10 TRAVEL TIPS FOR FLYING LIKE A BOSS
Stress can be caused by long TSA lines, overpriced food, late flights, or having to deal with checked luggage. Anyone who has been on a bad flight knows how it can make you feel tired at the end or beginning of your vacation. What are your top tips for flying?
You can make your flight a success by being organized and prepared, whether you’re flying home for the holidays or halfway around the globe for an adventure. This guide will share ten tips to help you get from one point to another.
These 10 top tips will take the stress out of long flights with you.
1. Invest in CLEAR or TSA Pre Check.
To save time and money, my #1 tip for flying is to fly at least 2 or 3 times per year. TSA Pre Check was something I received years ago, and it has made flying so much more enjoyable. It’s easy to get through security. You don’t need to take off your shoes, laptops, and liquids. CLEAR is an annual membership, while TSA Pre Check lasts for five years after you have been approved.
2. Pack Healthy Snacks.
You can also snack on almonds, apple slices, and dried fruit. You will feel fuller and more satisfied if you eat plenty of protein and healthy fats. You will be less likely to eat unhealthy or overpriced airport food if you pack snacks. You won’t be hungry when you arrive at your destination.
You can find our top lightweight hiking snacks to keep you satiated during the flight.
3. Take a sleep kit.
A well-rested person will make your trip a success. You will be much more comfortable if you have a seat in the middle, against the cold, hard windows, or on the aisle. You can either invest in a comfortable travel pillow or, better still, bring a lightweight, portable backpacking cushion to fly.
You should also carry an ear mask while you are at it. These are very small and easy to transport and can be useful, especially when you have to change time zones or sit next to screaming babies. You can drown out the noise with noise canceling headphones and noise canceling earbuds. These headphones are expensive but well worth the investment if you’re a frequent traveler.
4. How to organize your backpack.
Make sure you organize your bag, purse, and other carry-on before leaving home to avoid rushing at the airport or lugging around too much. You’ll be able to locate important documents like your boarding pass or ID when you reach the TSA checkpoint. Fanny bags are great for airport travel. They can be carried around your waist, and you won’t have to worry about losing your bag at the gate.
Before you get to the airport, make sure to stock up on essentials such as a book, your favorite magazine, snacks, and your sleeping bag.
5. Download E-books, Music & Movies.
WiFi onboard can be slow, expensive, and costly. Not all flights offer in-flight entertainment. Download your favorite TV show or movie before you board to make sure you can view it on the flight. E-books, podcasts, and audiobooks can be downloaded in the same way. Netflix allows you to download movies and shows to your phone, tablet, or laptop.
You might consider purchasing a splitter if you are traveling with friends, family, or your partner. Spotify Premium allows you to listen to your music while you travel and then download them for offline usage.
6. Before you fly, charge your devices.
Before you leave for the airport, make sure everything is charged. You should have enough power for your phone, laptop, camera, and other electronic devices that you need to travel. It’s impossible to predict when you might be able to find an outlet or if security will take longer than usual. This could mean that your battery won’t have enough time to charge up.
A small backup battery is something you might want to bring with you when on the road. A travel adapter is a must-have that can charge multiple devices and includes worldwide adapters for travelers.
7. Make sure to pack a reusable water bottle.
Water is not allowed through security. However, you can bring an empty reusable water container. Many airports offer water refill stations, so you can fill up your bottle after security. It is important to drink lots of water when flying, as the extra elevation and recycled air can cause dehydration.
A refillable water bottle will save you money and help the planet.
8. Use an immune supplement.
Flying is like sharing oxygen with 100+ other people who have just flown with you. Do you get the idea? You also touch items that are not touched by many people, such as door handles, seatbelts and tray tables, security bins, seatbelts, and tray tables. An immune supplement can give your body an extra boost to fight germs. You can easily pack Nuun’s vitamin tablets, which have immune boosting properties, into your reusable water bottles. You might also want to pack hand soap.
9. Layer up.
Temperatures on planes can vary from extremely hot and stuffy to almost Arctic cold. Both are possible. You should wear a layer you are comfortable wearing for the duration of the flight.
A tank top is my preferred bottom layer, just in case there are any tarmac delays without air circulation. It is always a good idea to have a warm, packable jacket, socks, and a scarf in case it gets surprisingly cold on your flight, especially if you are flying early in the morning.
10. Get on with your layovers.
Layovers can be a time to get up and move around. Before you go for a walk, make sure you have found your next gate. As you move around the airport, monitors can be used to keep track of your flight status. Some airports even have indoor gardens, massage chairs, yoga areas, and art displays. To get started, explore the airport. You’ll be glad you did.