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The Perils of Trusting Flight Delay Notifications: A Business Trip Story

Let me share a little travel misadventure from my recent business trip. My flight out of Indianapolis (IND) was scheduled to depart at 1:00 PM, and JetBlue, in their usual detailed manner, kept me in the loop with a series of delay notifications—first to 1:40, then 2:00, and finally a relaxed 3:45 PM. With that last update, I figured I had plenty of time, so I casually booked my Indianapolis airport car service 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 rush. I quickly wrapped up my work, jumped into the Indianapolis airport car service, and raced through the terminal, making it to the gate by 2:00 PM. Out of breath and a bit frazzled, I was greeted with the news that the flight had already closed, even though the plane was still sitting there on the runway. The next JetBlue flight to Fort Lauderdale (FLL)? Not until much later that night. Perfect timing when you’re on a tight business schedule.

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 Fort Lauderdale, thanks to my trusty Fort Lauderdale airport car service, I contacted JetBlue to see if I could get some 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 far enough to catch that part.

Determined not to let it go, I decided to take my case straight to the top and contacted JetBlue’s CEO. I wasn’t expecting much, but to my surprise, her office got back to me 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 frustrating to fantastic in no time, and they’ve definitely secured my loyalty for future business trips.

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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 making your way to the airport, and the next, you’re sprinting through the terminal. 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 smooth business travel routine.

TUXEDO’s Pro Tip:

At TUXEDO Car Service, 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 relied on those delays. Stick to your plan and avoid any last-minute surprises—because, as I learned, “delayed” can quickly turn into “undelayed”!