How to fly on vacation in summer 2023
What residents and visitors to Canada need to know if they are going on vacation by plane.
This year it's not easy to travel by plane in Canada, either flights are cancelled because of a pilots' strike or the largest airline has all its software out of order. The number of airplane passengers is also growing, so you can run into huge lines at the airport. In this article, we've listed trivial but effective tips to help your flight go smoothly.
1. Arrive at the airport early — there will be long lines this summer
It's time to follow the example of the older generation, who already go to the lounge three hours before departure. Passenger traffic at Canadian airports has reached pre-pandemic levels this year. There will be crowds of people. Arrive early so you can get through security, drop off your luggage, and get on your plane in comfort. If you arrive too early, you can entertain yourself by visiting cafes and stores, playing on your phone or reading. If you are late, though, things will be much worse.
2. Find out where you can save time
Canadians have many such opportunities. For example, in the U.S. they can get through passport control faster. It is enough to use a new app from the U.S. Customs — Mobile Passport Control. There you can enter some of your data absolutely free of charge, so that you do not have to tell them to the customs officers and pass the control faster. The service is available at most major Canadian airports.
By the way, you can also get in line for a security check in advance. This service is offered at most busy airports. You can reserve a place in the queue no earlier than 72 hours before the security check. To do this you will need to enter some information about yourself and your flight on the airport website. Then you will get a QR code, which you will have to show to the control officers. Done, you can go through security check without waiting in line.
3. Book everything in advance
Alas, but gone are the golden days when you could fly into a city and spontaneously find a free hotel room. Especially if you plan to vacation in Canada. Summer tourist cities will be packed with people, and you have to book rooms at least a few weeks in advance. You can only check into a nest of Canada geese without an appointment, but the vicious cobra chickens are nasty neighbors. Better yet, use a booker app or the popular Airbnb.
4. Protect yourself in case of emergencies
This means that if you are traveling to a foreign country, you should take out insurance just in case. It's not that expensive, but a broken arm or food poisoning won't empty your wallet.
Ideally, you should be able to return or exchange your airplane tickets. It is worth paying a little extra for such an option. Your flight may be cancelled because of a wildfire, bad weather, or another strike by the pilots' union.
5. Learn what luggage you can and cannot take with you
For example, in Canada not only guns, but also imitation guns are not allowed in luggage. An avant-garde bottle of perfume in the form of a grenade will be taken away from you at the checkpoint. Some countries prohibit the import of certain products. For example, in Canada, horse meat is legal and actively marketed in Quebec, while in the U.S. it is prohibited by law. Canadian horsemeat lovers better leave it at home so they don't have to say goodbye to the delicacy at U.S. customs.
