Holiday Air Travel Tips

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Win the Ground War

Don’t risk missing your flight because of a ground delay. Roads to, from, and inside the airport and airport parking lots are clogged with traffic during the holidays, so allow more time than usual. And remember: In-airport lots will be filled to overflowing, so use an off-airport private lot instead. All offer shuttle service directly to departure terminals; many offer perks like car washes and oil changes. Alternatively, take a car service or taxi to the airport. And trust me on this: Do not rely on friends or family for transportation. The holiday season is stressful enough. Why dump the extra grief of an airport run on anyone—especially people you care about?

Prepare for the Inevitable Delays

The long lines—and all the extra time you’ll have if everything goes swiftly—are less annoying if you’re prepared. Bring plenty to read and lots of music and videos. If you’re traveling with kids, make sure you’ve got a supply of games, toys, and snacks. If you’re traveling with infants, have more than enough diapers and food. You won’t find this kind of stuff at most airport shops. And accept the fact that there may be unexpected security delays and diversions: Abrupt closures of terminals or entire airports for real or imagined security breaches have been a regular occurrence during the past several Christmas seasons.

Pack Rations

No one likes airline food, so why complain about the carriers’ not giving it away anymore? Instead, pack a sandwich, fruit, and several bags of nuts, or a supply of energy or protein bars. And don’t scrimp on water. Airline travel is dehydrating, and you should drink at least eight ounces of water for every hour of flying. You can’t carry water through security, so pick up several bottles from the shops inside the “sterile” area beyond the screening checkpoints. Do not assume you’ll get all the beverages you need in-flight. Flight attendants won’t come down the aisles often enough to suit your needs.

Hide Out in the Club

If you’ve got a long layover between flights or are faced with an unexpected delay, consider joining an airline’s club network. The clubs are relatively quiet oases in the maelstrom of airports during the holiday season, and most airlines sell day passes for about $50. Your sanity is worth the relatively small investment.

The Fine Print

Take a psychic tip from a 30-year veteran of the road: Leave your emotional baggage behind. It won’t clear security anyway. It may sound silly, but if you come to a flight with a positive mind-set, your chances of having a good experience improve. Come to the airport stressed and strung out and you’re almost sure to have a bad flight.

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