Fasten your seatbelts, put your tray table up, and check out our holiday air travel tips

By HUGO MENDOZA
Observer Staff

Air travel during the holiday season certainly has its ups and downs. Some fly home to be with family and friends, while others travel to enjoy time on ski slopes, a sunny beach, or a relaxing, comfortable place away from all the commotion.

Plan ahead so you can zoom through crowded airports this travel season.

(Photo by MACIEJ NOSKOWSKI, istockphoto.com)

Whatever the reason, keep the following air travel tips in mind as you finalize your plans and get ready to set off to the airport.

Book/check-in to your flight online:

To simplify the travel process, make your travel arrangements online. Try purchasing tickets from Expedia, Cheaptickets or Travelocity. After making the purchase, print your boarding passes to eliminate having to check in with the airline at the airport.

Getting through security:

Some advice: take it all off. Take the change out of your pockets, unfasten your watch, slide your belt off, yank off your shoes and place your jewelry into an inside pocket in your carry-on luggage or in your purse. Leaving just one little semi-metallic item on your body will lead to more screening, creating delays for you and everyone else.

What to take:

Take some reading material with you, like a magazine or book, or pick up a newspaper at the airport’s newsstand.

An iPod is small and portable and worth bringing along. Just remember to take it off while going through the security checkpoint. If you use your iPod a lot, you may want to consider purchasing a back-up battery and save yourself the need to connect to a laptop.

Have your mobile phone with you so that you can coordinate a speedy pick-up.

What not to take:

Make it a point to travel light—leave it all behind, including the laptop, which will only slow you down. Besides, after the battery runs low, you might not even find an available outlet to charge it.

Leave the large suitcase at home and settle for a single carry-on. This way you can walk right off the plane and straight out of the terminal without any delays.

The more items you have with you, the more you have to keep track of. A heavy load will also slow you down making it difficult to walk the long walkways, climb the staircase and ride the escalator.

Plan for delays:

Traveling always takes time, so it’s best to plan for some delays. Arriving a few hours early will reduce the stress of long lines and busy roads that could cause you to miss your flight.

Happy traveling!