How’s this for a name change. The industry trade group we used to call the Air Transport Association now goes by the moniker Airlines for America, or A4A. Whatever you call the organization, it possesses a pretty good insight as to the United States airline industry, and what A4A is saying about Christmas travel is that it’s falling off.
Overall, A4A projects some 43.3 million of us will take to the air on its member airlines over a 21-day period. That’s about 1 percent less that for the same period last year, and translates into 20,000 fewer fliers per day.
Before you shout hooray and count on that empty middle seat on the flight home to see mom however know this: there will be commensurately fewer flights out there. Despite launching new flights on select routes, overall most airlines are cutting seat capacity. That could equate with fuller airplanes.
“Passengers still should expect to see fuller flights as many airlines have reduced capacity,” says A4A Chief Economist John Heimlich. “Capacity reduction is one of he steps the industry is taking to preserve profitability.”
If planes are going to fuller, and prices higher, there are still things you can do to ease your passage. Some suggestions from Cheapflights and Airlines for America:
- Don’t play pack mule for the holidays. Best bet is to ship those packages ahead of time. If you do pack a present or two, make sure they’re unwrapped. Otherwise TSA may well have to unwrap them to see what’s inside.
- Consider anteing up an extra $15 or so for a prime seat assignment. We don’t mean first class here, or even in the forward section of coach. They’re often for elite members of the carrier’s frequent flier programs. What we’re talking about is aisle seats. If you’re flying on an MD80, 717, or DC-9 try to get a seat over the wing. Not only will you not have to put up with the noise of rear-mounted engines, but the over-wing areas on virtually all airplanes are less prone to bouncing about in turbulence.
- Be sure you comply strictly with TSA’s 3-1-1 regs for carry-on liquids, gels, and aerosols. Don’t think you can merely stick that bottle of hand sanitizer in your pants pocket anymore and skate through security. Body scan machines have made that impossible.
What are tour best-kept secrets for easing holiday passage? Share them with your fellow fliers.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Marzia Teramo)
