Flying brings about different emotions depending on each person’s unique situations. Flying to a new destination can be an exhilarating experience, but for those who travel often, it can become mundane. I remain fascinated by the engineering and physics of flight even though I have flown many times. The airports themselves can also create interesting experiences and memories as we navigate through. Everyone prepares differently for whatever their adventure may be, but there are tips that can make everyone’s experiences a little easier.
Below are some things that I have found useful and after that are some lists and tips to help you prepare for each step of your flying adventure.
Snacks and drinks
Bring a reusable water bottle
I was excited when my local airport first put in a new drinking fountain with a bottle filler. It provided another option than going through several plastic water bottles. This is also great way to save money. Hydration is a must for me to survive that dry airplane cabin air. More airports and even some hotels have bottle fillers now. Here are a few ways to get started:
- Bring a clean empty bottle in your carry-on bag. I have a stainless steel bottle that I put a side pocket on my backpack. You can even reuse a plastic bottle.
- The bottles with handles are also nice because they can be attached to your bag with a carabineer clip.
- Fill it once you are through security.
Bring snacks
Even though many airlines provide snacks, it is nice to have more options. You may want to bring extra snacks if you have any special dietary needs. I always bring nuts for protein in case I don’t find a good vegetarian or pescatarian option.
Gum or mints are helpful with the pressure fluctuations during takeoff and landing. I always have some type of hard mints with me.
Make sure your backpacks and small rollerboards have straps and other ways to attach to your bigger rollerboards.
Being able to attach your smaller rollerboards and backpacks to the bigger suitcases is a space (and arm) saver. If I can’t stack and combine things it feels like I need at least 4 arms to handle everything.
Suitcases and bags with omni wheels
Suitcases with omni wheels can wheel in all directions. These are much easier to haul through the airports. I have not tipped one of these over on myself yet. They can stay upright the entire time, which eliminates the strain on the arms from supporting a tilted suitcase.
Backpacks with wheels
There are a variety of these out there and they can be carried on your back like a traditional pack or can be wheeled.
Things to consider:
- Look at the area where the pack will rest against your back when in carrying mode. Some do not have as much padding and will dig into your lower back, ouch!
- Look to see if it has something to cover the wheels when in backpack mode. Mine has a nylon flap with Velcro strips that cover the wheels when in backpack mode (no airport floor germs on my back), and it covers the shoulder straps when in wheel mode.
- How heavy is it? The wheels and can add weight to the backpack. Mine was heavy once it was loaded down with books.
- How functional are the pockets? Mine has one main smaller zipper pocket and the pockets within it are open (I don’t like that feature). I lost a lipstick on the airplane on a flight to Seattle while fumbling with the pockets while the backpack was stowed under the seat. I was attempting to retrieve my book before takeoff. I went to freshen up my makeup before going out and that is when I realized it was missing.
- I have since purchased a regular backpack that has better pockets and features and will do a review in another article.
Airline rewards and loyalty benefits
Airline rewards and loyalty benefits are really nice to have if you travel often. They differ by airline. Some never expire, but others do. I enjoy having a credit card that allows me to earn miles with my regular spending.
TSA precheck and Global Entry
If you are in the U.S., TSA precheck saves a lot of time at the security lines. You go through a TSA precheck line and do not have to take your shoes off or remove electronics from bags.
Global entry allows you to move through the customs line faster upon return to the U.S. This can make a difference of whether you make your next connection if delays occur.
Have everything handy and easy to get to that you will use during the flight
In the above story I lost a lipstick because I didn’t keep easy access to the book that I wanted to read during the flight. It was caught under some other items and fell on the floor. It helps reduce my stress if I get everything situated the night before the flight (especially before early morning flights when I am finishing getting ready in groggy haze while waiting for the coffee to kick in).
Bring a variety of items to do:
- Book/s to read (I usually bring a few too many)
- Download audiobooks and podcasts
- Earbuds or headphones
- Notebook and/or sketchbook
- This came in handy on a flight where I ended up in the middle seat between two people. I was listening to an audiobook, but I felt awkward staring off in either direction. Either way I was staring at the other passenger’s inflight movie in the back of the seat display. My solution was to doodle in a notebook while listening. This gave my eyes somewhere to focus, gave my fidgety hands something to do, and helped retain the information that I was listening to in the audiobook.
Below are my steps to help be prepared and breeze through to your seat so you can take to the sky with less stress!
Packing for the flight
- Verify the carry-on size with the airline that you are flying. Usually on their website.
- For most of my flights I have had 1 carry-on and 1 personal item. I use my backpack as the personal item if also bringing a small rollerboard. I pack my purse in the backpack and keep the things I will need for the flight in accessible pockets of the backpack.
- Verify if you will need to pay for your carry-ons or checked bags.
- Plan ahead and have everything situated the night before.
Night before
- If the airline has an app- Download it ahead of time.
- See if you can check in the night before. This can save time at the ticket counter the next day. If you have the airline app and don’t have bags to check, you may be able to skip the ticket counter. I like to have as many things done ahead of time as possible, especially for early morning flights.
- Pack as many things as you can (I often choose outfits several days ahead of time.)
Leaving the house
It helps me to make it out the door with everything if I keep a checklist of what to do to prepare the house. My husband came up with the idea of a list at eye level on the back of the main door. I can do a final rundown to make sure that the house is prepped and I have everything ready. A few of ours are included here:
- Make sure house doors and windows are locked.
- Verify license and passport are with you.
- Make sure that trash is taken out.
- Leave dishwasher open a crack (wet dishes, even if clean, do not smell good after being sealed up for a week).
Arriving at the airport
- Phone accessible (important for boarding pass)
- License / passport- I keep these in an easy to access spot (so I can compulsively check that they are still there all the way to the airport)
Going through security
- Things that are normally in your pockets- move them to a carry-on to make it easier to go through security.
- Make sure to have your ID available as you get in line. I don’t like to be fumbling around for things when I get to the TSA agent and hold up the line.
- Make sure you have everything out of the bins before leaving the security area (I almost left a jacket once).
Heading to the gate
- Look for a bottle filling station and fill your bottle.
- Double check the gate number (sometimes they change).
- Depending on the size of the plane: Your carry-on may be gate checked if it looks too big to fit in the overhead bins. Ask where to put it if you are not sure.
On the plane
- If possible, keep items that you will use in flight within reach. I keep books and notebooks in my backpack under the seat. I also keep them in pockets that I can get to easily.
- Have a jacket or sweater accessible. I keep one on because I get cold easily.
Getting off the plane
- Remember to repack everything and make sure you haven’t left anything in the seat pockets.
- Before leaving the plane, make sure you have everything because once you leave, you may not be let back on.
- If your bag was gate checked, you may have to wait in the skybridge for it to be unloaded.
It is finally time to make your way through the skybridge and your destination awaits!
