It's officially summer. The temperature has broken 70 degrees and you're ready for an adventure away from home. It could be a road trip, an overnight camp endeavor, or maybe somewhere a bit further from your cozy hovel. If you're thinking about traveling by air this summer vacation, there are a few things you need to know in order to play the part of a frequent flyer instead of the aviation amateur. A busy international airport can be a frightening and unwelcoming place to a newcomer, but luckily, I've gathered a few tips from my time in the air.
1. Check your airport's designated baggage limits even before you think of packing.
See how many bags are included in your ticket. You have the possibility of a checked bag, a carry-on, and a personal item, each having different-sized limits. Before you pack everything but your pet dog Mitzie, make sure you're not going overboard, or else your wallet will pay dearly! (Tip: Pack clothes that can be worn in more than one way so you get two outfits out of one shirt! Save space, and still look fashionable!)
2. Dress in layers or bulky clothing (if it's not too hot!) to use up less space in your luggage.
You don't have to look cute for the airport, so try putting on your baggiest clothing and layering up to keep your luggage from bursting at the seams. Once on the plane, you can strip a layer if you need to, and then that bulky sweatshirt you were wearing doubles as a pillow! And speaking of pillows...
3. If you need a snuggle Item, bring a blanket instead of a pillow.
Sweetie, I get it. I love my pillow, too––can't go to sleep without it. Still, a pillow is fluffy and takes up valuable space. A blanket, however, can be folded up nice and tight to double as a pillow or a blanket.
4. Make sure you have your ID, passport, and other necessary documents.
You will most likely get asked for identification before boarding. To the absent-minded: keep yourself in check. Don't let yourself leave your driveway without proper ID, and check again before you step inside the airport. The few seconds it takes to check can save headaches and tears in the long run.
5. Headphones. Bring 'em.
Not only does listening to the rad indie-travel playlist you made for yourself last night pass the time, but headphones keep out literally everything on the plane that can cause you to go insane for the eons it takes you to arrive at your destination. I'm talking babies crying, the overly-excited traveler in the row behind you, even the poor youth who drank too much liquor at the airport bar and is now busy hurling into the complementary barf bag. So, headphones. Bring 'em.
6. Give yourself plenty of time.
There is nothing worse than running late at the airport. I've undergone the mad dash to my terminal after underestimating the amount of traffic. At the very least, be through security a little over an hour before your boarding time. Trust me––you really don't want to be the poor sap sprinting for their life through the airport. It's not fun.
7. Pack snacks.
Airport food is expensive and they may or may not feed you on the flight, and it may or may not cost you. Throwing a few granola bars or, hey, carrots into your bag isn't the worst idea––it'll keep you from getting hangry, and that makes dealing with other travelers a little easier.
8. Hydrate yourself.
No, not that kind. Drink plenty of water on the plane, as it will make you refreshed and ready to face the adventure awaiting you at your destination. (Yeah, it might annoy your neighbors when you push them out of their seats to use the restroom, but it'll make you feel better in the long run.)
Tip: If it's your first time flying (and even if it isn't) don't drink alcohol. It might be hard to tell how flying will affect you, and alcohol won't make the flight easier on your stomach. Yes, they supply you with barf bags, but no, it's not ideal to use them. Take care of yourself and save the drink-drinking for when your feet are on the ground.
9. Go to the bathroom before you take off. Do it.
Don't test your limits. It's not worth it.
If you've followed tip #8 and you're drinking plenty of water, you will eventually have to go. Even if you don't think you have to, listen to these wise words I heard from one of the stalls in London's Heathrow Airport loo: "You just have to try. Sometimes in life, you try and you try but you have to move on. It's okay to move on, so long as you try."
It'll pay off in the long run, I promise.
10. Bring some jaw-locking taffy, in case you have the misfortune of sitting next to a chatty Cathy.
I'm only joking ... sort of. Your fellow passengers on a flight can be annoying, yes, but try to not get frustrated or be rude or insult them. Being polite and tactile pays off as it's a long flight, and even if the person next to you is chatting your ear off, at least they're not planning your unfortunate demise as you soar through the air together for hours.
11. Don't be a chatty Cathy.
Be considerate. If your seat-neighbor doesn't seem like they want to talk, don't talk to them––it's that simple. Signs of exasperation or annoyance––earbuds in one ear, earbuds in both ears, closing their eyes and feigning sleep, looking pointedly in the other direction for any possible distraction. Some people just don't like to talk. Don't make the flight worse by forcing conversation upon them.
But, hey, if you love to chat and you find someone who loves to listen, go for it. The time will pass so much easier if you both are willingly involved in conversation. There are some fascinating people you'll meet on the airplane if you're in the mood.
12. Chew gum to battle the altitude.
It's age-old advice, but it really does work to help pop your ears. It makes everything a bit more fun and exciting, too. I remember my first time flying, my mum let me buy pockets of candy and gum to try on the plane. (Sugar Babies were my favorite.)
13. Be aware of who's around you and mind your elbows.
Don't be like this guy. Whether you're on the plane or maneuvering the airport, be aware that you're not the only person in a rush or uncomfortable in the squeaky chairs. Watch where you're resting your arms, keep an eye on where you're swinging your elbows. I'd hate to accidentally punch someone in the face, then follow it up with an elbow to the eye. How embarrassing.
14. Bring something non-electronic to entertain yourself with.
Portable chargers for your electronics can only go so far. On a long flight or an unexpected layover, it's crucial to keep yourself entertained, and you can't do that if your phone has run out of battery and you've lost your charger. Books, a drawing pad, notebook paper, word puzzles––the list goes on. Find what suits you and run with it.
Out of all the tips I have, the most important one is to be safe. Have fun, enjoy your adventures, but please be safe on your summer travels. And if you have any tips of your own, make sure to share them with friends or even strangers you meet along to the way to make the airport a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved!
