Memorial weekend is almost here and that means the start of the summer travel season is right around the corner. This is the tenth year in a row that our peak season is expected to increase. Over 250 million people are set to fly between June 1st and August 31st, more than 3.4% over last summer. Don’t let those numbers scare you from taking your summer vacation. We have all of the tips you need to travel during peak season.
Is There an App for It?
Apps are going to be key in keeping your stress levels down while you travel during peak season. The first app you should download is the one for your airline. Not only will you be able to use it to check in and store your mobile boarding pass, you can turn on flight alert notifications. These are extremely helpful to keep you in the know for gate changes and delays. Beyond your airline’s app, that you should definitely have, there are a few others that will prove useful.
TSA has their own app, MyTSA, to help provide travelers approximate wait times based on historical data and how busy your airport is at certain times of the day. You can also bookmark your airport’s website to quickly check their wait times or your flight’s status.
If your summer travels are international, look into the CBP Mobile Passport App. It will cut down on your time spent in customs when you return to the states. The app allows you to enter your passport information and use the expedited Mobile Passport Control line. Currently there are more than 25 U.S. airports that offer this feature. It’s definitely worth seeing if your return airport is included.
Non-Stop is Your Friend
When there are thousands of people flying each day, the changes of delays or cancellations increase. It’s a risk you take when you travel during peak season. One of the easiest ways to mitigate that risk is by flying non-stop. When you book a flight with a layover you are increasing your chances that one or both of your flights will have an issue. This could be anything from overbooking, mechanical issues, or lost baggage. If you can fly direct, you should.
Use an Alternative Airport
Flying from your usual airport may not be the best option during peak season. Take a look at smaller, more regional airports when you book your flights. There will be less crowding and often times their flights are better priced than the ones you’ll find from a larger airport. Think Chicago-Midway instead of O’Hare or even Fort Lauderdale International instead of Miami International.
Fly Early
Flying early may not seem like it will cut down on your travel stress, especially when you’re traveling with a family, butt trust us. Flight issues and delays compound throughout the day and the later you fly out, the more likely you’ll be affected. By flying early you have the best chance of getting to your destination without any problems. You can always get an airport hotel room for when you arrive to take naps and refresh before you really start your vacation.
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