5 tips for avoiding holiday travel hassles

By Jeanenne Tornatore

The Air Transport Association (ATA) expects 43.6 million passengers to travel on U.S. carriers over the winter holidays. If you’re trying to figure out the best way to navigate the lines, security measures and often-unpredictable weather conditions, follow these airport travel tips and you might just arrive at your destination with some holiday cheer still in tact.

1. Take an early morning flight. Not only do the first flights of the day typically have better on-time departure statistics, they can help you avoid weather-related delays. Aircraft departing early in the morning are more likely to be at the gate, de-iced and ready to go. And in the case that bad weather does cancel your flight, you’ll have more options for rebooking throughout the remainder of the day.

2. Pack light. Getting everything into a carry-on bag will not only save you from paying checked baggage fees, but also leaves you more nimble and able to handle the surprises that often come with holiday travel. If you need to change your flight or decide to fly standby on an earlier departure, you’ll have everything with you when you arrive at your destination. If gifts are weighing you down, consider shipping them ahead of time.

3. Arrive early. Don’t underestimate the sheer volume of travelers that will be checking bags and waiting to get through security. Allow yourself ample time to get to your gate, arriving at the airport at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. And be sure to anticipate heavy traffic and full parking lots when you plan your trip to the airport.

4. Be organized and have a plan for getting through security. Make a mental checklist of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security procedures as you wait in line for screening. Remember the 3-1-1 rule, shoes and coats must come off, and laptops must be placed in their own tray. For families with small children, decide in advance who will be in charge of folding the stroller, carrying the infant/toddler, taking off/on shoes/jackets etc. For more details, check out these helpful TSA preparation tips for travelers.

5. Get to know your airport. If you encounter delays and have some extra time to wander the terminal, do a little research into what amenities your airport has to offer. You might be surprised to learn that many major airports have everything from art galleries to dedicated kid-friendly areas. Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, for example, has kid’s zones in two of its terminals with interactive airport-themed areas to give parents a rest while the little ones release some energy during long layovers or delays.

Other ways to avoid travel hassles all year long

• Check the Orbitz Traveler Update page for flying forecasts, traveler news and more
• Sign up for Orbitz Care alerts for up-to-the-minute news and information that may impact your trip
• Stay in the know when you download the free Orbitz app for iPhone® and Android™ mobile devices
• Holiday travel & Christmas vacation ideas

Jeanenne Tornatore is a senior travel editor at Orbitz Worldwide. A long-time traveler and avid deal seeker, she regularly shares her industry knowledge, practical advice and savvy tips with national print and broadcast media around the country.

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