Vanishing luggage, pets flying alone, strikes — air travel is a shitshow, and it will likely stay that way for the foreseeable future.
Planning a trip? Here are the biggest issues plaguing the travel industry right now — and tips for what you can do to save yourself a major headache.
More people are traveling this summer than before the pandemic and airports can’t keep up.
Flight attendants and airport personnel were laid off or encouraged to retire en masse during the pandemic, and it’s not exactly easy to hire new people, as Axios reported.
Yes, it’s annoying and frustrating to face delays, cancellations, lost baggage, and other travel mishaps. But keep in mind what the workers are dealing with on their end — not only because of the whole “you get more bees with honey” thing, but also because they’re human and deserve basic respect.
“You can book the first flight out of the day, which is less likely to be affected by spiraling delays and cancellations that can build up,” says Melanie Lieberman, a managing editor at the Points Guy.
This also gives you more wiggle room. If your morning flight gets canceled, you have the entire rest of the day to try and get on another flight.
“Get TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear,” Louangvilay says, referring to programs that help cut down on time in security and customs.
They require a background check and a brief interview, they could save you literal hours if you plan to travel in the next year.
Some credit cards and frequent flier programs offer discounts or refunds — so be sure to explore your options before paying.
Some airports are so backed up that if your flight gets canceled, it might be impossible to book another flight on the day of your scheduled departure.
You do have some protections under federal law, per the U.S. Department of Transportation.
If your flight is significantly delayed to the point where you can’t or don’t want to travel, for example, the airline has to refund you. And if your flight is cancelled, the airline will likely rebook you — but if they can’t, or the new schedule doesn’t work for you, you’re entitled to a refund or voucher for future travel.
I know, easier said than done. But if you’re traveling for fun, be open to pivoting and going somewhere else in the event your original itinerary gets seriously derailed — which also means booking hotels and experiences with flexible cancellation policies.
Sure, London would be great — but if the airline can get you to Spain instead, well, Salud!