Airlines might help you more than you realize, and packing a few extras could be the difference between a great or awful flight. Even if you’ve got the airport routine down to a science, you may still want to consider help. These tricks and tips are an excellent option!
1. Bring Headphones
It’s wise to bring your own headphones with you to the airport. You won’t have to purchase a set to watch your in-flight movie, and they’re often more comfortable, meaning they don’t fall out while you’re trying to enjoy yourself.
1. Bring Headphones
2. Ask for Upgrades
Most people are polite and don’t think of asking for free things, but you’re doing it wrong! It’s all about getting what you want to be comfortable, so let the flight attendants know you’re celebrating so that you get special treatment.
2. Ask for Upgrades
3. Choose the Left Security Checkpoint
Everyone knows how hard it is to stand in the security check line forever, and you can eliminate that stress you feel. Don’t automatically go to the right when you get to that point. Instead, head left for the one far away from you.
3. Choose the Left Security Checkpoint
4. Bring a Portable Charger
We all love technology, but you must keep your smartphones charged. Traveling without phone access is dangerous. While airports have charging stations, it’s best to bring your own so that you’re not left without.
4. Bring a Portable Charger
5. Bring Hand Sanitizer and Wet Wipes
Planes are floating tin cans, and everyone sits in close proximity to each other. Therefore, there are naturally more germs. Make sure you pack extra hand sanitizer and wet wipes to protect yourself, using them whenever the need arises.
5. Bring Hand Sanitizer and Wet Wipes
6. Book a Morning Flight to Avoid Turbulence
Turbulence makes the plane jump around and can leave you queasy. While you can purchase medication to ease the pain, it’s often unavoidable. Therefore, it’s best to book your flight for the morning to get a smoother ride, though that’s not guaranteed.
6. Book a Morning Flight to Avoid Turbulence
7. Bring Ziploc Bags
When packing for a trip, you may not think to grab Ziploc bags, but it’s a great idea to keep them handy. You may purchase something at the airport that’s wet or sticky. Likewise, you can take them to the beach to store your sunscreen!
7. Bring Ziploc Bags
8. Check in Before the Flight
Online check-ins are now highly popular, and it’s often standard with modern airlines. Check in about 24 hours before your flight so that you’re not rushing to the airport or standing in line. The boarding pass will be waiting for you!
8. Check in Before the Flight
9. Take Photos of Checked Luggage
Many people have bags that look similar, so you should make yours look more identifiable. Then, grab your smartphone and take photos before they’re checked. That will help you pick up the right one or prove it’s yours if that’s required.
9. Take Photos of Checked Luggage
10. Freeze Liquids First
Liquids on flights have been banned for a long period, but you can bring small containers. If you need a drink and don’t want to purchase one, freeze a bottle of water, making sure it stays that way through the check-in process.
10. Freeze Liquids First
11. Find the Best Seat Upon Check-In
SeatGuru.com can help you determine the most comfortable seats when you get on the plane. Search for reviews about your chair and see if you can request a different one if yours doesn’t fit the bill. To be fair, leave a review for your seat to help others!
11. Find the Best Seat Upon Check-In
12. Fly the Red Eye
Most people don’t like red-eye flights because they want to sleep in. However, those who dislike crowded airports and prefer a quiet experience may find this the best option. You may even get cheaper fare if you do it this way!
12. Fly the Red Eye
13. Check the Shops and Restaurants Beforehand
It’s easy to think about grabbing a meal at the airport, but it’s wise to check beforehand to make sure they have food you’ll eat. Generally, it’s fast food establishments, which could be of a poorer quality. Likewise, they’re expensive!
13. Check the Shops and Restaurants Beforehand
14. Bring Empty Water Bottles
Airports make their money when people get snacks while waiting on the flight. Therefore, it’s wise to bring yourself an empty water bottle and fill it up from the fountain once you’re through security.
14. Bring Empty Water Bottles
15. Check the Flight’s Status
You should always arrive at the airport with time to spare to ensure that you don’t miss your flight. However, it’s also wise to make sure there are no delays. Check the flight status before you leave so that you’re not sitting around and waiting.
15. Check the Flight’s Status
16. Keep Hotel Toiletries
People like hotels because of the room service, comfortable rooms, and toiletries available. Make sure to slip any unused ones in your luggage and bring them with you on future trips. That could save you tons of money!
16. Keep Hotel Toiletries
17. Sign Up for the VIP Lounge
If you fly often, you can get great perks. Airlines want you to continue flying with them, so they offer frequent flyer miles, which you might exchange for a VIP lounge membership. They provide entertainment and much more!
17. Sign Up for the VIP Lounge
18. Avoid the Wait for a Rebooking
When your flight gets canceled, you don’t have to rush to the desk and rebook it. Instead, go to a phone and call the airline. The representative has the same abilities as the airport staff and can handle your problem faster.
18. Avoid the Wait for a Rebooking
19. Enjoy a Nap
If you’re dealing with a delayed flight, it’s best to take a nap. Though it’s not easy to sleep on hard seats, you may find that your airport offers sleeping pods for rent. Heathrow in London does, and it’s a magnificent option!
19. Enjoy a Nap
20. Keep Your Laptop Easy to Access
Many people pack laptops in carry-on luggage and can’t get them out easily later. Therefore, it’s best to purchase a laptop case so that you don’t have to fight the suitcase. There’s no more struggling or rummaging around to find it!
20. Keep Your Laptop Easy to Access
21. Take Photos of the Parking Space
Usually, it’s hard to park at an airport because you’re scrambling to locate a space. Then, you feel rushed and run inside without really paying attention. Take a photo first so that you don’t get confused when you arrive back later.
21. Take Photos of the Parking Space
22. Wear Your Luggage
If you don’t want to check extra bags and pay more, think outside the box. Wear your bulkiest items on the flight to save a little money. Just remember that you might be uncomfortable until you get past security!
22. Wear Your Luggage
23. Wrap the Bag or Luggage Handle
After being on a flight for a long time, you want to get to your hotel and relax. Therefore, you can wrap your generic handles to make it easier to find your luggage at the baggage claim area. All you need is a tie, scarf, or any other material.
23. Wrap the Bag or Luggage Handle
24. Sign Up for Global Entry or TSA Precheck
Being in a long line to get into the country isn’t fun. Usually, there’s nothing you can do, but that’s changing if you don’t mind spending a little extra. If you are eligible, apply for Global Entry or the TSA Precheck to skip the lines!
24. Sign Up for Global Entry or TSA Precheck
25. Always Check for WiFi
When visiting other countries, it’s hard to get good WiFi without spending a lot of money. However, it might be worth it to ask the airport about free WiFi to make a few calls or check email. Most of them offer it, so don’t be scared to ask for the password!
25. Always Check for WiFi
26. Pack Electronics and Liquids at the Top
TSA has countless rules about what you can and can’t have on an airplane. Even when you’re using a carry-on bag, it must be screened. Make it easier by putting electronics and liquids near the top of your luggage so that the employees don’t have to rummage around.
26. Pack Electronics and Liquids at the Top
27. Book Flights on Wednesdays and Tuesdays
CheapAir did a study one time and found that Wednesdays and Tuesdays are the best times to purchase airline tickets because you can save money. Then, you should make sure you’re traveling on a Friday or Thursday.
27. Book Flights on Wednesdays and Tuesdays
28. Purchase a Portable Weight Checker
Nothing is more irritating than learning your carry-on bag is over the limit. It’s generally close, and those few pounds over can cost you. Save the headaches and buy a portable weight checker to ensure that you’re not over that limit.
28. Purchase a Portable Weight Checker
29. Don’t Listen to Music
Most people want to put in their headphones and listen to music while they wait. However, it might be wise to turn it off so that you can hear important announcements. Airlines might offer vouchers for those who can wait or talk about flight delays.
29. Don’t Listen to Music
30. Check the TSA App to Learn about Wait Times
Don’t simply hope for the best when you arrive at the airport. The TSA app is available and can offer information about traveler tips and warnings, wait times, and news updates. If you travel frequently, this free app is crucial!
30. Check the TSA App to Learn about Wait Times
31. Don’t Rush to Board
Many people rush to get on board the airplane and will shove others to get a seat. However, most airlines have assigned seats. Overall, it’s wise to be courteous because the plane isn’t going anywhere, and you won’t miss it if you’re in line.
31. Don’t Rush to Board
32. Pack Important Things in the Carry-On
People often lose their luggage at the airline, so it’s wise to pack important items in the carry-on. This should include valuables, toothbrushes, toothpaste, underwear, essential documents, phone chargers, and medications.
32. Pack Important Things in the Carry-On
33. Bring a Power Strip
It’s often hard to find an outlet while at the airport, and when you do, there will only be one. Therefore, bring a power strip with you so that you can charge all of your items at the same time, such as tablets, laptops, Airpods, and smartphones.
33. Bring a Power Strip
34. Bring a Laptop Stand to Work in a Reclined Position
Many people like to work on the airplane or in the airport. There are often things to do, so it’s wise to bring a laptop stand with you, especially if you enjoy reclining your seat. They’re inexpensive and offer more surface without slipping.
34. Bring a Laptop Stand to Work in a Reclined Position
35. Sit at the Front of the Plane
The best seats tend to be near the front. A person’s center of gravity is at 28 percent, so that center of pressure starts at the plane’s wing. If you’re often airsick on flights or sensitive, these are the ideal spots to choose.
35. Sit at the Front of the Plane
36. Rent a Car Online
When you arrive at your destination, it’s time to rent a car. However, it’s wise to book the rental online instead of waiting around in line. There’s often more availability, and you can save money by pre-paying.
36. Rent a Car Online
37. Download an Airport Map and the Boarding Pass
It’s wise to download and/or print the boarding pass and airport map before you get there. This will save time and allow you to check in early. Plus, you may end up with a better boarding position, as well.
37. Download an Airport Map and the Boarding Pass
38. Switch to Glasses
If you often wear contact lenses, it’s best not to fly while wearing them because they will dry out and cause irritation. This occurs because the oxygen, humidity, and atmospheric pressure are lower at 30,000 feet.
38. Switch to Glasses
39. Wear Shoes and Socks
A long flight means uncomfortable feet. If you plan to take your shoes off while on the plane, make sure you wear socks. That means people won’t be exposed to your bare feet and will be less likely to complain to the flight attendants.
39. Wear Shoes and Socks
40. Get an All-day Pass
Most people arrive at the airport, go through security, and get on the flight. However, you may have to stay longer, and an airport lounge pass could be a good idea. They offer fast WiFi, showers, comfortable chairs, and all the rest!
40. Get an All-day Pass