8 Air Travel Tips to Consider

From first-time travelers to frequent flyers, there’s always certain steps we can take to make our journey more comfortable. Follow my 8 tips (some obvious, others not so much) to make sure your flight and travel is as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Pack Lightly.           

If you’re going somewhere for more than a few days, you might have to pack and check a suitcase. If not, try to get by with a carry-on and a personal item. For one thing, your luggage doesn’t risk getting lost, and another, you’ll save money with a no baggage fee (depending on what airline you fly) and save time by potentially avoiding a long line to drop and pick up luggage.

Forgo the Sandals or Flip-Flops.

Yes, they are usually more comfortable than closed-toe shoes. But you increase the chances of a painful incident happening in a crowded airport, walking barefoot through security or in the cramped airplane. It’s best to wear a pair of sturdy shoes, with socks for your flight.

Take Earplugs or Noise-Cancelling Headphones

I’m always jealous of those people who can be lulled to sleep before the plane even leaves the runway. Some people can sleep on planes, and others can’t. If you can’t, you might be better out with some outside help, like earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. That way you can block out the chatty seatmates, plane engines and crying babies and enjoy your music or laptop in peace.

Stay Serious.

This might be a surprising tip for some, but avoid the temptation to joke around with the TSA agent, pilot or flight attendant. You may think you have the funniest line possible for a situation, but it could be taken the wrong way. The last thing you want is someone thinking you are a flight risk. Hold the chit-chat.

Have an Internet-Ready Device. 

Even if you have a direct flight, most airlines offer free tv channels, music or internet on flights or in the airports. Now with smartphones, connecting to the internet is much easier than bringing a laptop. This gives you the ability to check emails, flight status and communicate while you’re waiting to board or in-flight.

Take Your Kindle (or book). 

Other than sleep, nothing makes time go faster during a flight than a good book. You may not be sure exactly which book you may want to read, having a Kindle gives you an advantage over lugging several books around.

Stand,  Turn  Around,  Proceed.

Get in the habit of turning around to look behind you every time you get up from your seat in an airport. It’s possible you set something down when you sat, or something fell out of your pocket when you stood up. If you leave something behind in an airport, there’s a good chance you may never get it back.

Chill. 

It’s easy to get uptight or stressed out while traveling, due to airport transit, parking, security lines, etc. If you assume everything will go perfect, it probably won’t. Just take a deep breath, try to relax and go with the flow. It will make things easier for yourself and anyone traveling with you.