by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 3:32 PM ET, Wed November 21, 2018
The holidays are easily one of the most challenging times to fly, between unpredictable weather, long waits to get through security checkpoints and the dreaded flight cancellations that inevitably occur.
To make matters worse, this Thanksgiving is projected to be one of the busiest ever for air travel. Airlines for America (A4A) projects a record 30.6 million passengers will travel on U.S. airlines during the 12-days surrounding Thanksgiving. By comparison, in 2017 about 29 passengers took to the skies.
The forecast translates to an estimated 2.55 million passengers per day, up 137,000 per day from a year ago.
In order to accommodate such increases, airlines are adding 158,000 more seats in the marketplace each day, with a total of 2.94 million seats available to flyers every day, according to A4A.
The busiest day of the Thanksgiving rush is projected to be Sunday, November 25, (no surprise there) when an estimated 3.06 million passengers will be flying.
Thanks to incredibly accessible and affordable flight options, A4A Vice President and Chief Economist John Heimlich says more travelers than ever before are visiting loved ones or enjoying a vacation this Thanksgiving.
Given the record numbers this holiday season, everyone from airlines to medical professionals are offering advice on how to make the experience more enjoyable, healthy and hassle-free.
Earlier today, Delta issued a list of its top travel tips for the holiday season. Among its suggestions - arrive at the airport two hours ahead of a domestic flight and three hours ahead of an international flight in order to beat the hustle and bustle of the crowds.
With TSA rolling out stronger security measures across the country, the airline also suggests packing smarter this holiday season.
"In addition to screening personal electronic devices separately, TSA officers may ask travelers to remove other items from their carry-on bags and place them in bins, such as foods, powders and any materials that can obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine," said Delta. "And, don't forget to make sure the gifts you pack in your carry-on or checked baggage are unwrapped."
Getting through security can be made even easier by signing-up for CLEAR in advance of traveling. A program available at 26 airports across the country, CLEAR allows customers to speed through security lines with just the touch of a finger or a blink of an eye.
Using technology to your advantage is also a good idea when traveling during the holidays.
In Delta's case that can involve using the Fly Delta App, which automatically checks-in eligible customers 24-hours prior to their scheduled departure. The app also allows customers to track their bags, and shares real-time updates throughout the journey, sending push notifications when it's time to board and allowing customers to rebook or select a seat from the app.
Delta's app can even help travelers find eggnog in the airport thanks to its wayfinding feature.
Countless airlines have apps these days, so do yourself a favor and download them before heading to the airport where the Wi-Fi is typically weak at best.
And while you're at it, sign-up for alerts from the airline to keep on top of changes to your flight. Following the airline on social media is not a bad idea either. Though the cat is pretty much out of the bag already on this, taking to Twitter to communicate with airlines can be a very effective approach when things go awry.
As for staying on top of your health while flying, (because we all know planes are filled with recirculating germs) there are various measures you can take to make sure you don't spend Thanksgiving sick.
"Drink lots of water - particularly right before you get on a flight or train to flush out any germs you contract in these small spaces," said Dr. Joel Portnoy, of ENT and Allergy Associates. "And don't share drinks with anyone - it may sound anti-social but it is critical to staying healthy."
Yet another healthy travel tip, this one from Natalie Sexton, a holistic health coach and creator of the juice company, Natalie's Orchid Island Juices. Sexton recommends packing some petroleum jelly when flying.
"Many infections, including flu germs, can enter through your nostrils. The best way to minimize this point of entry, especially in a small space, with recirculating air like a plane, is to use a cotton swab to apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the inside of your nostrils," she advises. "An added benefit is that it keeps the inside of your nose moisturized and protected from dry heat."
Happy Thanksgiving traveling!
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