With Thanksgiving fast approaching, will you be prepared to fly during some of the year’s busiest travel days? As more and more people are getting vaccinated, it’s undeniable that airports will be crowded. Despite having a tried-and-true method of flying, that might not work for you this year. There are also issues you need to be aware of besides the crowds.
Thanksgiving Airport Travel Tips
Allow Yourself Extra Time For Thanksgiving Travel Crowds
For past Thanksgiving travel, you’ve allowed yourself 90 minutes to get through the airport. However, this year might be different. For one, the security lines may be much longer due to more people traveling. In addition, the traffic to the airport might be busier than expected. By allowing yourself more time, you’ll significantly reduce the amount of stress you may have.
Travel Tip:
TSA’s app – MyTSA – can show you estimated wait times for your airport. For global security lines, there is MiFlight.
Related: Five Winter Driving Tips
Charge Your Devices Before Arriving For Your Thanksgiving Trip
Remember to charge any device you plan to bring for your flight. For instance, you should charge your smartphone and laptop. Are you bringing a tablet? If so, charge that, too. On the other hand, you might not think this is all necessary. But then again, once you get to your boarding gate, will you find an electrical outlet that’s not being used?
There’s A Travel App For That
You should download it if you’re tech-savvy but not already using your airline’s app. All major airlines offer apps to check in to your flight, obtain a boarding pass, and more. Indeed, these apps can help keep you updated on your flight. You can track your flight’s arrival status, gate changes, and more precisely. Nevertheless, printing out your boarding pass in case your airport’s Wi-Fi is unreliable is always helpful.
Related: Airport Tips and Travel Apps For 2023
More On Travel Apps
Airline apps are among the many tools you can use on your smartphone. Indeed, you may also need a flight tracking app that’s more accurate than the airline. Many are available, but the most favored for iOS/Android are FlightAware and Flightradar 24. Flight booking apps can also be installed in case of an emergency. Among the best for you are Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Hopper.
Pack Lightly For Thanksgiving Travel
You shouldn’t need more than one personal item and one carry-on piece of luggage. After all, haven’t you visited friends or relatives for just a few days? Well before your flight, list items you need to bring or what can stay home. For example, your list may include medications, toiletries, and extra shoes. If practical, you might want to wait to purchase gifts after you get to your destination.
Related: Squaremouth Travel Trends For The Holiday Season
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Your items are packed and all set for the flight. But it’s also helpful to wear comfortable clothing to the airport. For instance, you should wear comfortable shoes and a jacket. On the other hand, if you have to go through the general security line, don’t wear a belt or jacket with metal buttons. Besides, you don’t want to slow the line down, nor do you want to walk in uncomfortable footwear.
Travel Tip:
If you’re carrying a water bottle, don’t forget to empty it before going through the TSA security line. You should remove any liquid carry-on items that TSA staff might flag. Don’t forget to bring a facemask(s) because it’s required inside a parking shuttle,, the airport and onboard. At the same time, you should also carry hand sanitizer.
To Check In Or Not To Check In
Even if you are packed lightly, should you consider checking your luggage? It might be a good idea if you have a complimentary lousy check-in. This is important if you are not in the first three groups to board the aircraft. If you’re not in an early boarding group, there may be no storage space left. What’s more, you could delay the flight by trying to find another compartment for your carry-on.
Travel Tip:
You can track your luggage via major airline apps on your smartphone or laptop’s web browser.
Plan For The Unexpected Over The Thanksgiving Holiday
No one enjoys a flight delay. Unfortunately, flight delays will happen, and you can’t predict if your flight will be on time. Moreover, there is an ongoing staff shortage, including flight crews and TSA officers. Do you have a backup plan in case your flight is delayed or, worse yet, canceled?
Flight Cancellations Are Possible
If you arrive early and do everything right, your flight could be canceled. In recent months, thousands of flights were canceled due to staffing shortages. Specifically, Southwest Airlines canceled more than 2,000 flights last month. Similarly, American Airlines canceled 2,400 flights.
What To Do If Your Thanksgiving Flight Is Cancelled
If your flight is canceled, you have a couple of options. For one, you can check with airline staff for a replacement flight. You could also rebook directly through your airline’s app or at a kiosk. You are entitled to a refund if you cannot rebook on a different flight. However, if you opt for that, you must consider the additional costs.
Travel Tip:
Flying over the busy Thanksgiving holiday can be fun, but it can also be stressful. Should you purchase travel insurance in case something goes wrong? Does your credit card company have adequate protection? If you want to compare travel insurance plans, consider comparison sites like Squaremouth or Insuremytrip.
Related: Book Your Thanksgiving Airfare Before Halloween
About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS Local from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including CBS New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC, NJ.com, and Radio.com.
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