NORFOLK -- Traveling during the holidays is always a gamble.
"I don't ever want to travel at Christmas again if I can help it," said traveler Austin Bowles.
This is the second year in a row he's had trouble flying home in December. Last Christmas, he never made it back to Hampton Roads because his flight got cancelled out of Portland, Ore.
This year it took him 26 hours and three stops to get back to Virginia.
His first flight was delayed and he missed his connecting flight in San Francisco by minutes.
"I cried my eyes out," said Bowles. "I was staring out the window at the plane, just staring at it, and they wouldn't let me on."
Norfolk International Airport Executive Director Wayne Shank says airlines across the country have cut flights this holiday season.
In Norfolk, the number of available seats is down 3-4%, according to Shank.
In November, travel at Norfolk International was up 1% and Shank expects a similar increase in December.
"We expect the aircraft will be full, probably every seat taken," said Shank."There's virtually no seats available so if you have a delay or miss a connection, or a cancelled flight, it's a problem."
Passengers say planes are packed.
"I think a few people had to take another flight," said Margo Singaliesa. "They were overbooked."
Bowles could only find a flight back to Washington D.C., so his parents had to pick him up there.
"I told them I'm not coming home next year," said Bowles. "I can't stand traveling, this is so nightmarish. I'm tired of the stress and the crying."
Airport officials recommend you check your flight status before leaving for the airport and arrive at least 90 minutes before your flight is scheduled to leave. They say you should pack lightly because there likely will not be a lot of space on the place.
The Transportation Security Administration says you should not wrap gifts before you travel because security officers may need to unwrap them.
