A Winter Getaway: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Flying out of Halifax across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe can be inconvenient for people who are unaware, and desperately so if doing it during the winter months. Leaving Halifax, we often need to travel west for a connecting flight to fly east to our final destination. That adds a significant amount of time to the total flight time. That may include flying from Halifax to Toronto, Montreal, or sometimes Newark, but all those connections easily add four to five hours of flight time. In summary, getting from point A to point B isn't easy, and doing so in the winter months can add to the unpredictable nature of air travel.

Winter travel has the advantage of lower cost. Flights are cheaper, and hotels and Airbnb are more affordable and available. With such savings on the most significant travel expenses, you may be enticed to book your next adventure, but there are some things to be aware of if you consider winter travel.

Vik, Iceland

Unpredictable Weather (Even More So)

Weather is, by nature, unpredictable. We have our best estimates of what to expect for weather, but the farther out you plan your travel, the more difficult it is to predict the weather. The summer months usually give you a better chance of getting favourable weather. And even if the weather is not what you had hoped, it is generally tolerable. Travel usually involves a fair amount of planning, planning that occurs sometimes months before departure. This makes it difficult to know how to prepare thoroughly.

Take note of the seasonal weather in your intended destination. Look at the yearly trends and know when the rainy and storm seasons are. Many places don’t necessarily get much snow, but they have months that expect a fair amount of gloomy and rainy days. You’re never going to be able to know precisely, but there are steps you can take to be as hopeful as possible for the weather you desire. Weather will vary widely by destination.

Delays and Cancellations

I was recently booked for a flight that was delayed seven times and ultimately cancelled twice. This was a direct flight, and weather was not cited as a factor. Finally, I was fully refunded for the flight, as the airline was at fault. The pilots available would be over their allotted hours, and no other pilots were available to take their place. I did lose money on the subsequent bookings I had after arrival. Many factors contribute to today’s travel delays, but to summarize, the travel demand has bounced back quickly since late 2020, and there are not enough people to serve that demand. This includes pilots, flight attendants, air traffic control, mechanics, airport personnel, etc. Add questionable weather to that; delays are almost inevitable, and cancellations are more likely.

It Can Cost More Than You Think

When booking flights, it’s always good to get fully refundable ones, but if you are travelling on a budget (which many do in the winter), that may not be an option. As a result, economy travel options are a fair choice when you are looking to save a bit on your flight. Economy travel is an excellent option to save money, but it has significant restrictions. Some have no option to change or cancel their trip, so if anything comes up that prevents you from going, that money is gone. Some also have limited booking options, including no seat choice, limited baggage, lack of meals, last to board and more. Many of those are tolerable to some, but others can cause issues. For example, if you are last to board, you are last to bring your carry-on. It is very common to experience a lack of space in the cabin, meaning your bag has to be checked.

My point is that you are spending less upfront, but it can quickly turn into something that costs more if you have interruptions. Sometimes, it’s best to pay more for security and convenience.

Expect Anything

Some airlines have reduced or even eliminated their schedule of direct flights. This means you can spend more time on a flight than logically necessary. With more connections flights, there is more room for potential disruptions. If you are flying to one destination and the weather seems fair, you can still face weather issues. Planes must arrive from other destinations, and worker shortages can happen anywhere. Remember, when booking a flight, any disruption can cause you to be redirected, which means missed connections.

Summary

Today’s air travel can prove challenging, especially when dealing with the additional complications of winter weather. The allure of cost-effective travel and accommodations during the off-peak season may seem enticing; however, it’s essential to consider the potential for increased issues and inconveniences, ultimately escalating the overall cost. Nevertheless, equipped with realistic expectations and a thorough understanding of what to anticipate, navigating winter travel is still entirely feasible.