With summer in the rearview mirror, AAA is encouraging anyone planning to fly over Thanksgiving or the year-end holidays to look ahead – and book ahead – to save money and minimize the risk of flight delays or cancellations.

“Flyers are experiencing three pain points: increased expense, reduced inventory and the possibility of delayed or cancelled flights,” says AAA spokesperson Jim Lardear. “Booking holiday travel now should help to address all of these issues.”

Staffing and other pandemic-related issues have dramatically disrupted the airline industry, forcing several major airlines to reduce the number of routes they are servicing, and fewer routes mean fewer seats. Airfares, which have increased 20% in the past year, will likely continue to rise in the coming months.

“By booking air travel now, flyers afford themselves greater choice and greater flexibility, increasing the opportunity for a positive, stress-free travel experience,” Lardear adds.

AAA Offers 10 Tips to Ensure the Best Flying Experience and Minimize Risk of Disruptions:

1. Look for flights that leave in the morning, allowing extra time throughout the day. Flights later in the day are more susceptible to an increase in cancellations, rescheduling or delays due to weather, short staffing or other unforeseen circumstances.
2. Try to fly a day or two ahead of when you want to start your vacation or need to be at your destination so if your flight is delayed or disrupted, you don’t lose the whole trip.
3. Schedule long layovers, with a two-hour minimum to allow plenty of time for unexpected delays.
4. Buy travel insurance to protect your investment and choose one that provides coverage for travel interruption and additional expenses.
5. Check in at least 24 hours in advance, print a copy of your boarding pass if possible and take a copy of your e-ticket with you.
6. Review your airline’s “Conditions of Carriage” to understand your rights as a passenger, particularly regarding delays, cancellations and rebooking requirements.
7. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic flights and up to three hours for international flights. Parking garages, TSA security checkpoints and other airport services may have long lines.
8. Download and familiarize yourself with the app of the airline you’ll be flying. Most airlines allow you to check in for your flight, access boarding passes, track your bags, and change/cancel a flight. Plus, some airlines promote in-flight entertainment through their app.
9. Download the Flight Aware app to track the routing of your plane throughout the day leading up to your departure, which helps to determine if you will incur delays, miss your connection or need to take action early.
10. Enroll in pre-screening programs for shorter, quicker lines, such as TSA PreCheck, Clear or Global Entry.

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For More information and local interviews:

Connecticut – Tracy Noble, TNoble@aaamidatlantic.com

Delaware – Jana Tidwell, JTidwell@aaamidatlantic.com

Indiana – Kara Hitchens, khitchens@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Kansas – Shawn Steward, ssteward@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Kentucky – Lori Weaver Hawkins, lweaverhawkins@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Maryland – Ragina Ali, RAli@aaamidatlantic.com

New Jersey – Tracy Noble, TNoble@aaamidatlantic.com

Ohio – Kara Hitchens, khitchens@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Oklahoma – Leslie Gamble, Leslie.Gamble@aaaok.org

Pennsylvania – Jana Tidwell, JTidwell@aaamidatlantic.com

South Dakota – Shawn Steward, ssteward@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Virginia – Morgan Dean, Morgan MDean@aaamidatlantic.com

Washington, DC – Ragina Ali, RAli@aaamidatlantic.com

West Virginia – Lori Weaver Hawkins, lweaverhawkins@aaa-alliedgroup.com