Everyone's joining in on the fun.

By “fun,” we mean traveling – as the spring travel boom leads into summer vacations, airports are gearing up for record numbers of travelers. That’s why we’ve put together a list of tips to ease the travel chaos, allowing you to concentrate more on your upcoming adventures – read on for more details.

The pre-check

This week’s top travel stories and updates.

Your choices just expanded. Some airlines are now offering travelers options like refunds if they feel uneasy with passengers not wearing masks.

Airlines are scaling back operations. Numerous domestic airlines are witnessing an uptick in demand – a clear sign of travel making a comeback.

Vaccination rules still apply for our neighbors. The government announced an extension of the vaccination requirement for non-US travelers entering by land or sea.

Bright new routes on the horizon. Condor Airlines, the German carrier famous for its colorful planes, is launching new direct flights from the US to Frankfurt.

Trending travel

How to tame the chaos. If you've traveled this past spring, you've likely observed that things have become a bit more frenzied than usual. While our golden rule is to remain kind and patient (especially towards airport personnel), here are some tips to help you dodge the madness:

Prepare before arriving at the airport. From checking in early to ensuring your carry-on meets size requirements, getting organized beforehand can help you breeze through the lines.

Reach out. If your flight is canceled and you need to contact the airline, double your chances: call while you wait at the counter to see who can assist you first.

Choose to order in advance. While packing snacks is the quicker route, some brands and apps allow you to place orders ahead online, so you can grab and dash to your gate.

Avoid waiting for your ride. Depending on where you booked your rental car, some companies offer the option to “bypass the line” when you’re ready to collect your vehicle.

Insider tips

Feeling drowsy? Despite involving a lot of sitting, why does flying make us so tired? As per Travel + Leisure, jetlag typically hits when crossing time zones and can stem from dehydration, changes in altitude/pressure, stress, and germs. To fend off jetlag, avoid caffeine and alcohol before flying, hydrate well, stretch or walk every 30 minutes, and take your vitamins. #TheMoreYouKnow