This year Thursday, December 20 to Sunday, December 23 will be major travel days before Christmas 2007. To ensure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible, here are a few tips about packing, check-in and security screening.
A flying start to the Christmas holidays.
The heaviest pressure at Stockholm-Arlanda will be on domestic air travel, especially flights to Norrland (northern Sweden), which in most cases have been fully booked for a long time. Since Christmas Eve − when Swedes traditionally exchange gifts − falls on a Monday this year, travel will be more spread out than otherwise, but count on plenty of people at the airport from Thursday to Sunday, with a peak on Friday, December 21.
“Flying is the fastest, most comfortable way to travel at Christmas, and with a few simple preparations even before you get to the airport, it will also be the most pleasant way to start your holidays,” says Niclas Härenstam, Press Manager, LFV Stockholm-Arlanda Airport.
1. Pack properly while still at home
No sharp objects are allowed in your hand baggage, and you should avoid liquids as much as possible. Pack these items in your check-in baggage. Liquids must be packaged very well so that they don’t begin to leak, since a passenger may be held personally liable if someone else’s baggage is damaged. In particular, keep in mind that many traditional Christmas foods contain liquids, for example pickled herring, Jansson’s temptation (a seafood casserole) and ham packed in broth.
“Always pack wrapped Christmas presents in your check-in baggage. If the security screening staff can’t see what it is, or if they discover that a package contains something like a set of knives, it’s no fun to have to open your Christmas present at the security checkpoint at Stockholm-Arlanda, instead of on Christmas Eve under the tree,” Mr Härenstam says.
2. Prepare for security screening
At the security screening checkpoint, all hand baggage is X-rayed and all passengers walk through a metal detector. Prepare for the security screening process by placing all small items such as mobile (cell) telephones, keys and coins in your outer garments, which will then be X-rayed. Sports or suit jackets must also be taken off and X-rayed nowadays.
Anyone carrying a laptop computer must remove it from its computer case and open it, before it is X-rayed.
“It’s better to make these preparations before reaching the actual security screening checkpoint. If everyone helps out by putting away small items and removing their coats and jackets before arriving at the checkpoint, things will go faster and easier for all passengers,” Mr Härenstam says.
3. Get to the airport early
Not only will the number of passengers be larger than usual, but everyone will also have more baggage. This is why it is a good idea to give yourself a little extra time at the airport, so that you can stay cool and calm throughout the check-in and security screening process.
“We and the airlines will have extra staff on hand to help passengers find their way. But the best advice is to arrive early, and perhaps give yourself enough time for a cup of coffee before your departure, instead of taking the chance of missing this year’s Christmas celebration,” Mr Härenstam says.
Here is some more information:
The Swedish Civil Aviation Authority explains the rules about liquids in hand baggageExamples of Christmas foods classified as liquids (in Swedish only)