Make a Long Flight Fly By!

March 10, 2015 By Holiday Travel, Seattle Fun Comments Off

Most of us have experienced those long flights across the country and beyond–cramped and uncomfortable in an airplane seat for hours on end. But, if you know some of the tips and tricks, your endless flight could be stress-free and painless. Check out these suggestions from experienced travelers:

Bring “Go-To” Gear
Your carry-on bag should be packed with comfort items and things to keep you occupied, such as a travel pillow, eye mask, headphones/earplugs, tablet, blanket, and snacks. And always prepare for lost luggage–pack your carry-on bag with small toiletries, medications, and an extra set of clothes!

Choose Your Seat Carefully
Try to get an aisle seat when booking your flight. With an aisle seat, you can more easily hop up and use the restroom without climbing over someone else, and it also allows you easy access to your gear in your carry-on bag.

Stay Hydrated
It is important to stay hydrated on a lengthy flight, so drink plenty of water! Limit alcohol, though, because that will have the opposite effect.

Stretch
Make sure to get up from your seat occasionally to stretch and move around. Move as often as possible to avoid getting muscle cramps and knots in your neck and back. It’s also important to stand up and move on extended flights to help prevent blood clots in your legs, which is a dangerous condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Sleep
Try to get some rest during the flight. Napping helps offset jetlag upon arrival, and refreshes you so you’re ready to enjoy your destination.

Plan Ahead for Airport Transportation Service
If you’re starting or ending your trip at SeaTac Airport, try Shuttle Express’s private car service, the quickest way to your home or hotel! Your chauffeur tracks your flight, meets you at baggage claim holding your name sign, and escorts you to your waiting town car. No sharing. Before you know it, you are at your destination!

-Allyson Eli, Sales and Marketing

 

Pets on Holiday! Travel Tips and Resources

December 23, 2014 By Holiday Travel, Pets Comments Off

Our pets are part of our families, and families travel together! Here are some great tips and resources for safe and enjoyable travels with your furry family members.

Do your research:

Before booking your airline ticket, check on the airline’s pet policies. Each carrier has its own rules, and it’s important to pay attention to any pet-related requirements. Check out this helpful site for your airline’s specific policies.

Make sure to choose a pet-friendly hotel and ask them about any rules or restrictions before you book. Here’s a great resource that lists hotel chains that roll out the welcome mat for your pet!

Getting to the airport is easy with Shuttle Express, and we welcome our guests’ pets! Please let us know you have a pet traveling with you when you book. We ask that you observe a few guidelines listed in our FAQ’s to ensure the comfort and safety of our other passengers. Small pets are welcomed when in an appropriate pet carrier that can fit at your feet in our vehicle. If your pet carrier does not fit at your feet, it can be put in the back with the luggage and will count as one of your checked pieces. If you have a large kennel, you can book a private van. Exceptions include properly harnessed or leashed service animals, including seeing eye, hearing impaired, and certified search dogs, that will lie at the owner’s feet.

Prepare:

Just as you pack a suitcase for yourself, pack a travel kit for your pet. Some items to include: health records, nail clippers, liquid bandages, portable bowl, and bottled water. Make sure to bring a pooper-scooper, waste bags, treats, an extra leash, and a favorite pillow or toy. Your pet should have a proper ID tag, too, in case of an emergency.

Feed your pet three to four hours before the trip, and make sure to go outside for a potty break before you leave.

Can’t take your pet with you? 

Consider Cascade Kennels in Woodinville. They are a full-service pet care facility offering a broad range of services including boarding, grooming, and daycare. They have services specially designed for dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and most other household pets. Cascade Kennels is just 3 miles from downtown Woodinville on a beautiful, heavily wooded rural site filled with winding nature trails, duck ponds, off-leash play yards and indoor kennels.

Happy, Safe Travels to all our guests and their pets!

 

Thanksgiving Travel Made Simple!

November 13, 2014 By Holiday Travel Comments Off

Here are some excerpts from The Travel Channel with advice on how to make travel simple as you plan for the upcoming holiday. Along with these great tips, skip the airport traffic and parking hassles – don’t forget to book your stress-free Shuttle Express SeaTac Airport service now and save 10%!

The Thanksgiving holiday is undoubtedly the busiest travel time of the year with notorious transportation delays, traffic and travel snags all meeting travelers at nearly every turn. But with a bit of foresight and some Thanksgiving travel planning, you may ease some travel headaches whether you’re heading home for the holidays or escaping for a drama-free adventure. Regardless of your plans, you’ll be thankful for these Thanksgiving travel tips.

Plan Ahead
It’s never too early to start your holiday travel planning. In the early fall, you can take advantage of lower rates and seats aplenty. To jump on a bargain, sign up for sale notifications from your preferred airlines or Amtrak and follow your favorites on Twitter and Facebook where special sale notifications may pop up before they are available to the general public. Discover these other secrets to snagging travel deals.

Travel Light
As more airlines start charging for checked bags, it’s a good idea to pack light and carry on your bag. But keep in mind that your fellow travelers will all have the same idea and overhead space may be tight onboard. To lighten your traveling load, consider shipping some of your belongings to your final destination ahead of time, especially presents and bulky items like diapers or extra clothes that you won’t need for the journey. Plus, be sure to check out this helpful family travel packing list.

Choose the Best Days
The day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year, closely followed by the Sunday after the big day when travelers tear themselves away from the leftovers and football to make the journey home. Avoid these days by flying out on Monday or Tuesday or even Thanksgiving morning to avoid the dreaded Wednesday travel rush. When you’re ready to head home, take flight on Friday when the masses have moved on from the airports to the shopping centers to score the best holiday deals. The crowds pick up again on Saturday, reaching a critical peak on Sunday, before leveling out on Monday.