Airports to avoid if you travel at Christmas

We already know that the Christmas holidays are the second time of the year when airports experience peak traffic. The first, as usual, is the month of August.

That is why there are some destinations that you should avoid if you travel at Christmas. Or, at least, knowing that if you use their airports, you run the risk of queues, waiting and other incidents related to oversaturation.

The busiest airports

It is a time, then, in which airports put their capacity to the test when it comes to absorbing air traffic and passengers. A combination that is not always easy: crowds at the check-in counters, delays in some flights, problems when parking...

These are some of the Spanish airports, and destinations in the rest of the world as well, that will have a higher volume of traffic:

• Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca. These three capitals multiply their usual traffic these holidays. Added to regular passengers is the fact that they are also international hubs. 
• New York. The city par excellence is filled at Christmas with tourists from all corners of the world.
• Egypt. Visiting the pyramids and the capital is one of the favorite destinations for travelers during these dates. 
• Paris. The French capital offers numerous tourist attractions for all types of public, especially the family. To take into account, some airports in the north of France. In recent years, visits to cities and towns in Alsace have skyrocketed to visit their traditional Christmas markets. 
• London. Few European destinations have the privilege of being stars. The British capital is one of them. And during the Christmas holidays, even more. Walking through its streets, avenues and parks is quite an experience. 
• Istanbul. Turkey has become one of the star destinations for Christmas. Relatively close to Spain, this country has great cultural beauties and endless possibilities for all tastes. 
• Prague. One of the European pearls that at Christmas displays endless proposals for everyone. 
• Cancun. Who does not dream of a vacation with a warm temperature and being able to enjoy endless beaches when here we are with temperatures close to zero degrees? The Cancun airport, due to these irresistible attractions, is a highly sought after destination this Christmas.
• Tenerife. A national and international destination, a different way to spend the Christmas holidays: immense beaches and an enviable temperature. It is the cheapest option if we cannot afford to travel to the Caribbean.

Let's not forget, however, the big international hubs. Perhaps it is not our final destination, but we will have to go through them to make a stopover or transfer. And that can also cause us some kind of discomfort. The airports of Dubai, Los Angeles, Singapore, Munich and Atlanta, in their various variants of connections, concentrate millions of passengers during the various festive days of the Christmas holidays.

Some useful tips

So, if you have to go through them to make a longer trip, have a little patience in the queues and waiting.  Want some tips?

• Don't forget to bring a charger for your mobile, we even recommend an extra battery to be able to charge it while you're waiting. If you can't find an available plug, you can always transfer power from your portable battery.  And if you're traveling abroad, check to see if you need to bring a power adapter.
• If you can avoid these airports that are at risk of saturation, the better: the trip will always be more pleasant and less stressful.
• Check the tickets carefully. Make sure of the departure time of your flight and keep in mind that you should be at the airport between an hour and an hour and a half before. On peak days, this margin should be increased.
• Check if you should do some kind of scaling. In international transfers, especially in the airports that we have mentioned, follow the instructions of the company and the ground staff.

Frequently Asked Questions about Christmas Airport Travel

How far in advance should I arrive at the airport at Christmas?

At Christmas, it is recommended to arrive earlier than usual, ideally between 2 and 3 hours for domestic flights and up to 3–4 hours for international flights, due to the increase in passengers, queues at check-in, and security controls.

Which days are the most complicated for flying at Christmas?

The most saturated days are usually the days before Christmas Eve (December 20 to 23) and the days after Christmas, especially when they coincide with weekends. If you can, traveling on December 24 or 25 is usually quieter.

Do flights get more expensive at Christmas?

Yes, flight prices at Christmas are usually higher than the annual average due to high demand. Booking with little notice can increase the cost even further, so it is advisable to plan weeks or months in advance.

Is it normal to have delays or cancellations on these dates?

Yes, at Christmas, it is more common to have delays or operational incidents due to airport saturation, winter weather conditions in Europe, and a higher volume of airline operations.

What can I do to avoid queues and stress at the airport?

Some useful measures are:

• Check-in online.
• Travel with carry-on luggage only, if possible.
• Arrive with sufficient advance notice and use priority or fast-track services.
• Book airport transport and parking in advance to avoid last-minute unexpected issues.

Conclusion

Ultimately, traveling at Christmas involves a greater flow of passengers, more queues, and much more careful planning of every stage of the journey, from arrival at the airport to boarding. Anticipating these factors can make the difference between a stressful trip and a much more comfortable and fluid experience.

In this context, having solutions that speed up airport transfers is key: services like aparca&go at Barcelona-El Prat Airport and Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport allow you to book parking in advance, avoid wasting time in saturated parking lots, and make the transfer to the terminal quickly and comfortably, especially during peak demand dates like Christmas.