Best Airport Hacks For Easy Travel
Air travel isn't the glamorous affair it was in the 1950s. More of us are enjoying international holidays than ever before, which is putting increasing pressure on airport infrastructure - resulting in busier terminals and longer queues.
The rise of budget airlines has also created a sense of being cattle-herded through airports and onto planes, further reducing the pleasure of air travel.
Add the pressure of costly airport refreshments and no-time-to-wait security and it's understandable many of us look for ways to make the experience less stressful.
As the following airport tricks and tips demonstrate, planning is the key to a trouble-free getaway.
Read our top tips for airports.
Book mid-week, early afternoon departures
When it comes to travel hacks for flights, departing at a quieter time is key. Fridays and weekends tend to be busy, so by booking your flights midweek, you'll experience a far less crowded airport.
Additionally, flights that depart in the middle of the day or early afternoon tend to be quieter, so consider these.
And bear in mind that airports and flights will be busier during school holidays, and key getaway periods.
Depart from a quieter airport
Dealing with a busy airport isn't the best way to start a relaxing getaway, so consider booking flights from a quieter one.
The busiest UK airports are Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, London Stansted, and London Luton. Avoiding these isn't always possible - especially if you're planning a long-haul trip - but it's something to bear in mind if you can.
Place any metal objects in your luggage before security
Things like coins and metal belt buckles will set off the security scanner, so make sure you pack these in your luggage before you enter security, or better still, before you leave home.
Also, be ready to place any electronic devices in the scanning trays - don't leave any in your bags as this will delay your progression through security.
Click-and-collect your liquids after security
If you're travelling with hand luggage, you'll need to ensure all your liquids - sunscreen, hand sanitizer, etc. - are in ≤100ml containers. 100ml may be insufficient for some travellers - especially for families who may need large quantities of items like sunscreen.
However, there's one clever airport hack that enables you to take larger bottles of liquids abroad: ordering your desired liquids online, then collecting them in-store after security. Boots and other outlets allow you to do this. Just make sure you choose a store that is located after security when ordering.
Alternatively, you can stock up with liquids at your destination, but this can be troublesome if you prefer certain brands that might not be available overseas. Buying abroad is also tricky because the labelling is unlikely to be in English.
Be pleasant to all the check-in staff
Being polite and genial is always a good idea, but even more so at the airport.
By being pleasant, you'll increase the chances of getting extra perks such as being able to choose a better seat location. Conversely, being in a bad mood or being impolite can have the opposite effect.
Some regular travellers also report that getting a free upgrade is more likely if you dress smartly. And if you have frequent flyer status with an airline, it's always worth asking for an upgrade.
Get a duty-free bag to carry extra items
If you're travelling with hand luggage only, pop into a duty-free store and buy something small. Make sure you get a carrier bag marked with duty-free, and use it to carry extra items that might otherwise put you over the hand luggage threshold.
This great airport hack works because duty-free items are not normally counted as an extra piece of hand luggage.
Pack extra items in a neck pillow
Neck pillows are not usually counted towards our hand luggage allowance, so why not fill them with extra items such as swimwear and other clothing items?
Fill a small bag with items you'll need on the flight
It's annoying to have to reach up to the overhead compartment to get things you'll need during your flight, so pack a small bag with items such as toiletries, cosmetics, and wet wipes, and keep it with you in your seat.
A bum bag works well for this.
Consider booking an airport lounge
Long layovers are usually tedious affairs, but by booking an airport lounge, you'll be able to relax in quieter, more pleasant surroundings, make use of the lounge wifi, and access complimentary food and drinks.
Snacks and drinks bought in airport outlets can be costly, so you may not spend any more than you otherwise would - and you may even save money.
A lounge pass costs between £30 and £40, but better deals are on offer with firms such as LoungeBuddy.
You may even decide to book a flight with an extra-long layover so you can take full advantage of these perks - and don't forget that flights with long layovers tend to be cheaper than those with shorter ones, so you might recoup the lounge fee.
Seek out quieter areas in the airport
If booking an airport lounge isn't for you, look for quieter areas to relax in before your flight. Seating near your gate and in upper galleries may be less busy. Any location that takes some effort to reach will have fewer people in it.
Another option is to find the multi-denomination prayer room, as these should be quiet and peaceful.
Download the airline app and screenshot your boarding pass
It's a good idea to download your airline's app so you have your boarding pass ready for inspection. This is a backup in case you lose your printed boarding pass. Additionally, taking a screenshot of your boarding pass will ensure you can still show it to airline staff if you lose internet connectivity.
Take photos of where you parked your car
If you're using an airport car park, it's very easy to forget where you parked. To help you find your vehicle when you get back, take photos of the car and the area surrounding your vehicle - including signs - so you can find your vehicle easily upon your return.
Not being able to find your car after a long flight can make returning from sunnier climes even less pleasant!
Bring pens
Before or after landing, you may well be asked to fill out forms related to visa-on-arrival or customs. With this in mind, it's a good idea to bring a pen so you don't have to beg and borrow one from airline staff.
It's a good idea to bring a few, since these go missing easily.
Pack a portable charger
Running out of juice is a common problem for travellers, especially on long-haul flights.
By bringing a portable charger, you'll be able to top up your phone, tablet, and other devices with ease. Some chargers also have built-in cables with lightning or USB-C connectors - which can be great because losing these cables is another commonplace issue.
Don't forget to charge up the battery pack and your other devices before you leave home!
Take a water bottle
Staying hydrated on a long flight is important, so take along a water bottle - but be sure it's empty before you pass through security or you'll be asked to drink it all before you can proceed. You can then refill it with water after security; most airports have free water points near toilets.
You'll also save money on costly airport drinks by having your own water bottle.
Choose footwear that can be removed easily
You may be asked to remove footwear before passing through security, so ensure your shoes can be slipped off easily. You'll also be able to take your shoes off easily once onboard your flight.
Note that clunky shoes often need to be x-rayed - another reason to avoid wearing them.
Hide air tags in your luggage
It's not uncommon for luggage to go missing in transit. By placing a tracking tag in your suitcase, you'll be able to pinpoint its location should it go AWOL.
Choose food and drink wisely before and during your flight
Salty, fatty foods, fizzy drinks, caffeine, and alcohol can make you bloated, a situation made worse by the changes in air pressure once you're airborne. Some of these items can also accelerate dehydration. As such, it's best to avoid these on the day of departure.
Aim to drink plenty of water - but not too much, or you'll need to make inconvenient toilet trips once you're in the air. Additionally, on long-haul flights, good hydration, and avoiding the above foods and drinks, should mean your jet lag is less intense, with a lower chance of headaches.
Pack moisturiser and chapstick
The low humidity common in airline cabins will also dry out your skin and lips, so it's sensible to pack moisturiser and chapstick - and ensure these are close to hand.
Plan toilet visits strategically
As soon as the seatbelt signs go off after takeoff, you'll see a flurry of passengers unbuckling and heading for the toilet.
To avoid the toilet queues, make sure you go just before you board the plane.
Know that people often need a toilet visit 1-2 hours after a meal, so try to time your eating so you don't need a WC trip just after getting airborne.
This travel/airport tip will also be a big help to nervous flyers.
Opt for comfortable, layered clothes
It may be 30 degrees at your destination, but the plane cabin is likely to be far cooler. As such, it's a good idea to wear comfortable trousers and other layers that you can add or remove as needed.
Don't be the last one to board on long-haul flights
Some people prefer to avoid the melee at boarding by being one of the last to board. While this may be fine for a short-haul trip, for longer haul journeys it may mean the overhead luggage space above your seat gets filled up, meaning you may have to stow your luggage far away from your seat.
With this in mind, aim to get on your plane according to the booking sequence on your boarding pass.
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