A flight attendant has revealed the best time of the day to catch a plane and the best months to travel to avoid delays and price hikes.<br /><br />Bernice Padilla, 29, has been a flight attendant for six years and travelled to 44 countries on thousands of flights.<br /><br />When it comes to booking a holiday, Bernice recommends people book holidays for the 'shoulder seasons' - May or September to get the best deal.<br /><br />She also revealed getting the earliest flight possible means you are far less likely to encounter a delay.<br /><br />Packing light using compression cubes is her top tip for avoiding hold luggage - keeping costs down and reducing the risk of a missing suitcase.<br /><br />Bernice, from Dallas, Texas, said: "May and September are great months to travel as they're before and after peak summer here in the US.<br /><br />"You have less crowds and more affordable prices but the weather is still nice.<br /><br />"Every country has their specific shoulder season so I recommend doing some research before booking."<br /><br />When it comes to travelling Bernice said that holiday-goers should book the earliest flight possible to avoid any delays.<br /><br />Bernice said: "I always take the earliest flight possible so there are fewer delays.<br /><br />"If there are any delays it ends up being a domino effect. <br /><br />"Say there is a delay in California due to the weather then my flight here can't take off until that flight takes off.<br /><br />"Everything trickles down, whereas if you fly early your plane will be there from the night before."<br /><br />Bernice said that Europe is a hot destination for American travellers in the US but said people should try to book holidays in places that are 'overlooked'<br /><br />She said: "Everyone loves to go to London, Rome, Paris and Barcelona.<br /><br />"I think there are a lot of great places people can go to that are overlooked.<br /><br />"I am going to Argentina in a few weeks, for example, I think it is good to book places that aren't as popular with tourists.<br /><br />"Even people are still wanting to visit Europe there are so many places that aren't as popular like Albania and countries on the coast."<br /><br />When it comes to packing Bernice said she recommends people travel with carry-on luggage.<br /><br />If that is not possible, Bernice lives by using compression cubes.<br /><br />She said: "I still have a problem with overpacking but I try not to overpack as much.<br /><br />"What I do recommend is trying to travel with a carry, especially in the summer.<br /><br />"If that is not possible, I always travel with compression cubes, that way you can fit more into your suitcase."<br /><br />Flight attendant's top travel items:<br />- Take reusable water bottle<br />- Take a sweater or blanket <br />- Take a pen to fill out any forms that might be needed when you arrive <br />- Pack noise-cancelling head phones <br />- Take a portable charger
