flight delay

Meaning

A flight delay is a situation where a plane departs or arrives later than its scheduled time, often due to bad weather, technical issues, or air traffic. It is a very common travel term used by airlines and passengers alike. The tone is neutral, but conversations about it are often apologetic or frustrated.

Examples

• Our three-hour flight delay gave us enough time to have a proper dinner.

  Our three-hour flight delay gave us enough time to have a proper dinner.

• The airline offered us free meal vouchers because of the flight delay.

  The airline offered us free meal vouchers because of the flight delay.

• There is a major flight delay due to heavy snow at the destination airport.

  There is a major flight delay due to heavy snow at the destination airport.

• I'm sorry I'll be late; my flight delay was longer than expected.

  I'm sorry I'll be late; my flight delay was longer than expected.

• How do I check if there is a flight delay before heading to the airport?

  How do I check if there is a flight delay before heading to the airport?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ My flight has a big late.

  ✓ My flight has a long delay.

  'Late' is an adjective, not a noun. Use 'delay' (noun) to describe the period of time a flight is postponed.

• ✗ They delayed the flight delay.

  ✓ They announced a flight delay.

  While 'delay' can be a verb, saying 'delayed the flight delay' is redundant. Use 'announced' or 'caused' with the noun phrase.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Because of a severe ___, we missed our connecting flight in London.

  💡 When a plane is late departing or arriving.

  Show answer

  flight delay

• The display board shows a two-hour ___ for flight LH450.

  💡 A postponement of your flight schedule.

  Show answer

  flight delay