It is that glorious time of year when people of all ages pack their luggage, carry-ons & TSA- approved liquids to board a plane and visit loved ones.  As much as air travel is convenient and accessible, unforeseen problems always will and do, occur.  In my airport travel experience, I have stayed extra days in strange cities due to flight cancellations, changed departing airports while driving up to said airport, sat aboard the plane on the tarmac for 2+ hours while who knows what procedures and issues were being taken care of, and most recently participated in an airport emergency lock down with my two children in tow.  As I prepare to board another plane with my family and travel out of the country this coming week, I want to share with you my preparation MUSTS in case your airplane travel goes awry.

1)Download the airline app

All the major airlines have a free app available for download.  Once registered, the app will have all the flight details, updates, and information easily accessible with a swipe of a finger.  Think of it as a paperless boarding pass and travel itinerary.  Plus, most airlines use their app as the source for in-flight entertainment. 

2)Local Hotel Contact Information

If the travel itinerary includes a connecting flight, plan ahead and research local hotels near the airport.  If the connecting flight gets delayed or cancelled, this information will come in handy to book a room for the night.  It is extremely nerve wracking to try find a hotel room in a strange city.  Be sure to have a few hotel options picked out ahead of time to help alleviate the stress.

3)Add the Airline Customer Service Number to your Phone Contacts

This preparation tip is a MUST!  If there is any delay or cancellation in the flight and alternate plans need to be arranged, this is the only way to go!  Other frustrated and nervous passengers will head to the airport customer service desk and be dealt with, one by one, by a (hopefully) friendly and patient airport employee.  But with a quick phone call to the airline’s customer service, one can book, change, or cancel flights almost instantly over the phone.  The new travel itinerary will be put into effect long before half the people in the customer service line have even been helped.

Honestly, I hope you never have to use any of these travel tips. In case your flight itinerary doesn’t go as planned, it is always great to be prepared.  Follow these three travel tips to alleviate some of the panic and stress when your plans go awry!! 

Happy flying!