Flying on Christmas--Yes or No?
Oct 6th, 2007 | 04:22 AM
#23
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
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We have flown Icelandic from BOS to GLA on Christmas Day, arriving Boxing Day morning. The flight was pretty ordinary in all respects, but IIRC, GLA was a lot quieter than ordinary because there was relatively little domestic traffic and some shops were closed.
Oct 6th, 2007 | 06:26 AM
#25
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 473
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We fly domestic almost every year on Christmas day so we can celebrate with both sides of our family. It's really just the same as any other day. The airport seems pretty full, the flight is full, they almost always ask for voluntary bumps and the cost is no different than booking it on any other day.
The crew usually greets you with "Merry Christmas" instead of the usual "hello". Everyone seems to be in a good mood, including the crew.
The crew usually greets you with "Merry Christmas" instead of the usual "hello". Everyone seems to be in a good mood, including the crew.
Oct 6th, 2007 | 05:28 PM
#27
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,669
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this is a little off topic, but you can track santa here:
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/default.php
so you can see if you will avoid him or not.
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/default.php
so you can see if you will avoid him or not.
Oct 6th, 2007 | 08:44 PM
#32
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,285
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"on the day" holiday flying beats the heck out of "near the day" flying. Haven't done Christmas yet, but have flown New Year's eve (great, even landing at about 6PM, the flight and airport were calm, quiet and uncrowded) and FOurth of July (easy.)
As far as the flight crew, I flew with friends to Paris landing the day before Thanksgiving. We had brought a huge picnic to the aiport in NY and hadn't touched half of it, even on the plane. We gave all the unopened pates, cheeses, meat etc to the flight attendants, who were laying over through Thanksgiving. They were like winners on a quiz show, couldn't have been more appreciative. In fact, they gave us two quite nice bottles of French wine from the 1st class hold. so, if you have any doubts, tote along something seasonal to give your crew when you board - they'll surely appreciate it. (probably not fruit cake - I know I'm one of the few left who likes the stuff. But then, where do you get a good one anymore?)
As far as the flight crew, I flew with friends to Paris landing the day before Thanksgiving. We had brought a huge picnic to the aiport in NY and hadn't touched half of it, even on the plane. We gave all the unopened pates, cheeses, meat etc to the flight attendants, who were laying over through Thanksgiving. They were like winners on a quiz show, couldn't have been more appreciative. In fact, they gave us two quite nice bottles of French wine from the 1st class hold. so, if you have any doubts, tote along something seasonal to give your crew when you board - they'll surely appreciate it. (probably not fruit cake - I know I'm one of the few left who likes the stuff. But then, where do you get a good one anymore?)
Oct 6th, 2007 | 10:52 PM
#33
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 116
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Annhig--cookies and MILK, that's what we leave for Santa!
We had tickets to fly from BWI to SLC on Christmas Day several years ago (maybe 1999) on TWA, and they were having a "sick-in." We sat in the airport in Baltimore for hours, waiting, hoping a plane would show up. The crowd (yes, there was quite a crowd, but not a full plane, I think) gradually wandered away. I made my husband stay--after all, we had two married sons waiting to "have Christmas" with us in SLC. Finally, we were told to go home and come back the next morning. What a horribly disappointing way to spend Christmas!
We had tickets to fly from BWI to SLC on Christmas Day several years ago (maybe 1999) on TWA, and they were having a "sick-in." We sat in the airport in Baltimore for hours, waiting, hoping a plane would show up. The crowd (yes, there was quite a crowd, but not a full plane, I think) gradually wandered away. I made my husband stay--after all, we had two married sons waiting to "have Christmas" with us in SLC. Finally, we were told to go home and come back the next morning. What a horribly disappointing way to spend Christmas!
Nov 16th, 2007 | 06:57 AM
#34
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,026
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This year we are having the entire family travel from the U.S. to Rome on Christmas day. 3 of us leave from Orlando about noon. 1 leaves from Denver. 5 leaving from JFK at night. It should be interesting.
The best part is that my 19 year old son will get the joy of a 16 hour layover in Toronto on the way back. I've been waivering as to whether I should tell him about possibly getting a stand-by on an earlier flight. However, his sister has told me that I can't do that, he needs the punishment for all the things he did to her when they were little.
The best part is that my 19 year old son will get the joy of a 16 hour layover in Toronto on the way back. I've been waivering as to whether I should tell him about possibly getting a stand-by on an earlier flight. However, his sister has told me that I can't do that, he needs the punishment for all the things he did to her when they were little.
Dec 4th, 2007 | 09:58 AM
#36
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 50
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We flew from LA to Paris on Christmas Eve in 2001. It was with Air France, and one of the crew dressed as Santa Claus, and then we shared champagne, wished each other a Happy Christmas. The flight was full, but somehow it was much warmer flight, as we greeted each other, began conversation and the mood was of a merriment. I am not sure if all the airlines do that, but I thought the crew shared the joy and went the extra mile to make us feel happier. Hope you enjoy your flight as much as we did.
