- Ivana De Domenico -

4 Tips for Air Travel During the Holidays

It’s finally that time of the year again; the season for giving and the season to be thankful, the season

for hot beverages on crisp evenings and perhaps most

importantly, the season for sales and discounts.

Everyone is on the sharp lookout for the hottest deals, be it a half-

priced sweater or a stellar holiday package deal.

Traveling during the holiday season is a trend that has rapidly grown in the past

few years and by the looks of it, it is a trend that is

here to stay.

More and more people are now keen on the idea of taking

advantage of the competitive packages to escape to a warmer

destination during the winter while some seek out adventurous winter

sport trips.

With everyone looking for a getaway, it is not surprising that traveling during

the holidays is nothing short of a nightmare with overpacked airports,

overbooked hotels and overwhelming delays due to inhospitable weather

conditions.

Air travel is stressful enough on a regular day and during the holiday

season, the prospect is made extra daunting by regular delays, extended

waits for luggage, missed connections and cramped flights.

The very thought of an unfortunate combination of the above mentioned

air travel disasters is enough to make anyone cringe at the thought

of traveling during the holidays.

And of course, there is road travel with treacherous roads and

ridiculous traffic, but that we can worry about another day.

Assuming we make it past the icy death roads and the traffic that can inspire the most dramatic of road-rages, there are a few simple steps that can lead to more a peaceful air travel, even if a glitch-free trip can

never really be guaranteed.

1. Plan in Advance

Seems obvious enough and yet many a holiday trip has been marred by

simple oversights that could easily be avoided by planning ahead.

Pre-booking, re-confirming and double-checking are simple steps that may seem time consuming,

but are more likely to save you time in the grand scheme of events.

Also, planning ahead gives you the opportunity to snag the best deals,

the off-peak cheaper flights and good travel dates.

2. Keep Ample Time in Hand

There is almost always something left to do last minute and in all the hustle

bustle, rushing to the airport, furiously praying for empty roads and green

lights is not an uncommon scenario.

The domino effect of this is that you will inevitably be five minutes behind schedule for the rest of the boarding process. Try to leave early

and anticipate appropriate travel time to the airport.

Also, flights delays are not uncommon at this time of the year; be mentally prepared for long waits and bring reading material to pass the time as you wait for your flight

to be ready after de-icing.

3. Be Prudent About Packing

Most of us are guilty of overpacking most of the time.

The idea of going to an unknown place and finding yourself sans an

essential tool is enough to make most pack a flashlight for a trip to Paris and

take a can-opener to the Bahamas.

Most airlines now practice stringent baggage allowances and

a lighter suitcase can save you money, and even time, if you can

avoid checked baggages altogether.

You really do not need that third pair of back-up glasses. Lose it.

4. Take Care of Your Health

You do not want to contract flu and cold right before your holiday and

spend the duration of your trip sneezing in pictures and being able

to taste the foreign cuisine.

Get a flu shot before your trip and use hand sanitizer as often as

possible to avoid germs.

Long time on aircrafts can lead to Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT),

clotting blood in your legs. Stretch and walk around for a few minutes

every hour to avoid this.

Despite all the foresight, there will sometimes be a lost bag or two, a cold may sneak up on you as your plane takes off; some of us will still take that can-opener, just in case,

and some of us will rush through the gates just as they are about to close.

The important thing is to keep a positive outlook at times like this. Take a deep breath and troupe through the airport drama and keep your eye on the prize - the getaway you’ve been

daydreaming about for months.

For more winter travel tips, visit: http://www.travelsense.org/tips/

wintertraveltips.cfm

Have a happy holiday wherever your travels may take you!