Whether you’re travelling for a fabulous holiday, an important business meeting or a long-awaited reunion with family, whatever finds you at the end of a flight is usually pretty rewarding. Unfortunately, the actual experience of getting through the airport and onto the plane is usually far less fun, with a million tiny stresses and obstacles.
The hacks on this list will help you to save time, save money and save stress as you’re getting ready to jet off on an adventure! So pack your suitcase and get ready to pick up some invaluable tips!
Bring your own headphones
Bringing your own headphones is the easiest way to ensure your flight starts as smoothly as possible. Not only will you not have to buy your own if you feel the desperate urge to watch 2 Fast 2 Furious on a tiny aeroplane screen, but you’re also guaranteed a comfortable and familiar fit. Plus, let’s be honest: you probably need your headphones for your destination too!
Ask for an upgrade
Everyone’s heard the old adage “if you don’t ask, you don’t get”, but it’s particularly true at the airport. Sometimes, politely asking for a free upgrade (or lightly dropping into the conversation that you’re celebrating something like a birthday or an anniversary) is all it takes to be moved to a nicer seat or bag a free glass of champagne, totally free! What have you got to lose?
Head to the left security checkpoint
Sometimes the most effective hacks are the simplest. For example, did you know that when it comes to getting through airport security, going right is actually wrong? Meaning you’ll have more luck going to the furthest left counter possible, as it’s likely to be the emptiest. For some psychological reason, queues are more likely to orient themselves to the right, freeing up the other side!
Bring a portable charger
It’s not rocket science: nothing is more stressful than trying to download your boarding pass, reply to emails, text your relatives to say you’re on your way and check the time while your battery is dwindling to 5%. Airports have lots of outlets available, but they tend to be taken by the people who’ve been there since dawn, so make sure to bring a portable charger with you too.
Bring wet wipes and hand sanitiser
Like all other forms of public transport, aeroplanes cram a lot of people in a small space, leading to an increased risk of catching coughs and colds. Though it’s impossible to eliminate the risk completely, you can give yourself some peace of mind by carrying wet wipes and hand sanitiser with you, so you can refresh your hands, face and surfaces at a moment’s notice.
Avoid turbulence with an early morning flight
There are plenty of non-ideal things about flying: from sitting next to strangers and eating bad food to always being seated in front of a crying baby or kid who finds it funny to kick your chair. However, maybe the worst part of all is stomach-cramping turbulence. However, did you know that most turbulence occurs in the afternoon? This means you can minimise your chances of experiencing it by booking an early-morning flight!
Bring spare Ziploc bags
Unless you’re packing yourself a lunch to eat on the plane, it might not occur to you to bring some spare Ziploc bags to the airport with you. With that said, they could make your flight easier in a whole bunch of ways. Not only will they come in handy if you buy some more liquids at the airport, but they will also save stress if one of your other Ziploc bags breaks! Plus they’re great for keeping valuables safe at the beach.
Check-in 24 hours early
Back in the day, showing up incredibly early was the only way to make sure you were safely checked in early. Thankfully, now most airlines offer the option of checking in online up to 24 hours early! That means you can skip the queue, the panicked ride to the airport and the frantic pocket-passing while you check and double-check your boarding pass. What’s not to love?
Photograph your checked luggage
We’ve all been there: you’re tired, ready for your hotel room and waiting for an age for your luggage to come around on the carousel. Then you start thinking: “Wait, was that my plain black suitcase or someone else’s?” Even buying brightly coloured luggage is no guarantee, since someone else could have had the same idea. The best way to avoid this catastrophe is to take a picture of any of your suitcases’ unique features, to help you identify it.
Freeze your liquids
No matter how much you plan or how careful you are, the risk of getting to the airport with too many liquids is really hard to eliminate completely. However, there is one thing you can do if you live relatively close to the airport: freeze your drinks! If your bottle of water is totally solid then you can breeze through security no problem, without having to buy a hideously expensive drink on the other side.
Find the plane’s best-reviewed seat
One of the best flight hacks around happens way before you board the plane itself, and even before you get into the airport! When you’re buying your ticket and given the option to choose your seat, use a website like SeatGuru to read reviews of the seat you thinking of booking, and then change your booking accordingly. That way, you’re guaranteed a comfy flight, every time!
Fly red-eye
Despite the fact that everyone has heard the phrase “red-eye” before, surprisingly they’re some of the emptiest flights around. Most people travelling for both business and pleasure would rather be tucked up in bed at night than snoozing away on a plane, but if you’d rather have a quieter experience and are willing to risk the lost sleep – then a red-eye flight is definitely the way to go!
Know your airport
Is there anything more stress-inducing than cutting it close but being completely unable to find your gate when you need to? Or resolving to grab dinner at the airport but being faced with only food options you’d never even consider eating? Even thinking you’ll just grab earphones at the airport store but finding out too late there aren’t any can be solved by googling the airport layout and offerings before you leave the house.
Bring an empty water bottle
Given the minuscule amount of liquid you’re allowed to bring on a plane, bringing a water bottle with you is probably the last thing on your mind. With that said, an empty water bottle means that you can fill it up for free once you get through security without paying extortionate prices. Not only that, but you’ll probably regret not having a water bottle with you once you reach your destination, whether you’re travelling for work or leisure.
Check your flight status beforehand
Lots of hacks on this list might not seem obvious, but this one should. Always, always check the status of your flight before you leave the house or hotel. There’s a very good chance your flight will be delayed by six hours, and it’s better to spend that time in the comfort of your own home rather than on a cold bench with a sad sandwich and dwindling phone battery.
Have a hotel toiletries stash
Have you ever found yourself bleeding the hotel you’re staying in dry by collecting every shampoo, conditioner and face lotion you can get your hands on, but not sure of the reason why? Well, you’ll thank yourself next time you’re getting ready for a flight and realise that you don’t need to rush out and buy a bunch of travel-sized products – you’ve already got them!
Get the VIP lounge access
Lots of things about airports have kind of a bad reputation, from the gross food to the tiny bathrooms to the uncomfortable seats. With that said, there is one part of the aeroplane experience that has far more luxurious connotations: the lounge. Despite being pricey, buying access to the lounge before a big trip is one way to guarantee yourself rest, relaxation and free snacks – not to mention all the peace and quiet you could ask for!
Don’t wait in line
Going to catch a plane is stressful enough if everything goes perfectly, but things can easily go from irritating to downright catastrophic. If you find yourself needing to rebook a cancelled or missed flight, make things easier for yourself by opting out of the queue, and simply ring the airline directly. You’ll probably be dealt with faster, and you can take the weight off your feet while you wait.
Nap at the airport
If you find yourself dealing with an iota more airline stress than you planned, whether that’s a cancelled flight, an impossible-to-find gate or just a cranky toddler in the seat behind you, it can be difficult not to get overwhelmed. One great tip is to take your sleep where you can find it, even if that means napping in the airport. Just make sure you have a friend or family member on hand to wake you up so you don’t miss your flight!
Store your laptop carefully
Given that your laptop is probably the most valuable thing you’re bringing on an aeroplane with you, there’s a good chance your instinct is to bury it as deeply as possible in your hand luggage as possible, both to prevent damage and theft. However, it’s both safer and more convenient to simply put your laptop in a nondescript case at the top of your luggage – problem solved!
Photograph your parking space
We’ve all done it: you park up at the start of a day trip to a shopping centre or theme park, look at your car and confidently tuck the location away. Only to then return just a few short hours later with absolutely zero idea where you could have parked. Given that forgetfulness can strike after spending less than a day away from your vehicle, taking a picture of your car before you go on holiday is imperative, to avoid hours walking around a dark, cold car park when you’re already cranky and tired from your flight.
Layer up for the airport
It can be super tempting to breeze through the airport in your most stylish clothes, with a beverage in hand and a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright overhead lights. However, if you want to save on cash and space, ditch the matching set and layer up! The more you wear, the fewer clothes you’ll have to cram into your suitcase, and the fewer bags you’ll have to check-in.
Wrap your suitcase handle
After a long flight, the last thing you want to do is spend an age trying to find your suitcase, whether that’s because you’re excited to get out of the airport to start your luxurious vacation, or because you want to get home from a tiring business trip as quickly as possible. In both cases, the best way to speed things along is to tie a brightly coloured scarf or ribbon to your luggage, so you can instantly identify it!
Sign up for Precheck
Standing in line to get into a country sucks, there’s no doubt about that, but the more you travel the more frustrating it can get. If you’re a frequent flyer, it might be worth shelling out the roughly $100 in order to get on the list for Precheck or Global Entry, which will allow you to skip the lines and breeze through any country’s security much faster!
Don’t forget about the wifi
We’ve already discussed the fact that there’s nothing scarier than your phone running low on battery in the airport, and nothing uses up your phone’s juice faster than data. That’s why it’s always worth checking if the airport you’re in has wifi, even if it isn’t advertised anywhere. Many airports have wifi codes you can ask for at information points, which will save you checking your email using data and running down your battery.
Prioritise your carry on
You might think packing your carry-on is an art, but it’s actually a science. There’s an objectively correct way to do things, and that’s to put your liquids and electronics at the top of your bag, so you can remove them when asked and replace them easily. This strategy also means that your valuable electronics are nearer to your body, and so less likely to be stolen.
Book your flights in the middle of the week
Many flights are unavoidable, but paying through the nose for them isn’t. If you’re looking to score a deal and minimise the amount of money you’re spending, then you’re going to want to book your flights on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, and ideally travel on Thursday and Friday. Booking midweek is less common, and so will save you money as well as give you the first pick of seats.
Invest in a portable luggage weight checker
You could be the most careful packer in the world, and still, end up in a situation where your suitcase or carry-on is just over the weight limit. If you want to avoid the frantically pulling snacks and magazines out of your bag in the middle of the airport situation, then a portable weight calculator could be the solution to all your problems, as it will help minimise those nasty surprises.
Skip the music
Airports can be pretty stressful, so frequent fliers have all sorts of techniques for minimising the disruption, whether that’s calming face sprays with essential oils, a hydro flask full of vitamin water, or just putting on an exciting playlist to while away the hours spent waiting. However, if your plan is to put in your earphones and blast your music, then beware! Listening to tunes is the easiest way to ensure you miss your gate announcement, and then your flight.
Get the TSA app
When it comes to getting through security, most people just turn up a few hours early and hope for the best, but there is another way. If you’re travelling in America, you can download the TSA app, which has live, approximate security wait times for all outgoing flights! It even features travel tips and warnings for things happening in the airport!
