The countdown to the holidays is on and for the first time in years, there are no travel restrictions stopping families from reuniting this Christmas.
A Current Affair has spoken to those who know their way around one of the country’s busiest airports to get their advice, so you can have a seamless travel experience.
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How early you should arrive
For those who want to avoid the long lines previously seen inside packed airports in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, it’s worth getting there nice and early.
“We’re recommending 90 minutes before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight,” head of Public Affairs at Brisbane Airport Stephen Beckett told A Current Affair.
Beckett said procedures are in place to ease potential congestion.
“We are rostering on extra people during the peaks,” Beckett said.
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“We’ve created extra new roles of customer support teams that will be in the terminal and we have a rapid response unit that will move between the domestic and international terminal, based on the number of passengers that we are experiencing.”
How to have a smoother security screening experience
Working behind the scenes to monitor plane and foot traffic through the more than 2000 security cameras across the airport precinct is duty manager Michael Kerr.
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With experience in watching thousands of travellers come and go each day, Kerr has some tips.
“Come prepared, make sure you pack your items correctly and be prepared to be in some queues and we will manage the best we can,” Kerr said.
“At the international (airport) all passengers need to make sure all of their powders, liquids, aerosols and gels must be under 100ml or 100g,” head of terminal operations at Brisbane Airport Stacey Pollard said.
“We need these items to be removed from their carry-on luggage and packed separately into a security tray.”
Pollard said some rules are a little different for domestic travel but powders, liquids, aerosols and gels still need to be removed from carry-on baggage during the security screening process, “but you don’t need to stick to the 100 ml”.
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“Also going through domestic screening you need to make sure that laptops, large electronic items are removed from your bags,” Pollard said.
If you do have items that can’t go through in carry-on, Pollard said you’re best putting them into check-in luggage for a seamless security process and to avoid belongings from being confiscated.
She said some popular Christmas items can also be a threat to airports, which can hold up travellers too.
“So don’t go into too much time wrapping all of your presents,” Pollard said.
“There is a chance that if the item needs to be looked at, you need to open that.”
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How to keep kids occupied
For those who are concerned about how to keep the children occupied before and after the flight, Becket said there will be activities available, including kids’ movie screenings.
“We’re going to have cookie decorating, we’re going to have a whole lot of stuff,” Becket said.
They also have a partnership with the Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker.
“We actually hold our petty pointer classes … for people who are in transit,” Craig Cathcart from Queensland Ballet said.
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Plan ahead
Getting to the airport could be a headache if you don’t plan ahead, as taxis and rideshares are expected to cost a premium.
“If you are wanting to book a car park at the airport make sure you book that as far in advance as possible,” Becket said.
“We’re selling out of spaces.”
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