Travel is well and truly back, but with cancelled flights, long delays and staff shortages, the return to air travel hasn’t been quite so seamless.
The experts on the frontline at Flight Centre have compiled some tips for avoiding airport chaos.
Don’t plan tight turnarounds
If you are only leaving yourself an hour or two to get from the airport to the super-important reservation that you just can’t miss – you’re asking for trouble. Plan ahead and allow plenty of time for potential delays and get to your destination early! If your flight arrives on schedule, it will allow you time to enjoy your destination.
Read: Travel SOS: What not to touch at the airport
Fly in the morning
Flight delays are often caused by problems that occur earlier in the day. A delay earlier in the day can have a snowball effect on flights later in the day. A good way to avoid this can be to get the wind beneath your wings early and be on one of the first flights of the day. Plus, flights that are earlier in the day are less likely to be cancelled.
Arrive at the airport early
It’s no secret that check-in desks, bag drop, and security are busy. It’s a taxing time for both travellers and airport workers, so be sure to exercise patience and politeness when dealing with staff and crew. But our best advice? Plan ahead for long lines and get to the airport early. This could save you the headache of worrying whether you will make it to your gate on time.
Make sure your passport is valid
Under no circumstances should you leave it till the last minute to check your passport validity. You’ll no doubt have heard that passport turnarounds are a little sluggish at the moment. The best way to combat this is to dust off your passport well before you book, then make sure that it’s in date, less than 10 years old, and has at least six months’ validity left on it.
If you’re unsure, chat to one of the Flight Centre experts – they know their stuff and can help you with the latest passport and visa rules for your destination of choice, so you can sit back and just look forward to your holiday.
Read: Scanning luggage, a vital part of airport security
Travel domestic or close to home
Some of the worst affected destinations are long-haul destinations such as Europe. Why not avoid the situation as much as possible by switching out those long-haul flights and potentially stress-inducing stopovers for travelling domestically or somewhere close to home such as Bali, New Zealand, or the South Pacific?
Consider a cruise
Avoid the potential chaos completely by taking the airport out of the equation. Set sail on a cruise and take the scenic route to popular destinations throughout Queensland, New Zealand, the South Pacific and much more.
Travel Insurance
Not only can delays and cancellations be stressful, but they can also be very costly. If you find yourself stuck in a destination for a few extra days, you may have to pay for additional nights at a hotel that you did not expect. Travel insurance that covers flights cancellations is a must and can help you recuperate some of your hard-earned money.
Have you encountered any travel chaos this year? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: Busting budget travel myths
Early morning – forget it! I live too far away from Sydney to even get there for a mid-morning flight. I’d rather get a mid-afternoon flight, then I’m not having to ‘run’ to get a connecting flight, or having to pay for an extra night’ s accommodation in Sydney. I travel best during night hours, especially if it’s a 23 or 24 hour flight time to arrive early am.