---
title: "Flight delay RCS template (transactional)"
description: "Keep passengers informed with a rich RCS flight delay update: new time and gate placeholders, boarding pass and rebooking buttons, and a cancellation version."
canonical: "https://omnichannels.ai/templates/travel-flight-delay/"
language: "en"
updated: "2026-10-10"
publisher: "BroadNet Technologies"
brand: "OmniChannels.ai"
---

# Flight delay RCS template (transactional)

Canonical: https://omnichannels.ai/templates/travel-flight-delay/
Language: en
Publisher: OmniChannels.ai by BroadNet Technologies

Send it as soon as a new departure time is confirmed. Passengers get the new time and gate before they head to the airport or gate, and can open rebooking options without queuing at the desk.

- Channel: RCS
- Traffic type: Transactional
- Industry: Travel and hospitality
- Use case: Service outage and delays
- Characters: 140 · Encoding: GSM-7 · SMS segments: 1

```text
Flight [Flight] to [City] is delayed. New departure time: [Time] from gate [Gate]. We are sorry for the wait; your meal voucher is ready in the app.
```
Buttons: View boarding pass | Rebooking options

## Variables explained

| Variable | What it is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| `[Flight]` | Flight number | SG 214 |
| `[City]` | Destination city | London |
| `[Time]` | New estimated departure time | 16:45 |
| `[Gate]` | Departure gate, or "to be confirmed" | B7 |

## Category and compliance notes

Transactional RCS: send from a verified brand agent; phones without RCS need an SMS fallback, so keep a short plain-text version ready.

## Variations

### Gate change

```text
Gate change for flight [Flight] to [City]: please go to gate [Gate]. Boarding starts at [Time].
```
Buttons: View boarding pass

### Flight cancelled

```text
We are sorry: flight [Flight] to [City] on [Date] has been cancelled. Choose a new flight or request a refund below.
```
Buttons: Rebooking options | Request refund | Contact us

### Shorter version

```text
Flight [Flight] to [City] is delayed. New departure: [Time], gate [Gate].
```
Buttons: View boarding pass | Rebooking options

## How to use this template

1. **Copy the text:** Copy the message and its suggested replies.
2. **Build the rich message:** Add an image, card or carousel and the suggestions in the RCS card builder.
3. **Prepare the SMS fallback:** Keep a plain-text version for phones without RCS, with the same opt-out where needed.
4. **Send from a verified agent:** Send through a verified RCS brand agent, with automatic fallback to SMS.

## Related templates

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- [School closure SMS template (transactional)](https://omnichannels.ai/templates/edu-closure/)
- [Eid holiday delivery delays SMS template (transactional)](https://omnichannels.ai/templates/logistics-eid-delays/)
- [Hotel booking confirmation WhatsApp template (utility)](https://omnichannels.ai/templates/travel-booking-confirmed/)
- [Online check-in open SMS template for airlines (transactional)](https://omnichannels.ai/templates/travel-check-in-open/)
- [Account sign-in code SMS template for travel bookings (OTP)](https://omnichannels.ai/templates/travel-login-code/)

[Browse the template library](https://omnichannels.ai/tools/message-templates/)