3 Tips for Holiday Air Travel

I am often asked as a former flight attendant how to travel on an airplane during the holidays.

This post is sponsored by Always Discreet.

Holiday air travel is crazy busy if you don’t plan ahead. Everyone and their Christmas packages will be trying to get on your full flight with you. So how can you plan for a stress-free flight? Holiday travel means many people who rarely fly will be on your flight, in your security line and their little children will be kicking the back of your seat or banging their tray table up and down a hundred times for the hell of it. For the well-seasoned flier, you are now amongst people who ONLY fly during the holiday season. Be prepared and go with the flow.

            1. Arrive at the airport two hours or more with plenty of time to get through TSA security checkpoint.

Holiday travel for this year will be at its peak beginning Friday, December 21st since Christmas Eve is on a Monday. If you arrive early, grab some food, check your emails and social media platforms or just read a book and wait for your flight.

           2. Pack light. 

When I was a flight attendant I used to pack for 5-day trips in a single carry-on suitcase. Make sure you check the airline’s restrictions ahead of time on carry-on luggage and fees for checked bags. If you’re worried about losing your overhead bin space when boarding in the last zone with the non-fliers, consider upgrading so that you’re first on the plane. Or check your bag at the gate which is free. During this holiday and winter months, the overhead bins are crowded with coats and the gate agents may require the last to board to gate check their carry-ons if you don’t want to place them on the floor in front of you. Do not keep your carryon at your feet and not properly placed under the seat in front of you. If you ever have an emergency landing you will trip over your carry on and every second is precious evacuating an airplane. (My PSA is over.)

        3. What to pack in your carry on

If you do plan to take carry on luggage, make sure you have all your medications, important documents (like passports) and a change of clothes in your carry-on JUST in case your checked luggage did not arrive with you.  Roll your clothes so you can fit more into the small space. Choose a few interchangeable pieces so you can create several different outfits and make better use of the space.

If you’re bringing on toiletries remember they cannot be larger than 3.4 ounces each. Read more about the TSA liquids rule.

Carry your valuables in your carry on. I always pack my jewelry in my tote bag when I fly.

Pack reading material, headphones, eye mask, and a shawl to wear if the flight is cold. Also, earplugs if you’re near crying babies or chatty passengers.

Bring food and a drink (you purchased at the airport after you’ve gone through security.) You can purchase food on your flight or upgrade to business/first class for the freebies.

As I said before it’s so important to carry ALL your medicines in a bag onto the plane. If you have a serious health condition do not put your medicine in the overhead bin! You need quick access to your medicines and you should also let the flight attendants know your serious health issues.

Bring your personal care items with you in your carry on. If you suffer from bladder leaks when you cannot make it to the bathroom on your flight or at the airport you need to make sure to pack Always Discreet Pads and Liners so there’s no need to worry about long-distance leaks! Flying is stressful during the holidays but it can be particularly nerve-wracking for the 1 in 3 women out there who experience bladder leaks.

As I had mentioned last month about bladder control we tend to lose control of holding it in. We are no longer the little girls who announce to the world we have to pee to cut in line for the bathroom! We just need to plan to protect ourselves when we are flying over the holidays.

Remember you are not alone with bladder control issues.

• 1 in 3 women experience bladder leaks
• 1 in 2 African American women experience bladder leaks
• 45% of women with sensitive bladders feel older than they are
• Women with bladder leaks feel 9 years older than they actually are
• 33% lack confidence to wear the clothes they love
• Frequent bladder leaks can affect many aspects of life from style and sleep to relationships and confidence
• 48% of women with bladder leaks are more likely to have sleeping problems
• 32% of women feel unhappy compared to women without sensitive bladders

To learn more about Always Discreet products here.

You can purchase Always Discreet at your local Walgreens store.

Feel confident this holiday season and enjoy your time not worrying about bladder leakage.

Have a wonderful flight and happy holidays!

Thank you to Always Discreet for being a product that makes us feel confident!

Merry Christmas!