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You’re on your honeymoon: hand in hand, wide smiles, kisses, luggage in tow. You approach the check-in counter at the airport and the agent tells you, “The flight has been cancelled.”
*CUT*
Whew! That was just a scene from Four Christmases when Reese and Vince found out that their flights were cancelled due to a weather-related condition.
Being in the airline industry, I’ve done my fair share of traveling, both international and domestic. While I’m no jetsetter or million-mile flyer like Mr.Clooney, I’ve compiled some tips that I hope will help make your flying experience less stressful, more enjoyable!
1) Sign-up for any e-alerts the airline offers. Usually they will send notifications to your e-mail and mobile phone, and you’ll be the first to know if the flight was delayed or cancelled, if the gate changed, etc.
2) Check in online. Many airlines offer 24-hour advance check-in. Select your seat, enter your frequent-flyer number, print your boarding pass—and if you have no bags to check, just go straight to the security checkpoint!
3) Be sure to double check the baggage fees (if any) for the airline you’re traveling with so you aren’t hit with any surprise fees.
4) If you have any special dietary needs (for long-haul flights that serve food), make sure to notify the airline at least 24 hours in advance so they can prepare your special meal, whether it is vegetarian, kosher, vegan, etc. But do keep in mind that many airlines cannot guarantee a peanut-free environment.
5) That said, a majority of domestic flights that are five hours or less only have food for purchase onboard, so pack some snacks with you if you think you’ll want something other than a cold sandwich. (But for the benefit of other travelers, please don’t bring anything that emits a strong smell, no matter how delicious it is!)
6) If going overseas, make copies of your passport and keep it in an accessible place for your family to get to. One of my colleagues lost his passport overseas, and he locked up his copies in his work cabinet. And it was a weekend when nobody was in the office. Not so wise, eh?
7) To save luggage space, roll up your clothes! Added benefit: it keeps your clothes wrinkle free.
Mr. Clooney teaches Anna how to pack
I hope these small tips will go a long way to ensure that your honeymoon and future trips will go as smoothly as possible.
Any travel tips to share? I’d love to hear them.
I’ve never had a flight canceled on me but a blog friend is stuck in Vienna on her honeymoon due to weather and won’t make it home for Christmas 
I think with the airline industry it can be really hit and miss, sometimes the experience is amazing and other times it really stinks. Hmmm, wonder how airlines can make it fantastic every time? 
I have always rolled my clothes and it definitely does save space! Usually airline tickets are at their cheapest on Wednesdays at midnight. I don’t remember why but I always read this! To go through security faster - wear flip flops or slip on shoes, don’t keep anything in your pockets and don’t wear an outer layer that will be difficult to remove or put back on!
Ugh, we had a flight canceled this time last year and spent Christmas eve at an airport hotel. Who would have thought there would be so much snow in Dallas (where it was in the 70s today). Hoping for no delays for our honeymoon!
my mother is the queeeeen of the luggage roll. I’m too old for it, but i will def be requesting she pack my things
@PitBullLover - I’m with ya on the flip flops/slip on shoes. My favorite shoes to travel in are Toms.
Your tips are right on….and I’d add one more- consider travel insurance. I don’t buy it for short domestic trips, but with the insane cost of honeymoon flights and non-refundable hotels in the mix, insurance, here we come!
@Miss Twigs - right on! I travel frequently for work so I never had to purchase travel insurance..but for my honeymoon, that’s definitely something on my list to consider!
I’ve had my luggage go on a trip of its own before, so I always tuck a spare set of clothes in my carry-on. I also carry a travel-sized deodorant with me because after long flights I start to feel kinda funky!
Always put some hand and face cream into your hand luggage, and use it at least once every hour. Dehydration is extreme while you’re airborne, especially on longer flights your body suffers a lot.
Very important: If you need medication, no matter what, ALWAYS have it in your hand luggage, not in your checked baggages! I’m a flight attendant, and you wouldn’t believe how many medical emergencies happen regularly because people do not have their stupid pills with them!
I’ve had several instances of lost luggage this past year and while I always used to pack an extra pair of underwear in my carryon, I stopped doing so, just in time to lose my luggage! So, pack underwear in your hand luggage even if you htink it’s creepy for someone to go through your bag and find your spare thong!
Also, make security as easy as possible, take off your scarf, belt, hoodie, unpaqck your lap top and empty your pockets before you’re asked. If you have liquids, make sure they are small enough and in a bag. I’m shocked how many people still don’t pack liquids correctly and complaign when the TSA make them leave them behind.
Also, if your flight is canceled or delayed due to weather or a technical problem, don’t yell at the airline staff, they didn’t cause the problem and don’t need more stress becasue they can’t change it. Besides, do you really want to fly in conditions deemed unsafe by a professional? Yes being stuck in an airport or getting a hotel in a strange city at your expense sucks (I got stuck in Toronto 3 years ago for Christmas and am still bitter about it) but that was at least better than crashing on an icy runway.
Most importantly, just go with the flow and if your luggage is lost, file a claim and joke about your airline bought underwear because there’s nothing you can do. However, do stnad your ground if the airline looses or breaks your luggage be persistant and tell them you want to file a claim because htey should help you. Our honeymoon started out with a fight with American Airlines when DH’s bag came off the belt spilt in half and the rep. told us it was not their problem. Half an hour later, she agreed that they would replace it on our return to the US and finally she agreed to replace it before our return flight so he can have a way of getting his clothes home.
Sorry, that got long I guess I had more airline tips than I thought.
+1 for the underwears in carry on! And try to get a ssmle size of the products you usually use too.
The best way to keep a copy of your passport is on your email. You don’t have to make a new copy each time you travel and it’s always accessible.
I’ve also read that you should pack your clothing in your hubby’s luggage and vice versa in case just your bag or just his bag is lost.
@missDNA I’ve heard that too! Pack half of each of your stuff in both bags, so if one bag gets lost you at least have half of your things.
I roll my clothes, as silly as I feel doing it! I actually just did this for the first time last month and was able to only have a carry on and no checked luggage - a major feat for me!! Also I make sure my purse/personal item has a handy pocket for ticket, passport, ID, phone, lip gloss, and lotion. All approved size liquids go into a big ziploc bag in purse. Don’t wear jewelry (I wore my e-ring last flight thankfully w/o issues!) or belts. Also flip flops or slip ons are a must!
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Mrs. French Toast, Pleasanton, CA Age and Occupation: 29, Marketing & PR Fiance's Age and Occupation: IT geek by day, self-proclaimed handyman by night Engagement Date: October 2009 Wedding Date: March 2011 Venue: Palm Event Center About Me: I’m a city girl at heart who moved to the suburbs a year ago. Now I’m adjusting to life with a front lawn, nosy neighbors, cooking attempts, and making sure the garbage pail is pulled out on time every week! When I’m not traveling, Mr. FT and I enjoy marathon sessions of Law & Order: SVU, snowboarding, photography, spoiling our 3-year old yorkie-poodle Mokka and disagreeing over what music to listen to in the car. We’re planning a small winery wedding while incorporating some cultural elements into the day as a nod to our Chinese backgrounds.
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