Quiet Travel in Canada: How to Fly More Peacefully This Holiday Season
We’re already ramping up for the fall and holiday travel seasons, well known for crazy airports and unpredictable flight disruptions. If you’re trying to stay aligned with the quiet travel trend, you’re probably struggling with how you can balance seasonal travel madness with a more mindful and peaceful experience.
Believe it or not, it’s possible to do this if you follow a few practical tips. Here’s how you can incorporate the slow travel mindset into your flight experience even when things start to get crazy at the airport.
Book Flights at the Right Time
If you’re planning to fly to the States for American Thanksgiving, you should start looking for flights now while you can still find reasonable fares. Data from sites like Expedia and Google Flights show that ticket prices begin to increase by roughly $10-$15 a day during the final 14 days before Thanksgiving. So to keep the peace with your wallet, plan to book 21-30 days ahead of time.
If you’re certain about flying during the Christmas holiday season, you’ll want to start looking for flights approximately 6-8 in advance, and if possible, book flights before November rolls around. Research from Hopper shows that fares jump sharply in November and spike again in early December.
How to Find the Best Flights for a Quiet Journey
Stress can stem from money worries as much as it can from crowded airports and flight interruptions. So, if you haven’t already, we recommend setting fare alerts on sites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Hopper. This will let you know the best ticket prices for your desired route, so you can snap up sweet fares without constantly checking.
6 Tips for Booking Cheaper Flights
- Look for flights on Tuesdays or Wednesdays because airlines tend to have mid-week sales.
- Use incognito mode when you’re looking for flights. Yup, airlines fares will increase if you search repeatedly for the same route and/or airline.
- Reduce the chances of dreaded flight delays, by choosing flights that leave before 8:00 a.m.. Early flights usually have fewer passengers, so not only are they less likely to be canceled or delayed, they are also much quieter, giving you a chance for a more peaceful trip.
- If you live in an area with several airports, try flying from a smaller one. They tend to have fewer crowds which can add to a less stressful airport experience.
- Think about choosing flights with a stopover, or two! Not only are they less expensive, but if you have a layover at an airport with good amenities, or in a city you wouldn’t mind staying in for a few hours or a day, you’ll have the chance to bring more enjoyment to your trip.
- To save a little, remember to check baggage policies in advance. Depending on the airline, you might get discounted luggage fees if you purchase early online.
If your flight was delayed, canceled or overbooked within the last 3 years, you could be eligible for up to $1,000 CAD in compensation.Check Your Flight
Canadian Airports with the Best ‘Quiet’ Amenities
While avoiding big airports can usually make flights less tense, sometimes you just can’t avoid them. The upside of bigger hubs is that they typically have more amenities to make your wait time more relaxing. These Canadian airports definitely fit the bill.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
With a large indoor aquarium and serene indoor nature displays, YVR also has several relaxing rest zones with comfortable reclining chairs. This airport also offers free wi-fi and gorgeous lounges. The best amenities include several spas, Plaza Premium Lounges, and a few lovely art installations that will soothe your nerves in between flights.
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
At Calgary International, you can enjoy their designated quiet seating areas. These special spaces offer some extremely comfortable chairs, and the natural light is a welcome relief helping passengers feel more serene. YYC also has a SpacePort exhibit along with huge windows that bring a light airy atmosphere.
The airport’s local dining options, the Aspire Lounge, and massage chairs, can make Calgary International a peaceful retreat for a day of bustling holiday travel.
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Because YOW is smaller and much less crowded than some other airports, it offers a calmer experience for passengers. You can enjoy plenty of natural light, large walking areas, and top-notch art exhibits to help keep your stress levels low.
The best amenities of Ottawa International include the rotating art installations, designated quiet zones, and our favourite, the airport therapy dogs that roam the terminals interacting with travelers. Look for them most Wednesdays through Saturdays.
PRO TIP: Most airports have their own app where you can find additional info on dining options, amenities, and maps to help you find your way.
Smart Packing & Quiet Kits
We’ve all heard it more times than we can count, but traveling light is a sure way to have a more peaceful airline and airport experience. While most people think that a carry-on bag is the best way to travel smart and efficiently, it’s worth considering using the checked option instead.
Carry-on bags can still be heavy, and limited overhead bin space is a constant source of grief. Plus, if your bag is too big or there’s simply not enough space, it will be sent to the cargo hold anyway, and then you have to wait to have it returned to you when you land - not good if you have a connection!
Plenty of travelers insist that their checked luggage will be lost, delayed, or damaged, but consider this: Over the 2023 holiday season between December 18 and January 6, 2023, Air Canada reported having a 98.6% success rate with baggage handling.
This means that just 1.4% of checked bags were mishandled. Not only that, but the carrier also introduced a baggage tracking app to help passengers keep tabs of their belongings.
Also, checking your luggage allows for a more hands-free airport experience. Think of it this way: you can enjoy shopping or a spa treatment without having to look after your cabin bag. When you get to your destination, you get your luggage and you’re on your way.
Pack a Quiet Kit
Whether you carry a cabin bag or not, a quiet kit will really come in handy, especially during flight disruptions. Include soothing items like essential oils, light snacks, an eye mask and travel pillow. Basically, add anything that will bring you a little extra comfort during times of stress.
How to Prepare for Holiday Flight Disruptions
With the surge in traffic and tricky winter weather, holiday travel is always rife with flight disruptions. But, if avoiding cancellations and delays is impossible, why not at least minimize the grief?
Check the status of your flight. Downloading the airline’s app or checking flight tracking sites like FlightAware is the best and easiest way to do this. Keep in mind though that if your flight is delayed, it’s still a good idea to head to the airport anyway unless it’s been put off until the following day.
Brush up on your passenger rights. When you fly in Canada, your rights are protected by the Canada Air Passenger Rights Regulations (APPR). These protect you when your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked and you’re bumped as a result.
These rules state that you can receive between $400 and $1,000 CAD depending on the size of the airline and the duration of the delay.
Take advantage of airport lounges. These can be like sanctuaries amid the sea of chaos, and offer more comfortable seats, complimentary food, wi-fi, and sometimes even showers! And contrary to popular belief, lounges are not just for premium passengers!
WestJet, for example, will let you buy a day pass for $59, while Air Canada allows passengers single-day access to their Maple Leaf Lounges for just $55-$60 CAD.
Figuring out how much you are owed for a disrupted flight can be complicated. We're here to help. Let us assess your compensation for you.Check Your Flight
Quiet Travel is Possible, Even Over the Holidays
Making travel less stressful and exhausting can be as simple as making more conscious choices. If you do experience delays and cancellations, remember that AirAdvisor can alleviate the stress of dealing with compensation claims. So, here’s to embracing the quiet travel trend! Hopefully, you can transform your holiday journey into a more tranquil experience.
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