How to Avoid The Worst of This Summer's Travel Hell

While 2022 travel looked promising, with borders reopening and more options to travel internationally, you may want to make this another summer of staycations. A whole bunch of factors (ahem, supply and demand) are causing chaos at airports and rental counters across the country, costing travelers a lot of time and money.

For example, over Memorial Day weekend, airlines cancelled 3% of their scheduled flights—more than the same weekend in 2019, 2020, and 2021 combined. Meanwhile, driving is no better: rental car prices are up 70% compared to 2019, largely due to vehicle shortages.

Here’s what else experts are predicting for the summer of travel hell:

Staff shortages at airlines and airports, made worse by ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks. This includes not only pilots and crew but also ground workers and customer service reps.
Frequent severe weather, such as thunderstorms, will cause significant delays amidst increased traffic compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Higher prices across the board, from plane tickets, to gas, to rental cars, to hotels. In some cases, driving may be costlier than flying, putting additional pressure on air travel.

So what does all this mean? Well, staffing issues have prompted airlines to cut schedules in advance, putting pressure on remaining flights that are already nearly booked to capacity.

But consider the snowball effect: If there isn’t enough ground staff at one airport to unload bags, it strands a plane, crew, and current and future passengers. Flight crew may also be required to clock out during long delays, ultimately leading to cancellations. And with full flights across the board, it can take a lot of time to find an open seat to rebook. Plus, you can expect long lines and large crowds at check in, security, immigration, and baggage claim.

How to avoid the worst summer travel issues

Honestly, some chaos during the peak of summer may be inevitable. Nothing you do can make up for staff shortages or severe weather. If you really must travel, you should hope for the best, plan for the worst, and remain flexible along the way.

One option for making travel—by air, specifically—a little less painful is to minimize the number of touch points that could create delays or compound the effects of cancellations. For example:

Book direct/nonstop flights to avoid tight layovers and the possibility of multiple delays or cancellations. Manage your expectations if you must fly over weekends and holidays.
Sign up for TSA PreCheck (and/or Global Entry, if you’re flying abroad) to access shorter lines and expedited screening at airport security and immigration. If you’re traveling in select airports (JFK, MCO, EWR, LAX, SEA, PHX, and YYC) you can also reserve a security screening time slot for free through CLEAR, though you’ll be routed through the standard security lane.
Check in online, download your digital boarding pass, and use a carry on when possible to avoid slowdowns and long lines to check bags.
Simply give yourself more time. Arrive at the airport earlier.

Obviously, ease may come at a higher cost, but it may be worth it if it helps you avoid missed connections, travel disruptions, and waiting forever on hold with customer service.

Speaking of which: now is the time to make use of your credit card travel benefits. Many companies offer travel support, such as rebooking, for cardholders, and those services may be quicker than trying to reach the airline directly for help. You may also be eligible for reimbursement for expenses incurred due to delays, cancellations, and lost luggage. Locate and save that traveler assistance phone number just in case.

Get a handle on your rights as a passenger, including when you’re eligible for compensation if you suffer a cancelation or delay. Unfortunately, you’re not guaranteed anything for most delays, but airlines must pay up if they bump you or cancel your flight and you decide not to rebook.

Finally, a reminder: This is a stressful time for everyone, including your fellow travelers and airline staff. While it may feel cathartic to get angry when things go wrong, doing so probably won’t change the facts of the situation, and it’s likely to make things worse those around you. You’ll also look like a jerk.