Our flight from Sardinia to Amsterdam was uneventful, but when we landed in Amsterdam, we were informed our flight from Amsterdam to NYC was cancelled. We were to proceed to the nearest kiosk, where we were instantly given seats on a plane leaving the next day, a hotel room already reserved for us, a hotel voucher including dinner and breakfast at the hotel, as well as food vouchers for the airport.

We did each have to cancel plans for the following day, but had brought only carry-on suitcases, so had with us everything we needed. We appreciated a more gradual re-entry, with a long bath, a great night’s sleep, and the most incredible hotel breakfast I’ve ever seen, with about 14 stations, including a whole kippered salmon, a whole honeycomb, and excellent bread.

In the huge airport, we enjoyed some window shopping, and a full grocery, where be bought the best chocolate and some great cheese for the flight. Our daughter played her original piano compositions on the grand piano in the large, sunny, airport atrium, with with travelers stopping to listen to and film her, while little boys danced jubilantly around to her music.

The seats we had originally booked were scattered throughout the plane, but these rescheduled ones were together. Our driver home from the NYC airport was able to juggle his schedule to pick us up a day later, and although we didn’t have that confirmed until we landed, he was right there when we stepped off the curb.

Our older daughter sent us an article saying we could be reimbursed for the delay, and it was an easy application. (This post is mostly for you to know that!) Anyway, the upshot is each of the three of us received a cash payout of $685, which together covered all of our expenses for our whole time in Sardinia!

One can even be grateful for delays!