delayed departure

Meaning

A 'delayed departure' means that a plane, train, or bus is leaving later than its scheduled time. This can happen because of bad weather, technical problems, or heavy traffic at the airport.

Examples

• The screen showed a delayed departure of two hours due to heavy snow.

  The screen showed a delayed departure of two hours due to heavy snow.

• Because of our delayed departure, we missed our connecting flight in London.

  Because of our delayed departure, we missed our connecting flight in London.

• The airline offered us free food vouchers to make up for the delayed departure.

  The airline offered us free food vouchers to make up for the delayed departure.

• We waited at the gate for three hours because of a delayed departure.

  We waited at the gate for three hours because of a delayed departure.

• A delayed departure is always frustrating when you are eager to get home.

  A delayed departure is always frustrating when you are eager to get home.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The flight has a late departure.

  ✓ The flight has a delayed departure.

  While 'late departure' is sometimes understood, 'delayed departure' is the formal and standard industry term used on airport screens and by staff.

• ✗ Our flight was delayed departure.

  ✓ Our flight had a delayed departure.

  'Delayed departure' is a noun phrase. You can say 'Our flight was delayed' (verb passive) or 'Our flight had a delayed departure' (noun).

Related Expressions

Practice

• The storm caused a three-hour ___ for all flights to New York.

  💡 When a flight leaves later than scheduled.

  Show answer

  delayed departure

• We had a ___ because the plane needed a quick mechanical check.

  💡 A situation where the flight start time is postponed.

  Show answer

  delayed departure