20 Airport Tips for Holiday Travelers - Keep Your Sanity and Your Flights

The holidays are a hectic time of year at airports. Whether you are flying north, south, east or west, there are some things that you should know about in advance to make your flying experience more enjoyable.

1. Plan your trip early. If you know that you want to fly first thing in the morning and you want a non-stop flight, you will need to book early to ensure that you get your choice of flight itineraries. When you book your flight early, you will likely spend less on your plane ticket as well.

2. Pack lightly, if possible. Try to allow one suitcase for every two travelers. If you have small children, there is a great possibility that you can fit all of their clothing and necessary items into one suitcase. It is just as easy to buy a small pack of diapers at your destination as it is to pack 100 in your suitcase.

3. Carry-on bags are important. Pack each traveler a change of clothing in the carry-on bags. This may seem like unnecessary weight to carry when you might be racing through the airport, but you will be glad you brought them along in the event that the airline loses or misplaces your baggage. This is also a good idea for parents, in case your little one has an accident. Parents should also pack snacks, small games, books or toys for your children, as well as baby wipes and diapers if necessary.

4. Know the rules regarding carry-on bags. Remember 3-1-1. Each person is allowed one bag of personal items, in which all personal items must be 3 ounces or less and in a 1-quart, clear plastic zip-lock bag. These items will be screened by security and the rules are strictly enforced. Juice, breast milk, formula and prescriptions can be in larger quantities.

5. Request special seating accommodations for you and your child. When traveling with a child, ask the flight attendants if you can be the first on board and the last off the plane. Flight attendants are usually very willing to help families that are traveling with children. Inform the flight attendant if you need a bottle warmed or any other items for your child.

6. Allow yourself plenty of time at the airport. You should arrive at the airport one to two hours prior to your scheduled departure time. This will ensure that you have enough time to accurately check-in your bags, go through security, use the restroom and get to your gate on time. Airplanes do not wait for late passengers and if you miss the plane, you miss the plane. If you are traveling with children, give yourself at least two hours to get through everything.

7. Request a wheelchair. If you are disabled, handicapped or otherwise unable to walk through a large airport, make sure that you make arrangements for a staff member from the airport to meet you with a wheelchair for easier accessibility. You can call the airport ahead of time to make these arrangements.

8. Be prepared for a delayed or cancelled flight. Because the holiday season is in the winter, bad weather conditions increase the chances that you will have a delayed or canceled flight. Have a plan in the event that this occurs. Will you stay at the airport until your flight has been rescheduled, or will you book a hotel room?

9. Beware jet lag! Take along some jet lag tablets to reduce the sluggish feeling that traveling out of your time zone can cause. If you are traveling with your family, encourage everyone to rest on the airplane as much as possible. It is sure to be a busy time once you reach your destination!

10. Bring distractions for kids. During take off and landing, give your children something to drink or, if they are young enough, a pacifier to suck on. The differences in pressure can cause their ears to pop, which can become very painful. Sucking on something or drinking will help prevent their ears from building up pressure. Adults may feel the affects of the change in pressure and might want to do this as well.

11. Share your flight information. Give a flight itinerary with flight numbers, departure airport, arrival airport and the corresponding flight times to a few trusted people. Give a copy to at least one person in your home town and at least one person in your arrival town. If you are having someone pick you up from the airport, make sure to keep them informed of any delays or cancellations in your travel plans.

12. Color-coordinate your outfits when traveling as a family. This will allow you to spot your child easily in the crowd in the event that someone becomes separated. The best colors are bright colors like yellow, orange or tie dye that make it easier to pick someone out of a group of people. Be cautious about putting your child's name on their clothing. This is a great way for a stranger to lull your child to them.

13. Plan ahead when brining pets or other animals. If you plan to fly with an animal, you should check with your airline first. Service animals are always allowed on the flight and do not need any special certificates or cages. There is usually a list of the types of animals and quantity of animals that passengers can bring into the cabin of the airplane.

14. "Permission slips" for pregnant women. If you are pregnant during the time of your scheduled flight, you need to get permission from your healthcare provider before boarding if you are more than seven months pregnant. Many airlines will require a dated and signed "permission slip" from the doctor if you are planning to fly at or near your due date. Keep in mind that you are likely going to be very uncomfortable on a cramped airplane.

15. Get medication if necessary. If you are a first-time flyer or scared of flying, talk to your doctor about medication for anxiety while on the airplane. Let the airline and flight attendants know that you are scared to fly and you may get a caring and compassionate flight attendant that will check on you throughout the flight to see how you are coping. Some airlines also offer courses that will help you feel more comfortable about the flight before your schedule departure date.

16. Avoid traveling on the busiest flight days. During Thanksgiving, the Wednesday before and the Sunday after are always the busiest days to fly. If possible, fly out on Tuesday and return on Saturday or even better, Monday. At Christmas, the Saturday before is usually the busiest day to fly out. Generally, weekdays are less crowded.

17. What is the best time to fly? There are usually fewer people on early morning or late night flights. Consider flying the "red eye" to beat the crowd. Flying earlier in the day will also help to ensure that your flight is not delayed or overbooked. As the day progresses, the likelihood of having a delayed flight increases.

18. Print out your boarding pass before your departure date. This will save a lot of time at the airport. Unless you have to check-in baggage, you will be able to go directly through security to your gate. Having a pre-printed boarding pass will also guarantee you a spot on the flight. It is a good idea to program the number of the airport and airline into your cell phone in the event that you need to be in direct contact with them while you are in transit to the airport.

19. Do not pack presents in your carry-on bags or checked luggage. You are only allowed a set number of bags (determined by your airline) and there is a chance that baggage could be lost. Consider purchasing gifts once you arrive at your destination or shipping them via UPS or FedEx before you leave. If you ship them to your arrival destination, make sure to have a tracking number and leave enough time for holiday delivery. You might also consider sending money to a relative at your arrival destination and having them do your holiday shopping for you.

20. Same goes for bringing gifts home with you. Ship them home via UPS or FedEx. Make sure that you give yourself enough time to get home before your packages arrive. If you really want to take your gifts home with you on the plane, pack an extra bag or suitcase on your way to your destination and fill it with presents when you are home-bound. If possible, try to get all the gifts into a carry-on bag to reduce the chance of them being lost.