How to Survive Current-Day Airport Travel When Getting There is None of the Fun

Airport Travel Tips

From layovers to security regulations to hidden fees, air travel can be stressful. Study up on your airport preparedness: Check out these survival tips to help minimize travel stress and get a jumpstart on relaxing on your vacation.

Surviving Check-In

Prepare yourself for all-day success:

• Leave your house early. Already projecting to get to the airport early? Tack on an extra hour, planning to arrive well in advance of your flight. You don’t want to be stuck in traffic you have no control over with precious few minutes to spare. Far better to enjoy your favorite fancy coffee with ample time while you wait to board.
• Travel light. You really don’t need that much here in the Virgin Islands, where the dress is casual. And take it from veteran travelers – you’ll take back most of what you bring without using it. And bonus: You can likely avoid extra luggage fees!
• Do everything you can in advance. Check in from your phone, know your luggage weight restrictions, and plan out your carry-on essentials days beforehand. It’ll make your airport time much more pleasant.

Surviving Airport Security

Make it through that airport security line fast. Here’s how:

• Don’t get in line behind strollers, a family, or a large group traveling together. Look for seasoned business travelers carrying a briefcase.
• Wear slip-on shoes. Nothing that’ll have you sitting in the floor zipping, lacing, or tying on and off. Flip flops are a good option (especially when you plan on hitting the sand as soon as you arrive).
• Send your shoes through the first bin on the conveyer belt. That way you can start getting them on while you wait for the rest of your belongings to come through.
• Do your research. Know ahead of time what’s going to set off the metal detector. More than likely, it’s going to be your belt. Plan a minimalistic outfit for your day of travel and once in line, go ahead and place your jewelry, belt, watch, keys, and coins in a bin before you even try to walk through the scanner.

*As always, check all policies before traveling.

Surviving the Flight

Try these simple tips to ensure a successful flight.

• Nervous flyer? Just breathe. Download the Calm app before flight to listen to during takeoff and landing.
• Have everything you’ll use during flight in a small pouch to grab just before settling into your seat. You don’t want to be digging through an overhead compartment for those earbuds in-flight.
• Planning to relax or catch up on sleep? Look into some noise-canceling headphones to block out a crying baby or send the message to your neighbor that you don’t want to talk.

This article was originally posted on SonicCharters.com

 

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