Amid staff shortages following cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic, UK airports have experienced disruptions but we can help you navigate them.
With travellers excited to finally be going abroad again, this disruption is causing stress and chaos. If you are heading on holiday this summer these tips should ensure your trip runs as smoothly as possible.
1. Get there early but not too early
Whilst after seeing photos of snaking queues through the airport, it can be tempting to arrive hours before your flight; airports are advising that you arrive no more than three and a half hours early to avoid ridiculous queuing. It’s definitely worth arriving a good three hours before your flight however to ensure you get through security with time to spare.
2. Double check your bags
Now more than ever it is crucial to ensure you deal with liquids in your hand luggage appropriately and do not exceed baggage weight or size limitations to avoid extra hassle and delays.
3. Check-in online
These days most airlines will allow you to check-in online. This saves standing in long queues at the airport especially if you are travelling light and don’t have any hold luggage to check-in.
Keep checking your emails as some airlines don’t send you your boarding passes until a couple of days before your flight. Often you have to print out your passes at home to avoid charges at the airport so ensure you do this in plenty of time especially if you need to visit a library to use the printer.
4. Keep checking emails and flight details
With flights being cancelled sometimes hours before take-off it is of course essential to stay on top of emails and texts from your airline, ensure you have suitable travel insurance and plan a backup journey.