Katie and Pierce
Air travel can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re a nervous flyer or a seasoned traveler, these hacks will make your next journey smoother and more comfortable.
Let’s take a look at each of them!
1. Stay Hydrated, Skip the Alcohol
Planes are super dry places that can leave you feeling like a raisin if you forget to drink water. Stick with regular water and skip the beer or wine since alcohol just makes you more dehydrated. Staying hydrated helps you feel better during the flight and reduces that awful jet lag feeling when you land.
2. Photograph Your Luggage
Take a quick snap of your bags before handing them over to the airline. This makes it much easier to describe your luggage if it gets lost in the airport shuffle. Airlines are more likely to find your missing stuff when you can show them exactly what they need to look for.
3. Download Your Airline’s App
Most airlines now have apps that make travel way easier and less stressful. You can check in, get updates about gate changes, and even watch free movies on some airlines. The app often tells you about delays before the announcements at the airport do.
4. Bring a Portable Charger
Nothing is worse than seeing your phone battery at 5% when you still have hours left in your journey. A good power bank can recharge your phone several times and is worth its weight in gold during long travel days. Remember to charge the power bank itself the night before your trip.
5. Check In Online 24 Hours Before Flying
Online check in opens exactly 24 hours before your flight and can save you tons of time at the airport. You often get better seat choices when you check in early rather than waiting until you get to the airport. Take a screenshot of your boarding pass in case the airport wifi is bad or your battery dies.
6. Pack a Sleep Kit
Trying to sleep on a plane without the right gear is like trying to nap in a busy shopping mall. Bring a good eye mask that blocks all light and some earplugs or noise canceling headphones to create your own quiet zone. Add a travel pillow that actually supports your neck and you might actually get some rest.
7. Use Lip Balm and Moisturizer
Your skin and lips get super dry on planes because the air inside the cabin has almost no moisture in it. Keep a small tube of moisturizer and lip balm in your carry on where you can easily reach them. Your skin will thank you for not feeling tight and uncomfortable during the whole flight.
8. Look At The Maps Before Selecting Seats
Not all airplane seats are created equal and some are downright terrible. You can find maps of exactly which seats to avoid on your specific flight. This will let you see which seats have limited recline, which are near noisy galleys, and which have extra legroom.
9. Pack Protein-Rich Snacks
Airport food is expensive and airplane meals are not exactly gourmet cuisine. Bring protein packed snacks like nuts, jerky, or protein bars to keep hunger away without sugar crashes. These kinds of snacks help you feel full longer and keep your energy steady during long travel days.
10. Move Around During the Flight
Sitting still for hours is not only boring but can be dangerous for your circulation. Try to get up and walk the aisle at least once every hour on long flights. Even some simple stretches in your seat can help prevent stiffness and reduce your risk of blood clots in your legs.
11. Dress in Comfortable Layers
Airplane temperatures are wildly unpredictable and can change during the flight. Wear soft, stretchy clothes that feel good against your skin for hours. Bring an extra sweater or light jacket you can put on or take off as the cabin temperature changes.
12. Reset Your Watch to Destination Time
As soon as you board the plane, change your watch to match the time where you are going. This simple trick helps your brain start adjusting to the new time zone before you even arrive. Try to sleep on the plane when it’s nighttime at your destination.
13. Always Pack a Pen
Flight attendants always run out of pens when it is time to fill out arrival forms. Bring your own pen and fill out your immigration forms while still on the plane. This small head start can help you breeze through customs while others are still searching for something to write with.
14. Download Entertainment Before Departure
Airplane wifi is either super expensive, incredibly slow, or completely nonexistent. Download plenty of movies, TV shows, books, and podcasts to your devices before leaving home. Having your own entertainment ready to go means you are not at the mercy of the limited options on the plane.
15. Know Your Credit Card Travel Benefits
Many credit cards come with amazing travel perks that people forget to use. Your card might already offer free checked bags, priority boarding, or even airport lounge access. Call your credit card company before your trip to ask about travel benefits you might not know about.
16. Order Special Meals in Advance
Airlines offer many special meal options that are often fresher and served before the regular meals. You can request vegetarian, vegan, kosher, low sodium, and many other special meals usually up to 24 hours before your flight. These special order meals are frequently better quality than the standard options.
17. Choose Security Lines Strategically
Not all security lines move at the same speed even if they look the same length. Lines full of business travelers usually move faster than lines with families and vacation travelers. People naturally tend to turn right when entering security, so the left lines often have fewer people.
18. Pay for Baggage in Advance
Airlines charge extra fees if you wait until you get to the airport to pay for checked bags. Book and pay for your luggage allowance when you buy your ticket online. This not only saves money but also saves time at the check in counter.
19. Book Early Morning Flights
The first flights of the day are less likely to be delayed because the planes are already at the airport. Early morning flights also tend to be less crowded and have fewer screaming babies. As the day goes on, delays stack up and affect more and more flights.
20. Keep Electronics and Liquids Accessible
Pack your laptop, tablet, and liquids where you can grab them quickly at the security checkpoint. Put these items in an outside pocket or right at the top of your bag for easy access. This small organizational step can make the security process much faster and less stressful.
21. Document Your Parking Spot
Finding your car after a trip can be surprisingly hard when you are jet lagged and tired. Take a quick photo or video showing your parking spot number and nearby landmarks. This simple step can save you from wandering around a huge parking garage pressing your key fob hoping to hear your car beep.
22. Bring an Empty Water Bottle
Airport drinks cost a small fortune and create unnecessary plastic waste. Bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it up at a water fountain after you get through. Many airports now have special filtered water stations designed exactly for this purpose.
23. Plan Extra Time for Connections
Running through an unfamiliar airport trying to catch a connecting flight is incredibly stressful. Book flights with at least 90 minutes between connections for domestic flights and two hours for international connections. This extra buffer time accounts for delays and gives you time to use the bathroom and grab food.
24. Consider Airport Lounge Access
Airport lounges are not just for rich people or business travelers anymore. Many credit cards include lounge access and you can often buy a day pass for around $50. Lounges offer comfortable seating, free food and drinks, clean bathrooms, and a quiet place to relax before your flight.
25. Charge All Devices Before Flying
Not all planes have working power outlets and sometimes the ones that do are not working. Charge all your devices completely the night before your flight. This ensures you have entertainment options even on planes with no power or if you get stuck in an airport during a delay.
26. Save Airline Social Media Contacts
When flights get canceled, phone lines get jammed with hundreds of people all calling at once. Many airlines respond much faster to messages on Twitter or Facebook than they do to phone calls. Save the social media accounts for your airline before your trip just in case you need quick help.
27. Wear Slip-On Shoes Without Metal
Security lines move much faster when you can slip your shoes on and off quickly. Choose comfortable shoes without metal parts that might set off the detector. Wearing socks is also a good idea so your bare feet do not touch the dirty airport floor.
28. Pack a Multi-Plug Adapter
Airport outlets are like gold and often all taken by the time you need one. Bring a small power strip or multi plug adapter to turn one outlet into several. People are usually happy to share when you offer to multiply the available outlets.
29. Make Your Luggage Distinctive
Black rolling suitcases all look exactly the same coming down the baggage claim belt. Tie a bright ribbon, add colorful tape, or attach a unique luggage tag to make your bag stand out. This helps you spot your bag quickly and prevents other travelers from accidentally taking your luggage.
30. Scout for Hidden Power Outlets
Airports hide power outlets in the strangest places where most people do not think to look. Check under seats, along support columns, and near windows for outlets away from the crowded charging stations. Sometimes the best outlets are hiding in plain sight away from the busiest areas.
31. Keep Digital Copies of Important Documents
Losing your boarding pass or hotel reservation can cause major travel headaches. Take screenshots of all your important travel documents and save them to your phone. These digital copies work even without internet access and can save you if your paper copies get lost.
