Summer travel forecast – blue skies ahead

tripchi airport app newsletter

Now’s the time to start booking your summer travel, so that your summer travel forecast stays sunny. Fares are still at a historical low, with fuel prices and airline pricing wars creating better prices and market conditions for the consumer. Competition in aviation, as in any business, always ends up benefiting the consumer by driving down fares. Conversely, airlines are reporting record profits in this often unusual win-win economic situation.

The downside for the summer travel forecast is that airports are busier than ever. A TSA overall force-reduction of 10% coupled with fewer than expected travelers signing up for TSA Pre-Check has led to huge TSA lines. Check out this article about TSA wait times, why airlines are rebelling, and why airports are considering outsourcing their security to private industry (which we at tripchi think is an excellent idea). Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport (ATL), as well as the New York airports (JFK, LGA, EWR) have made statements in favor of exploring hiring a private security company. Airports like Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) have taken matters in to its own hands, keeping passengers up to date about security wait time through frequent Twitter updates. TSA has responded with a statement that it will bolster its security force at popular airports, but that may be too little too late for summer travel.

CJ recently took a flight out of Denver International Airport on Spirit Airlines, and the airline actually emailed her the day before to advise of higher than average TSA security line wait times, and recommended that she get to the airport 3 hours in advance (see left). The airlines clearly do not want to be responsible for passenger delays caused by security, and are recommending that passengers speak up in outrage.

What you can do to keep your summer travel forecast sunny:

1. Monitor TSA security wait-times yourself here
2. Contact your airport and explain that you support augmenting the airport security through private industry
3. Be prepared to call your airline to rebook, and consider booking flights that allow flexible change policies
4. Share your wait time and your frustration with TSA and fellow passengers with #IHateTheWait hashtag and website set up by Airlines for America (A4A)
5. Join TSA Pre-Check, and consider Global Entry also if you’re a frequent international traveler

Airport of the month Club. This month’s airport of the month is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Even though LAX is a continual headache for the frequent traveler, the airport is beginning to make investments in the design as well as the concessions offerings. In a few years, the makeover at LAX should lead to a better airport experience for all. We’re therefore included LAX in the tripchi airport app in anticipation of it becoming a world-class, or at the very least, an “average” global airport. While Terminal 3 and to some extent Terminal 6 are still quite awful, you will have noticed some welcomed improvements in the United Terminals (7 and 8) and Terminal 4, thanks to Westfield. Some of the best dining options are currently in Terminal 4 (Kogi Truck), as well as the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Umami Burger). A few options that will be coming soon to Terminal 2, thanks to a face-lift underway by Westfield, include: Pepita Cantina by Top Chef alum Mike Isabella, Fresh Brothers Pizza, and Barney’s Beanery. The shopping at LAX is honestly terrible, except for the Bradley Terminal, where you can find a few unique Los Angeles themed souvenirs as well as great deals on Duty Free. LAX is now available for your to start using here on the tripchi airport app.

If you’re looking for a #layovertip or dining or shopping options during that long(er) layover, of course you can bring up the tripchi airport app and find a listing of what’s around you based on your flight time and the Concourse you’re leaving from. If you’re passing through any of the airports we cover, we’d love to get your feedback! Find these tips and more on the tripchi airport app.

New to the tripchi airport app community? tripchi is your passport to explore the airport. We roll up dining and shopping options, charging stations, as well as airport art, airport secrets and #layovertips. And, you can browse lounges, find special deals and offers, and track your flight information. It’s now available on the Android through this direct download (click here), and will be on the Google Play store soon. For all you iPhone users out there, our plan is to roll the tripchi airport app out on the iTunes store next.

We’re currently looking for feedback on the Android app (send us an email at contact@tripchi.com).

How can you help?

1. In the aviation industry? Pass your airport connections our way? We are looking at running a limited trial to prove that we can help not only airport guests, but also airports.
2. Flying soon? We need your help to source more and better airport content. If you’d like to write for us or contribute your airport findings, shoot us an email: contact@tripchi.com.

Read on for the monthly blog highlights!

Take the A Train – from Union Station to DEN. If you’re coming to (or going from) Denver Airport, now you can take the light rail. The DEN Train to the Plane gets you from Union Station in downtown Denver to the Denver International Airport in 37 minutes flat and $9. We got a chance to write about it as part of a #layovertips segment prior to the train debuting, and then again when we got to ride the train on opening day. Read more here.

Cooking competition winners at O’Hare Airport (ORD). Over the past few months, we’ve covered both the recipe submission contest and the finalist selection of the HMSHost cooking competition, which took place live at O’Hare Airport on Mar 22, 2016. If you happened to be at Chicago O’Hare International Airport in March, then you might have noticed the live HMSHost cooking competition going on in Terminal 2. Five contestants participating in the cook-off as part of Channel Your Inner Chef, an annual HMSHost cooking competition (in partnership with the Chicago Department of Aviation). This blog covers that competition and announces the winner. Read more here.

PIT-PHX AA647 Flight Review. This month’s featured A647 Flight Review blog is written by David Mitchell, fellow #avgeek, Thunderbird, and travelphile. David is passionate about traveling and exploring as much of the world as possible for as cheaply as possible.  He has traveled to over 40 countries spanning 4 continents and has lived in 3 countries and worked in 2 countries.  He employs frequent flier miles and cheap fares to fly him all over the world. Read David’s flight review of an American Airlines flight from Pittsburgh to Phoenix here.