The whole fam going to Mexico.
Visiting grandma in Vancouver.
LA for a Disneyland hit.
Or, connecting farther afield through Calgary, Toronto or Montreal.
All that spring break air travel is going to make Kelowna International Airport a busy place March 12-29.
In fact, the airport expects 140,000 passengers to come and go during that two weeks the kids are off from school and families make a break for it.
The No. 1 thing you can do to reduce travel stress is to prepare in advance and hope for the best.
Expect longer than normal wait times -- to park, at the automated check-in kiosk, at the check-in desk, in the security line and plane loading.
Many spring break passengers will experience Kelowna airport's just-opened new security clearance and new departures area for the first time.
Security is now twice as fast because you don't have to take out your liquids and gels and-or laptop.
Trays will automatically be fed to you on a conveyor at stations, serving four people at a time in the security line, speeding everything up.
The new, twice-as-big departures lounge has a wine bar, more seating and easier to access departure gates and planes.
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It's recommended you check-in and drop off any bags at least two hours prior to your flight departure time.
Travellers can check real-time security wait times and real-time parking lot capacity on ylw.kelowna.ca/traveltips.
We've said this before and we'll say it again -- check-in online 24 hours before your flight, pick your seats, pay any luggage fees and validate your passport information and get boarding passes.
Doing so means you can check-in quicker at an automated kiosk, if you're checking a bag, or you can go straight to the security line with your boarding pass, if you only have carry-on luggage.
Parking at the airport is expected to reach full capacity during this peak period.
People travelling should consider alternative transportation to the airport, such as taxi, ride share, airport shuttles, public transit or having a friend drop them off.
Passengers can also book parking in advance using valet parking services.
If you're on the other end of the stick and picking up arriving passengers at the airport, utilize the free parking in the Cell Phone Waiting Area located beside the Canco gas station.
Know what can and can't be brought through security screening.
Avoid surrendering items and guarantee that valuables make it through security screening.
Search CATSA’s permitted and non-permitted lists to see which items to pack in carry-on and checked baggage.
Check with your airline to learn about its baggage restrictions and fees.
For more spring break travel tips, visit ylw.kelowna.ca/
Happy flying -- wherever spring break takes you!
