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Airline offers its annual suggestions for a great holiday travel experience

CALGARY, Dec. 16, 2011 /CNW/ - WestJet today shared its top holiday travel tips to help guests enjoy a smooth travel experience during the airline's busiest time of year.

"This time of year is busy for everyone, especially those travelling home or to one of our vacation destinations," said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience. "As part of WestJet's commitment to deliver a remarkable guest experience this season, we share these annual travel tips in hopes we can help create a stress-free experience for our guests."

1. Check out your check in options.
WestJet offers four convenient check-in options.

• Web check-in is available at westjet.com. Guests can check in from 24 hours to 60 minutes before scheduled departure.
• Self-serve check-in kiosks are available at most Canadian and U.S. airports in WestJet's network from 24 hours to 60 minutes before scheduled departure. Select serve-serve kiosks also offer self-serve bag-tagging, allowing guests to print and attach their bag tags as part of their check-in process.
• Mobile check-in allows guests to check in with a cell phone from 24 hours to 60 minutes before scheduled departure.
• Traditional counter check-in is available in all airports. Our friendly WestJetters are always happy to greet guests and help them on their way.

2. Pack the perfect passport.
If you're travelling to Mexico, be sure your passport is in perfect condition. Mexican customs and immigration officials may deny entry to guests who arrive with passports that are damaged in some way - including rips or tears, missing corners or water damage to the cover and inside pages. To avoid disappointment, please examine your passport closely.

3. When you're on time, we're on time.
Due to the high volume of holiday travellers, be prepared for longer wait times at the airport. We recommend guests arrive at the airport two hours prior to their scheduled time of departure. Guests can sign up to receive flight reminders or notification of flight changes by visiting westjet.com. Guests must be through security (and customs if travelling outside Canada), and at their departure gate 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time of departure. Guests arriving at the gate less than 10 minutes prior to departure risk losing their reserved seat.

4. Know your baggage allowances.
Guests are permitted two pieces of carry-on baggage. One item of carry-on cannot exceed 21.5 in x 9 in x 15.5 in (55 cm x 23 cm x 40 cm) and a second item cannot exceed 16.5 in x 6 in x 13 in (43 cm x 16 cm x 33 cm). Guests travelling between Alberta and Hawaii on WestJet's leased Boeing 757-200 aircraft from Thomas Cook Airlines are permitted one carry-on item at a maximum of 5 kg (11 lb.) with dimensions that do not exceed 43 cm x 28 cm x 23 cm (17 x 11 x 9 inches).

Checked baggage cannot exceed 62 inches total combined length, width and height and must weigh under 23 kgs (50 lbs).

And remember - the first checked bag travels for free to any destination in WestJet's network.

5. Inform yourself of excess baggage fees.
Up to two excess bags will be accepted for a fee of $50 on a space-available basis. Remember that excess baggage fees are combinable. For example, an extra item that is oversized and overweight will be charged both an oversized fee and overweight fee. Guests travelling with sporting equipment are encouraged to visit our website for more information about baggage - it's packed with information.

6. Pack strategically.
We suggest placing important 'must-have' items into your first checked bag as we can't guarantee there will be room on the aircraft for all extra bags. For safe keeping, we strongly encourage guests to bring identification, prescription medication, mobile devices, keys and jewellery in your carry-on baggage.

7. Carry-on? Wrap off.
Wrapped presents should go in checked baggage. Airport security (CATSA) may unwrap any wrapped items in carry-on baggage, causing delays at security for you and your fellow travellers. If you have additional questions about security screening, please visit www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca.

8. Prepare your furry flyers.
Although we do not accept pets for travel in checked baggage between December 15 and January 6 inclusive, certain small animals may be able to travel in the cabin of the aircraft. Please see the travel info section of westjet.com for full details about travelling with pets in the cabin.

9. Remember toys for girls and boys.
Make sure to pack some small games or toys for little WestJetters traveling this holiday. A long trip will pass quickly with some entertainment. We recommend bringing books, magazines, portable DVD players or toys for your little WestJetters. You can also enjoy up! - our newly redesigned inflight magazine - available in the seatback pockets.

10. Be your best guest.
Help create a great guest experience for everyone on board by consuming liquor responsibly. Canadian aviation regulations prohibit us from allowing a guest to board our aircraft when a guest may present a hazard to the aircraft or to those on board.

Alcohol that isn't served by a flight attendant cannot be consumed on board the aircraft and will be confiscated. If you would like to enjoy a drink on board, our aircraft are licensed to serve alcohol and we offer a great selection of buy-on-board items.

11. Have a laugh on us.
Share a holiday joke with your inflight crew - WestJetters are always looking for new material! If you have an appropriate holiday joke that makes you laugh every time, feel free to share it on board and help us spread holiday cheer on board.

If you have more questions about how to make your holiday travel even more stress-free (including check-in, identification requirements, seating, and baggage) please use the links under Travel Info on westjet.com.  

Wherever your travels take you, WestJet wishes you and your family and happy holiday season.

About WestJet
WestJet is Canada's favourite airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 71-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame and named one of Canada's best employers, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 97 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 38 aircraft through 2018, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

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