Sunday 24 December 2023

Here are a flight attendants top 10 tips for stress free travel

Air New Zealand
At the end of a massive year for Air New Zealand, the airline is ready for lift off during its busiest time of year, revealing they’re expecting almost two million customers to fly with Air New Zealand between 15 December 2023 and 31 January 2024. 350,000 customers set to fly to Australia with Air New Zealand these Christmas Holidays.

Of this, Australian cities are expected to be some of the most popular destinations for Kiwis, with 350,000 customers booked to travel to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane over the holiday period.

Air New Zealand’s General Manager of Australia, Kathryn O'Brien, said: “We’re excited to be helping families and friends reach each other across the Tasman this holiday period. Recent research revealed New Zealand is the most popular international destination for Aussies, and we’re certainly seeing that reflected in strong demand for Air New Zealand services for travel across the ditch. With so many flights connecting New Zealand and Australia over the coming weeks, the entire Air New Zealand team are prepared and dedicated to providing our customers with a seamless experience and stress free journey at this magical time of year. We look forward to seeing welcoming holiday travellers onboard!”

The love is also reciprocated by Aussies, with a new survey revealing New Zealand is Australia's most popular international destination, overtaking Bali.

With so many set to take flight over the holiday period, Air New Zealand flight attendant Shanti Tucker is also providing some tips for stress and stunt free Christmas travel, listed below:
  1. Santa’s secret: extra time – During this busy season, make sure you book extra time between connecting flights, the airports will be sprawling so you want plenty of time to make your way through the crowds and on to your next flight.
  2. Unwrap with ease – If traveling internationally, when you get to security, be prepared to remove your jacket, shoes, belt, phone, wallet, liquids and electronics. I always wear easy slip-on shoes and minimal layers when travelling to make this process a little easier.
  3. Plan your sleigh path – Give yourself plenty of extra time to get to the airport and get through security. Check Google Maps or plan ahead with NZTA’s journey planner before you plan on leaving in case of any congestion on the roads: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner
  4. Santa sack essentials – I like to pack 'everything I couldn't go without' in my carry on bag, just so I know I have everything I need with me and I always double check my carry on is within my fare allowance limit.
  5. Limit liquids – Remember the restrictions on liquids for international travel, no more than 100mls for carry on, even if you have 20mls left in a 200ml tube of moisturiser, leave it at home or put it in a smaller container less than 100mls.
  6. Don’t make it rain – If you are travelling with a drink bottle, please keep it with you rather than in the locker to avoid spills and potentially falling on to an unsuspecting passenger, especially those giant metal bottles, they may leave a nasty bump!
  7. Save the fruit for the Pav – Double check your carry on before you get off the flight to ensure you have disposed of any fresh fruits, spend your hard-earned cash on more amazing Christmas presents rather than fines!
  8. Be present to save santamental cargo – If you are travelling with special Christmas parcels on board, please wait until your fellow passengers have put their bags in the overhead locker, so we can ensure your precious cargo and beautifully wrapped present does not get squashed under a suitcase. Also remember to check your seat pockets for any valuables before leaving the aircraft.
  9. Get into the Christmas spirit – Our crew and airports teams are working hard to get you to where you need to be over Christmas, and giving up time with their families so that you can spend time with yours, so they always welcome a smile and really appreciate it when you wish them a Merry Christmas too.
  10. Yule be wise to get the Air NZ app – If you’re travelling, keep an eye out on the Air New Zealand app for the latest information on your flight.
* Racheal Clayton at racheal@altshift.com.au

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