Everyone looks forward to their holiday but an airport isn’t always the best place to relax and enjoy the time before your flight. It can be especially difficult as you get older and prefer a more relaxed comfortable start to your journey. Take a look at the following airport travel tips to make your journey easier.
​Grab a notebook and jot down the tips you want to remember:
A lot of flights these days charge for selecting your seat on the plane. I always pay for this option as I want to make sure I’m sitting beside the person I’m going on holiday with! There are a couple of other considerations to think about. Do you need extra leg room to make you comfortable? Do you prefer a seat near the toilet? By pre-selecting your seat you can almost guarantee you get the best seats for your trip.
If you’re driving yourself to the airport then check the route. Are there any roadworks or diversions in place? You’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to arrive at the airport so you don’t feel rushed and stressed out. If you’re in England check the National Highways website for the latest trafffic reports.
Remember to weigh your suitcases and/or carry on bags at least 24 hours before going to the airport, just to make sure they’re below the weight limit you’ve been allocated. You don’t want to unpack at the check in desk to see what you can leave behind!
Similarly check that the size of your carry-on luggage is correct for your flight. The weight and size details should be on your flight documents. I find a tape measure and my bathroom scales usually do the job just fine.
Check the baggage advice on your local airport’s website to see what restrictions they have in place. This information should also be on your flight documents or contact your travel agent. It’s tempting to skip through reading these but it is important information and you never know when rules are going to change.
If you’re taking cases with you that need to go in the airplane hold then a GPS luggage tracker will give you real peace of mind. If your luggage did happen to go missing then you’ll feel much calmer as your luggage tracker will tell you exactly where it is, and consequently make it much easier to get back to you. This can be especially useful if you have a connecting flight and the airline are moving your luggage from plane to plane for you. I wish we’d had one of these on our holiday to New Orleans and Las Vegas a few years ago!
When you’re thinking about what to wear to travel in remember to dress for speed through the security screening process. Think slip on shoes and belt free outfits. Much easier than having to take deal with laces and buckles while you’re in the security line.
Wear comfortable clothing to travel in. It’s always better to wear layers as it’s easier to take something off rather than wishing you’d brought a sweater with you. And if you know you’re going to be visiting the toilet a couple of times then maybe that jumpsuit isn’t the right thing to wear.
Sometimes it can be worthwhile paying for access to the airport lounge. They usually have an unlimited buffet, free drinks and papers & magazines included in the price. And they have much more comfortable seating, usually with a quiet zone, which can make your airport visit much more comfortable in crowded airports. Double check how close the lounge is to the boarding gates to give yourself plenty of time to get there.
If you have mobility issues then take a look at your local airport’s Passenger Assistance page on their website. This also goes for those with hidden disabilties. It’s full of information on how to get help if you need it, as well as a map of the airport layout. Make sure you contact them well in advance if you need a wheelchair or help boarding the aircraft.
Arrive as early as possible to check-in luggage and avoid long lines of fellow travelers at the check-in desks. If you’re only taking carry-on luggage with you then checking in online makes the process much quicker. Remember you usually get a boarding pass sent to your mobile phone if you check in online rather than a paper version.
Write yourself a checklist of things you want to take on the plane with you in your carry-on bag. These might include:
- Noise cancelling ear plugs or headphones so you can listen to music or sleep in peace.
- Neck cushions – you can get some really good inflatable ones that won’t take up too much room in your bag
- If you don’t want to pay for the meals on the flight take your own snacks. Most snacks will be fine on domestic flights but some foods may be restricted on international flights. The Air Help website has some great information on this.
- Whilst you can’t take a full water bottle through security, you can make use of any water fountains provided on the other side, so pack an empty bottle so you can fill up free of charge.
- Pack a pair of socks – if you’re wearing sandals you might find your feet get cold while you’re in the air.
- The air on a plane can be very drying to your eyes so you may find it helpful to wear glasses instead of contact lenses.
- Don’t forget some entertainment: books, crosswords or an ipad with a ready-downloaded film.
- Medication – you are allowed to take your medication onto the plane. They will be screened at security but liquids may need to go through extra screening.
- Portable charger for your mobile / cell phone.
- Hand wipes – great for your hands and for wiping seats handles and trays!
Make sure your checked bag is easily idenitifiable when it comes to getting it off the carousel at the other end. Buy a brightly coloured suitcase that not many others will have or tie a coloured ribbon on the handle. A big recognisable sticker could also do the job.
Keep checking the flight information screen at the airport to make sure you know your gate number and what time it opens. You’ll also be able to see if there have been any flight delays.
As it gets near to boarding time make sure you’re sitting near to the boarding gate so you’re not rushed, especially if you have mobility issues or just not as quick on your feet as you used to be.
Keep your your important documents such as boarding pass and passport easily accessbile to you. A backpack can be a great carry-on bag but make sure the pocket you keep your documents on is against your back and not accessible to pick pockets.
By thinking about these helpful tips you can make sure your travel experience is all you’d like it to be.
If you have an airport tip you’d like to share leave a comment below 🙂