Holiday Travel Tips from a Commercial Pilot
Commercial pilot Kathleen Bangs shared some tips for holiday travel.
Vacations are about spending time with friends and family, but sometimes travelling can get you in the head.
To make traveling easier during the holidays, or any time of the year, here are some tips from Kathleen Bangs, former commercial airline pilot and aerospace expert at FlightAware.
Plan your flight
A departure sign indicates delayed or canceled flights at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 26, 2014. (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
Take early morning flights and fly direct – Early morning flights are least likely to be canceled, Bangs says. Also, fly direct if possible. It may cost more, but Bangs says the convenience and peace of mind of a direct flight makes it worth the higher fare. For example, flying direct eliminates the possibility of being stranded on a connecting flight. Choose your seat wisely – Bangs recommends that people who are prone to nausea should choose a seat on the wing or close to the cockpit, as these areas are the most stable parts of the plane. People who are prone to nausea should avoid seats in the back of the plane, which is where the most turbulence occurs. Be as self-service as possible – Bangs says to use airline apps to stay on top of alerts and make changes to your flight if necessary. She also highly recommends using FlightAware to find out about cancellations and delays, and checking the Department of Transportation’s Airline Consumer Dashboard to learn about airline refund policies. Know the weather – Bangs recommends checking the weather for your destination, as well as the entire country, at least three days before your flight. Weather can have a ripple effect on airlines locally and nationally, resulting in delays and cancellations. Check the FOX Weather app for the latest forecasts and more.
How to Watch FOX Weather on TV
Packing for a flight
FILE – Airport staff load luggage. (Pedro Portal/El Nuevo Herald/Tribune News Service/Getty Images)
Bring as much luggage as you can – Bans uses two carry-ons as carry-ons: one that is the largest size allowed on the plane and fits in the overhead bin, and one that fits under the seat. She recommends bringing valuables like your computer, chargers, and jewelry in these carry-ons. Put ID in your checked luggage – About 1% of bags get lost during flights. That’s why Bans puts a piece of paper with her name, email address, and phone number in her checked luggage. If the tag on the bag gets torn off, the information on the paper can help return the bag to its owner. Make your luggage stand out – Plain-looking luggage, such as a black bag, can make it harder to find a lost bag in a pile of luggage. Bans recommends using high-visibility luggage or, in the case of black bags, putting a brightly colored sticker on it.
Thunderstorms occurring hundreds of miles away can wreak havoc on air travel.
Ensuring a pleasant flight experience
Bring a mask – Because the virus can be airborne, Bans recommends wearing a mask during the flight or bringing one with you just in case. He also points out that passengers may become sick or vomit during the flight, so having a mask on hand can provide some protection. Charge your phone at the gate – While you’re waiting for your flight, charge your devices. Bans says that airplane outlets and USB ports may not work, and even if they do, they can be difficult to access, given the tight space in the cabin and around your seat. Dress in layers – Layers give you comfort and flexibility as temperatures change. Bans points out that temperatures on airplanes can get very hot during cold weather. Dressing in layers can help keep you cool, but wearing layers can also keep you warm when you get off the plane.
While the air travel hacks you learned won’t work anymore, here are some tips you can try
In-flight safety
Atlanta airport predicts pre-pandemic travel numbers for Thanksgiving week
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport expects more than 2.5 million travelers to use the airport during the November holiday week, and airport executives spoke to Fox Weather’s Mitty Hicks about their plans for dealing with the severe weather.
Bring your own medical kit – Banz says she always brings a medical kit with her. Her kit is about the size of a makeup case and she keeps it in her carry-on luggage, and it contains everything she’ll need while traveling, including prescription medications, aspirin, antibiotics, and a thermometer. Count the number of seatbacks to the nearest exit – The safety briefing always marks the plane’s exits in case of an emergency. Banz recommends counting the number of seatbacks to the nearest exit, because the aisles can get crowded with passengers, and your only option to exit the plane is to clamber or “swim” up the seats to that exit.
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