5 Holiday Travel Tips from a Flight Attendant

The holidays are here again! Thanksgiving week is always the busiest time of year to travel around the US. Everyone wants some of nana’s “greens, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, lamb, rams, hogs, dogs...YOU NAME IT!” If you didn’t read that in your Shirley Caesar voice, we can’t be friends.

If you are traveling by air, pack your patience because your flight will be full! Btw, please don’t ask your flight attendants if the flight is full. Of course it is! Here are 5 tips to survive holiday travel. I could go on and on about it but I’ll narrow it down to just 5.

Tip #1 Wear Your Mask

I hate that I have to write this but it continues to be a problem - a year later. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) extended the federal mask mandate through January 18, 2022. Folks, we all hate the masks - your flight crew especially! However, our personal feelings on this issue do not matter. The masks are necessary at least until January 2022. Please don’t put your flight attendants in the position of being the mask police. We REALLY hate it. And definitely DO NOT assault your flight crew or your fellow travelers. We didn’t make the rule. If you feel THAT strongly against the mask, please drive to your destination or fly private.

Tip #2 Fly Early

The best time to travel to avoid delays is the first flight in the morning. The airlines really push to get those flights out on time (if not early) because it sets the tone for the rest of the day. Delays have a snowball effect - trust me, I’m a flight attendant. I’m not a morning person by nature but for flying, I will definitely get up and get it done to avoid sitting around an airport waiting on a delayed flight (although airports are very entertaining in terms of people watching). It’ll hurt to wake up at 3am but not as badly as landing at 3am.

Tip #3 Wear Layers 

Airplanes are magnificent structures of engineering genius but for some reason we still can’t figure out how to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the cabin. Every individual aircraft is different just like each of your kids (or dogs in my case) are different. The front of the aircraft could be like Siberia while the back is like the Sahara. It is for that reason that I always recommend traveling comfortably in layers. My standard off-duty travel uniform is a comfortable pair of leggings, a short sleeve tee and a long sleeve zip up hoodie with sneakers or Uggs (don’t @me!). You could pack sweatpants in your carry-on tote to layer on top of your leggings if you’re traveling somewhere really cold - think Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit. You get extra points if you bring your own travel blanket. Even if the airline offers blankets (mine doesn’t), you probably want to use your own because YUCK - trust me, I’m a flight attendant. Also, here’s an insider tip. There’s a 50/50 chance that your flight attendants will ACTUALLY ask the pilots to warm up the cabin if you ask. Keep in mind they are up running around doing flight attendant stuff. They will not risk sweating off their makeup when the cabin gets too hot.  Most of us prefer the cabin to be on the cooler side. I’m just being honest. Layer up for maximum comfort.

Tip #4 Use the Bathroom in the Terminal

I will NEVER understand why people wait until boarding to use the flying porta- potty aka the aircraft lavatory when there’s a much bigger bathroom with actual indoor plumbing in the terminal. And then complain about how small it is in there! This happened one time and the passenger sitting in the last row turned around and said “well what were you expecting, your master bathroom?” I bought him a drink for that one. 

Now I completely get it if you had to run to catch the flight but not if the flight has been delayed for two hours and we were all sitting out there in the gate area waiting to board. It disrupts the boarding process when you are swimming upstream trying to get back to your seat while everyone else is trying to find space for their bags in the overhead bins. And it’s risky to wait until you’re in flight because what will you do if the ride is too bumpy to get up. Do yourself and your little ones a favor and go before you board if at all possible. We can only leave on-time if everyone takes their seats and buckles up in a timely manner. Don’t be the reason your flight is delayed. 

Tip #5...Hmm, what should it be?...Don’t Fly Hungry

Get to the airport early enough to grab a bite to eat. There’s no guarantee that there will be a meal service or that the flight will be smooth enough to do a snack service. Flying on an empty stomach is miserable. Trust me, I’m a flight attendant. Some airports/terminals are lacking in the food department. It’s perfectly acceptable to bring food with you. Have you seen the video of the family that had a whole crab boil on their flight? Google it…I’ll Wait. They said not today Satan! We will not fly hungry! I ain’t mad at ‘em neither. pack snacks or pick some up at the Hudson News in the terminal just to be on the safe side. Also, you can carry on your non-alcoholic drinks you purchased in the terminal. Please don’t bring opened adult beverages onboard though. You could be fined by the FAA.

Anyhow, those are just a few tips that I have for all you holiday travelers. Some of them may seem obvious but keep in mind, some people only travel once a year or less. Let me know if you want part 2. I’d be happy to oblige! Remember to pack your patience and be nice to your flight attendants. We’ll always go above and beyond for nice people. Safe travels and enjoy your holidays!

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