill described his perspective on the future as 'optimistic.' The slowdown in Sin City is in line with what's going on elsewhere, Hill said. 'When you start to see Las Vegas have a slowdown that is greater than slowdowns in other places, that's when you should pay attention,' he said. 'We're not even close to feeling that right now.'
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
5 D.C.-area cities and towns to spend July Fourth
July Fourth falling on a Friday is the perfect excuse to get out of D.C. These Independence Day activities make for a fun day trip — or an overnight excursion, if you prefer. Maryland's capital centers its celebrations on the water, with an evening parade leading the way to the City Dock beginning at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks are launched over the harbor at 9:15, observed from boats, bridges and waterfront parks. Get in the patriotic spirit earlier in the day by touring four historic sites open on the Fourth, all staffed with living-history reenactors: the William Paca House and Garden, home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence; the Hogshead Trades Museum; the Waterfront Warehouse; and the Museum of Historic Annapolis. Or just stroll down the side streets and enjoy antiques shops and bookstores. Where to eat and drink: Cross Spa Creek to Eastport for oysters and rum drinks at Boatyard Bar and Grill, a favorite of local sailors, or the neighborhood favorite Davis' Pub, where crab cakes and steamed shrimp are the stars. For something fancier, try the farm-to-table Preserve on Main Street. Side quest: Craving a taste of the beach? Family-friendly Sandy Point State Park is fun for wading and has views of the Bay Bridge. Beverly Triton Nature Park has a more rustic 'swimming beach' on the Chesapeake Bay, but the narrow strip of sand is generally peaceful. Plan ahead: Both parks require visitors to reserve an entry pass in advance. Maryland's capital centers its celebrations on the water, with an evening parade leading the way to the City Dock beginning at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks are launched over the harbor at 9:15, observed from boats, bridges and waterfront parks. Get in the patriotic spirit earlier in the day by touring four historic sites open on the Fourth, all staffed with living-history reenactors: the William Paca House and Garden, home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence; the Hogshead Trades Museum; the Waterfront Warehouse; and the Museum of Historic Annapolis. Or just stroll down the side streets and enjoy antiques shops and bookstores. Where to eat and drink: Cross Spa Creek to Eastport for oysters and rum drinks at Boatyard Bar and Grill, a favorite of local sailors, or the neighborhood favorite Davis' Pub, where crab cakes and steamed shrimp are the stars. For something fancier, try the farm-to-table Preserve on Main Street. Side quest: Craving a taste of the beach? Family-friendly Sandy Point State Park is fun for wading and has views of the Bay Bridge. Beverly Triton Nature Park has a more rustic 'swimming beach' on the Chesapeake Bay, but the narrow strip of sand is generally peaceful. Plan ahead: Both parks require visitors to reserve an entry pass in advance. Baltimore is probably the easiest get-out-of-town option for D.C. residents without cars, thanks to MARC commuter rail service and regular Amtrak trains heading north. (Note that you will have to take Amtrak home if you want to see the party at the Inner Harbor and you're not spending the night.) The main event is fireworks over the Inner Harbor, beginning at 9 p.m., though the party gets going around 6, with live music leading up to the show. In South Baltimore, the annual Cherry Hill Arts and Music Festival has a new attraction — a drone show, starting after the city's fireworks have ended — to go with a full day of music, art displays, hands-on art activities and family fun. Where to eat and drink: Baltimore has every cuisine you could want, but on July Fourth, just go for crabs. Try the legendary crab cakes from Faidley's at Lexington Market or the homey version at Koco's Pub, endorsed by Mayor Brandon Scott (D). If you prefer to pick your own crabs, head for L.P. Steamers in Locust Point and hope there's room on the rooftop deck. Side quest: Baltimore museums get in on the fun, too. The B&O Railroad Museum, a destination for train lovers young and old, is the site of the Star Spangled Bash, which features splash pads, lawn games and a red, white and blue tie-dye station and is included with museum admission. Baltimore is probably the easiest get-out-of-town option for D.C. residents without cars, thanks to MARC commuter rail service and regular Amtrak trains heading north. (Note that you will have to take Amtrak home if you want to see the party at the Inner Harbor and you're not spending the night.) The main event is fireworks over the Inner Harbor, beginning at 9 p.m., though the party gets going around 6, with live music leading up to the show. In South Baltimore, the annual Cherry Hill Arts and Music Festival has a new attraction — a drone show, starting after the city's fireworks have ended — to go with a full day of music, art displays, hands-on art activities and family fun. Where to eat and drink: Baltimore has every cuisine you could want, but on July Fourth, just go for crabs. Try the legendary crab cakes from Faidley's at Lexington Market or the homey version at Koco's Pub, endorsed by Mayor Brandon Scott (D). If you prefer to pick your own crabs, head for L.P. Steamers in Locust Point and hope there's room on the rooftop deck. Side quest: Baltimore museums get in on the fun, too. The B&O Railroad Museum, a destination for train lovers young and old, is the site of the Star Spangled Bash, which features splash pads, lawn games and a red, white and blue tie-dye station and is included with museum admission. The day-long Frederick's 4th party takes over downtown Baker Park, with multiple stages of entertainment; gardens featuring local craft beer, wine and spirits; a children's area with rides and inflatable games; cornhole and pickleball tournaments; food and drink stands; and, at the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, Colonial games and food. Gates open at noon, and fireworks are launched at dusk. The park, which spans both sides of Carroll Creek, is steps from the boutiques and antiques stores in the heart of Frederick. Where to eat and drink: Wye Oak Tavern, the newest restaurant from hometown chefs Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, 'might be their best restaurant yet,' says Post critic Tom Sietsema, with pot roast and beet salad among the dishes earning raves. (Psst: Get there between 4 and 6 p.m. for 'social hour' with $10 cocktails and small bites.) A few blocks from the park, White Rabbit Gastropub pairs a selection of top regional craft beers with some of the best Detroit-style pizzas in the area. Side quest: Need a new beach read? You'll find one or several on the seemingly endless shelves of Wonder Book, which boasts that it's the largest bookstore on the East Coast, with more than a million books, comic books, CDs and DVDs in stock to browse. The day-long Frederick's 4th party takes over downtown Baker Park, with multiple stages of entertainment; gardens featuring local craft beer, wine and spirits; a children's area with rides and inflatable games; cornhole and pickleball tournaments; food and drink stands; and, at the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, Colonial games and food. Gates open at noon, and fireworks are launched at dusk. The park, which spans both sides of Carroll Creek, is steps from the boutiques and antiques stores in the heart of Frederick. Where to eat and drink: Wye Oak Tavern, the newest restaurant from hometown chefs Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, 'might be their best restaurant yet,' says Post critic Tom Sietsema, with pot roast and beet salad among the dishes earning raves. (Psst: Get there between 4 and 6 p.m. for 'social hour' with $10 cocktails and small bites.) A few blocks from the park, White Rabbit Gastropub pairs a selection of top regional craft beers with some of the best Detroit-style pizzas in the area. Side quest: Need a new beach read? You'll find one or several on the seemingly endless shelves of Wonder Book, which boasts that it's the largest bookstore on the East Coast, with more than a million books, comic books, CDs and DVDs in stock to browse. Baseball fans suffering through disappointing seasons from the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles might be able to find hope in the future, as their Class A minor league teams, the Fredericksburg Nationals and Delmarva Shorebirds, face off at Virginia Credit Union Stadium at 5:05 p.m. A fireworks show follows the game. During the day, the city's Fourth in Fredericksburg Festival brings live music, an arts and crafts show, and children's activities to Riverfront Park. Where to eat and drink: Since 1947, Carl's has been serving frozen custard, shakes and sundaes from a neon-lit stand, which is now a Virginia landmark. Custard still comes in three flavors — chocolate, strawberry and vanilla. Side quest: No spirit is more American than bourbon, and Fredericksburg is home to the award-winning A. Smith Bowman distillery, the oldest in Virginia. Tours are free and followed by a guided tasting of various whiskeys. Reservations are recommended. Baseball fans suffering through disappointing seasons from the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles might be able to find hope in the future, as their Class A minor league teams, the Fredericksburg Nationals and Delmarva Shorebirds, face off at Virginia Credit Union Stadium at 5:05 p.m. A fireworks show follows the game. During the day, the city's Fourth in Fredericksburg Festival brings live music, an arts and crafts show, and children's activities to Riverfront Park. Where to eat and drink: Since 1947, Carl's has been serving frozen custard, shakes and sundaes from a neon-lit stand, which is now a Virginia landmark. Custard still comes in three flavors — chocolate, strawberry and vanilla. Side quest: No spirit is more American than bourbon, and Fredericksburg is home to the award-winning A. Smith Bowman distillery, the oldest in Virginia. Tours are free and followed by a guided tasting of various whiskeys. Reservations are recommended. Great Meadow is known as the home of the Virginia Gold Cup and International Gold Cup steeplechase races, but on July Fourth, the only horses on the field are the ones offering pony rides for kids. The annual Big Boom party, which peaks with a huge fireworks display at 9 p.m., marks 40 years of Great Meadow with activities including lawn games and a rock climbing wall, a marketplace with local vendors, a beer and wine garden, live music and DJs, a petting zoo, bounce houses, and a flyover by the Flying Circus Airshow. Car passes are $60 to $120, with more expensive options for tailgating spaces and buses. Where to eat and drink: Guests are welcome to bring their own provisions for tailgating, but organizers say there will be more than 20 vendors selling food and drinks, as well as the beer and wine garden. Side quest: Take your route through Middleburg, the heart of Virginia horse country, where the streets are lined with boutiques, antiques shops and galleries, catering to visitors seeking French housewares or Christmas gifts as well as supplies for the equestrian set. Stop into the Mount Defiance Cidery and Distillery for ciders made with Virginia apples and small-batch spirits, including absinthe and apple brandy, in the barnlike tasting room, or try an award-winning IPA at Lost Barrel Brewing, a brewery located on a horse farm. Live music is featured on its patio over the July Fourth weekend. Great Meadow is known as the home of the Virginia Gold Cup and International Gold Cup steeplechase races, but on July Fourth, the only horses on the field are the ones offering pony rides for kids. The annual Big Boom party, which peaks with a huge fireworks display at 9 p.m., marks 40 years of Great Meadow with activities including lawn games and a rock climbing wall, a marketplace with local vendors, a beer and wine garden, live music and DJs, a petting zoo, bounce houses, and a flyover by the Flying Circus Airshow. Car passes are $60 to $120, with more expensive options for tailgating spaces and buses. Where to eat and drink: Guests are welcome to bring their own provisions for tailgating, but organizers say there will be more than 20 vendors selling food and drinks, as well as the beer and wine garden. Side quest: Take your route through Middleburg, the heart of Virginia horse country, where the streets are lined with boutiques, antiques shops and galleries, catering to visitors seeking French housewares or Christmas gifts as well as supplies for the equestrian set. Stop into the Mount Defiance Cidery and Distillery for ciders made with Virginia apples and small-batch spirits, including absinthe and apple brandy, in the barnlike tasting room, or try an award-winning IPA at Lost Barrel Brewing, a brewery located on a horse farm. Live music is featured on its patio over the July Fourth weekend.
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Washington Post
The complete guide to July Fourth celebrations in the D.C. area
Independence Day falls on a Friday, gifting many people a three-day summer weekend and making it easier to decide to head out and enjoy a full day of celebrations. Why worry about getting home early if you don't have to get up and head to work the next morning? This is your guide to the major events on the National Mall on July Fourth, but also to fireworks, parades and events across D.C. and the region that same day. If you're a fan of fireworks, they begin blasting off from parks and historic sites this weekend and continue after the Fourth. We'll tell you where to find those, too.
