The time of year has come where everyone is thinking about holiday travel plans. Where they’ll go, what they’ll pack, who they’ll see. What most people aren’t thinking about, however, is the very thing they should be considering. Travel delays. It’s bound to happen sooner or later. But that doesn’t mean it has to be stressful for holiday travelers. The secret to success is to be on top of your timing and preparation. That means doing what you can to avoid hectic travel times and being ready even if you land right in the middle of it.
Expert Tips To Avoid And Handle Travel Delays During The Holidays
It’s wise to expect at least some travel delays in your itinerary. Tenfold during the holidays. And a hundredfold if you live in a city with an airport known for such headaches. We just reported on the top ten airports in the U.S. that are known for how many of their flights get delayed every year. If you’re flying into or out of Las Vegas, Miami or San Francisco, sorry to say you have a pretty good chance at getting at least one flight delayed.
So let’s say you have plans to meet your family for dinner on the other side of your upcoming flight. Which is great because you ran out of the house without feeding the kiddos and you’re on a budget too tight to afford airport food prices. It’ll all work out, providing that your flight leaves on time and there’s no delay on the runway. Then it comes…the news that your flight is delayed. Cue the mounds of stress.
Was it really the flight being delayed that caused the stress? Or was it the lack of preparation and putting too much of your success on things out of your control? The problem is obvious. Fortunately, so is the solution. We got some tips from travel experts at Palm Paradise Realty Group that will help travelers avoid flying during those times when delays are more likely. As well as tips to handle delays when they do come.
1. Fly At Off-Peak Times
One way to avoid potential travel delays is to fly at off-peak times. Overnight and early morning flights are always less crowded.
The most popular times to travel is from afternoon into the late evening. Therefore, try to book an early morning flight. Those are less prone to delays and very often have smaller crowds and shorter security lines. Redeyes are also often light on passengers. For long flights, it might even be helpful to book an overnighter that your kids can sleep on. They won’t be bored and you won’t be stressed about getting through the crowds. It’s a win-win!
2. Fly A Few Days Before The Holiday
While it won’t be this empty in an airport a few days before the holidays, it will be far less crowded than flying out the day before or the day of Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Due to work, school or other demands, most of the world has to travel for the holidays the day before or the day of. Experts advise travelers to try to book a flight at least a few days before Thanksgiving or Christmas to avoid the rush. The same goes for flying home. Pick a few days after the holiday for the easier time spent in the terminal. You might have to take extra time off, but it might be worth avoiding the headache.
3. Pack Smart
Travel delays don’t have to mean meltdowns with the kids. Bringing snacks from home is one way to keep them happy and entertained.
If travel delays are inevitable, experts advise that packing smart is the difference between stress-free travel and total chaos. Bring your own snacks and empty water bottle to fill up after getting through security. This will eliminate the need to get in long lines for food or drink. For my kiddo, I pack a Snackle Box and don’t let them see it until the flight. So everything’s a fun surprise.
4. Don't Make Plans Too Close To Your Flight
Nothing is more stressful than flight delays when you have to be somewhere. Easy solution: don’t make plans the same day you’re traveling. Problem solved.
If you have to be somewhere shortly after your flight is supposed to land, then timing is everything. The way to NOT make timing everything is to allow plenty of it on the other side of your flight. Make a whole day for travel, if you can. That gives you the whole day to get to where you need to be, settle in, and refresh before hitting the holiday plans with the family. Don’t make 7:00 dinner plans when your flight comes in at 6:00pm. That just sets you up for failure.
5. Bring Things To Keep Busy
Travel delays seem much shorter when you keep yourself and your littles entertained. Downloading movies before you leave the house is the best backup plan.
This is especially necessary if you have little ones. Download movies or apps before heading to the airport, and don’t forget the chargers! If you want to mix it up and use fewer electronics during potential travel delays, there are lots of downloadable game cards like airport bingo or scavenger hunts. And don’t be afraid to go old school with those travel board games. They’re time-consuming and take up little space in the carry on.
