Tips for Vacationers to Avoid Air Travel Delays
July 20, 2006. Vacationers who fly to their destinations will face storms and record crowding that could make their trip to and from their destinations a miserable experience. The careful vacation traveler will need to take every possible precaution to avoid the worst times to travel. Those of us who travel regularly on business have noticed that the already crowded airlines are even worse during the summer vacation season. This already difficult traveling situation is compounded by frequent afternoon thunderstorms, especially on heavily traveled routes on the east coast.
An article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal (subscription only) recites how bad the situation has become. But the most helpful information is several tips on how to mitigate the delays and discomfort. Some of the most helpful are advice to fly Tuesdays or other slower days. However, “airlines say there really are no slow days anymore. Thursdays are getting nearly as busy as Fridays, the peak travel day, and Sunday nights and Monday mornings are crowded with both business and leisure travelers. But Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be less popular. Also, the first flight of the day is least likely to be delayed because the aircraft is in place.�
I have found these suggestions to be helpful in my own experience. I also make a conscious effort to take morning flights, which are much less likely to be disrupted by thunderstorms during the summer. The vacation traveler generally has more latitude in scheduling flights that the business traveler, who often is on a tight schedule. The wise vacationer will take advantage of every opportunity to schedule air travel so as to avoid the peak travel days and afternoon and evening flights through thunderstorm –prone areas.
