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Why Air Travel Is Uniquely Terrible Right Now—and How to Make It Bearable

A survival guide for flying in 2022.

Pocket Editors

Read when you’ve got time to spare.

The friendly skies have been anything but this summer, with travelers facing a morass of flight cancellations, delays, and lost baggage, all against the backdrop of a still-active pandemic. Read on to learn how the airline industry landed in this mess, and how you can navigate the realities of flying right now.

Image by Jaromir Chalabala / EyeEm

‘A One-Hour Layover Is Not Enough Anymore’: A Flight Attendant’s Tips on Surviving Travel Now

In two decades of flying, things have never been as stressful as they are now, a cabin insider says. Here, her tips from 30,000 feet for avoiding airline chaos this summer.

The Air Travel Mess, Explained

The post-COVID mess has been multiplied by several other factors.

You Can Salvage Your Summer Flight Plans With These Pro Tips

Use this expert advice on the best flight booking techniques, how to bypass airport lines, and how to get your money back in case of a flight cancellation or delay.

Your Canceled-Flight Emergency Kit

Here’s what to pack before you head to the airport — literally and figuratively.

Put Your Face in Airplane Mode

Masking only at the start and end of every flight will do a lot to keep you safe.

Why Airlines Overbook Flights and How to Negotiate a Deal

The amount of money airlines have offered impacted passengers has skyrocketed.

‘It’s a Mess and I’ve Never Seen Anything Like It’: Global Lost Luggage Crisis Mounts

Some are calling it the summer of lost luggage with daily stories of baggage claims swelling as suitcases get caught in a conveyor belt-shaped vortex that only seems to grow.

How the TSA Created Two Classes of Travelers

Nilay Patel speaks with the TSA’s chief innovation officer, Dan McCoy, about airport surveillance, security lines, and what we surrender when we sign up for PreCheck.

How to Travel With Just One Bag This Summer According to Reddit

Forget packing a carry on—focus on traveling with just one bag. Worried about checking a bag during a chaotic travel summer? Consider honing the fine art of minimalist packing with tips gleaned from Reddit.

Travelers Confront Baggage Chaos with AirTags and Luggage Trackers

Knowing where your suitcase is might not help you get it back.

Can You Be A Climate Activist And Still Fly?

The solution may not necessarily be omitting flying altogether but thinking more about frequency and intention when we do fly.

A Memorable Staycation: How to Create a Joyous Vacation Near Home

Experts weigh in on how to create the perfect holiday without venturing too far.