If you’ve ever taken a flight and waited in a long line for security, there are a few airport travel tips that will help you avoid being stuck in the overbooked plane line and get on your flight without screaming at a nice agent. Read on for some tips to make your airport experience more enjoyable. Getting to the airport early is a great way to avoid wasting time and getting on a flight late. Another great tip is to check in online. This way, you’ll get the confirmation email that the agent sends to you.
Avoiding overbooked flights
If you’ve ever landed at an airport only to find an overbooked flight, you probably know how frustrating this can be. It’s not your fault. Airlines overbook flights to avoid overcrowding, but if you’re a frequent traveler, this can also put your trip on hold. While overbooking is inevitable, it’s still better to be safe than sorry.
Many airlines have a disclaimer in their fine print stating that overbooked flights are likely to result in bumping. This means that some passengers will be bumped to make room for crew members. This is perfectly legal if you’ve purchased a higher-class ticket. But you shouldn’t let this stop you from buying an upgrade – there are ways to avoid being denied boarding.
Getting to the airport early
Whether you need to catch an early flight or simply want to arrive early for your next flight, arriving early is always advantageous. For one thing, you can request the exact seat you want. Many travelers like a window seat, but others might prefer a row or aisle seat. Secondly, arriving early allows you to be more productive. If you’re going to be staying overnight, getting to the airport early is your best bet. Lastly, you’ll avoid the long lines and can go straight to your gate.
When traveling around holidays or long weekends, arriving early will be highly beneficial. The holiday season in 2019 was a record-breaker, and the TSA reported the busiest summer in its history. Because of these high-volume travel periods, airports have become increasingly congested, and getting to the airport early is the best way to avoid these stressful times. Other peak travel times include New Year’s Eve, Mardi Gras, spring break, Easter, Memorial Day, Fridays in the summer, and Thanksgiving.
Checking-in online
If you have a lot of time to kill at the airport, check-in online for your flight is the way to go. Most airlines permit you to check-in online up to 24 hours before your flight. The earlier you check-in, the more seats are open. You may not know it, but Southwest does not assign seats; by checking-in online, you can get in an earlier boarding group, choose your seat, and skip the line.
Most airlines allow you to change your flight details online, including your name and seat number. However, there may be a fee and/or restrictions on how many times you can change your flight. If you want to change your flight date or time, you can do it online with Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet. You may need to arrive a bit earlier to the airport, but it’s well worth it!
Avoiding screaming at the nice agent
If you are flying on an airline and you see a helpful airport travel agent, be calm. It is easy to become frustrated when an airline’s operations are messed up, but do not let your irritation turn into a tirade. Screaming at the agent will only make things worse and will not help you solve the problem. In addition, screaming will only create barriers to a solution and will make the agent less likely to offer free accommodations or food vouchers to compensate for their blunder.
Avoiding plastic bags
Despite the many ways to reduce your use of plastic bags, airports still require plastic bags for liquids and other items. The issue is that these bags do not last very long and do not recycle well. The Department of Transport has enacted strict regulations to limit the use of single-use plastic. You can help the environment by refusing to buy any plastic bags or bring your own reusable bags. Bringing reusable bags can also help you collect plastic bags that you do not need and take them to a recycling plant.
Using reusable items is another way to limit your use of plastic bags at airports. Instead of using plastic bags for liquids and toiletries, try carrying your own. Plastic bags are usually used for food and drinks, but there are other options, such as hydrapacks, which are reusable water bottles. You can also bring your own toothbrush or toothpaste instead. Many airlines have reusable water bottles and will provide you with one for free if you ask for it.
Avoiding unpacking moments at the airport
When traveling by plane, there’s nothing worse than running into a security line and fumbling through your luggage hoping that the metal is on you. Invest in a luggage bag with a separate compartment for your electronics, as this will save you time at security. You should also pack a snack or two to take on the plane with you, because airline food is rarely delicious. And, if you’re on a strict diet, you’ll want to pack extra snacks!