As someone who lives in California and attends college in Connecticut, I do a lot of airline travel during peak holiday times. There’s no doubt that travel can be stressful, especially during the holiday rush. Here are five tips to help you survive your airline travel during the holiday season:
1. Carry on your luggage
Once I started carrying my suitcase on flights, I refused to go back. Having all of my luggage with me at all times streamlines my travel day and relieves a lot of my travel anxiety. Not only do I get to skip the line to check my bag when I first get to the airport, but there’s also nothing worse than having to wait for your bag to come out on the carousel when you know your family (and dogs) are waiting outside. Additionally, I don’t have to worry about my bag getting lost and if for some awful reason, I got stuck in my layover city, I would at least have my stuff.
2. Choose Alternate travel days
Around the holidays, there are certain days that are especially busy to travel. Generally the few days right before any holiday and the Sunday after are going to be the busiest. If you can avoid these days your flight will likely be cheaper and you will be less likely to experience delays and crowds at the airport.
3. Find airports and airlines you like
Being in a space you’re comfortable with is key when trying to reduce stress. In terms of airports, it’s always nice to not have to wander around before your flight to find your gate or know where the best snack options are. I also think a lot about the airport where my layovers are. If I can, I also try to avoid layovers in airports that get winter storms, or airports such as Chicago Midway and JFK which are known for delays. With airlines, if you can, try to find one you like and stick with it. In the past few years, I’ve become a big Delta fan. Regardless of which airline you choose, it’s nice to know how the boarding process goes and what amenities (TVs, wifi, snacks, drinks, etc.) the plane generally comes with. By sticking with one airline you can also sign up for their loyalty program and earn points which can eventually help you land a free flight!
4. download your airline’s app
When I travel, my goal is to simplify the process as much as possible. Downloading the airline’s app allows me to have my boarding pass on my phone (I recommend taking a screenshot of it in case you don’t have wifi), which is one less document I need to keep track of. The app also will show you what gate your flight is departing from and will arrive at. Some apps will also show you an airport map which can be extremely helpful during tight layovers so you don’t lose time trying to find your gate. Aside from the virtual boarding pass, the feature I use most on the app is the flight tracker. This will notify me if my flight is delayed as well as let me track my plane’s progress throughout the day. Additional features of airline apps tend to include easier check-in, connecting to wifi on the plane, and quick access to your airline profile.
5. get Tsa-preCheck
If you plan on traveling frequently, TSA PreCheck is a must. The application process is long and does have a fee associated with it, but it is certainly worth it. Even during the busiest of times, I get through security in less than 15 minutes. Having PreCheck also means I can leave my shoes on and don’t have to take anything out of my bags when I go through security.
Ultimately, airline travel results in long, and often unpredictable days. Be patient with yourself and the airport/airline staff as everyone is trying to do their best in the holiday travel chaos. No matter how tiring the day gets, it’ll all be worth it in the end to spend the holidays with friends and family you love.