AER Lingus bosses have revealed their top winter travel hacks for Christmas to “beat the holiday queues.”
Christmas is one of the most busiest times at Dublin Airport, with an expected 32 million passengers throughout December.
Firstly, the Irish airline revealed passengers should beat the holiday chaos by checking in online.
This is an easy way to skip the queues and even select your seat in advance, which is perfect if you’re flying with family and want to sit together.
Once you’re checked in, you can grab your boarding pass before you even leave home and if you’re bringing bags, simply head to the bag drop area to get them sorted.
The next tip Aer Lingus has for passengers this winter is knowing your baggage allowance to avoid any last-minute surprises.
Check your booking through the Manage Trip section or the app, and if you need extra space, it’s cheaper to add bags online than at the airport.
When packing, Aer Lingus advises that passengers should keep their essentials and medications in your carry-on.
And if you’re taking gifts home with you this Christmas, hold off on wrapping them until you arrive at your destination in case your bag gets checked.
Don’t forget to prepare your travel documents ahead of time.
The airline said to make sure your passport is valid and that you have any required visas, plus download or print your boarding pass for a smooth airport experience.
If you have any special requests, such as children’s meals or dietary requirements, passengers can arrange them with Aer Lingus at least 48 hours before your flight to ensure everything is in place.
The airline also recommends to be comfortable and look after yourself when flying in winter by staying hydrated, dressing in layers, and letting staff know if you’re feeling unwell.
You can even bring an empty water bottle to fill up at the airport’s free drinking stations.
Finally, Aer Lingus advises passengers to arrive at the airport on time — two hours before European flights and three hours for transatlantic trips.
This way, you can relax, grab a snack, or even do a bit of shopping before your flight.
This comes after Dublin Airport issued a major Christmas warning to passengers ahead of the festive season.
AIRPORT CHRISTMAS WARNING
So far this year, Dublin Airport has already handled 28.7million passengers, with a 5 per cent increase compared to 2023.
Despite this growth, a passenger cap of 32 million has become a major issue – with Dublin Airport needing to limit its capacity to comply with regulations.
Passenger numbers are expected to exceed 32 million by December, with forecasts predicting a final count closer to 33 million for the year.
And the airport is now advising passengers to pre-book parking spaces ahead of Christmas.
The airport is now working on plans to increase capacity, including a proposal to raise the cap to 40 million passengers and an operational plan to reach 36 million without new infrastructure.
