More and more of us are traveling, so much so that the industry is struggling to keep up. International tourism reached its pre-pandemic level in the first half of 2024, while the US National Transportation Security Agency (TSA) managed a record number of passengers in the United States this summer. However, the problems encountered by the airline sector over the last five years (lack of personnel and “ unrealistic schedules ) continue to cause delays. Increasing unpredictable and unstable weather patterns, particularly near major airports, can cause significant network and flight disruptions. And air travel isn’t the only thing causing hassle for travelers. For two summers, many people have had to face the anger of locals regarding overtourism.
It’s not easy to keep a good mood and be amazed when faced with these delicate situations. That’s why we reached out to seasoned travelers, hoping their advice on planning and attitude will help you relax and fully enjoy your vacation.
Gone are the days when a 40-minute layover meant a frantic rush to the boarding gate. To avoid stress and delays, travelers should favor the first flight of the day and choose connections that give them time to arrive at their boarding gate or to eat, for example. Choose itineraries that include a long layover and if you can’t find them online, don’t hesitate to contact the airline for other options. Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, air transport specialistrecommends choosing a flight with a layover of at least three hours for outbound connections and taking the first flight of the day to reduce the risk of delays.
“Passengers generally think their journey will take less time than it actually does,” explains Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon. Personally, I assume that I will have at least one delay and when there is none, I am very happy.”
Doctor Charlotte Russell, clinical psychologist and founder of the blog The Travel Psychologistencourages travelers not to overdo it before going on vacation. “They are then very stressed and spend the first days of their trip relaxing,” she observes. It is easier to manage stress and unexpected events when you pay attention to yourself before you leave.”
To reduce your anxiety, make a list of things you absolutely must do before going on vacation. While it is unlikely that you would have done them while staying at home, they can wait until you return.
Most people want to avoid thinking about stress, but Charlotte Russell encourages travelers to think about how they deal with disappointments and to set travel goals. “Focus on what will help you through stressful times rather than focusing on what went wrong and letting stress take over you physically and emotionally,” she recommends.
If you’re feeling anxious, relax by practicing breathing exercises, guided meditation, positive imagery, and mindfulness that activate the parasympathetic nervous system. “There’s a reason why these (methods) are at the top of therapists’ lists of recommendations: they work,” says Charlotte Russell. Test them before you travel so they’ll be most effective when you need them, such as if you have anxiety during plane turbulence or if your flight is canceled. Practice makes you a blacksmith, right?
Cabin baggage or suitcase to check in? This is an age-old dilemma faced by regular travelers. To reduce your stress in the event of a flight delay, opt for cabin baggage, which allows you to change planes more easily and arrive with your belongings. Prepare your outfit for the day so you don’t give in to the urge to bring extra clothes. And if everything you need doesn’t fit in your carry-on bag, put your essentials in a backpack or small gym bag to keep with you in case your carry-on doesn’t make it to your destination.
Be attentive and ready to act, especially if you are flying. “You really need to be proactive if you travel by plane these days,” advises Meena Thiruvengadam, founder of the blog Travel with Meena. You can’t wait for someone to guide you.”
To do this, do not hesitate to use airline applications. These allow you, just like others car tracking appsl, to follow the status of your flight and its flight plan even if it is announced as on time. For example, your flight from Chicago to Seattle with a stopover in Denver may appear as “on time,” but if the flight you take before from Newark departs an hour late, it will impact your connection. Mobile apps can notify you of possible problems in advance, allowing you to land on your feet and book another flight or make other travel arrangements if necessary.
The apps also allow you to get in touch with an agent more quickly, even in-flight, when customer service is busy. By having all this information at your fingertips, you can make smart decisions and potentially change your travel plans in the event of a storm or other unforeseen situation. “If something happens, be alert and ready to spend a little money if necessary,” concludes Meena Thiruvengadam.
Like a child who clings to his favorite stuffed toy when traveling, you can take with you objects that will bring you a little comfort in stressful situations, such as snacks, a water bottle, a travel cushion, toiletries to refresh you or even charged devices. Make sure they are easily accessible in your bag, to avoid having to take out all your belongings to access them and to avoid losing them during the trip.
Also consider taking advantage of airport lounges whenever you can. To access it, you must be a member of the loyalty program or in possession of an airline credit card. Fromother cards also give access. Check out your credit card or frequent flyer rewards and day pass options. Once in the lounge, you will be able to take advantage of a large number of services and facilities, such as access to showers, the buffet and individual rooms, enough to recover from a long-haul trip or between two flights.
We all want to enjoy our dream vacation without the crowds. It is best to go out of season. But this tip is already well known to travelers on a budget. Another solution is to find another destination to the one you originally wanted: Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon recommends Saba rather than Saint Martin in the Caribbean and Greenland instead of Iceland.
Travelers wishing to visit popular destinations and iconic sites are recommended to opt for tour packages and book their tickets for the most famous attractions in advance to avoid long queues. Alternatively, why not opt for a culinary, historical or architectural guided tour of your destination? These experiences, notably offered by tourist offices or sites like WithLocalsare memorable and are held in small groups.
Meena Thiruvengadam also advises traveling outside of school holidays, if possible, to avoid summer visitors. “Whatever the reason, traveling at a different time than most people is a plus,” she explains. This is where you will have incredible experiences, unexpected things, because people who work in hospitality will be more relaxed.”
There are many stressors associated with traveling, but with good preparation (whether for delays or crowds), you will have greater peace of mind. “The goal is to enjoy as soon as the journey begins,” analyzes Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon. If you plan your trip well in advance, you will be more relaxed and you will have fewer unpleasant surprises.”
