Holiday Travel Safety Tips

Are you heading out of town for the holidays? 

Many travelers take to the roads and the skies this time of year, taking advantage of the time off of work and school. Some visit family they don’t see throughout the year. Others like to visit places they have never seen — or spend time in those places they hold dear. 

Regardless of your reason for traveling, there is no doubt that millions of others will be joining you as they make their plans, too. 

During such a busy season, you want to stay safe as you get to and from your destination. Below are a few holiday travel safety tips to ensure you can fill your days with holiday cheer — without fear.

Choose Safe Places to Travel

Our world is constantly changing, including where you should and should not travel. It is always a good idea to look into your destination before you book your flight. This is most important for those who are traveling to international destinations. 

The  U.S. Department of State has a list that is constantly updated to keep you safe. Be sure to check this before you book your travel and again before you head out. It can give you location-specific information and also give you time to review the threats so that you stay informed. 

Take Notice of the Weather 

Winter weather always interferes with travel plans. Whether traveling to a frosty destination or leaving one, snow, ice, and winter winds can lead to delays and cancellations. 

Weather can change in an instant so it is always a good idea to stay on top of it. Not only will this help you to know what to expect, but it can also help you pack appropriately and maintain your safety along the way, too. 

Be Prepared for the Delays and Cancellations

If you are traveling on a commercial flight, be prepared for the aforementioned delays and cancellations. While it’s possible to make it through your entire holiday trip without ever having an issue with your flight, this would be the exception more so than the rule. 

You can never be entirely prepared for disruptions, but there are a few things you can do to make it a bit more manageable. 

• Make sure you have everything booked in advance
• Avoid the busiest airports
• Bring things with you to keep you occupied – especially if you are traveling with kids
• Keep all necessities in your carryon
• Be sure to have some snacks as airport food isn’t always the healthiest
• Have a backup plan

Watch Your Belongings

Keep your luggage and other personal items under a watchful eye at all times. Being around large crowds is a great place for things to go missing. 

As an added measure of safety, it is always a good idea to not put all your valuables – including money and credit cards — in one location. Instead, consider splitting these up in more than one spot, preferably on your person. 

Taking pictures of your driver’s license, credit cards, passport, and the like is always a good idea just in case they do go missing. And, if traveling internationally, always make sure someone back home has a copy of your passport and ID, as well as your travel itinerary just in case. 

Stay Connected

Staying connected may look different from one person to the next based on the type of traveling you are doing and who you are traveling with. For instance, turning on your location sharing can allow others to see where you are at any given time. This can be helpful to see whether you made it to your destination safely or are en route. It can also be helpful in case something happens and you need help. 

Group chats with those you are traveling with or with friends and family is an easy way to update everyone on your travel status without having to send a bunch of repeat texts to individual people. 

Never post your travel information or communicate with others about your travels on social media. 

Keep Your Health In Check

When you travel, you encounter large crowds and come in contact with a long list of illnesses. While you are always at risk of catching something, dealing with stress and a weakened immune system will increase your chance of getting more than just a getaway for the holidays. 

Take steps to keep yourself healthy. Below are a few ways you can do this: 

• Take your vitamins, including Vitamin C, Zinc, and Vitamin D
• Use hand sanitizer and wash your hands frequently
• Eat well, bringing nutritious snacks with you
• Get plenty of rest
• Stay hydrated
• Reduce your stress as much as possible

And, if you want to significantly reduce your risk of airborne illnesses, wear a mask when in large groups. 

Travel Via a Private Jet Charter

Many holiday movies depict the stress and frustration of commercial air travel through the holiday season. And as exaggerated as many of these scenes may seem, they are quite accurate. 

Commercial air travel during the holidays can be a nightmare. Reduce your stress and give yourself a much more positive, safe experience with private travel. You can reduce your chance of having to deal with many of the above when you choose to book a charter flight instead. 

• Comfortable, luxurious flight accommodations
• Fly out of and into smaller private airports — and avoid the crowds
• No long security lines
• Straight-through flights with no connections
• More flexibility when choosing flight times
• No wasted time waiting around airports and losing out on your vacation fun
• Reduced risk of coming in contact with germs and illness

What’s more, private jets can often travel when commercial airliners are grounded. That means you have a decreased chance of having your flight delayed or canceled. 

Conclusion

Kepp this helpful holiday travel safety tips in mind. And in all, private jet charters are the best way — and most stress-free way — to travel during the holiday season. 

Want to give it a try? The Early Air Way can help you find the right flight to meet your travel needs. Contact us today to get started!