Delayed flights, bad weather, clogged airports—and once you make it through the winter travel obstacle course, you might have to sit next to someone with a nasty cold. Save yourself some time and energy, and cut back on your stress with these tips.  

• Pick a morning flight. If your flight is canceled because of bad weather, then you're more likely to find another flight the same day.

• Try to find a non-stop flight. If that isn't an option, then look for connecting flights out of airports that aren't experiencing severe weather. In other words, skip that layover in Buffalo.

• Charge your electronic devices and have your cables handy. You might not be able to find replacements at the airport, and if you do, they're often wildly overpriced.

• Book a window seat. People in middle or aisle seats are more likely to catch colds from other passengers and the flight crew.

• Don't forget hand sanitizer. Keep your hands clean and away from your face to reduce your risk of illness.

• Have a Plan B. You can't control the weather, and you probably don't control the FAA, either.