Are you flying soon, Charlotte? Here are top tips from experts.
Charlotte’s top airline, American Airlines, canceled thousands of flights across the country in recent weeks, including dozens of flights out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The airline blamed the cancellations on weather and staffing shortages. Since then, American brought back 1,800 flight attendants from leave and unveiled holiday pay incentives to combat further cancellations.
Still, air travel can be unpredictable, especially as many passengers return to airports for the first time since the pandemic hit the U.S.
Here are some tips from aviation and travel experts on how to navigate air travel this season.
When to book flights
Typically, it’s best to book your flights early, airlines analyst Bob Mann told the Observer.
“Discounts appear early,” he said. And fares tend to increase closer to the date of departure, he added.
And World Travel Mates, a Charlotte-based travel agency, echoed that advice.
“We normally recommend booking at least 21-30 days in advance for the best fares,” agency Vice President Rebekah Reavis told the Observer in an email.
Still, there are some periods of the year where travel demand is less than availability — so airlines drop prices closer to the departure date to encourage travel, Mann said. Those periods typically don’t fall around the holidays though.
Your travel strategy should be based on how firm your travel dates are, he said. If you have firm dates planned, book your flights early.
If your travel plans are more flexible, customers could try for lower prices, he said, adding: “Do you feel lucky? Do you feel like waiting?”
Be prepared
Before flying, Mann recommends downloading apps like FlightAware Flight Tracker and apps offered by the airline you’re flying with.
“Information is your friend,” Mann said. “The advantage goes to the well prepared.”
FlightAware can help give you more information on your flight such as where the plane you’ll be flying on is coming from. That’s especially important if the plane is flying from an airport that is experiencing ground delays.
“That’s the first hint that you maybe want to look for alternatives,” he said.
And downloading apps from your airline can be helpful, especially if your flight is canceled, he said.
Many airlines will send you flight alternatives directly to your mobile device, he said.
It’s always a good to have an electronic option to deal with cancellations or delays, he said. That could save you hours standing in line at the customer service desk.
Mann said he doesn’t expect similar mass cancellations over the holiday travel season. Still, weather is unpredictable and passengers should be prepared for any scenario, he said.
Charlotte airport hacks
The Charlotte airport has launched a number of new features aimed to ease travel stress over the last two years.
In November last year, the airport debuted a new parking tool that lets customers book parking online at discounted rates before heading to the airport.
Also in 2020, the airport launched another online tool to give travelers more information before heading to CLT.
Passengers can check wait times at CLT security checkpoints ahead of time using CLT’s website and app.
And Uber rolled out a new feature last month, letting airport travelers at CLT book rides up to 30 days in advance and share flight information with drivers.
The new feature was launched at more than 20 U.S. airports, including in Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, two airports in Chicago, two airports in Dallas, Denver, Fort Myers, Florida, two airports in Houston, three airports in the Miami area, Nashville, Tennessee, New Orleans, two airports in New York City, Orlando, Florida, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle and two airports in Washington, D.C.
Be kind
Cases of unruly passengers on airplanes have spiked in 2021. The Federal Aviation Administration has initiated 973 investigations into unruly behavior so far this year, compared to just 183 investigations in 2020 and 146 in 2019.
And the FAA has received more than 5,000 reports of unruly passengers this year.
“Do not act out against employees,” Mann said. “We see far too much of that. It is completely unacceptable.”
This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 12:15 PM with the headline "Are you flying soon, Charlotte? Here are top tips from experts.."
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