10 Bellingham holiday air travel survival tips to make your experience smoother
The busiest travel season on record began this week and will last through Jan. 5, say travel experts.
Sunil Harman, director of aviation at Bellingham International Airport, said that airport sees about 21,000 passengers from Dec. 18 through Dec. 28.
An estimated 47.5 million passengers will fly on U.S. airlines during the 18-day winter holiday, said Tri-Cities Airport Director Buck Taft.
Airlines for America says that’s an average of 2.6 million people each day — up 3 percent from last year.
And getting all those people through airports and where they need to go can get challenging.
Here are some tips from Taft and the AARP for helping your journey go a little smoother:
1. Avoid the busiest days
The busiest air-travel days will be Dec. 20- 21 and Dec. 26-27. If you can, try to plan your trip before or after these dates, or look for early-morning or late-night flights to avoid the biggest crowds.
2. Rethink holiday gifts and carry-ons
Learn ahead which items you can bring on the plane or need to check in your luggage.
▪ Wrapped gifts: You can travel with wrapped presents but if it triggers a checkpoint alarm, it may be unwrapped and inspected. Consider using a gift bag or a gift box for earlier opening or wrap it when you arrive.
▪ Holiday foods: Solids like cookies or ham can be carried onto a plane in your bag. But if you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it, then pack anything over 3.4 ounces in your checked bag. That includes gravy, jam and jellied cranberries.
▪ Snow globes: Snow globes are popular holiday gifts, but if you’re traveling with a snow globe, it needs to contain 3.4 liquid ounces or less to be in your carry-on. So, it it’s smaller than a tennis ball, it’s probably 3.4 ounces or less.
3. Arrive early
Lines may be longer and parking may be more scarce during the holidays. Arrive at the Bellingham airport two hours before departure. That will give you enough time to park, check your bags, go through Transportation Security Administration security and get to your gate.
4. Go with the overflow
Bellingham International Airport’s website has links for information about parking, security checks, taxi and charter services.
5. Pack light
Take only a carry-on bag. Sacrificing some clothes will save you time on both ends of the trip and could make it easier if you’re switched to a different flight.
7. Avoid airline ticket counters
There is no need to wait in line if you print out boarding passes at home, pull them up on your phone or get them at an airport kiosk, says the AARP. If you have an e-ticket, carry a printout of your itinerary. And if checking bags when flying into Whatcom County, use curbside skycaps at larger airports.
8. Think 3-1-1
When going through the security checkpoint, come prepared to follow the 3-1-1 rule for your liquids and gels: 3 ounces of liquid in a 1 quart bag, 1 bag per person. Higher quantities of breast milk and medicines are allowed but may require further inspection.
9. Try PreCheck
Get through the security checkpoint faster and with less hassle by registering for the TSA PreCheck program. It may be too late to help this year, but consider it before the next busy travel season.
10. Bring provisions
AARP suggests taking snacks, games, books, magazines, portable music or DVD players and other diversions to pass the time if your flight is delayed. This is critical, of course, if you’re traveling with kids.
The Tri-City Herald contributed to this report.
