The demand for air travel during the holiday season often increases significantly as many people take the opportunity to travel, return home, or visit family. Holiday flights are usually accompanied by concerns about rapidly rising ticket prices, crowded airports, and the risk of delays. However, with careful preparation, you can start your journey smoothly, from hunting for good ticket prices, choosing reasonable flight times, to tips for quick check-in and avoiding delays. All this useful information is compiled in the article below.

Long check-in lines, crowded security areas, and packed boarding gates are familiar sights during peak travel seasons.

1. Tips for hunting the best holiday flight tickets

1.1 How long in advance should you book your flight tickets?

During peak seasons like holidays, the ideal time to book tickets is 1 to 2 months in advance. If you have confirmed your vacation schedule, you should prioritize buying tickets as early as possible rather than waiting until the last minute.

For busy routes like Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang, or popular tourist destinations like Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Da Lat, booking early gives you more options regarding flight times and prices, while also reducing the risk of fully booked flights during desirable times or on 'hot' routes.

1.2 Which days and times should you choose to fly?

There is no fixed 'cheapest' time, but you can optimize costs by avoiding peak days, which usually fall on the start and end of official holiday periods.

Being flexible with your travel dates, comparing prices across different days, and avoiding peak hours during the day are considered 'secrets' that help passengers find good tickets while reducing the risk of delays during the holiday season.

1.3 Take advantage of airline promotions

Airlines often launch early booking promotions or seasonal discounts to stimulate travel demand. You should actively update information on official channels before deciding to book tickets. Using discount codes or hunting for zero-cost tickets (excluding taxes and fees) can significantly save on travel costs during peak times.

Check out Vietjet's zero-cost flight program at 12 PM - 2 PM every day to book good flight tickets even during peak seasons. Detailed information can be found here.

Taking advantage of promotional programs can help you save significantly when buying flight tickets during peak holiday seasons.

2. Things to do before heading to the airport during peak times

2.1 Online check-in: Appropriate timing and notes

Online check-in is the simplest way to save time on check-in, especially during peak times when airports are often overloaded. Currently, most airlines allow passengers to check in online about 24 hours before the flight. You should check in as soon as the system opens to actively choose good seats and shorten wait times at the airport.

At Vietjet, passengers can easily look up and manage their booking codes in the My Booking/My Flights section on the Vietjet app/website for quick online check-in. At the same time, you can get timely updates on the latest flight information.

After completing online check-in, if you do not have checked luggage, you can go straight to the security screening area, thus saving significant time on check-in.

See more: Flight check-in guide

2.2 Check your luggage: Important regulations

During peak times, luggage checks are often stricter, which can prolong check-in times if the luggage does not meet regulations.

Some notes about luggage when flying with Vietjet:

• Carry-on luggage: Each passenger (except infants under 2 years old) is allowed to bring 01 main carry-on bag and/or 01 small handbag with a total weight not exceeding 07kg. The maximum dimensions are 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.
• Checked luggage: The weight of each piece must not exceed 32kg, and the maximum dimensions are 119cm x 119cm x 81cm. You should carefully check the luggage standards according to your ticket class and weigh it before heading to the airport to avoid additional costs.
• Liquids: For carry-on luggage, each bottle/container must not exceed 100ml, with a total maximum capacity of 1 liter, and must be contained in a transparent, sealed bag. Liquids in checked luggage need to be packed carefully.
• Restricted items: Do not bring sharp objects, flammable substances, or power banks typically exceeding 100Wh, depending on the airline's regulations. Note that power banks must be kept in carry-on luggage and not checked.

You should organize your luggage neatly, separating electronic devices and liquids (if any) to expedite the security check process.

See more: Luggage regulations

2.3 Getting to the airport: Suitable options

Traveling to the airport during the holidays carries many risks such as traffic jams, overloaded public transport, or a lack of vehicles during peak hours. Therefore, you should proactively choose a suitable option and leave earlier than usual.

Some notes when traveling to the airport during peak times:

• Ride-hailing/taxi: Suitable for small groups. It is advisable to book a car in advance to avoid price hikes or difficulty in calling a car during peak hours.
• Personal vehicle: Offers flexibility in timing, but you need to calculate parking costs at the airport and the time to find a parking spot.
• Airport bus: Cost-effective, suitable if you are not carrying much luggage and have flexible travel time.

Regardless of the mode of transport you choose, you should leave 30 - 60 minutes earlier than planned to account for any unforeseen circumstances. Being proactive with your time will help reduce pressure and minimize the risk of flight delays during peak times.

3. Tips for check-in, security screening, and boarding during holidays

3.1 Tips for quick check-in and security screening

During peak times, the check-in and security screening areas are often 'bottlenecks' causing many passengers to miss their flights. To save time, you should prepare carefully before getting in line.

Some useful tips:

• Prepare your documents: Have your ID/passport and boarding pass ready for quick presentation when needed.
• Prioritize online check-in: If you have checked in online, you can skip the traditional check-in counter and go straight to the security area (if you do not have checked luggage).
• Organize your luggage neatly: Separate your laptop, tablet, power bank, and liquids to quickly retrieve them when passing through the scanner.
• Choose fast-moving lines: Observe and prioritize lanes with fewer passengers or quicker processing (less bulky luggage).

By preparing well for these steps, you can significantly shorten your check-in time and reduce the risk of getting 'stuck' in the security area.

3.2 Guide to monitoring flight information boards

After completing security checks, the next step you need to pay attention to is monitoring information on the electronic board to avoid missing your flight.

Some important notes:

• Check your flight number and gate: The first thing you need to do as soon as you enter the waiting area is to check the flight number and find your way to the boarding gate.
• Continuously monitor updates: During peak times, boarding gates may change at the last minute, so you should pay attention to announcements from the airport.
• Pay attention to boarding times: Usually, the boarding gate will close about 15 - 20 minutes before the departure time.

You should be at the boarding gate at least 20 - 30 minutes before the flight to avoid rushing. Proactively monitoring information will help you not miss your flight, even when the airport is crowded and many flights are departing at the same time.

4. Frequently Asked Questions When Flying During Peak Holidays

4.1 How many hours in advance should I arrive at the airport?

During peak holiday periods, you should arrive at the airport earlier than usual to avoid congestion at check-in counters and security areas.

• Domestic flights: should arrive 2-3 hours early
• International flights: should arrive 3-4 hours early

If you have checked in online and do not have checked luggage, you should still arrive at least 90 minutes early to allow for potential wait times at the security screening area.

4.2 What timeframes should you be aware of?

Knowing the important timeframes will help you be more proactive and reduce the risk of missing your flight.

• Check-in counter closing time: Approximately 40 minutes before departure for domestic flights and 50 - 60 minutes for international flights. After this time, you will not be able to check in even if you have a ticket.
• Boarding gate closing time: Usually about 15 - 20 minutes before the flight. If you are not present at the boarding gate on time, you may be denied boarding.

The timeframes may vary depending on the airline and each airport, so you should carefully check the information on your ticket and monitor announcements at the airport.

See more: Tips for flying during the peak Tet season

4.3 What are common causes of flight delays?

The causes of flight delays during peak seasons can be varied; however, here are some common situations and contingency plans to help you minimize the risk of being late or missing your flight.

• Holiday traffic: Holiday traffic can be very complicated, especially on routes to the airport. You should allow 1 - 2 extra hours for travel, avoid congested routes in the city center, during peak hours, and prioritize flexible transportation options that can navigate crowded areas. If traveling from neighboring provinces, plan to arrive at the airport half a day to a day in advance, combining various transportation methods to ensure timely arrival.
• Wrong date or flight time: This is a fairly common mistake. Be sure to carefully check your ticket information after booking, and set reminders on your phone or ticket booking app to avoid confusion.
• Forgot identification documents: Not bringing a valid ID/Passport will prevent you from checking in. Prepare your documents the night before and double-check before leaving home.
• Wrong airport terminal: Some large airports have multiple terminals (domestic/international separately). Arriving at the wrong terminal can cause you to waste additional time traveling and miss your flight. Be sure to check the terminal information on your ticket carefully.
• Carry-on luggage exceeding weight or size limits: This is the most time-consuming error at the airport during holidays. If you are held up at the boarding gate due to oversized luggage, you will have to go to the counter to check it in and may miss your flight when returning. Be sure to check the size and weight limits for carry-on luggage according to each airline's regulations the night before.

Being proactive in gathering information and preparing thoroughly will help you have a smooth flight, even during peak seasons.

Holidays are the perfect time for you to embark on new adventures and enjoy new journeys. With careful preparation, you can easily depart for anywhere. Don't forget to keep these tips in mind to be proactive in all situations, from ticket hunting, check-in to traveling to the airport. Additionally, regularly updating information about flight tickets, flight schedules, and travel tips will keep you ready for a fulfilling holiday.

Follow flight information, promotional programs, and travel guides on the official channels of Vietjet: