Would you risk traveling on Christmas Eve by plane etc?

[Workingclasslass]

I have never understood those wanting to travel by plane etc on Christmas Eve or day as it always seems to go wrong. Yet again now American Airlines having to ground flights due to technical issues so would you risk it?
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/american-airlines-flights-grounded-christmas-eve-b2669563.html

Only if it was completely unavoidable.

Yes. If I didn't have enough annual leave. Yes if it doesn't matter when I get there. We have been away for Christmas before so it really doesn't matter what day we open presents, eat a nice meal etc. Yes what if you aren't Christian and don't celebrate Christmas. Yes for all sorts of other reasons too I guess.

I have before! Had zero issues, had a lovely peaceful flight and took chocolates for the crew. The airports were nice and quiet too!

In the US most people only get a couple of weeks of annual leave.

Plus domestic flights in the US are commonplace, it's a bit like asking if you would risk getting a train from Exeter to Aberdeen on Christmas Eve. (Whether we should have so much air travel is a different conversation)

Of course. What's the worst that can happen? Your flight is delayed or cancelled. So then you rearrange your plans. Or get a different flight with another airline.

@Workingclasslass

I have never understood those wanting to travel by plane etc on Christmas Eve or day as it always seems to go wrong

For context I flew as crew on maybe twenty plus Christmas Days, or days either side, over a thirty plus year period in the airline industry and don’t recall any disruption..I’m not saying there wasn’t any but it certainly wasn’t memorable.

The problems American Airlines had this AM looks like it was short lived and is fixed, there are currently a handful of their aircraft over southern UK ATM having not long departed from places like Heathrow and Amsterdam.

It’s not about Christmas Eve. Last year our flight in September was cancelled and when we did get away, our flight home was delayed by 3 hours. Last week our flight home from Budapest was delayed 2 hours. It’s just more and more common.

I'll admit it sounds like you've been unlucky

As a family we still tick up a handful of flights per annum l and find we"re early as often as we are late...though last time around one of us got delayed by about an hour (last w/e) due the high winds over western europe, and that's a tough problem to "fix".

Looking at what triggered the OP - a one hour ground hold for one airline for some airports, is, yep a PITA. But it's disruption with a small d, I've had much longer delays sat in my car on the M25 trying to get to the airport....

Yes I would but I’d also have a Plan B, with nice food and drink at home if I have to go back.

I live near an airport that gets badly affected by winter weather, some airlines do a lot better than others at landing there, some seem to cancel much more frequently. I’d calculate the risk based on that and I’d also have my eye on the much bigger airport an hour away in case I need emergency options!

Yes have flown home on Xmas eve before, really lovely atmosphere on the plane, colouring comp for children, chocolate coins, hats the lots, it was great fun. Travel arrangements went smoothly. Would do it again.

I've flown long haul back to the UK on boxing day. It was brilliant! Plane practically empty so the crew let me sit in 1st class cos there weren't any 1st class passengers and I had a steward to myself! Heathrow was dead when I arrived so breezed through in just a few minutes. I'd do it again!

I flew this morning. It was absolutely fine.

Well. I hope everything is OK tonight as dd is flying back home at 9.30.