Airport travel tips that will make your life easier

A vacation is always a good idea, especially if you’re tired, weary and stressed out. But before getting to that dream vacation destination, you’ll have to do lots of planning, keep track of your bookings, brave the airport crowds and wade through never ending wait lines and security checks. So, with that in mind, here are 15 airport travel tips that will make your journey all the more easier and pleasant :

1. • When picking seats, remember that with the aisle seat, you get the aisle space, one armrest and relatively easy access to the restroom. With the middle seat, you get two armrests and the window seat will give you just the one armrest but a great view. So choose wisely.

1. • Want a better quality in-flight service? Then make sure to be nice to the flight crew when boarding the flight.

1. • Always book on Tuesdays and Wednesdays if you’re looking for better flight deals. After all, who doesn’t love a good deal?

1. • To better identify your luggage, tie something identifiable onto the handle of your baggage. Brightly coloured ribbons are an excellent example and they are cheap too. Just make sure that they are short and not those long, dangling ones.

1. • If you have kids travelling with you, have some gum or water ready before takeoff and landing because swallowing helps equalise ear pressure to an extent and for babies, ensure that you have their milk or pacifier ready.

1. • Did you know that the front side of the plane doesn’t shake as much and it’s also quieter?

1. • Put all your jewellry into a ziplock bag and then put that into your purse, carry-on or laptop bag. Your phone can be dropped there too.

1. • Whenever you need to join a queue, always join the line that is the furthest which will be the shortest (because it’s farther away).

1. • Baggages with the ‘Fragile’ sticker are the ones usually loaded onto the plane last and therefore, they are the first and earliest to be removed from the plane.

1. • Don’t bring all your money with you. Stash away some emergency cash and spare change in obscure places like coat pockets, inside rolled-up socks or in a book.

1. • Things are expensive in the airport so if you’re travelling with kids, make sure to pack some snacks to prepare for emergencies like flight delays.

1. • Bring empty water bottles and refill them from the drinking fountains at the airport rather than buying overpriced bottled water there.

1. • Rather than charging your phone at the airport charging hub, charge your battery pack instead and then charge your phone on the plane.

1. • If your flight is cancelled, rather than rushing to the counter, call the airline’s customer service and get help in booking the next flight.

1. • If you have someone picking you up at the airport upon your arrival, have them meet you at the Departures lounge instead of the Arrivals one because you can easily hail a cab from there since they are dropping off travellers anyway.