Shattering Six Christmas Travel Myths

Dec. 22, 2010— -- Get the kids out of the room please; I'm about to rip the cover off some explosive Christmas myths, and I won't be responsible for any tears.

Like when I reveal that reindeer can't fly.

Or…can they? Let me tell you how to nearly duplicate the seemingly impossible feat of reindeer round-the-world travel, and maybe I'll actually have some good news for the kiddos, and for anyone else who loves to fly.

Here are the six myths of Christmas travel versus the reality for today's fliers. And as that noted air travel expert Margo Channing once said, "Fasten your seatbelts - it's gonna be a bumpy night!"

For more travel news and insights view Rick's blog at farecompare.com.

Myth 1: Reindeer Can't Fly

No, they can't. They are excellent swimmers, but flight? Not so much. So they can't go around the world and neither can Santa. But you can.

It may take you weeks or months but it can be done and on a single airline ticket, too. I mean those "round the world" airfares which can be purchased from some of the larger carriers or from an airline alliance like OneWorld (and there are others).

Rules vary but typically you must fly continuously in one direction from continent to continent, and OneWorld limits round-the-world travelers to 16 flight segments. It's not cheap, but it's cheaper than figuring it out on your own, airline by airline -- and it's a priceless experience.

Myth 2: Time Doesn't Stand Still on Christmas Eve

In Santa's world, time must stand still; how else to explain how he hits every house on the face of the earth during the night before Christmas? You got me.

On the other hand, time does occasionally stand still for us fliers when you're trapped on a tarmac for hours waiting for your plane to take off. Fortunately, this year the Department of Transportation instituted a new rule that prevents airlines from keeping passengers stuck on planes for more than three hours, and you know something? It's working.