For millions of people, it is the first vacation after two and a half years of the Corona crisis. But instead of the dream trip, the queue nightmare threatens. Airlines, security companies and airports have massively cut staff over the past two years as a result of austerity measures. Because there are no employees, but the airlines are still boosting ticket sales, there is a risk of summer chaos.
It is particularly annoying when you are already at the airport and miss your flight because the airlines, airport and security companies are causing long waiting times.
But how do travelers react when they are pressed for time – and who is liable if the flight is missed? FOCUS Online provides answers.
You should pay attention to these tips now
prepare trip
Be at the airport on time. Plan longer waiting times and long queues. Note that you have to go through three processes:
- Check-In with vaccination card control,
- security check
- and boarding (ticket scan and passport control).
Due to the location, seats should be booked in advance – also for a fee.
If the airline offers services such as “Priority Package”, “Fast Check-In” or “Priority Check-In”, you should definitely book these in the high season months of June, July and August. Faster check-in means you can go to designated business or priority check-in counters. It is much faster there than at the economy counter, for example.
Use the so-called evening before or online check-in services via the app or the homepage of the airlines. You can check in digitally at least 24 hours before departure. You can then drop off your luggage at the airport using the drop-off principle. The waiting times are much shorter here. Look for signs such as “Baggage Drop-off” or “Express Drop-Off” found near check-in desks.
Danger! If you have not checked in in advance, you will not be able to use these services.
You should mark your suitcase with ribbon, stickers or luggage straps. Also write your name, current phone number and email address on the luggage tag. This helps to find you quickly if you lose it.
Find out in good time about the applicable entry regulations due to the Corona crisis. Ask yourself the following questions: Do I need a vaccination certificate? A test? Until when is the proof of recovery valid? The “Re-Open EU” app provides answers. You can Download from CHIP.de.
Keep the relevant documents with your ID card and printed ticket ready to hand in your hand luggage or handbag.
At the check in
- Find the right switch. Find out in good time about the location of the corresponding check-in counters.
- Are there machines that you can use to check in? Then use this.
- Have proof of vaccinations, ID card and tickets ready at check-in.
- After check-in, go to security as soon as possible.
At the security check
- Take little or no hand luggage with you on the plane.
- Store liquids in an appropriate bag. Watch out for upper limits.
- Don’t wear jewellery, take off your belt and keep the bag with the liquids handy in your hand luggage. Take off your jacket before the check.
- When it’s your turn, empty your pockets. Put your keys, loose change and wallet in your purse or security basket.
- Place electronic devices such as laptops, smartphones or cameras in the box.
- After the check: get dressed quickly and check valuables. Keep your ticket and ID card ready to hand in your handbag or in your hand luggage.
- Go straight to boarding.
At boarding
- Pay attention to announcements and monitors. The gate may have changed between check-in and security control.
- Follow the airline’s guidelines. As a rule, boarding takes place according to the corresponding rows of seats. Your seat number is on the ticket. By boarding in stages, passengers can store their hand luggage in peace – without blocking aisles.
Waiting in line for hours: what to do if you miss your flight
“Here it depends on the individual case,” says Karolina Wojtal from the European Consumer Center Germany. A claim against the airline, the tour operator or the airport operator only exists if the passenger has arrived at the airport in good time before departure.
If you are at the airport on time and still risk missing your flight because of long queues, it is important to document the passage of time, said travel lawyer Paul Degott. So you should take photos of some situations – such as arriving on time at the airport, the queue in the terminal, the number of open counters.
FOCUS Online says: get loud If you are close to getting on the plane, you should ask to be given priority at the checkpoint. Otherwise you could be held responsible for missing the flight.