These holiday season tips will make getting through the airport smoother and more enjoyable.
The holiday season is upon us, with all the goodness that can entail: laughs and hugs with family and friends, homey meals, gifts given and received. But alongside all this happiness is a potential for horror: Traveling during the busiest time of year.
Airports may be gateways to joy, but they can also be a major pain. Not only are there line-ups and delays, but tired, overworked staff and fellow passengers can be, well, less than polite. But your next trip to the airport doesn’t have to be a
total nightmare. In fact, with a few tips and hacks, getting there can be (almost) a pleasure. Here’s some advice you can use whenever you fly.
Find Your Refuge
A big part of keeping your smile amidst the hurly burly is finding a spot to hunker down and find a little peace and quiet. Fortunately, airports have made this a lot easier these days.To find a good spot, research the best places ahead of time. It may be an amazing Kansas City-style barbecue place or top-shelf Italian at LaGuardia Airport in New York. Whether your flight is delayed or on time, settle in and wait for your departure in a cushier, quieter setting.
Discover Priority
People often assume that priority check-in, boarding lines, and VIP lounges are reserved for the top echelons of frequent fliers, like business people, globetrotters, and others who spend the better part of their lives in the air. You might be surprised to find that that’s not always the case.Take a closer look at benefits provided by your credit cards. Some provide the items described above. Yes, it tends to be higher-end cards with sky-high annual rates that come with actual airline status. But even low-fee travel cards often offer a limited number of lounge visits or other perks.
And let me tell you—a crammed, economy-class flight can seem a lot more pleasant when it’s preceded by something nice, like a glass of wine and some cheese in a quiet corner of a lounge.
Explore Beyond
Wander the concourses at a place like Singapore’s Changi Airport, and, honestly, you just never know what you’ll encounter. You’ll find the world’s largest indoor waterfall, as well as various different gardens—including cactus, sunflower, enchanted, orchid, and, famously, the butterfly garden. There’s also a rooftop pool, mirror maze, slide, free 24-hour movie theater, and an experience zone with tons of interactive games.Of course, you won’t find quite this sparkling array of attractions at North American airports. But it can help to have something fun, interesting, and quirky to consume a little time, especially when your flight is delayed. Pearson Airport in Toronto, for example, partnered with Mississauga museums to create the “
Malton’s Aviation History” exhibit.
Portland’s International Airport offers a
Hollywood Theatre “micro-cinema” that seats 17 people. It screens free, locally made short films.
And if you’re at New York’s JFK, wander over to the
TWA Flight Center. Designed in 1962 to be the Grand Central of the Jet Age, it’s now a 512-room hotel with a vintage salon and rooftop pool. Even if you don’t stay, pop in for a drink at The Sunken Lounge or a bite at the
Paris Café.Consider an Upgrade
Yes, you’ve already spent a lot on those peak-season plane tickets. And it may seem unimaginable to even consider spending more. But it might be worth it.
In addition to the luxury of sitting in the first or business class cabin, an upgrade to a higher class of service comes with a lot of benefits. Lounge access, priority baggage handling (your suitcase comes out first), expedited check-in, and zone one boarding are a few.
And you wouldn’t necessarily need to pay the often-exorbitant amount for a business class ticket. Sometimes, you can use points on your credit card or miles accumulated over years of travel.
Or, try something offered by several airlines called a “bid upgrade,” where you enter the amount you’d be willing to pay. If you bid more than others and there’s a seat available, you’ll be boosted to that higher class of service.
Work in Advance
The airport is the worst place to make important arrangements for your travel. Especially during the holidays, it’s a busy, confusing, and potentially frustrating place. As much as possible, go online and book whatever you can in advance, in the peace and solitude of your own home.Is sitting with your partner or family a priority? Do you need a special meal on an international flight? Go onto the airline’s website and book it. And always check-in online, which is usually available 24 hours before your departure—you’ll arrive at the airport with seats selected, boarding passes in hand, ready to head home (or away) for the holidays.
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3 More Quick Tips:
Carry-on if Possible
Packing only a carry-on suitcase can save you a lot of time—you won’t need to line up to check your bag or wait at the carousel at the end. And this also eliminates any worries about that suitcase not making it to your destination.Track Your Bag
If you do check a bag, definitely place an AirTag or something similar in your bag, so you always know where it is. Some airline apps offer ways to track the progress of your baggage through the system, which is a helpful, reassuring tool.Take a Deep Breath
Even if everything goes as planned, holiday travel can be a challenge. Bring your patience and, when that runs out, take a deep breath. Remember the joy that awaits you at the end of the trip, and let that carry you all the way there.
