As every seasoned traveller knows, whether you’re jetting off to Colorado or the Caribbean, getting from A to B on Dec. 25 is different from any other day of the year. From the almost-deserted departures lounge to the super-smiley staff – not to mention the price of the ticket in the first place (which you found on Cheapflights.ca, of course) –things just aren’t quite the same when you travel on Christmas Day. Here are 15 truths you’ll know if you’ve been there and done it.
1. The airport security line is like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie. Where did everybody go?
2. It’s the same story in the departures lounge.
3. That’s a good thing because you’re getting the train to the airport, and with the holiday operating schedule, it’ll take you eight times as long as usual. So now you can freak out in public without a ton of people watching!
4. But even if they do witness your public breakdown, everyone you meet today will be super-smiley since it’s Christmas.
5. And you can’t help but get caught up in the festive spirit too.
6. That’s until you realize that most of the airport shops are closed. How the heck are you going to kill time now?
7. But on the plus side, normal food rules don’t apply on Dec. 25. Especially when you’re flying.
8. Aaaand, your flight tickets were dirt cheap (especially if you booked with us). So you should probably celebrate.
9. That airport scene in “Love Actually”? It’s a real thing. You might even find yourself hugging a random at some point.
10. If you’re flying somewhere other than home for the holidays, you know that all 48 members of your extended family will cram into the living room to wish you Merry Christmas over Skype.
11. It will take them at least 15 minutes to work out how to use the iPad, and your great aunt Barbara will stare blankly at it like it’s the devil’s work.
12. Your cousins and siblings on Facebook will post photos from back home, you’ll look around the empty departures lounge and you’ll feel all homesick for a second.
13. Then you’ll remember you packed a Santa hat, and that you’re boarding a flight to somewhere exciting and they’re not, and you’ll feel all festive again.
14. You’ll post an in-flight selfie to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram — just to make sure you get the message across. You might Snapchat it too, just to be sure.
15. You’ll decide that flying on Christmas Day is pretty great. But no way are you about to let the rest of the world in on your secret.
Have you ever wondered if flights really are cheaper on Christmas Day? Do some research at Cheapflights.ca.