When it comes to connecting flights, you should avoid connecting flights if possible. “In most cases, the best thing you can do is to pay for a direct flight when it becomes available so you can get to your destination with the least amount of hassle,” says Airline Support. says Brett Snyder, president of Cranky Concierge. Traveler.
If you must make a connection, please allow enough time between flights. According to The Vacationer, a good rule of thumb is to allow at least 90 minutes. You should also choose your connecting airport wisely. “Avoid flying through major cities that are likely to snow during the holidays,” Lev says. “If your airline offers a weather waiver because of storms in the forecast, consider taking advantage of it and traveling earlier.”
In the event of bad weather, many airlines offer the option to reschedule your trip in advance at no additional charge. “Most airlines have become very aggressive with weather waivers when a significant storm is coming up,” Snyder says. “Book through a travel agent who is monitoring this situation, or make sure the airline has your email address on file with your reservation so you can be notified if a waiver is made.” please.”
Streamline security
Security checkpoints have to be one of the most stressful stages of your airport journey. However, there are some ways to simplify the process and eliminate long lines. “If you haven’t taken the TSA pre-screening, please do so,” Snyder says. “This makes it much easier to ensure safety, especially during the holidays when there are more inexperienced travelers.”
You can also sign up for a free Clear trial before your flight. The trial period lasts two months and includes all the benefits of a biometric FastPass (in some cases, you may be able to cut his TSA PreCheck security line before the PreCheck holder does). Membership also includes family members under 18 for free. Unless you cancel before the end of the two-month trial period, Clear will automatically charge your credit card for the full annual fee ($189 for 12 months). There are usually Clear agents at airport security checkpoints where you can sign up for a free trial on the spot, but it’s usually faster to sign up online in advance.
Several airports, including Seattle-Tacoma, New York JFK, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Orlando, and other busy hubs, offer free services that allow travelers to reserve security line slots online before arriving at the airport. We offer Reserve by Clear. airport. Just enter your flight information, choose a time, and submit your name (no membership required).
To see how busy an airport will be on a particular day or time, download the MyTSA app on your phone to see predictions based on historical data. The app also displays the current average wait times at security checkpoints across the airport’s terminals.
Solving baggage and boarding problems
Any flight is likely to be crowded or completely sold out, so you may want to consider priority boarding to ease your nerves and save space in the overhead bin. “If you fly American Airlines, be sure to join their loyalty program. That will get you on board earlier and probably avoid having to gate check your carry-on bag,” Lev says. .
