With the summer travel season under way, Delta has rolled out its award-winning Early Valet program at eight* airports around the U.S. From Washington, D.C., to Seattle, agents tag and label carry-on bags at the gate and place them in the bins above customers' assigned seats before boarding. This process empowers agents to better engage with customers while addressing their needs at the gate.

And Early Valet isn't the only way Delta makes travel easier. Here are eight tips to take the stress out of summer travel:

1. Stay connected

• Download the Fly Delta app to stay connected at all points during your journey. From booking, monitoring and changing flights, to tracking bags and getting flight status notifications, the Fly Delta app provides opportunities to be in-the-know at all points during your journey.

• Airport kiosks, the Fly Delta app and delta.com can also help minimize disruptions during irregular operations by providing flexible routings and allowing customers to choose what works best for them. By giving you more options to select rebooking preferences, the system also helps to reduce lines at airports and enhance the overall travel experience.

2. Breeze through security and customs

• Delta's ongoing investment in additional automated screening lanes and partnership with CLEAR, the only U.S. biometric identity platform that expedites document checks at TSA security check points, means Delta customers breeze through security lines in minutes. Check out exclusive rates for Delta SkyMiles Members to enroll in CLEAR.
• Don't bring water bottles to the checkpoint — your fellow line waiters will thank you.
• Place your personal items in your carry-on before you get to the belt. This includes phones, keys, change, etc.
• TSA Precheck can expedite your line wait for a $75 activation fee and is valid for five years.
• Global Entry is the preferred method to expedite travel back into the U.S. There is a $100 application fee. The status is good for five years and includes TSA Precheck.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Free Mobile Passport Control app will allow you to skip using the Automated Passport Control Kiosks.

3. Don't stress over checked bags

• The Fly Delta app now works in sync with the airline's Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) bag tags that are flowing through the system everywhere Delta flies.
• Customers can keep tabs on their checked bags with a map view of the its last scanned location, along with push notifications that provide real-time monitoring of the bag's journey from airport to airport and transfer from plane to plane. 

4. Find the best food options in the airport and onboard

• The latest version of the Fly Delta app, giving customers access to the industry's most innovative airport wayfinding maps. The wayfinding tool features interactive maps for 20 major airports — including the airline's hubs — and guides customers with turn-by-turn walking directions to their next gate, a restaurant or even baggage claim.  Craving a slice of pizza or in desperate need of your favorite coffee? Just search for the chain or food item you want on the app and you're on your way.
• To fuel up in flight, choose from a variety of refreshed Main Cabin snacks, including sweet, savory, and healthful options, which are free to customers.
• And for something more substantial, the spring Flight Fuel menu offers chef-created, nutritionist-approved wraps and other bites that customers on select flights over 900 miles within North America can enjoy. Select refreshed items will also be offered for free in the Main Cabin on some of Delta's longest domestic routes.
• Be sure to stay well hydrated on summer travel days.

5. Kick back and relax with Delta's free, in-flight entertainment selection on Delta Studio

• Delta Studio's industry-leading in-flight entertainment collection consistently provides the best depth and breadth of content in the skies and is free for all customers on two-class aircraft.
• Delta Studio has a wide-variety of programming including new content in June that is perfect for families such as Beauty and the Beast, Lego Batman and Tangled: The Series.
• Download the Gogo Entertainment app before flying or even in flight to stream all that Delta Studio has to offer.

6. Pack smart and know what flies

• Learn what items are restricted before you fly, such as hoverboards.
• Some items, including lighters and e-cigarettes, are only permitted in your carry-on items. Delta recommends traveling with them in a designated carry case. If your travels take you to an international destination, be mindful that certain countries may restrict or ban the import, export or use of e-cigarettes.
• Make sure your liquids measure up.
• Remember that most sporting equipment flies as checked baggage – like boogie boards.

7. Make sure your carry-on fits

• You've heard it before — each customer is allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item at no extra charge. Just make sure they fit into the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. Cram sessions are not pretty, and they slow things down. Baggage may not exceed 45 linear inches (or 114 cm) in combined length, width and height, including any handles and wheels.

8. Check the weather report

• Summer is known for its pop-up thunderstorms, which can be hard to predict.
• Delta has 25 meteorologists on staff, each with their eyes on the skies. Delta does everything possible to run an on-time operation and keep you updated on flight times, but make sure you are plugged in to the local weather so that you can anticipate possible flight delays.

*ATL, DTW, JFK, LGA, MSP, SEA, SLC  and DCA