In case you haven’t heard, travel is hell right now. Flights are canceled right and left, there aren’t enough pilots or planes, airports are jammed and staff is exhausted. So don’t give anyone a hard time!

1. Take the first flight of the day, even if it’s at the ungodly hour of 5 am. This way, you have all day to be rebooked if your flight is canceled.

 

2. Download and use the app of the airline you are flying. You can do everything on it – get your boarding pass, track your bags, see your incoming plane, and change a flight. It sure beats waiting in a long line to talk to an agent!

 

 

3. Use a travel agent. Why, when booking online is so easy these days? IF your flight is canceled you won’t be jammed in the line to talk to the airline agent. You simply call your agent and they’ll do their best to re-book you — while the rest of the passengers are still waiting to be helped, or scrolling desperately on their computers.

From our wonderful travel agent, Marsha Frame from the Tavelstore : ‘We act as our client’s advocate before, during and after their trip ensuring their vacation experience is seamless and being available to assist should any issues arise. Our strong relationships with our travel partners mean we are able to provide a travel experience tailored to our traveler’s needs, which is especially important given today’s travel environment.’ Amen.

 

 

4. Put an Apple Airtag in your luggage. Even if the airline doesn’t know that your luggage went for a vaca in the Bahamas, you’ll know. Some people attach them outside their luggage (which means you need an accessory to hold it)  but we stash ours in a little compartment inside our AWAY bag. $27.50 on Amazon.

5. Skip booking through third-party websites this summer (like Expedia, Kayak, Hotwire.) If the plane is overbooked, guess who gets bumped first? Book directly through the airline, or as we mentioned, through your travel agent.

 

 

 

6. If it’s a big trip costing beaucoup bucks, buy travel insurance to protect your investment.

7. Fly early. Say, you are flying in for a big occasion, such as a wedding, plan to go a day early. That way, if your plane is canceled, delayed, or whatever you still have a chance of making it.

 

 

8. We don’t know who still needs to hear this, but that’s not water on the small plane bathroom floor. WEAR shoes when you go to the lavatory.

9. Don’t be that guy eating a tuna fish sandwich.

 

 

 

10. Bring a warm sweater. On domestic flights, there are no blankets as on international flights. And planes are always cold.

11. You don’t need a REAL-ID. Yet. But beginning May 3, 2023, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license. Plan ahead.

Good luck! Send us pics.