It’s 2022 and although more flights are available, it doesn’t feel like more flights are actually taking off. Having something to do with staffing shortages and everyone handling the last two years differently, there aren’t always enough people to make the flight possible.

So what does that mean for us travelers? It means we will have to take more precautions while planning air travel or we’re going to have a bad time on travel day. Here are the best trips when planning air travel in 2022:

The Best Tips for Planning a Trip in 2022

Book Directly with the Airline

Booking directly with the airline gives you the best possible outcome when your flight is delayed or canceled. Unfortunately for all the people who found a better deal on third-party website, the front desk is going to redirect those concerned travelers to the website they used to book. In most cases, third-party websites aren’t treating your travel day as a priority and that’s not something you want to deal with when you’re stuck while traveling.

Pack Just a Carry On

Another change that might help you on travel day is packing just a carry-on for those short trips. Along with these delayed and canceled flights, your suitcases go on an adventure of their own and unfortunately don’t always find you. Packing just a carry-on will allow you to have all your important items while avoiding all of the issues that can come up with checking a bag.

Purchase TSA Precheck

The less time you spend in line, the better! Normally I have no time waiting but with the extra amount of people in the airport, it’s best to not get caught in the congestion. Purchasing additional benefits like TSA Precheck might benefit you at those bigger airports and for the sake of saving a few minutes off of getting through airport security.

Click here to go to the TSA Precheck Website.

Don’t Plan Anything on Travel Days

Gone are the days of flying in somewhere in the morning & attending the event that same day. I’ve taken a few weekend trips where I was able to leave work a little bit earlier on Friday and flew an early flight in two days later, I don’t know if that’s a possibility anymore! With delays now to be expected, you should fly in at a minimum of 24 hours beforehand so the delays don’t affect your travel plans.

Leave Enough Connection Time

Layovers should be assessed in a case-by-case situation, but I wouldn’t risk a short one right now. If it’s an airport that I am familiar with I may be comfortable with a shorter layover, but realistically a longer layover adds insurance to my travel day. I need to consider the fact that my initial flight may be delayed, something might be held up if I need to go to baggage claim again or I could be looking for my flight at the wrong terminal when I should be looking for a shuttle bus to another area – all things that have happened to me in the past that could have been worse if my connection times were slimmer.

Have Travel Insurance

Now more than ever is travel insurance important! Not only can this help reimburse you when your flights are delayed or canceled, but it can also save your travel plans if you come across any personal issues. There are so many things that can go wrong when you are set to a certain timetable so having a backup like travel insurance is a good thing to have.

I would also like to remind you that not all travel insurance plans are created equal. The type of coverage that you purchase is dependent on your personal insurance requirements and the type of activities you plan on doing. Any mistakes that weren’t pre-paid for will know your contract and have to come out of your own pocket. I would also like to add that travel insurance claims are more so a reimbursement process so don’t expect to get the money within minutes of any flight delays, it’s a process.

Be Flexible

I believe my most important tip is to be flexible, both logistically and with your expectations of what your travel day is. Although all these changes may be frustrating, ultimately you control how you feel about the whole situation. I’ve had travel delays that were fun and others that I sat in a sour mood for hours; finding an adventure is way better than being upset. Don’t let the mismanagement of airline employees make you do things that are out of character.

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