There is no doubt that flying is a unique way to travel. It is also extremely convenient unless you happen to miss your connecting flight.
It happens so often that the people who work in airports are accustomed to seeing those that have missed their flight. This includes a flight attendant, who has summed up one particular reason why people tend to miss a flight and it is all due to a mistake.
If you’ve ever been to an airport during the holiday season, you realize it can get a little crazy. Many people are rushing in at the last minute to try and catch their flights but that is the worst thing you could do.
Because of the extra people, there are long queues and a lot more wait time. In other words, it is going to take you a lot longer to get from your car to the plane. The only way to ensure that you will get there on time is to get there early.
A flight attendant spoke to the Washington Post, saying: “Understand that there are people who come to the airport who are not going to be regular travelers, which means that they’re going to take longer in the security lines.”
Other people in the know also talked about how important it is to check your bag more than once and ensure there is nothing that would hold you up in security. Often those things are hidden and easily missed.
Some of the items that could cause a delay include bottle openers, toiletries being over 100ml, or foods that are classed as liquids.
So, how long should you give yourself for a holiday flight? Plan on giving yourself at least two hours if you’re flying domestically and three hours if you are flying internationally. That will provide plenty of time to get through security and not be running to the gate.
It also helps to reduce anxiety when you don’t have to rush at the last minute. That’s something all of us could use during the holidays.