Sierra Blogging Post Archives

Most of us travel to visit relatives, or have relatives travel to visit us, for either Thanksgiving or Christmas (or both). A recent poll found that while people are spending less on holiday travel than in prior years, people are still traveling.

Which means the airlines are still charging a pretty penny for tickets and there will still be crowds (and delays) at the airport.

So is there anything you can do to ensure your holiday travel goes smoothly? There are no guarantees, of course, but there ARE things you can do to make the odds of a smooth trip tip in your favor.

10 Tips For Smooth Holiday Air Travel


1. Book flights early as many are selling out. (Although if you're flexible and a risk-taker you can score some pretty amazing last-minute deals these days. You just can't count on it.)

2. Whatever you do, don't miss your flight - you may not be able to get on another one. Airlines are selling out all seats and cutting down on the number of flights they're running this holiday season.

3. Be flexible with your days/times of travel and score a good deal. Flying the day after Thanksgiving or on Christmas Eve can save you hundreds of dollars on airfare.

4. If possible, avoid checking a bag to save on baggage fees (and the headache of lost bags). Or fly an airline that doesn't charge for checked bags - like Southwest or Air Tran. See 7 Ways to Avoid Baggage Fees.

5. Consider driving. If you have a large family, a lot of gifts or luggage, pets and more than a few days off, it may pay to take an old-fashioned road trip. Gas prices aren't too bad right now and a road trip is always an adventure.

6. Book flights early in the morning to avoid delays. The later in the day you fly the more chances your plane has to become delayed.

7. Non-stop flights are obviously best, but if you must make a connection try to schedule it in a mild climate. Connecting in Minneapolis or Chicago on Christmas Eve increases your chances of spending Christmas in the airport.

8. Confirm and check your ticket, travel destination and baggage claim tickets before you leave the check-in counter.

9. Bring your own snacks on the plane. Most airlines don't serve meals anymore and you don't want to sit through a long flight with your stomach growling (nor does the person sitting next to you).

10. Take a deep breath. Holiday travel can be stressful and frustrating. Long lines, delayed flights and missed connections can make for an aggravating time. But try to remember that half the fun is in the journey. And no matter how wrong it goes, at least you're not at work!