For travel enthusiasts, the sight of a week or two blocked off on your calendar for an upcoming travel adventure is enough to evoke the biggest of smiles. In the months, weeks and days that lead up to our departure, we cannot help but envision the cultural interactions, landmarks, sights and wonderful food that will be ripe for the exploration. This pre-trip euphoria is common. According to a study published in the Applied Research in Quality of Life journal, the happiest part of a trip may very well be the anticipation of the trip itself!
In reality, the actual act of travel is infused with some discomfort and stress. While we anticipate the joy of being on the road and the experiences that will be derived from our upcoming trip, it is natural that thoughts about packing challenges, long hours on a plane, the impact of jet-lag, fatigue once we arrive at our destination and the need for down-time to rest our weary traveling selves falls to the wayside.
The good news is that there are many techniques you can use to streamline your trip experience. Flight and Travel experts from flyin.com discussing the following easy steps to streamline your air travel experience. From the mandatory Arabic coffee as a welcome drink to all passengers to gift bags as souvenirs, you are sure to be comfortable in your 14-hour flight.
The following are our favorite guidelines for alleviating some of the more uncomfortable aspects of travel:
- Know when to arrive at the airport
According to TSA, you should arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international. This guideline, helpful as it may seem, would still really depend on the airport you are going to. Here are some helpful checks to guide you on what time you should arrive at the airport:
- Airport Size
- Security Wait Times
- Flight Status & Traffic Delays
- Skip the Food Lines and Pack Snacks
DIY snacks for flights are healthier, has a better value, and packing your own means no need to wait in a 10-20 minute line for average airport food.
- Pack and Dress for a Speedy Airport Experience
Believe it or not, packing well can help you spend less time at the airport, get through security quickly, and avoid getting pulled over for a bag check.
Here are some tips:
- Make sure you pack a carry on only, preferably a backpack or duffle
- Pack items you will need to take out, like your wallet, water bottle, or laptop in easy to access places
- Do not pack any banned items that may get you pulled over for a bag check
- Pack neatly, so scanners can clearly see what is in your bag and, if you are unlucky enough to get a bag check, you can get everything back inside quickly
Additionally, optimize your travel outfit for the airport experience as well as the flight. Do not wear a lot of jewelry, and opt for pants with no belt.
- Use Mobile Check-In to Get Your Boarding Pass
Thanks to improved mobile technology, you can now skip airport check-in lines entirely. Use a mobile app to check in and get your boarding pass online before getting to the airport. Once checked-in, you will automatically have your boarding pass on your phone and can access it in the app. As a backup, take a screenshot of the boarding pass in case your phone loses reception.
Flying admittedly, can be a stressful experience. But with the tips mentioned above, you can maximize your air travel experience where flying will just be a breeze.
