Avoiding Airport Crowds During the Holiday

Travel Season

Posted on November 21st, 2014

The holiday travel season will soon be here, vastly increasing crowds at the nation’s airports. Fliers used

to top-shelf air accommodations may find themselves stuck waiting in line or squeezing into commercial

class seats unless they start planning their holiday travel now. Scheduling flights in advance of travel or

using air charter services can take a lot of the hassle out of holiday air travel.

Big traffic for the holidays

According to Airlines for America, Thanksgiving air travel will be up this year, with about 25 million people

taking to the air. That’s up about 1.5 percent from Thanksgiving 2013. While still under pre-recession

peaks, holiday air travel has been steadily strengthening in recent years. Estimates for Christmas are not

yet in, but a strong Thanksgiving season typically indicates a strong Christmas season as well.

The holidays are typically the busiest travel season of the year. Traffic at airports doubles and even triples

at some major regional hubs. Delays, long lines, security hassles and missed flights are all problematic

during busy travel seasons. To avoid hassles, higher travel costs and potentially holiday-ruining missed

flights, consider these tips:

● Book tickets ASAP – Unlike other times of the year, you’re not likely to get a great deal on a

flight by waiting until the last minute. It’s simple supply and demand. Demand for seats on

flights is high during the holidays, putting airlines in a strong bargaining positions. To get the

best deals on flights – and to make sure there’s an available seat for you to the destination of

your choice – book holiday travel as soon as possible. This is particularly important if you’re

traveling with family and want to sit close to one another on the flight.

● Know the bad days – There are several days that cost and convenience-conscious air

travelers will want to avoid. The day before Thanksgiving is usually bad, as are Dec. 1,

Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. Avoid traveling on these days if possible.

● Consider your options regarding airports – Flying in and out of airports near your destination

may offer lower prices and better availability than flying directly to your destination. By flying

to or from smaller airports near a big city, you can often find a great deal, even when you

figure in the cost of a cab or other transportation that you’ll need to reach your destination.

Flying into nearby airports is particularly helpful if your destination is a major city like New

York, where there are plenty of airports in the area.

● Fly on the holiday itself – It will mean you’ll have to rush a little more and may miss out on a

little family time, but the least busy travel day during the holidays are the holidays

themselves. You can realize significant savings by flying on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day.

Also, the airports are likely to be less crowded on a holiday than on the day before or after

the holiday.

Fly early in the morning or late at night – Early morning or late night flights typically have more seats

available and may be cheaper than flights during peak travel times. By staying up late or waking a little

early, you may get a lower price and a better seat on your flight.

● Allow plenty of time between connecting flights – Catching flights can be a sprint for the

concourse even during normal traffic, as weather and other delays can wreak havoc on take-

off and arrival times. If you have to switch flights during your holiday trek home, be sure to

leave at least an hour-and-a-half between flights to give you plenty of cushion in case of flight

delays or other problems.

● Consider air charter services – Air charter services will cost a bit more than flying

commercial, but the hassle you avoid could be well worth the trouble. When you charter a

private jet, you can often fly in and out of small municipal airports and avoid big crowds. Or,

you can choose to fly out of a small airport and into a big airport, or vice versa, if that is the

most convenient option.

When flying private air, you don’t have to go through the same security hassles that commercial travelers

do, which can be particularly time consuming during peak traffic periods. Private air travelers also have

much more flexible take-off and landing times than commercial planes, reducing the need for you to rush

to make a flight.

Flying private is also a much more enjoyable flying experience; you’ll have roomier accommodations, as

well as the privacy and quiet you need to relax or get a little work done while you’re in the air. Private jets

also undergo rigorous maintenance and a professional qualification regimen, so you can rest assured that

you’re in capable, competent hands when you charter a private jet.

By researching your options, including chartering a private jet, holiday travelers can make their winter

travel quicker, more convenient, and more luxurious, allowing them to better enjoy vacation or family time.