How to be a better flyer

Air travel can be so stressful that it can sometimes feel as if you’re one tiny cog in a massive machine while you move through the airport. While there’s not much you can do to make the experience more comfortable, there are some steps you can take to simplify the entire process. Even something as small as advanced booking can save you extra steps such as hunting for a spot on the big day. Here are a few tips to help you be a better flyer for yourself and your fellow travellers.

Pack Smartly
Your travel day actually starts a few days before the date of your flight when you pull the suitcases out of the closet and start packing. If you don’t already have a luggage scale, it’s worth making the investment so you aren’t stuck unpacking and redistributing your clothes at the check-in counter in an attempt to avoid overweight bag fees. Many people choose to avoid this by only packing a carry-on, but pay attention to your carrier’s dimension guidelines, as you need to share the overhead bin space with the other passengers.

Leave Early
Nothing adds stress to a day better than the threat of missing a deadline, and they aren’t going to hold the plane because you didn’t budget time to make it through security. Screening procedures seem to get tighter every year, so plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight. You might end up spending a little while sitting in the terminal, but it’s better than making a mad dash to your gate.

Be Flexible
One thing to keep in mind when flying is the fact that there are plenty of things occurring which are simply out of your control. Try to maintain your composure, take everything in stride and keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to upgrade your seat or score travel vouchers by volunteering for a later plane.

Ready for Takeoff
Now you’re ready to be a better flyer, it might already be time to book advanced for your next trip. You’ll be amazed how much your stress goes down by doing a little bit of extra planning in the days before your scheduled departure.