The next few months are going to be filled with holidays, and when that happens, we can expect the people of Kuwait to rush to the airport in hordes – especially when traveling during short breaks during long weekends or Holidays. Avoid the headache by following a few tips and tricks missed when preparing that could make or break your trip:

1. Do your research

Before packing, confirm your airline’s regulations, baggage allowances, on-time performance, and online check-in capabilities – helping you calculate how early you need to arrive at the airport before your departure. Traveling without any check-in luggage? Then shave time off by utilizing services like Jazeera Airways’ online check-in service and fast baggage drop.

It’s always best to avoid flying on the evening before a holiday in order to avoid long lines or packs of travelers. Want to save money on a trip? Then try your best to book your ticket three weeks in advance, as most airlines reward early bookers with big savings.

Delays are unavoidable, so plan ahead and research your airline’s on-time performance (OTP). To ensure you don’t get stuck at the airport due to delays, book an airline with a very high OTP; a reliability rate above 92% works. In Kuwait, the only airline with an OTP above that is Jazeera Airways with an on-time record of 94.3% in 2015.

2. Check for baggage allowance before you book

Some airlines nowadays allow only one free check-in piece per passenger, while others make you pay for all check-in pieces. Airlines like Jazeera Airways don’t charge for the first two checked pieces of baggage and offer very generous weight allocations – that’s 60kg in Business, and 40kg in Economy.

When packing, it’s best to start by making a check-list of items to ensure you haven’t missed anything. Categorizing will make the process easier, such as listing apparel, accessories, shoes, beauty, and toiletries. Make sure liquids are packed according to your airport’s regulations, and to check weather advisories at your destination ahead of time.

3. Fuel up!

Pack sealed drinks and snacks for you and your family to have available during your trip to the airport, at the gate or upon arrival. It’s always great to find time to grab food before your flight, but with long queues and unexpected delays, it’s best to have items on-hand if needed, particularly if traveling with children.

4. Checking in and your carry-on

Most airlines limit passengers to an average 7kg in carry-on allowance, so utilize it wisely. Jazeera Airways offers passengers a carry-on baggage allowance of two pieces, combined total weight of 15kg for business travelers, and one piece, 7kg total weight for economy travelers, with permitted baggage dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.

When it comes to checking-in, we recommended doing so online if your airline and destination allows for it. Airlines like Jazeera Airways enable travelers to check-in online, or utilize their self-check-in kiosks at Kuwait International Airport to collect boarding passes in just minutes. Using this service resolves any issues with a late departure drop-offs, misplacing your ticket, and dealing with crowds or queues – allowing you more time to grab a coffee and de-stress before your flight.

Your carry-on items should contain:

• Travel documents and valuables – travel wallets work best to keep things together, and make sure any valuables are on you, and not in your checked-in baggage
• Gadgets and cables – make sure these are easily accessible and can be pulled out for instant security checks
• Travel sized hygienic tools – it’s best to keep these easily accessible and in a transparent airtight pouch
• Sustenance – avoid air pressure by chewing gum, or enjoying a few mints during takeoff and landing!
• Comfort necessities – ideal for the on-board sleeper

When it comes to traveling, particularly during the holidays, there is a lot to organize and plan ahead before your departure. Taking the time to sort this out ahead of time will take away a lot of stress a peak season trip may cause you and your family.

Happy travels!

Want to know more about Jazeera Airways? Follow them on Instagram and Twitter @JazeeraAirways, Facebook: JazeeraAirways, contact the call center at 177, or visit them online at www.jazeeraairways.com.