Flights: The Good, The Bad, and The Almost Missed

Flying has never really felt “normal” to me — even after 15 years of travel. Every takeoff still brings a rush of excitement, a hint of chaos, and the quiet reminder that adventure is just one boarding gate away.

I’ve taken hundreds of flights — some smooth, some stressful — but somehow, I’ve never actually missed one. (Though I’ve definitely come close.)

Every airport, every flight, and every unexpected delay has taught me something new about travel — and a little bit about myself.

Airports may be chaotic, but they always remind me I’m heading somewhere new.

When You Almost Miss It

My closest call was in China. I thought I had plenty of time to get through security — until I saw the line. It stretched halfway across the terminal. Within minutes, panic set in. My flight was already boarding, and I was still nowhere near the front.

Eventually, I did something I never do — I politely asked the people ahead of me if I could cut the line. Thankfully, they understood and let me through.

Thirty minutes later, sweaty, anxious, and slightly panicked, I made it to the gate just in time for last call — literally the final passenger to board. I stepped onto the plane completely out of breath, heart racing, and promised myself I’d never cut it that close again.

I’ve also had those connection sprints, where one flight runs late and the next one’s being held just for your group. There’s nothing glamorous about running through terminals with your bag bouncing behind you, but there’s a strange sense of unity in that chaos — a group of strangers all silently cheering each other on to make the same flight.

Made it just in time — I was literally the last one on the plane.

When You Lose Track (and Almost Your Phone)

Airport security has a way of making even seasoned travelers forget how to function. Once, I went through the scanners, grabbed my bag, shoes, and jacket — and kept walking… until I realized my phone wasn’t in my hand.

Cue panic.

It was still sitting in one of those grey bins at the end of the belt. Ever since, I’ve made it a rule to check for three things before leaving: passport, phone, laptop. (My wallet stays tucked safely in my backpack.)

That moment taught me that sometimes it’s not the big things that cause stress — it’s the small slip-ups when you’re tired, distracted, or rushing.

Passport? Check. Laptop? Check. Phone? …oh no.

When the Universe Says “Not Today”

Sometimes, the universe decides you’re not flying that day.

I’ve had flights cancelled due to weather, technical issues, and once, a crew delay that pushed things into the next morning. It’s frustrating, but I’ve learned to take cancellations in stride. Airports are unpredictable places, and sometimes it’s better to be safe on the ground than in the air wishing you were.

When Frenchie and I were in Malaysia, our flight to Mulu was cancelled because the haze from nearby forest fires made flying unsafe. The airline handled everything — meals, a hotel, airport transfers, and a new flight — and we didn’t have to pay a dime. It turned an inconvenience into an unexpected mini-vacation.

But not every cancellation story ends that smoothly.

When I was flying to meet Keri in the Philippines, a volcano eruption delayed my flight from Hong Kong to Manila by five hours. Normally, I book my connecting flights together — but this time, it was about $200 cheaper to book them separately.

That “great deal” ended up costing me far more than money. By the time I landed, my next flight to Puerto Princesa was long gone. I spent over an hour at the airport on the phone with the airline, trying to rebook. They couldn’t do anything for me — because technically, the flights were on separate tickets.

I remember standing there, exhausted, explaining over and over that the delay wasn’t my fault — the first flight was late because of a volcano. Still, all they could say was, “I’m sorry, ma’am, you’ll have to purchase a new ticket.”

It was one of those moments that really tests your patience. I eventually got to Palawan, but not before losing a few hours, a few hundred dollars, and a bit of faith in “budget deals.”

Lesson learned: saving money doesn’t always mean spending less.

Flight cancelled? No problem. Frenchie and I made the most of it — free meals, a comfy hotel, and plenty of laughs.

 When Your Bag Takes Its Own Trip

Then there was the time the airport lost my bag.

I was flying from Vietnam to Prague and waited at the carousel, watching the conveyor belt go around and around — every suitcase appearing except mine. Eventually, I was the only one left standing there.

I headed to the lost baggage counter, hoping it was just delayed. Turns out, my bag had been put on a completely different flight. They handed me a form to fill out — the address of where I was staying, how long I’d be there, and a phone number they could reach me at.

Of course, my phone number didn’t even work in the Czech Republic. So, I just smiled and wrote it down anyway, silently hoping my bag would find me somehow.

It was already night when I arrived in Prague, so after checking in at the hostel, I went out to explore and grab some dinner — trying not to think too much about my missing bag.

When I got back a few hours later, the hostel staff told me my bag had shown up about an hour after I’d left. My lovely big blue backpack was waiting for me in the lobby, safe and sound.

Definitely a sigh of relief. I’d already been picturing the headache of buying new clothes and dealing with travel insurance paperwork.

My bag decided to take a different flight — thankfully it found me a few hours later.

When the Airport Becomes Home

After so many years of travel, I’ve also learned that sometimes the cheapest hotel is no hotel at all.

I’ve spent nights sleeping in airports in Hong Kong, Guam, Malaysia, and probably a few others I’ve forgotten. I even bought a small blow-up air mattress in Hong Kong for camping — it’s turned out to be one of my best travel hacks. It fits perfectly in my backpack, and along with my travel pillow and a sarong that doubles as a blanket, it transforms any terminal into a budget-friendly crash pad.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s practical — and it saves me a surprising amount of money over time.

When I settle in for the night, I find an outlet, plug in my laptop, and catch up on movies or TV shows. I like picking something that fits my destination — Jurassic Park on my way to Hawaii, The Mummy before Egypt. It’s my way of passing the time and escaping the chaos for a while — just me, my laptop, and a movie before the next flight.

Sometimes the cheapest hotel is… no hotel at all.

When You Actually Love It

I once met a friend named Mike in Medellín, Colombia, and later joined him for a trip to Cancun. He was adamant that we leave the resort three hours before our flight.

I just smiled.
“Don’t worry,” I told him, “I’ve never missed a flight — and I don’t plan on starting now.”

He’d seen plenty of friends miss flights before, but I’m the cautious type. I go straight to my gate and don’t wander off. You never know when a flight might board early or a gate might suddenly change.

Despite the chaos, I actually love airports. There’s something comforting about that in-between space — everyone heading somewhere new, full of anticipation.

I like to sit near my gate, sip something warm, and people-watch. Airports are full of emotion: lovers saying goodbye, families reuniting, sports teams in matching uniforms, kids bouncing with excitement. Every gate tells a story.

And sometimes, they even feel like a second home.

Between flights and time zones, there’s always a moment to pause and enjoy where you are.

Final Thoughts

Flights have taught me patience, awareness, and flexibility. I’ve learned to show up early, pack light, and never assume things will go perfectly.

Because no matter how much experience you have, travel has a way of keeping you humble — and that’s part of why I love it. Each flight reminds me that getting there is just as much a part of the adventure as the destination itself.

There’s something special about that moment before takeoff — when the adventure hasn’t started yet, but you can already feel it coming.