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All we want for Christmas is… open borders, a hug with mum, a yarn with grandpa, cuddles with the new baby and catch ups with old friends.
With Queensland borders open, we are jolly well ready to pack those bags and fly.
It might be some time since you’ve travelled through Brisbane Airport, so here’s a collection of travel tips and common silly season mistakes to help you travel safe and keep your chill.
So, look snow further. There’s no need to hold on for deer life. With our help, you’ll be sleigh-in it.
TIP 1: Be aware of the busiest travel days
With the borders re-opening, this summer travel season will be the busiest time of 2021 at the airport. We’re expecting the peak time for passengers through the Domestic Terminal to be between 21 December and 24 December and again in the lead up to New Year's Eve.
Keep your chill by allowing extra travel time before your flight. With varied travel requirements all around the country and the world, there is a lot of things for check on staff to do, so come early if you can. Check your bags, pass through security like a pro and enjoy the festive spirit inside the terminal. .
If you are on pick-up duty, use the waiting areas and only go to the pick-up road when your passengers are there and waiting as this will help reduce traffic on the surrounding roads.
- The busiest pick-up and drop-off road times are expected to be the afternoons of 23 and 24 December.
- DFO Boxing Day Sales at Skygate on 26 December is a busy day on the roads around the Skygate exit and the start of Airport Drive. Allow extra time on Boxing Day to arrive at the airport.
If you’d like to meet and greet your friends and family in the terminal, book short term parking online in advance to park at the terminal for $5* per hour for up to four hours.
BONUS TIP: Track the flight status using our flight notifications on Facebook and Twitter using the notification options on the flight schedule, or adding the flight number to our Facebook messenger chatbot.
TIP 2: Book your airport parking online well in advance
With Domestic travel resuming and our best ever online prices for parking, long-term car spots at the Domestic Terminal are filling up faster than you think. If you want to park right at the terminal, make sure you book well in advance to secure a car park.
If you can’t find a terminal car park or are looking for a more budget-friendly parking option, Airpark is the spot for you! All you need to do is book online, park at Airpark, jump on the bus shuttle and you’ll be in the terminal in no time.
BONUS TIP: Check out the Brisbane Airport Parking Promotion Facebook page and sign up for the Parking Promotions email list for exclusive offers and discounts on airport parking.
TIP 3: Keep up the COVID-safe practices
Here are a few things that you can do to travel safe these summer holidays.
- Wear a mask - they are mandatory to wear at Australian airports and on flights.
- If you are unwell, DON'T come to the airport - please, stay home and change your travel plans.
- Go contactless whenever you can - book online, check-in online and self-service.
- Leave space, stay safe - keep up the social distancing measures.
BONUS TIP: For more about what you can expect travelling through the Domestic Terminal, read our safe travel guide.
TIP 4: Pack 'dangerous' gifts in your checked luggage
If you’re travelling with presents that could be seen as harmful to others or look dangerous through airport screening, like cricket bats and NERF play guns, pack them in your checked luggage or they will be surrendered at the screening point. For presents with batteries, double check the type of battery. Lithium batteries are not able to be taken onto the aircraft.
BONUS TIP: If you aren't sure if an item can go in your carry-on, look it up on CASA's 'Can I Pack That' website for the definitive answer.
TIP 5: Don't pre-wrap presents that are in your carry-on
As beautiful as they will look, don’t pre-wrap any presents that you will be taking as carry-on in the plane. Airport security may have to unwrap your gifts to check the contents, ruining your perfect wrapping. Save yourself some time and sanity and plan to wrap your pressies at your destination.
TIP 6: Flip, I forgot to buy someone a present!
Need to do some stocking up before you board, or just want to treat your 'elf? You’re in the right place! Here’s our go-to Christmas gift guide for the Domestic Terminal.
- Get an Airport exclusive LEGO project from our dedicated LEGO store near Gate 36.
- Pop next door to New Farm Confectionery for a gift box of local chocolate favourites.
- If you need a bright, bold and quirky gift that is locally made and sourced, Mott & Mulberry is a must stop shop for last minute gifts.
- For clothes and accessories to cover you from your head to your mistletoes, look no further than one of the fashion retailers like Peter Alexander, Seed Heritage or Rip Curl.
TIP 7: Leave the christmas bon bons at home
This next tip is a cracker! Christmas crackers or bon bons are generally on the naughty list when it comes to flights. Most airlines don't allow them. Double check with your airline before flying or just pick some up when you get to your destination.
TIP 8: Oh no, we've lost Ted!
Remember to pack your valuables securely including your passports, phones and favourite toys. If you do misplace something in the terminal don’t fret you can get in touch with our lost property team to try and find your items.
Lost passports and other identification documents like drivers licences must be handed into the Australian Federal Police. Contact them to find a lost passport.
If you think you lost your item near the boarding gate, on the place or if you are missing your luggage, you’ll need to contact your airline’s lost property team.
TIP 9: Watch out for the rein, deer
No, not the rein, deer.... the rain, dear! Or storms to be more precise. Storms love the summer months as much as we do and may affect your flight status depending on many factors. The airport doesn’t close during a storm, however if lightning is within 5 nautical miles of the airport, all ground staff must return to the cover of the terminal for safety reasons and delays may be experienced. Read up on and understand airport storm safety here.
TIP 10: Post your last-minute christmas cards at the airport
If you need to post a last minute pressie, letter or Christmas card, there are post boxes at both of the Terminals. You’ll find them at the International Terminal on Level 4 outside next to the Departures Road and at the Domestic Terminal on Level 1 forecourt at the Qantas end. Make sure you have your letters and parcels all stamped up and ready to post.
TIP 11: Don't get burnt by sunburn
Prevention is the best medicine so remember to slip, slop, slap this summer. If you do end up with a burn and need to catch a flight, stay hydrated, lightly apply aloe vera gel to cool down the burn and wear loose clothing. Flying with a burn can be uncomfortable, so the best tip is to avoid a burn in the first place.
TIP 12: Find and share your Christmas cheer
Once you’re in the terminal, through check-in and security here is your time to relax pre-flight and find your kind of Christmas cheer. A few ideas we prepared earlier:
- Celebrate the end of 2021 and well-earned time off a season inspired beverage like an Espresso Martini at Coffee Royal.
- If you are seeing off friends and family before Christmas, come inside the terminal and have a proper good-bye meal or early Christmas lunch. Sit down at the Glasshouse Bar, The Lord Lamington or our latest dining sensation - The Aviary - at the Domestic Terminal.
And if all else fails, smile. It’s Christmas after all. Happy travels!
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