ANYONE planning a summer getaway should pay close attention to one thing when booking flights and follow a strict airport rule to avoid drama.
Those looking for stress-free travel have been issued two key pieces of advice by seasoned travel experts.
It comes as airports across the nation have been hit with issues including FAA staff shortages, equipment problems, and TSA delays.
Travelers going in or out of Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey have especially been warned to expect months of chaos after huge setbacks and repeated failures threw hundreds of flights off schedule.
With FAA staff shortages that have worsened since the pandemic, aviation expert JP Tristani warned that all airports in the country will feel the brunt.
"Therein lies many of your problems that are ongoing and are going to get worse as the summer season progresses and we have far more tourists and flights trying to get in all these airports," he told NBC affiliate WNBC.
Meanwhile, after REAL IDs came into effect on May 7, travelers who have been delayed in getting them or who are going to rely on another form of ID have been told to expect TSA delays.
A senior TSA official warned that flyers without a REAL ID-compliant form of identification should "expect additional screenings" at the airport, in an interview with Forbes last month.
So, as the travel season starts to really take off, two experts have told flyers what two things they can do to make their journey's go as smoothly as possible.
First, Rebecca Alesia, a travel adviser with SmartFlyer, told The New York Times the time that travelers should book their flights for to have the best chance of avoiding major delays and cancellations.
With cancellations, especially recent events at Newark, Alesia recommends booking an early-morning flight.
This way, if there are delays, you are more likely to take off than face cancellations.
She also recommended direct flights with transfers to cars or trains instead of layovers.
Meanwhile, Peter Vlitas, a vice president for the Internova Travel Group warned that travelers do not want to get their advice from social media.
It comes after a 15-minute airport conspiracy theory went viral thanks to content creator Michael DiCostanzo who wanted to see how long it really takes to clear security.
The trend has seen travelers try to get to their gate with just 15 minutes before their departure times – often arriving at the airport when their flight is already boarding.
Vlitas warned flyers to stick to the two-hour rule for domestic flights and three hours for international flights.
"Planes are full," he warned.
"If you miss your flight, there's no guarantee you'll get on the next one".
He also advised travelers to check in online before getting to the airport.
While domestic flyers should aim to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight, those without REAL IDs have been told to arrive three hours before their plane departs to account for the likely extra screenings.
Alesia also advised travelers without a proper identification to carry their passports to aid the additional screening process.
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