Airport and rail meltdowns: Tips if you’re headed to Europe this Christmas
Editor's Note
Well, we got close, folks. However, it looks like a trouble-free year with only minor cancellations and delays for Christmas travel in Europe won’t be happening after all.
As years in travel go, 2023 has been a tumultuous one. Not quite as unpredictable as the pandemic years, or perhaps as raucous as last year, when we all cautiously stepped back into “normal” travel mode. Still, it was eventful nonetheless.
This year, as travel frequency continued its noble quest toward pre-pandemic figures, our woes in Europe largely came from two core triggers: disgruntled workforces and Mother Nature.
The latter, studiously applying herself across the vast gauntlet of meteorological events, brought us icy storms, gale-force winds, torrential downpours and sci-fi levels of dystopian heat. The former threw a dash of good old-fashioned discontent at some of the year's busiest travel periods — across all sectors from air, rail and sea.
And that’s without mentioning the freak COVID-19 outbreak that derailed U.K. air traffic control earlier this year.
Despite all of this — and despite a recent volcanic eruption in Iceland (we all know how bad those can be) — everything seemed to begin to wind down for Christmas. All seemed, well, calm.
Sure, there were still a few strikes on the horizon — security teams in Alicante, Spain; Iberia ground teams in Spain; potential rail dramatics in Germany; and public transport walkouts in Northern Ireland. Still, for the most part, things seemed OK. Even the notoriously stubborn U.K. rail unions had decided to calm down before Christmas.
The festive season was starting to look very much like a clear runway, and it tasted delicious. But then, Thursday happened and plunged us right back into normalcy.
The latest European airport and rail problems
It started with a slew of “last-minute” strikes by French workers, which took everyone by surprise and forced Eurostar to cancel 30 services between London, Paris and Brussels. As a result, the famed rail operator was forced to halt sales of tickets on its Friday services and add eight services between now and Christmas to ensure travelers could reach their festive destinations.
While that was all unfolding, so too were the spectral claws of Storm Pia, stirring up gale-force 80 mph winds and many problems at European airports.
As it seemingly always is, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) was hit the worst; it saw 265 cancellations and 341 delays. The effects of this seem to have run into Friday. It is currently counting 197 departure delays and 87 cancellations already at the time of writing.
Related: TPG’s guide to understanding EU261 flight compensation
London's Heathrow Airport (LHR), the premier U.K. hub, was hit by around 32 cancellations and 378 delays, with a further 161 delays and counting Friday and 18 cancellations. Munich International Airport (MUC) and Frankfurt Airport (FRA) have also been among the worst hit, with continued impacts into Friday.
Thankfully, the remnants of Storm Pia should have all but completely dissipated in time for Christmas Day. Still, if you’re traveling through Europe before the big day, especially if you’re flying, it would be wise to brace yourself for some disruptions. And for goodness sake, if you’re driving, please drive safely.
Related: Ultimate guide to canceling a flight and getting a refund with major US airlines
Obviously, we can’t prevent a travel company’s staffing problems or weather-related airport meltdowns. However, you can take a few actions to “keep calm and carry on,” as the Brits like to say.
Certain strategies and planning techniques may improve your chances of getting where you want to go — or at least make cancellations easier to manage.
How to plan for airport chaos
Strikes and weather are out of your control. However, there are certain actions you can take before your flight to prepare for potential airport chaos, flight cancellations and scheduling snafus.
Only bring carry-on bags
Airlines have had well-documented issues handling luggage in recent years, particularly with connecting flights to and around Europe. Checked bags may not arrive with you at your destination, and last-minute flight changes or reroutings may mean checked bags get lost.
To try to escape this problem, only travel with carry-on luggage, if possible. Bringing just a carry-on bag on your Europe trip also makes it more convenient to grab a replacement flight or make last-minute travel changes without worrying about checked bags.
Related: 7 steps to take when an airline loses your luggage
However, with many airlines’ cabins completely sold out and passengers competing for limited overhead luggage space, you may be forced to gate-check your carry-on, even after all your planning. TPG has some tips on the best way to keep your carry-on with you.
Related: 9 travel packing tips to save space in your luggage
Use direct flights to avoid troubled airports
Regardless of the airport, it’s typically best to avoid any unnecessary flights. The more connections you make, the more chances you’ll face cancellations or delays.
If it makes financial and timing sense, book direct flights. Those extra dollars may save you a lot of hassle.
Related: Your flight is canceled or delayed — here’s what you should do next
Leverage available travel tools
Staying up to date on your airline and flight status can help you predict and manage delays and cancellations. Use all the channels available to you: email notifications, text notifications, the airline’s app, airline and airport X (formerly known as Twitter) accounts.
“Be sure to download your airline’s phone app and make sure their contact information is updated and notifications turned on,” Limor Decter, travel adviser at Embark Beyond, said.
Decter advises his clients to check on flight status, weather and news — both where the flight originates and where it’s going — a day or two before departure. Should things go wrong, he advises using your travel agency for support, as agencies have direct access to airlines.
“We can often connect with the right people to rebook a flight that is canceled,” Decter explained.
Related: Check out these 4 great new Google trip-planning tools
Patience, persistence and politeness
Even the best-laid travel plans sometimes go awry through no fault of your own.
When this happens, think about packing the “three P’s”: patience, persistence and politeness. Traveling with these three items in your mental suitcase will better help you navigate your travels. It can also reduce stress levels.
Related: 6 tips for keeping your cool this summer as air travel melts down
Politeness is a powerful tool
Being polite to airline customer service representatives, whether in person or on the phone, is a nice thing to do, especially given the amount of stress they face.
It may also inspire them to take that extra step to help rescue your travel plans. There’s a great amount of discretion available to call center employees regarding how many options they research for your rebooking before they give up and leave you stranded at your destination.
Be persistent when rebooking
It pays for passengers to be proactive if they need to rebook a flight.
As anyone who has recently tried to change an itinerary knows, airline customer service phone wait times can be horrendous — sometimes measured in hours.
Try a multipronged approach to rebooking. Contact your travel agent if you used one, and check on the airline’s website, app and X feed. Consult with in-person representatives at the airport — both at the customer service center and with gate agents.
If you have airline lounge privileges, consider going there to talk to a customer service representative, as the line will likely be shorter.
Related: As more airlines ditch Twitter, here’s how to quickly reach an airline customer service agent
Bottom line
TPG recommends travelers planning any Europe trips stay connected to the latest news from airlines and airports.
When travel plans involve transiting through some of the busiest airports and destinations, try reducing your travel disruption risk by only packing carry-on suitcases and leveraging your airline or travel status to skip lines and upgrade cabins.
As always, in these unpredictable times, pack your patience to cope with the chaos.
Related reading:
- Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
- The best travel credit cards
- Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
- 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.