Coinciding with schools closing for the summer and temperatures rising, the “summer travel season” has officially begun. During this time, some families will load up their SUV for childhood road trips. However, many others try to limit their luggage to just under 50 pounds. and board a plane meant for fun in the sun.
This year's summer travel season is expected to be one of the busiest in history. Actually, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is preparing for “…the highest passenger volume it has ever experienced at airport security checkpoints nationwide…”
But the hustle and bustle of a busy summer season isn't always beneficial for passengers. Increased demand for air travel can make it difficult to rebook flights if passengers miss theirs. The summer travel season also often sees unpredictable weather and intense storms that seem to appear out of nowhere, canceling and delaying flights and complicating vacation plans.
However, with proper planning and preparation, passengers can weather the summer season and enjoy their vacation without turbulence. Here are eight tips, courtesy of Kathleen Bangs of FlightAwareWhat passengers should keep in mind when heading to the airport this summer season:
Be the early riser.
Widespread thunderstorms and fronts can disrupt airline schedules during the summer travel season. So, getting the earliest departure in the morning means much less risk of flight cancellation or significant delay.
Delays can be bad enough that by evening there is no spare aircraft available or a flight crew that has not expired. FlightAware data shows that the earlier you fly, the greater your chances of arriving on time.
Fly non-stop, if possible.
If your itinerary includes a connecting flight, check the time between your two flights and make sure it's reasonable. If you miss a connecting flight, you may not find a seat available that day.
Carriers can book connecting flights with as little as 25 minutes between connections. This may not be realistic when there is a long distance between gates or terminals or if you are traveling with young children or people who might need assistance.
Always have a backup plan.
If the airline can't get you home – or if it can, but not for an extra day or two – make sure you have a contingency plan in mind. Of course, the farther from home you travel – especially if it's an international trip – the more “what ifs” you plan for, the better. Whether it's having a sufficient balance on a credit card, purchasing another ticket if necessary (while you negotiate compensation), or even redeeming frequent flyer miles.
Mentally prepare a plan of action, especially in case you get stuck at your destination or at an intermediate airport during a missed connection. Always have a carry-on bag that includes all necessary medications, a change of clothes and a phone charger.
Consider what you would do if your wallet and/or phone were lost or stolen and how you would access a copy of any important documents and phone numbers.
Use a map.
Your smartphone has maps, but travelers often neglect to use them. If, for example, your flight from Newark (EWR) is canceled and the airline can't find you an empty seat until tomorrow, see if they can get you on a flight from JFK or LaGuardia (LGA). ) near. Even Philadelphia (PHL) is only about 99 miles away if you really need to catch a flight to your destination, like a family wedding or business emergency.
Or, let's say you're flying to Tampa, but no flights or seats are available. Take out a card. Does the carrier fly to nearby St. Petersburg (PIE) or Sarasota (SRQ)? Or even Orlando (MCO), about 90 minutes away by rental car. Look at alternative airports nearby. Although driving an hour or more can be inconvenient, it's better than not making it at all.
Do not confuse the two types of hand luggage.
When traveling with two carry-on bags, a “roller bag” that goes in the overhead compartments and a smaller “personal” or “under the seat” bag, make sure your most essential items: passport, medications, phone, jewelry and anything expensive or difficult to replace: store it in your bag under the seat.
For what? As overhead bins fill up, it is now common for carriers to check roller bags that cannot fit in the overhead bin. This is an opportunity for you to be separated from your bag, with the possibility that it – and the important items you need – will be delayed.
Also keep in mind that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations state that domestic carry-on bags cannot exceed dimensions of 22 x 14 x 9 inches. However, depending on the airline, you might notice a difference of one or two centimeters. Each carrier's exact dimension limits can be found on their website or app.
Know this before you go.
Use the FAA National Airspace Status Website to find up-to-the-minute information about air traffic control (ATC) delays and airport ground layovers.
Often overlooked by non-professional travelers, this helpful site explains the causes of delays (high winds, heavy precipitation, computer system failures) and their duration.
Additionally, for an overall weather overview of potential events and areas of precipitation affecting travel, check the National Weather Service's Forecast Center website a day or two before flying. National forecast table is easy to understand and represents major fronts and forecasts precipitation up to three days in advance.
There is an application for that !
Some carriers have discontinued telephone customer service and other airlines have introduced text message customer service. This is designed to allow travelers to book tickets and make changes on their own through each airline's app. Download your carrier's app to get the fastest access to any changes you might need and real-time communications from the airline.
If you're facing a long delay or cancellation at the airport, it may still be worth queuing to speak face to face with an airline employee, but make sure you always use the application to recover the last free seat before. you arrive at the counter. One scenario in which you may need customer service is to obtain a rebooking on another carrier through that airline's interline agreement.
If your airline cannot reserve a seat on its plane, it can sometimes – at no extra cost – get you on another carrier via an interline agreement.
Know what you are entitled to.
Delays and cancellations do happen, especially during the summer travel season.
THE Department of Transportation (DOT) Airline Customer Service Dashboard discusses what passengers can expect and are entitled to in the event of an extended delay or cancellation and provides handy charts with details and information on the top ten U.S. carriers.
The site also hosts a family seating dashboard to address the issue of needing to seat children while traveling next to at least one parent or guardian.
