Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
Travel

Getting Around the Airport on March Break

Darpan News Desk, 06 Mar, 2018 05:08 PM
  • Getting Around the Airport on March Break
With the kids off school, March Break is the perfect time for a family getaway — and a lot of people share that desire. In 2017, Toronto Pearson International Airport estimated 130,000 people travelled through their terminals the Friday before March Break officially began. With such huge crowds, carting the family off to the airport may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
 
“Despite the chaos, March Break is a terrific time for families to get away, relax and make memories,” says Susan Catto, Head of Publishing for Travelzoo (NASDAQ: TZOO) in Canada. “Travel brings families together and the change of pace and location lets everyone do a mid-winter reset. Navigating your way through a busy airport may seem daunting, but with some planning and foresight it becomes much less so.”
 
Susan offers the following advice for getting through the airport as Canadians rise to the occasion for March Break. 
 
• Rise and shine — Book the earliest flight you can, or, fly a day before or after the actual break. When booking flights with a connection and have a choice of airport, choose the one farther south — less of a chance of a weather delay. And keep in mind that airports will be busier over the holidays, so allow some extra time to connect.
 
• Pre-order kids meals — Even if you’re in the last row of the plane, the kids meals come out first and include food kids will likely eat — and are served with little activity bags.
 
• Give yourself plenty of time — Giving yourself more time than necessary can ease the process at the airport. If you give yourself 1.5 hours from your door to board without kids, give yourself three to four hours with them.
 
• Security isn’t that scary — When you’re with your kids you can bring baby food, formula, breast milk, nursery water, etc… just about everything you need. It will get tested and inspected, but you shouldn’t have a problem. Kids can keep their shoes on, but everything, including favourite blankets and stuffed animals, has to go through the x-ray, so it's a good thing to discuss that ahead of time if attachment issues are a concern. 
 
• Early boarding — Do yourself and other passengers a favour. Take the time to get settled, organize your stuff, wipe down the armrests and make friends with the flight attendants.
 
• If worse comes to worse, think ahead — Busy holiday travel can occasionally mean chaotic airport runs and oversold flights. If your family’s plans are flexible (and you’re travelling with teens rather than tots), capitalize on oversold situations by offering to get on the next flight out — you’ll get a hefty travel voucher and can usually negotiate other perks such as priority lounge access or even business-class seats for your new flight (based on availability).
 
Don’t let the fear of airports and their chaotic nature stop you from making the most of your vacation time this March Break.

MORE Travel ARTICLES

Three in five Canadians not confident they will travel in winter

Three in five Canadians not confident they will travel in winter
58% of Canadians are not confident they will be taking a winter vacation this year. 

Three in five Canadians not confident they will travel in winter

How to see a city in 24 hours

How to see a city in 24 hours
 If you only have 24 hours, make sure you research what a city has to offer prior to landing. Ask friends who are locals, search online and make a list of the top spots you’d like to see.

How to see a city in 24 hours

Bali: The Island That Has It All

Bali: The Island That Has It All
Tropical paradise. Spa Capital of Asia. Island of the Gods – Bali’s numerous names are a testament to its exceptionally rich and diverse culture. 

Bali: The Island That Has It All

Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside named Canada’s best ski resort

Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside named Canada’s best ski resort
World Ski Awards grants luxury resort "Best Ski Hotel" award for fourth year running

Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside named Canada’s best ski resort

15 ways to celebrate Dine Out Vancouver Festival’s 15 anniversary

15 ways to celebrate Dine Out Vancouver Festival’s 15 anniversary
Canada’s biggest food and drink festival returns January 20 to February 5, 2017

15 ways to celebrate Dine Out Vancouver Festival’s 15 anniversary

Park City Utah gearing up for 2016/2017 winter season

Park City Utah gearing up for 2016/2017 winter season
Park City Mountain Resort set to open on November 18, followed by Deer Valley Resort on December 3

Park City Utah gearing up for 2016/2017 winter season