(Lebanon, N.H. – August 7, 2023) Incidents of misbehaving airline passengers remain high, according to the International Air Transport Association. Some aviation experts say many customers have most likely lost patience with airlines over widespread delays and cancellations in recent years. The world’s most experienced travelers overwhelmingly (51%) advised that individuals stranded overnight at the airport should rest, relax and try to sleep, according to the summer 2023 Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. Seventeen percent of respondents added that the next best thing to do when stranded overnight at the airport is to take a lively walk for a few minutes every hour.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation airlines cancelled 1.7% of domestic U.S. flights over the first three months of 2023. While that is much lower than the 2.7% flight cancellation rate for all of 2022, it still leaves nearly 30,000 aircraft on the tarmac due to cancellation.

“Global tourism is on track to rise by 30% in 2023 as travelers make up for lost time due to pandemic-related travel restrictions,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce. “Unfortunately, recurring flight delays and cancellations are disrupting highly anticipated post-pandemic trip plans. It’s understandably frustrating travelers, but I hope a combination of traveler patience and travel industry recovery combine to return global tourism to normal levels.”

Nearly half of the survey respondents (48%) reported the most important thing they would do if their flight was cancelled, no hotels were available, and they had to spend the night at the airport would be to check for airport lounges or sleeping pods that they could rent for the night or a few hours.

“I was at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris facing a flight delay. No one knew how long it would be. I found a sleeping pod to use,” said Meghan Mahoney, a Global Rescue director and avid international traveler. The pod had a bed, desk and chair, and a noise cancellation system. “It was totally private so I could nap in comfort or work. And since I was still at the airport, I could regularly check flight status. The pod was worth every penny for the several hours I needed,” she said.

Sixteen percent said obtaining snacks and water before the airport shops close was essential while 11% believed fully charging their electronic devices was most important along with carrying an in-ear or over-ear headset to cancel out external noise or play calming music. Maintaining situational awareness is essential for personal safety and flight updates. “As a solo female traveler, I never cover more than one ear with a headphone so I can remain audibly aware of my surroundings,” said Josie Daigle, the Global Rescue social media manager.

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 2,300 of its current and former members from July 11-15, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic travel.

About Global Rescue

The Global Rescue Companies are the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue has exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. Global Rescue provides best-in-class services that identify, monitor and respond to client medical and security crises. Global Rescue has provided medical and security support to its clients, including Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions, during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.