Flight Delay Message: 20+ WhatsApp Status Templates

Give passengers the new time, gate and next step in one message. Copy a flight delay message and send it to every traveller.

Updated October 2026. 23 templates, all copy-paste ready.

Preview

Dear {{Name}} ⏳ Your flight is delayed. ✈️ Flight {{Flight No.}}, {{From City}} to {{To City}}, {{Date}} 🕒 New departure: {{New Time}} (was {{Old Time}}) 📍 Check-in stays open at Terminal {{Terminal}} We will message you again if anything changes. Team {{Airline}}

10:24

Every {{placeholder}} fills from the Google Sheet column with the same name.

Flight delay messages with the new departure time

Lead with the flight number and the new time. Passengers read the first line and decide whether to leave home.

Template 1

Dear {{Name}} ⏳ Your flight is delayed. ✈️ Flight {{Flight No.}}, {{From City}} to {{To City}}, {{Date}} 🕒 New departure: {{New Time}} (was {{Old Time}}) 📍 Check-in stays open at Terminal {{Terminal}} We will message you again if anything changes. Team {{Airline}}

10:24
Template 2

Hi {{Name}} ⏳ A quick update on flight {{Flight No.}} to {{To City}}. 🕒 Due to {{Reason}}, departure is now {{New Time}} 💺 Seat {{Seat No.}} and baggage allowance are unchanged, so there is no need to rebook. Reply here if you need help.

10:24
Template 3

Dear {{Name}} ⏳ 🌦️ Due to weather at {{City}}, flight {{Flight No.}} on {{Date}} will now leave at {{New Time}}. 🛬 Expected landing: {{New Arrival Time}} If this delay affects a connecting flight, reply CONNECT and our team will help you rebook. {{Airline}} helpline: {{Helpline}}

10:24

Gate change and terminal change messages

Short and urgent. Put the new gate in the first line so it shows in the notification preview.

Template 4

Gate change for {{Name}} 🚪 ✈️ Flight {{Flight No.}} to {{To City}} now boards from Gate {{New Gate}}, not Gate {{Old Gate}}. 🕒 Boarding starts at {{Boarding Time}} Please head there now.

10:24
Template 5

Hi {{Name}} 📍 ✈️ Your flight {{Flight No.}} has moved to Terminal {{Terminal}}. 🚶 Allow {{Minutes}} minutes to get across. 🕒 Boarding closes at {{Gate Close Time}} Show this message to airport staff if you need directions.

10:24
Template 6

Urgent, {{Name}} 🚪 ✈️ Flight {{Flight No.}} boarding has moved to Gate {{New Gate}}. 🕒 It starts in {{Minutes}} minutes, and gates close at {{Gate Close Time}}. Team {{Airline}}

10:24

Flight cancellation messages with rebooking options

Say it plainly, then give the choices. Every option needs a way to act: a link, a reply word or a number.

Template 7

Dear {{Name}}, we are sorry 🙏 ✈️ Flight {{Flight No.}} from {{From City}} to {{To City}} on {{Date}} is cancelled due to {{Reason}}. Your options: 1) Take {{Alt Flight No.}} at {{Alt Time}} 2) Move to another date free of charge 3) Get a full refund Choose at {{Link}} or reply 1, 2 or 3.

10:24
Template 8

Hi {{Name}} 🙏 Your flight {{Flight No.}} on {{Date}} is cancelled. ✈️ We have moved you to {{Alt Flight No.}} on {{Alt Date}} at {{Alt Time}} 💺 Seat {{Seat No.}} Not suitable? Change it free at {{Link}} before {{Deadline}}.

10:24
Template 9

Hi {{Name}} 🙏 Flight {{Flight No.}} is cancelled. 💰 Your full refund of Rs. {{Amount}} for PNR {{PNR}} has been started. 🕒 It reaches your original payment method in {{Days}} working days. For help, call {{Helpline}}.

10:24
Template 10

Dear {{Name}} 🙏 ✈️ {{Flight No.}} to {{To City}} tonight is cancelled. 🏨 We have booked you a room at {{Hotel Name}}. 🕒 You are on the first flight tomorrow: {{Alt Flight No.}} at {{Alt Time}} Collect your hotel and meal voucher at counter {{Counter No.}}.

10:24

Flight status WhatsApp updates from travel agents

Agents and travel desks pass on what the airline says, then add the help only they can give: the cab, the hotel, the next meeting.

Template 11

Hi {{Name}}, this is {{Agent Name}} from {{Agency}} ⏳ ✈️ Your flight {{Flight No.}} on {{Date}} is delayed to {{New Time}}. 🏨 I have told your hotel, {{Hotel Name}}, about the late arrival. 🚕 Cab pickup is moved to {{Pickup Time}}

10:24
Template 12

Hi {{Name}} ⏳ ✈️ Your {{Airline}} flight {{Flight No.}} is delayed by {{Hours}} hours, so your connection {{Connecting Flight No.}} in {{City}} may be missed. 💺 I am holding a seat on {{Alt Flight No.}} for you. Reply YES and I will confirm it.

10:24
Template 13

Hello {{Name}}, corporate travel desk here ⏳ ✈️ Your flight {{Flight No.}} to {{To City}} now lands at {{New Arrival Time}}. 👤 We have informed {{Manager Name}} about your {{Meeting Time}} meeting. 🏨 Hotel and cab are updated. Booking ID: {{Booking ID}}

10:24

Check-in and boarding reminders

Friendly reminders cut missed flights on delayed days, when passengers stop watching the clock.

Template 14

Hi {{Name}} ✈️ Web check-in is open. 📅 Flight {{Flight No.}} to {{To City}} on {{Date}} 🕒 Departure is now {{New Time}} 🎫 Pick your seat and download your boarding pass: {{Link}} Have a good trip!

10:24
Template 15

Hi {{Name}} ✈️ 🎫 Flight {{Flight No.}} boards at {{Boarding Time}} from Gate {{Gate}}. 🕒 Gates close {{Minutes}} minutes before departure. 🪪 Carry a valid photo ID with your boarding pass. PNR: {{PNR}}

10:24
Template 16

Reminder for {{Name}} ⏳ 🧳 Even with the delay, bag drop for {{Flight No.}} closes at {{Bag Drop Close Time}}. 📍 Please reach Terminal {{Terminal}} by {{Report Time}} so you do not miss the new departure.

10:24

Apology and compensation messages after a delay

Formal and specific. Name what you are giving and how to claim it, so the apology means something.

Template 17

Dear {{Name}} 🙏 We apologise for the delay to flight {{Flight No.}} today. 🍽️ Show this message at the {{Outlet Name}} counter near Gate {{Gate}} for a meal voucher worth Rs. {{Amount}}. 🕒 Valid until {{Time}} Team {{Airline}}

10:24
Template 18

Dear {{Name}} 🙏 Thank you for your patience on flight {{Flight No.}} on {{Date}}, which left {{Hours}} hours late. 🎁 As an apology, we added {{Points}} miles to your account {{Member No.}}. View your balance at {{Link}}.

10:24
Template 19

Hi {{Name}}, we are sorry your flight {{Flight No.}} was delayed 🙏 📄 You may be eligible for compensation under {{Policy Name}}. 🔗 Submit your claim with PNR {{PNR}} at {{Link}} by {{Deadline}}. 🕒 Our team replies within {{Days}} working days.

10:24

Flight delay text message versions under 160 characters

For passengers with no data at the airport, these fit one SMS. Keep the flight number and the new time up front.

SMS 1

{{Airline}}: Flight {{Flight No.}} on {{Date}} delayed. New departure {{New Time}}. PNR {{PNR}}. Help: {{Helpline}}

115/160 characters

SMS 2

Dear {{Name}}, {{Flight No.}} to {{To City}} now departs {{New Time}} from Gate {{Gate}}. Please reach the airport by {{Report Time}}. {{Airline}}

146/160 characters

SMS 3

{{Airline}}: Gate change. {{Flight No.}} now boards from Gate {{New Gate}} at {{Boarding Time}}. Gates close {{Gate Close Time}}.

129/160 characters

SMS 4

{{Airline}}: {{Flight No.}} on {{Date}} is cancelled. Rebook free or get a refund at {{Link}}. PNR {{PNR}}. Sorry for the trouble.

130/160 characters

What a flight delay message must include

Passengers read a delay alert on the move. It has to answer three things at a glance: which flight, what time now, and what to do.

  • The passenger's name and PNR or booking ID
  • Flight number, route and date
  • The new departure time, and the old one for reference
  • Gate and terminal, when they change
  • The reason for the delay, in a few words
  • The next step: wait, rebook, claim, or reach the airport by a set time
  • Meal voucher, hotel or refund details when they apply
  • A helpline number or a reply option

Common mistakes in flight delay messages

  • Sending the delay without the new time, so every passenger calls the helpline at once.
  • Changing the time twice in an hour without saying which message is the latest. Put the update time in the message.
  • Forgetting connecting passengers, who need a rebooking option, not just a new time.
  • A bare link with no airline name or PNR, which looks like phishing and gets ignored.

Send flight delay messages to every passenger with SheetWA

  1. 1

    Put one passenger per row in a Google Sheet, with a column named after every placeholder: name, PNR, flight number, new time, gate.

  2. 2

    Open SheetWA, paste the template, and match each placeholder to its column. Every passenger sees their own flight and seat.

  3. 3

    Attach the updated e-ticket PDF or a meal voucher image, preview a few rows, and send. Delivery and read status come back to the sheet.

  4. Bulk WhatsApp senderSend from Google Sheets
Sending flight delay messages from Google Sheets with SheetWA

Frequently asked questions

How do I write a flight delay message to passengers?

Start with the flight number and the new departure time. Add the reason in a few words, what the passenger should do next, and a helpline. Keep it under 300 characters on WhatsApp so it reads in one glance. The templates above follow this order.

What is a good flight delay text message?

One that fits a single SMS: airline name, flight number, date, new time and a helpline or link. For example: {{Airline}}: Flight {{Flight No.}} delayed, new departure {{New Time}}. PNR {{PNR}}. Help: {{Helpline}}. Use the SMS versions above for passengers without data.

How can I get flight status for WhatsApp?

Most Indian airlines run an official WhatsApp assistant that shares live flight status when you send your PNR. Find the verified number on the airline's website, never from a forwarded message. Travel agents can also send status updates to their own passengers from a Google Sheet with SheetWA.

Can travel agents send flight status WhatsApp updates in bulk?

Yes. Keep the day's passengers in a Google Sheet with PNR, flight and new time columns. Paste a template into SheetWA and send one personalised message per row from your agency's WhatsApp number. If the airline changes the time again, update the column and send once more.

What should an airline offer when a flight is delayed in India?

Under the DGCA passenger charter, airlines must offer meals and refreshments during long delays. For longer delays they must offer an alternate flight or a full refund, and a hotel stay in some overnight cases. Say what the passenger gets in your delay message, so they do not have to ask at the counter.

Should I send a flight delay message on WhatsApp or SMS?

Send both when you can. WhatsApp carries the full details, a voucher image or a new e-ticket, and passengers can reply with questions. SMS reaches passengers whose data is off or who are roaming. Many airlines send WhatsApp first and an SMS backup with the same flight number and time.

How soon should a flight delay message go out?

As soon as the new time is firm, and ideally before passengers leave home. A message three hours before departure saves a wasted trip to the airport. If the time is still unclear, say so and give the time of your next update.

Do I need the WhatsApp Business API to send delay alerts?

Not for a small agency or travel desk. The SheetWA Chrome extension sends from your existing WhatsApp Web session. For airline-scale sends, or alerts triggered by your booking system, use the SheetWA WhatsApp API with approved templates.