The holidays are upon us! Chaos! Long Lines! STRESS! Nothing brings on holiday stress faster than facing down a flight over Thanksgiving or anytime in the month of December.
Airports are filled with more inexperienced travelers from November 15-January 3rd than any other time of year. This adds to the length of the lines and the shortness of tempers as everyone struggles to get where they are going.
We want you to be successful in your travels, so we have pulled together some tips to help you get through this:
Book early non-stop flights whenever possible
This is a combination of two holiday travel philosophies but they go hand-in-hand. First, book the earliest flight available and second, make sure that flight is non-stop.
Early flights helps to get you ahead of the snowball effect as things fall behind schedule or situations change. An early flight will ensure you the best chance of a reschedule on the same day if something does go wrong.
Minimize the risk of travel issues by flying into/out of as few airports as possible. While a direct flight might cost a bit more upfront, the hassle it could save your during travel is more than worth it during the peak holiday season!
Plan your airport parking in advance
Don’t take airport parking capacity for granted! Find a parking garage near your airport that takes reservations! Airport lots often fill to capacity over the holidays and you don’t want to be scrambling for parking and chance missing your flight!
Arrive Early
Chances are every line you encounter will be longer than you anticipate. Check with your airport for the recommended arrival time for your flight. Anytime you fly from November 15-January 3rd, add at least 30 minutes to that estimate. Better to be past the TSA checkpoint and having a pre-flight drink than to miss your flight due to long lines and delays!
Keep your phone well charged
This may seem self explanatory. It really is imperative you keep your device charged and with high demand for plugs, we recommend you carry a portable charger with you (and make sure it’s charged the night before travel!)
Have Your Boarding Pass Sent to Your Phone
One less thing to juggle and possibly lose! Most major airlines will issue an electronic boarding pass.
Breezing through the TSA Checkpoint
If you really plan ahead, TSA pre-check is a great timesaver. In lieu of that we offer these tips: Review current TSA restrictions before you pack. Be sure you are meeting the guidelines. Be prepared to remove your shoes, laptop or tablet, jackets, sweaters or other outerwear and everything in your pockets. Children under 12 will not have to remove their shoes. Listen to the instructions of the TSA officers (they typically yell instructions repeatedly but it’s easy to be overwhelmed by noise and bustle!). Follow their instructions and you should breeze through!
Don’t Bring Wrapped Gifts to the Airport
TSA guidelines mean that any wrapped gift must be opened an inspected. Save yourself the hassle and ship your wrapped gifts another way!
Don’t Allow Yourself to get Hangry
Pack or purchase snacks in case you experience any kind of delay from inside the airport to on the tarmac.
Have a Plan B in Case of Delay
Have a solid backup plan for your travel needs before you leave for the airport and an emergency fund to execute that plan.
