Convenience and lower ticket prices have led to more people flying than ever. Summer is an especially popular time for air travel, but a busy airport could put a damper on your vacation. More travellers means more activity and more stress, so you’ll have to find a way to distance yourself from it all. Fortunately, there are ways to make your airport experience as quick and efficient as possible without the stress of travelling during a busy season.

Arrive Early

This tip seems like common sense, but many travellers still don’t get to the airport early enough to avoid the rush before their flight. Getting to the airport early is of the utmost importance. You’ll need that extra time to check-in, make it through security, ensure you have everything in order and make it to your flight gate. Arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. This way you won’t feel the rush of making it to the plane and your seat on time.

Let Technology Help You

Cell phones, tablets and computers can be used to reconfirm flight details, track possible delays and even check-in. Reconfirm your check-in time and flight details 24 hours in advance. This will also give you an advanced warning about any unpleasant changes, such as a downsized aircraft or a new flight time.

You can also sign up for text alerts about your flight or download the app of the airline you’re flying with. Other specialty apps are also useful for tracking security line wait times at airports all over Canada. Information like this can be used to help you avoid unexpected (delaying) situations and maybe even plan a faster trip through security.

Fly in the Middle of the Week

Flying mid-week has several benefits, especially during the busy summer season. Flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are less expensive and less crowded. The middle of the week isn’t a popular time to travel, so most airports are less crowded and more efficient during that time. This means, if you fly then, you’ll be able to breeze through check-in and security while possibly obtaining an excellent seat on the plane.

Have Your Paperwork in Order

Air travel involves a bit of paperwork, especially if you’re travelling internationally. You’ll need to take extra care that your travel documents are in order, including your ticket and photo I.D. However, the passport is the most important component of international air travel. Your passport should be current, have six months of validity and include a clear photo of you. Fortunately, if you live in the Edmonton area, you can have your photo taken at PhotoStop, the best place for passport photos.