How to Travel Like a Pro: Airport Tricks & Tips for Stress-Free Travel
Traveling can be stressful. This guide is for everyone, whether a newbie or an experienced traveler. It will help you learn the intricacies of commercial air travel.
This guide is for anyone who has flown regularly for years or those preparing to fly for the first time. It will give you tips, tricks, and hacks to make your trip easier. As countries and airlines adapt to the COVID travel era, even seasoned travelers may face new policies and faux pas. To fly confidently, learn from my experiences during over a dozen international flights since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Meaningful travel experiences, such as studying overseas, taking a gap year, and teaching abroad, often begin and end with a flight. Making your flight as convenient and smooth as possible will set the tone of your entire trip. Knowing what to expect and how you plan to approach your flight can make flying domestically much easier.
This guide is for anyone who has flown regularly for many years or those preparing to fly for the first time. It will give you a complete set of airport hacks, tips, and tricks to make your trip easier.
Airport Basics
You can check in online with most airlines up to 24 hours before your flight departs. It is the fastest way to reach your gate and the airport. You will still have to check in for your flight if you bring a bag.
Here’s a list of essential things you should do before heading to the airport.
Download entertainment like movies, music, podcasts, or shows on your tablet or phone in advance.
Check Twitter a few hours before departure to see if anyone reports significant airport delays.
Make parking arrangements in advance if you’re driving.
Book your taxi or ride-sharing service in advance
Find out where your airline departs from.
Create a folder for all your travel documents.
Arrive at the airport 2 hours before your scheduled boarding time.
Packing for a flight
Learn how to pack your bag efficiently and save money, time, and stress when you fly. It may seem simple, but remembering some important things can help avoid delays or additional costs at the check-in desk.
If possible, travel only with carry-on luggage. Check-in lines at airports have become notoriously long in recent years.
Most airlines allow one carry-on (approximately nine inches by fourteen inches by 22 inches, depending on the airline) and a personal bag like a laptop, briefcase, or purse. It’s important that you also bring a personal bag that is securely closed.
Pack your checked baggage with non-essentials
Remember that if you are bringing a bag to be checked, it must weigh less than 50 pounds to avoid paying fees for overweight baggage.
Checked bags can be large duffle or suitcase bags with much larger carrying capacity than carry-on bags. Consider hard-shell bags to protect your belongings against damage and impact. Many people and machines handle these bags, sometimes in a friendly manner, as they travel from and to the aircraft.
Remember that this suitcase will be among many other bags, so choose one that’s easy to identify or add stickers.
Even if you do make your flight, it’s common for checked baggage to miss the next one. Talk to the airport staff immediately if you arrive at your destination only to find that your bag has yet to arrive. Take photos of the inside and outside of your bag before you depart for the airport. This will assist with filing a claim.
Pack your checked bag with items that are larger and optional. This includes sporting equipment, clothing, liquids larger than 3.4 quarts, and other items.
Packing cubes are an excellent way to organize your checked luggage and maximize its space. They compress air from clothing bags. You may need to check in large electronics, such as video game consoles, that do not have batteries. Always confirm this with your airline before you fly to ensure they will allow it.
It’s common for checked bags to be opened and inspected after they are dropped off at the check-in desk. When packing, remember that the TSA officer who inspects your bag may need to repackage it. If you pack in an orderly manner, it will make your bag easier to repack if necessary.
Consider TSA PreCheck or Clear, Global Entry
TSA pre-check and clear express security lines at airports. The way in which they speed up the security process can vary. TSA PreCheck allows travelers to keep their shoes and belts on, their large electronics, and 3-1-1 liquid bags in their luggage. Clear uses biometric kiosks to speed up the document and identification check. Both options can reduce your time on security lines, but they have advantages and disadvantages.
You can choose to have both TSA pre-check and Clear if you want the best airport security experience.
Global Entry, another option for international travelers, is a kiosk that allows them to expedite clearance into the United States and US partners. Global Entry costs $100 for 5 years, including TSA PreCheck and $100.
The plane is boarding and deboarding
After clearing security, the first thing to do is to find the flight information board. Confirm your flight’s gate and boarding time. You will know how much time is left before you must be at the gate to board your flight.
You may have to use a shuttle, train, or other ground transportation to reach the correct gates. Do not just focus on the gate but also on the concourse.
You have several options depending on the time left before you board. You can choose from various restaurants and bars for food and drinks or go shopping. You can charge your electronic devices at tables in many airports with outlets. You can also sit in the seats before your gate to wait. Pay attention to the time, and consider setting an alert for a few moments before boarding starts.
Depending on the airline, boarding procedures may vary. However, you’ll generally be assigned to a group (found at the bottom of your ticket) and can board once it is called. Have your travel folder and ticket ready. Use your mobile boarding card to the maximum brightness so the scanner can read it. Taking a screenshot of your boarding card would be best if you lose your internet connection.
You may have an assigned or unassigned seat, depending on your airline. It will be printed on your ticket. However, Southwest allows you to choose any seat you want. Consider wiping down your main touchpoints, like the tray table, seatbelt, and window, with a disinfectant cloth. Many airlines provide these wipes as soon as you board.