We’ve all been hearing a lot in the news lately about travel. Post-pandemic, travel is big business. If you’ve flown lately, you will have noticed that airports just seem more crowded, planes are typically full of passengers.
Getting from Point A to Point B seems to be more complex than ever.
Here’s a little secret: flying out of Willard Airport (aka CMI) is the antidote to travel chaos. It’s convenient, not crowded, close, and most of all, calm. Especially when you’re dealing with all the moving parts of managing a family.
If you are looking for a more relaxed start to your vacation or trip, try out Willard Airport. It’s a great way to maximize some of our most precious resources as parents — time and sanity.
Here’s why:
- Getting your family to the gate at Willard is a breeze. Going through security with kids — especially babies and toddlers — at a large airport is beyond stressful. Strollers, car seats, diaper bags, not to mention keeping track of small humans is an interesting challenge. I always find I am never more grateful for Willard than on the way home.
- Spend more time making memories. Leaving out of Willard means less time driving, parking, riding shuttles or trains. It means you can sit back and relax while someone else is in charge of getting you to your destination.
- Going to an airport is a really dynamic learning experience for our kids. It can also be really scary. Willard is a great place for kids of all ages to get up close and personal with everything that goes into air travel. Who knows, maybe it will inspire a future pilot, flight attendant or mechanic.
- The friendly staff who live in our community are unparalleled.
- Bigger, full service planes are now available — and make for a more comfortable experience for kids and parents. Did you know that all American Airlines planes flying in and out of CMI are full-size jets? It means that you don’t have to worry about a kid sitting alone on one side of the plane, as each row has four seats two by two. (These planes also have a first-class cabin. Really!) No other airport in Central Illinois offers that.
As a family of five, trust me, I get it that every dollar matters, especially when it comes to maximizing our resources for travel. It’s also true that our time matters. And so does our sanity — it’s hard to put a price on that.
If you’re pressed for time, there’s no better way to maximize it by flying locally.
- Plan your air travel early. As I write this, it’s March and spring break is almost over. I’ve been pricing out very reasonable trips to various destinations in June, July and August — prime travel season.
- The later you book, the more expensive the ticket, Willard officials confirm. As most Willard tickets are booked within a few weeks of travel, so if you book early, inventory is typically good.
- Fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. That’s generally when American Airlines gives the best value options.
- Avoid flying when University of Illinois students are utilizing the airport to get back and forth. Spring break is a particularly expensive time to fly for that reason.
- It’s worth it to become an American Airlines frequent flyer. Recent changes to baggage fees are among the prime reasons.
- Watch out for the new Ion food service coming this spring to Willard. Locally sourced products will be available — and even local swag.
- We are hoping the airport gets new leisure service in the next several months. Count us in!
Of course, one of our other main considerations when we fly is the cost. One of the myths about Willard is that it is cost prohibitive. According to Willard officials, most people aren’t driving to Bloomington — they are going to Indianapolis and/or Chicago airports to catch a flight.
- If you are flying out of another airport, make sure you account for the cost of parking, gas there and back, and possible need for a hotel on the way out or home. (And then there’s those emergencies that come up — like the time my friends came back to their car sitting in a lot near O’Hare, only to find that the catalytic converter was stolen.)
(Note: Willard Airport is a sponsor of Chambanamoms.com, but all opinions are my own, as are the photos!)