Flight delayed? Here’s what you need to do

By Vroom Team • Reviewed 09 Jan 2026

Sometimes the best laid holiday plans don’t quite work out, and if your flight is running late, there’s some simple steps to keep in mind.

A delayed flight can easily happen at busy airports like Brisbane Airport, Melbourne Airport, or Sydney Airport, but there are systems in place to minify the inconvenience for those wanting to collect an airport rental car.

If you supplied your flight number when you booked your airport hire car, your rental provider will be able to see that your flight has been delayed and will stay up to date with your expected arrival time. Generally, rental providers are more than happy to hold your booking in these instances, although once you know your flight has been delayed, it’s best to get in touch to discuss your options and arrange a revised pickup time.

In the event your flight is cancelled and not rescheduled, or is being re-routed to another airport, you will need to notify your rental provider as soon as possible to discuss alternative arrangements.

Important Information
Delayed flight
We recommend including your airline and flight information when placing a rental car booking — and some airport rental car providers may require it as a part of their booking process. Providing your flight information means they can check with for any delays to your flight, ultimately resulting in a smoother airport pickup experience for you.

About the author

Vroom Team

VroomVroomVroom’s writing team brings together decades of writing expertise to share their insights into travelling around Australia by rental car. Let our team help you get the most out of your rental car experience.