7 Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Trip, from Flight Attendants and Travel Pros

I’m traveling by plane for the holidays this year, and honestly, I feel bittersweet about it. Holiday travel can be full of cheer, especially when you’re reuniting with people you love, but it’s also a notorious hassle in most cases. While I can’t control things like traffic jams and flight delays, I’m determined to make this journey as painless as possible. So I decided to consult with a few travel experts — flight attendants, a travel agent and a YouTube travel influencer — to refresh my stash of secrets for surviving holiday travel (I’m a little bit rusty). I came away with tips, hacks and a list of packing essentials that’ll help me not just survive, but thrive.

If you’re gearing up for your own holiday travel by plane, train or automobile, keep scrolling. These pros recommended some tips I — a constant traveler — didn’t even know, as well as clever items that’ll make the trip easier, comfier and more enjoyable. Stress is not on the agenda this season. If you’re traveling by plane, select your seat wisely in advance to minimize noise. “For most travelers, a window seat near the front of the plane would be the most comfortable option,” said Mercedes Zach, travel agent for ASAP Tickets. “The front of the plane is more quiet, as the engines are located under the wings, further down the plane.”

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