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The New Year is approaching, and we are all trying to make resolutions to improve our lives. When considering those goals, don’t forget to include ways to improve your air travel experience in 2025.

One thing is certain: Looking ahead to 2025, the public’s insatiable appetite for travel shows no signs of abating. “I think people really want to travel right now. And maybe it’s a little bit of ‘Hey, I haven’t been able to go in a couple of years. And so I’m going to travel,'” TSA Administrator David Pekosk recently told TPG. interview

In fact, we saw record-breaking crowds over the Thanksgiving holiday, setting a new single-day record for passengers at US airports. It is believed that the new year will break more tour records.

So, here are our top seven tips for the new year of travel.

Find the best airfares

There’s no reason why you should pay full price for an airline seat when the bargains abound. Check out TPG’s Deals page for the best airfare prices. You can also subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest deals and news.

Plus, sign up for deal alerts from your favorite airlines. Use sites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak And Hooper To find cheap fares.

These days, the website that gets the most workout by TPG staff has to be Google Flights.

Use the search field to find the cheapest (or best) flights. Google will also tell you if prices are currently normal, high or low; It will also send you email alerts if fares increase or decrease on a particular route you select. As you can see in the example below, Google says that the prices for this search are for flights from San Francisco to Bozeman, Montana.

It also has some fun tools for finding affordable destinations close to home or around the world. By clicking the “Explore” button on the sidebar and entering your departure airport, Google Flights will give you a map or list of the most wallet-friendly destinations.

related to: 11 strategies for finding cheap airfare

Of course, we love points deals even more, so we regularly publish points deals. There are also plenty of other new point-finding tools such as Points path.

It’s a free browser extension that displays award prices along with cash prices for select airlines in Google Flights. It tells you which transferable points can be used with the airlines it supports, recommends when to use points versus miles, and suggests when to book a paid rate. Once you’ve chosen an itinerary, you can book a paid rate as you normally would with Google Flights or redeem awards directly with an airline loyalty program.

Related: How to use the Points Path extension to compare cash and award rates in Google Flights

Download airline apps

One of my top tips for travelers is to download the airline app for whatever flight you’re taking.

If your flight is delayed or canceled, downloading these apps can be very helpful, as airlines use them to communicate flight changes. You can also get late flight updates and rebook your own as needed.

Some airlines allow you to rebook yourself in the app.

They also often have cheap upgrade offers, so it might pay to check out the app even when you’re not traveling.

Of course, airline apps have other functions as well. On American Airlines, this is how you get access to entertainment. continued On United, if you want to buy anything from snacks to Wi-Fi while in flight, you’ll need to upload your credit card information directly into the app — a A headache for some travelers.

RELATED: Here’s what to do if your flight is canceled or delayed

Have a backup plan

In these days of overcrowded flights and airport and airline meltdowns, it pays to have a plan B and even a plan C if things go sideways.

Protect yourself during the booking process by trying to find out A nonstop flight instead of one with a connection. Even if it costs a bit more, you’ll eliminate the risk of missing a connection and reduce the chance of the airline misplacing your luggage during transfer.

You should also consider taking one of the first flights of the day. These flights are less likely to encounter afternoon storms and are more likely to depart on time.

RELATED: Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed — Here’s What You Should Do Next

If your flight is seriously delayed or canceled, you want to be ahead of everyone else on your flight who is also considering rebooking.

Go to the customer service desk (or the lounge desk if you have access). You should also get on the phone with the airline or contact them through social media. In a major downturn, the airline’s social media team can sometimes help you faster than a phone or in-person agent. You must use every tool in the toolbox during operational problems.

Some airlines also have live chat capabilities to help navigate delays and cancellations.

I always have an alternate plan in mind if a flight is canceled or delayed. Know in advance which other airlines are flying the same route you are flying in case something goes wrong. That way, when an agent asks you to rebook, you’ll know the alternative flight options.

Save receipts for any expenses you incur during a delay or cancellation. You’ll want excellent documentation in case of a meltdown, like the one Southwest Airlines passengers experienced during the 2022 holiday season.

And remember, sometimes the best idea is to just cut the bait. If there is a major storm or technical meltdown, it may be best to abandon or at least reschedule the trip.

The new rules mean you’re entitled to a full refund for any journey you can’t take, even if it’s weather-related.

Read more: Rules shaping the future of the travel industry

Get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

One of our favorite ways to speed through airports is through programs like Trusted Traveler TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.

If you travel domestically and internationally, pay $120 for five years of global access. If you fly into an international airport — such as Dulles International Airport (IAD), where many flights land in the late afternoon to early evening — you can avoid long customs and immigration lines by using the Global Entry kiosk. You will be on your parking shuttle while others are waiting.

related to: 14 Things to Know About Global Entry

The best part of Global Entry is that you are automatically enrolled in TSA’s PreCheck program. Check your wallet – your credit card may cover the registration fee.

Another big part of Global Entry or PreCheck is that more and more airports are introducing biometric or touchless security lines. The catch? You will need to be enrolled in an accredited travel program to be approved to participate. Here’s our full guide to how it works.

TSA checkpoint and pack for comfort

You don’t want to be delayed at the TSA checkpoint because you had the wrong items in your carry-on bag. Download MyTSA app Bring your carry-on or checked bag to see what you can — and can’t — do. (And if you need a new carry-on bag, here are some of our favorites.) Buy travel-size containers for 3-ounce liquids and gels that fit in quart-size plastic bags.

related to: 10 ways to get through airport security fast

Choose shoes that are easy to put on and take off to speed you through the checkpoint.

Since comfort is key when traveling, what you wear onboard is important. Choose clothes with stretchy fabrics, such as cotton knits or blends. Carry lightweight knit or fleece cardigans to keep warm in chilly aircraft cabins or to use as a pillow on red-eye flights.

You may want to keep the following items in your under-seat bag: A Kindle, headphones, earbuds, charger for electronic devices, empty water bottle, medications (over-the-counter and prescription), travel wallet, small toiletries, hand sanitizer, tissues, lip balm, lotion, and a jacket or large scarf for cold cabins .

related to: Keep Calm and Carry On: The Best Carry-On Luggage for Every Kind of Trip

Choose your seat wisely

When airlines allow you to choose your seat when booking a flight, do so — but be prepared to pay for it. Check out websites like Sitguru And Arelopa To help you avoid the dreaded middle seat, noisy galley or toilet. Choosing a seat also means you won’t annoy your fellow passengers by asking them to change seats.

related to: Where is the best seat on a plane? Here’s how to choose a seat every time you fly

Of course, TPG wants you to be at the pointy end of the plane. But even in first class, you can pay more for some of the better seats. It always makes sense to double check the seat map.

And if your ticket has you boarding last on the flight, consider paying to board the plane after elite members board. This will ensure plenty of space in the overhead compartment for your large carry-on bags, plus it gives you time to settle into your seat. Remember, some airline credit cards come with priority boarding as a perk of cardholding.

Bring your own food

Stop spending money on overpriced airport food or boarding your flight with a rumbling stomach and hoping to buy overly processed food after take off. Full meals on flights – unless they are international – have gone the way of the dinosaurs. Some airlines offer buy-onboard fare, but with most, you’re lucky to get a peanut or a pretzel. Instead, pack your own food, including fruit, granola or energy bars, cheese and crackers, vegetable chips or sandwiches to stave off hunger on your flight.

The bottom line

Traveling is hard enough these days as record numbers of passengers continue to take to the skies. However, adopting good travel resolutions can make travel more pleasant and less stressful in 2025 and beyond.

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