5 things to do when you miss a connecting flight

We’ve all felt it before: that sinking sensation in your stomach when you’re delayed on the tarmac, as the minutes inch closer to your connecting flight.

AFAR Deputy Editor Jennifer Flowers, who recently missed a connection to India because of bad weather, offers five tips to help minimize the damage.

SEE ALSO: The best time of day to avoid flight delays

Carry essentials with you, especially on long-haul trips.

This sounds like a no-brainer, but not enough people put it into practice. Simply pack your carry-on as though you know you’ll lose your checked bag for a couple of days: take all crucial meds, toiletries, and a change of clothes. After I missed my connecting flight in Paris, it took seven days before I saw my luggage again. Luckily, I had my toiletries with me, but had no change of clothes and a flimsy pair of flats to walk in, so I had to make a mad dash to a clothing store. (And if you end up needing to buy extra provisions like I did, check your airline’s reimbursement policy when you’re back home.)

Rebook yourself before takeoff.

Airlines usually reroute you automatically, but if you’re proactive, you’ll have more control over which flight and seat assignment you end up with. Airline apps often allow you to re-book yourself, and if you have frequent flier status, use the VIP reservation line. Remember that airlines typically don’t cover incidentals such as hotels in the event of force majeure—literally “acts of God,” or anything out of the airline’s control—such as bad weather, air traffic control issues, or civil unrest. So if you decide to overnight in your connecting city, finding and paying for a room is on you (try last-minute booking apps like HotelTonight or BookingNow).

Splurge on an airport lounge.

If you have a long wait ahead of you at an airport and don’t already have access to a lounge, it’s worth the money to buy a day pass (depending on the airline and the location, they usually start at around $50). When I was stranded in Paris for 12 hours, I took a sanity-saving shower at the AirFrance lounge, consoled myself at the cheese and bread station, and found a quiet corner where I could recharge my devices, check my email, and catch some Z’s.