If you’ve ever travelled by air during the holidays, you are likely aware that the experience can be a trying one. Despite being the season of supposed good cheer, people are generally more ill-tempered than usual. Is it any wonder with all of the long lines, flight delays, crying children and…well you get the picture.

Travel guru Erik Torkells has produced a timely list of the 14 ways to survive a holiday flight such as flying directly to your destination to avoid missing connections, checking in online 24 hours in advance to avoid waiting in line at the airport and shipping gifts to your destination in advance to mitigate the risk of broken or missing presents.

My personal suggestions include investing in a quality pair of headphones and an iPod to help diffuse a potentially explosive situation when you’re inevitably seated next to the baby suffering from an ear infection. Small travel pillows are also a godsend. I purchased one from Mountain Equipment Co-op earlier this year for a redeye flight to Orlando and I can’t imagine making any future trips without it. A mesh storage sack is included in which you can store the rolled up pillow (much like you would a sleeping bag) and clip to your carry-on baggage with a simple carabiner. As an added bonus, the pillow is filled with synthetic filling, composed of fabric trimming and scrap materials that might otherwise be landfilled.

To help take the Grinch effect out of your travel plans, use the link below to see Torkells’ additional tips and information.

» MSNBC Travel