An airport and cruise parking solutions provider has partnered with ex-flight attendants at major airlines, to reveal how to best fly home over the busy Christmas travel period.
Flight attendants from leading airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and American Airlines, have partnered with Air & Cruise Parking to share their top travel tips and hacks from how to secure upgrades to the best day to fly to avoid stress.
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Fly home on Christmas Eve
“Most people aim to fly home a few days before Christmas, but if you want a smoother experience, consider booking your flight for Christmas Eve instead,” advises an ex-flight attendant from American Airlines with over a decade of experience.
“Christmas Eve is surprisingly calm,” they explain. “By then, the majority of travelers have already reached their destinations, so the airports are quieter, and flights are often less crowded. Plus, there’s a festive atmosphere onboard—cabin crews tend to go the extra mile to make it special, whether that’s wearing Santa hats or offering festive treats.”
For those travelling with family, the experienced hostess suggests this option can be particularly stress-free. “You skip the earlier rush and still arrive in time to enjoy Christmas. It’s like sneaking in through the back door while everyone else is queued up at the front!”
11A and 11F are the worst seats to book on a flight
According to a former attendant who worked for American Airlines, row 11 is often the middle row on most aircrafts, making it one to avoid as passengers seated there are typically the last to deboard. Specifically, seats 11A and 11F, both window seats, can make exiting the plane even slower.
“If you’re looking for a quick exit, avoid row 11 at all costs,” shared the flight attendant. “Being in the middle row, especially in a window seat, which tends to be either A or F, almost guarantees you’ll be one of the last off the plane.”
Don’t wrap early – pack smart for TSA rules
Domestic flights still follow TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for liquids*, meaning each liquid container must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller, and all containers must fit into one quart-sized, clear, resealable bag. Each passenger is allowed to bring one such bag in their carry-on.
Keep your carry-on light and organized to speed through security. “If you’re carrying gifts, don’t wrap them before you fly,” one American Airlines attendant advises. “TSA might need to inspect them, and unwrapping at the airport is no fun!”
Bad weather flying and anxious flyers
Winter storms can wreak havoc on flight schedules. Anxious flyers, or even those just wanting to make sure everything goes to plan, should keep an eye on the forecast. Especially if you’re flying to or from cities like Denver, Chicago, or New York. “Always build in extra time during weather-prone months,” one attendant adds.
Upgrade: Don’t be afraid to ask
One attendant who works for airline giant, British Airways, stated that when it comes to upgrades, “Ultimately if you don’t ask you don’t get.”
If you want an upgrade most flight attendants would recommend asking at the desk as unfortunately, according to a British
Airways attendant, “us flight attendants have no control”. They continued, “The people checking you in are the ones who can see the space’s availability and have all the control. Even if there’s not a free upgrade they may be able to get you a discounted rate.”
Another attendant from Virgin Atlantic shared: “If you’re scared to ask, it’s always worth checking your flight online before you head to check-in. A quick airline search can tell you if business/first class has already sold out, so you know not to ask. That being said, don’t rely on this solely as people always forget to turn up.”
Matt Pfleiderer, CEO of Air & Cruise Parking, commented:
“At Air & Cruise Parking, we’re always looking for ways to make travel as seamless as possible for our customers. Partnering with an experienced flight attendant allows us to provide insider tips that go beyond just parking solutions.
“Hearing insights like avoiding row 11 for quicker deboarding, or booking on 24th rather than earlier in the Christmas period, can help make travelers’ journeys smoother from start to finish. Whether it’s planning your seat selection or finding convenient parking for your trip, we’re here to help every step of the way.”
