Delay

How it is used

Screens and announcements say a flight is delayed, often giving a reason such as bad weather or a technical problem. People talk about a long, short or two-hour delay. Long delays can lead to meal vouchers or compensation under passenger rights rules.

Example sentences

1. We apologise for the delay. This is due to heavy fog in Frankfurt.

2. My flight is delayed by three hours, so I'll miss my connection.

Common collocations

• long delay
• two-hour delay
• delayed flight
• apologise for the delay
• delayed by an hour

Related terms

• cancelTo decide or announce that a planned flight, booking or event will not happen; travellers also cancel their own reservations.
• compensationMoney or something else of value given to a passenger because of a problem such as a long delay, a cancellation, denied boarding or damaged bags.
• missed connectionA situation in which you arrive too late for your connecting flight or train, usually because the first part of the journey was delayed.
• departures boardA large screen at an airport or station that lists the next departures with their times, destinations, gates or platforms and status.
• ETAShort for estimated time of arrival: the time a plane, train, taxi or person is expected to arrive.

More terms: Delays, Cancellations & Connections

• connecting flight
• layover
• gate change
• rebook
• overbooked
• transit
• stopover