What To Do If You Get Stuck in an Airport Overnight

Staying overnight inside the airport is rarely part of a traveler’s planned itinerary. But whether your plane is significantly delayed, you miss your connection, or the last flight that evening is outright canceled, it’s always a possibility (albeit an uncommon one). In the unlikely event it happens to you, take comfort in the fact that you don’t have to settle for lying on the floor and using your carry-on as a pillow. Here are six useful tips to make being stuck in the airport overnight as painless as possible.

The First Thing You Should Do

The moment you realize you’re stuck, head to your airline’s dedicated customer service desk to speak with an employee. While you wait in line, it’s also worth using that time to check the airline’s website or app or try to get in touch with the airline customer service desk on your phone. That’s because airline staff may be authorized to provide you with complimentary accommodations (though they are unlikely to do so if the delay is outside the airline’s control, such as weather). The sooner you can get in line and chat with someone, the better, as there’s likely to be dozens of your fellow passengers attempting to do the same.

According to this handy chart provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation, nine out of 10 major U.S. airlines pledge to provide complimentary hotel accommodations for those who are affected by an overnight cancellation (for controllable delays). The lone exception is ultra-low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines. Furthermore, these airlines will provide transportation to and from the hotel free of charge. You may also be entitled to meal vouchers.

As frustrating as the situation may be, it’s recommended that you keep a professional tone and be as concise as possible. The clearer you can be explaining your situation, the more likely it is you’ll be provided with complimentary accommodations for the evening. However, be prepared for the possibility that the staff may be unable to help you, depending on the specific circumstances. In this case, there are other options you can explore.

Speak With Airport Staff

If speaking with the airline staff gets you nowhere, consider speaking with the general airport staff. While there’s no guarantee, certain airports are authorized to provide stranded flyers with cots, pillows, blankets, and other basic sleeping essentials. U.S. airports such as New York JFK, Chicago O’Hare, and Denver International are a few of the locations with cots in reserve, according to the travel website Sleeping in Airports, and you may also find them at airports such as Paris, Amsterdam, and Oslo.

However, cots are typically available only in situations such as major storms or mass cancellations. In other words, the staff may not be able to help you if your flight is the only one canceled on an otherwise smooth travel day, but it may still be worth asking.

Private Suites, Sleep Pods, and Lounges

At most major airports, chances are there’s an airport hotel not too far away, but booking a room at the last minute may not be possible due to the high cost or lack of availability. If it’s already late at night, you might want to stay in the terminal anyway, so you don’t have to deal with taking the hotel shuttle and going through security again the next morning. Thankfully, there are several sleeping options located past TSA that can provide you with a few hours’ rest.

One option is Minute Suites, which are currently located at 11 major international travel hubs in the U.S. These reservable rooms offer stranded passengers (or any traveler looking for a quick nap) a private, soundproof space with a place to lie down in comfort. Priority Pass members may be entitled to a free hour in a Minute Suite, but non-pass holders can easily book a room for up to eight hours. This is among the most convenient options for anyone who finds themselves stranded, as you can walk right into the terminal the next morning without having to go through security again.

Many airports also offer private sleep pods. These tiny, private capsules can be expensive, with hourly rates ranging anywhere from $30 to $50 and up. But they can be great in a pinch, as they afford users much-wanted privacy inside an otherwise busy terminal.

Certain credit card holders or frequent flyers should also consider any lounges they have access to. Even if you don’t have access, many lounges offer everyday flyers the option to purchase access for the day. The furniture in airport lounges is generally more comfortable and spacious than the seating out in the terminal, so you’ll have a better shot of getting cozy enough to nod off. Some may also have private sleep rooms. Just be aware of time limits and closures, as you may be given access for only a few hours, depending on the lounge.

Head Out to Your Car

If you drove to the airport and parked your vehicle in an adjacent lot, it might not make sense for you to drive home, especially if you live far away and would have to turn around and come back to the airport before long. But even if you don’t drive home, having your car nearby can provide you with a free and private space to get some shut-eye. 

Keep in mind that by going out to sleep in your car, you’ll need to go through airport security the next day. Also, it may not be entirely feasible in colder temperatures. But if the situation is right, your car may be an acceptable place to spend a few hours and get a quick snooze in before your rebooked flight the next day. (Just be aware that security staff might be patrolling the lot, so you should speak to a staff member beforehand or leave a note on your dash to let them know what you’re doing.)

Sleep in the Terminal

If you’ve exhausted all other options, you might be left spending the night in the terminal. While sleeping in a loud, bright, public space isn’t exactly ideal, there are ways to make the situation a bit more manageable.

First, try to find the best sleeping spot. Something right by the entrance, for example, is going to be noisy and chaotic, but if you wander down toward the end of a terminal, you might find some quieter benches that you can rest on.

It’s also important to look out for your personal safety, as well as the security of your belongings. Consider sleeping in areas that are close to security stations, or with security cameras hanging clearly overhead. Additionally, try to place your bag in a less accessible place such as under your head or between you and a wall or bench, so it’s not out in the open.

While airports often provide leniency to allow stranded passengers to sleep in the terminal, you may still have to deal with certain restrictions, such as an employee or security guard telling you to move if that part of the terminal is closed. These rules vary from location to location, so we recommend consulting the travel website Sleeping in Airports for more information about the sleep restrictions of each individual airport.

Come Prepared

At the end of the day, the odds of you having to sleep in the terminal are quite slim. Still, it might be a good idea to come prepared for a worst-case scenario. You may already be traveling with noise-canceling headphones, a neck pillow, and an eye mask — all of which go a long way toward helping you get some rest. Also consider bringing a cozy sweatshirt in your carry-on, as terminals can get quite cold. 

In addition to those standbys, there are two less common items you might consider bringing: an inflatable sleeping pad, which packs down tightly and can be tucked inside your carry-on, or a camping hammock to set up inside the terminal. The latter may sound like a strange solution, but we’ve seen firsthand reports on the internet of stranded travelers using them. However, we don’t recommend hanging a hammock inside the airport without permission — always clear it with staff or security beforehand.