This Easter may be your first time taking an international holiday since Covid, or maybe you’re a seasoned traveller, but I think it’s still worth sharing with you the advice we give to our clients.
In the first instalment we shared practical tips including monitoring any flight changes or cancellations, pre-allocating seats and online check-in. In this second instalment we look at ‘the airport’…
- Make sure you have plenty of time at the airport. The ‘standard’ advice is 2 hours for a short-haul flight and 3 hours for a long-haul flight; this is not long enough during busy periods, and we would add an extra hour to this. Long-haul flight check-in usually opens around 4 hours before scheduled departures and for European departures three hours, so you should be able to get straight in the bag drop queue (if you’ve followed our advice and checked in online) which will give you more time to enjoy a drink or shopping. If you’ve booked an airport lounge, you’ll want to make sure you have time to enjoy it, as it can be very frustrating when you’re finally through security that you’re dashing to the departure gate as your flight is boarding. Due to the sheer number of passengers and flights over these peak travel periods (and the threatened strikes) you should expect to queue at check-in but also at airport security.
- Consider buying a Priority Security Pass which will filter you through an alternative security lane and hopefully see you breezing into the departure lounge.
- Check the permitted weight and dimensions of your hand luggage. These vary between airlines. Also, make sure the contents are compliant! There has has been a lot of media reports regarding the changes to travelling with liquids in hand luggage, however, these changes will not be fully implemented until July 2024, so the 100ml liquid rule still applies! So please, check and double-check. All these small delays add-up to create backlogs for passengers, plus if your bag is identified for additional screening, you will be delayed further.
- We recommend taking a refillable water bottle with you and snacks, as you may just find yourself running to the departure gate with no time for even a quick drink!
- And finally, please try and stay patient and calm. I know these delays are frustrating and it’s easy to get stressed and angry, but sadly this will not change the outcome, so just be as flexible and prepared as you can be, and visualise yourself enjoying a lovely a wonderful holiday when you finally arrive…
Advice, recommendations and tips are made in good faith at the time of writing, however, things are constantly changing therefore it’s essential that you remain up-to-date with any requirements that may impact your holiday.