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If the abundance of UK snow has made you long for warmer climes, here are some tips to help you escape.

The UK snowfall this winter seems to have taken everyone by surprise, and the resultant snow and ice have caused problems for everyone; local councils are dealing with road grit shortages, commuters can’t get to their jobs, rubbish isn’t being collected in some areas…the list goes on and on.

The hostile conditions are perhaps most disappointing for those of us who are trying to escape to sunnier shores, only to find our plans scuppered by the very weather we’re trying to escape. That’s why, out of the goodness of my heart, I’d like to offer some practical advice for avoiding travel delays this winter.Follow these simple tips and your airport experience will hopefully be a bit less stressful:

1. Do Your Research – When planning your trip, research your airline.If your destination is served by several companies, check around to see if any of them have a history of frequent cancellations or delays and avoid them if possible!

2. Travel Insurance – Travel insurance is another thing to keep in mind when planning your trip. Make sure you’re covered for flight cancellations and delays. Also, check if your covered for necessary expenses caused by delays, like hotel stays.

3. Avoid the Crowds – Try to avoid peak travel times.Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to travel. You’re far more likely to have to deal with crowds and chaos Mondays to Fridays, from 07.00 to 10.00 and 16.00 to 20.00.

4. Get the First Flight – Try to book the first flight of the day, because as the day goes on delays become more likely. If you can, make sure it’s an “originator” flight (the first timetabled flight for that aeroplane for the day). This means you’re not waiting around for it to fly in from somewhere else. Always try and avoid the last flight of the day, so if your flight is cancelled you’ll have a chance to make it onto a later one.

5. Size Matters – Use a smaller, regional airport.Major airports like Gatwick and Heathrow are always more liable to have congestion and delays than an airport like Southampton.

6. Lounge Access -If you use the same airport regularly, think about buying a membership card that gives you priority access to the lounges. You’ll be glad to have it if you get stuck at the airport due to flight delays.

7. Crucial Phone Numbers – Store any important numbers (your hotel, car hire company, etc) in your mobile phone, in case you need to advise them of a delay.Oh yes, don’t forget to charge up your mobile before setting off!

8. Keep the Kids Happy – If you’re bringing the kids along, don’t forget to stow a few things to keep them amused at the airport. If you’re dealing with a delay or cancellation, the last thing you need is to hear how bored they are every five minutes.

9. Bring Your Own Food -Bring along some nibbles.Have you seen how expensive airport food is now?If your flight is delayed for more than a couple of hours, you might be eligible for a food voucher from your airline.Simply visit the airline’s flight desk or ring your travel insurance provider for advice.

10. Consult Your Airline -Lastly, be sure to call your airline before you set off for the airport. That way you’ll find out about any existing problems you may run into, and if there are serious delays the airline should know about them well in advance.

So, there you have it. Follow my advice and you might not avoid delays 100% of the time, but if you do run into a problem, at least you’ll be better-prepared to deal with it calmly and efficiently.

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