15 Essential Things to Do Before Boarding Your Flight
When you are not ready, riding in an airplane can be stressful. Did you know that up to 20% of travelers say they feel a significantly higher sense of stress at the airport than at any other time during the trip? There is no better formula for preventing a travel experience that is anything but smooth and hassle-free than a well-thought-out pre‐flight strategy.
If you’re a seasoned business traveler, frequent flyer, or preparing for your dream vacation, there are 15 vital things you’ll wish to do before boarding your flight. When you’re done reading, you’ll be informed and empowered.
Double-Check Your Passport and Visa Requirements
Before you pack your bags, check that your passport and visa meet the entry requirements for your destination. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your travel dates, and many countries require this. In addition, check whether you need a visa or an electronic travel authorization, such as an ESTA for the U.S. or an eTA for Canada. Without these, you may not be allowed to board the plane.
Pro Tip: When booking your flight ticket, ensure that the name on your passport and the one on your flight ticket document match exactly. Otherwise, you could have problems with boarding or worse.
Secure Your Travel Insurance
Travel is a risky pastime. You run the risk of flight delays, health emergencies, or lost luggage. Life is unpredictable. Purchase a full-fledged travel insurance policy covering medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and loss or damage of belongings.
Did You Know? According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, some 1 in 6 U.S. travelers had an incident in 2022 in which travel insurance paid for such a contingency.
Make Copies of Important Documents
The simplest way to prepare for emergencies is to have backups of critical documents. Also, photocopy or digitize your passport, visa, travel insurance, and itineraries. Leave one copy in your carry-on and digitally, like in a cloud storage or email account.
Give family or chosen pals copies of your itinerary and necessary paperwork just in case they need to help you remotely.
Book your Airport Parking in Advance
If you drive to the airport, pre-booking your parking space can save you time and sometimes even money. At the international airport, parking lots get snatched up during the Christmas season, and people need to book well in advance to avoid scrambling for a place to park.
Prebooking airport parking can save you up to 30% off anywhere, as most airports offer home discounts.
Check-In Online to Save Time
Most airlines offer online check-in 24 to 48 hours before departure. Completing this step allows you to skip long check-in queues, select your seats, and receive your boarding pass electronically.
Note from the author: It is pretty evident that you can download your boarding pass onto your phone or smartwatch. A printed copy is a good backup in case your device runs out of battery or the airport’s Wi-Fi is unreliable.
Weigh and Measure Your Luggage
To avoid surprise baggage fees, weigh your luggage at home to ensure it does not exceed your airline’s size and weight limits. Carrying overweight or oversized luggage can cost you hundreds of dollars in extra fees. Purchase a portable luggage scale to expedite these procedures.
Pack Essential Items in Carry-on
Pack necessities such as medications, valuable electronics, travel documents, and an extra change of clothes in your carry-on. This is crucial if your checked luggage is delayed or lost.
Remember, liquids in your carry-on bag must follow the 3 1–1 rule (3.4 ounces or less per item, and all of them must fit into a 1-quart size resealable bag).
Download Entertainment and Work Apps
Download content before your flight so you’re occupied at some point, whether it’s your favorite TV show, a book, or presentation preparation, and without Wi-Fi. Offline modes for on-the-go have become one of the many options many streaming services offer.
The top apps to download are Netflix, Spotify, Kindle, and your airline’s official app for real-time updates and gate changes.
Charge All Your Devices
When traveling, you will need a fully charged phone, laptop, or tablet. Be sure to have portable chargers for when the plane has long layovers or if flight delays occur during your trip.
Did You Know? There are no restrictions on permitting power banks with a capacity of 20,000mAh or less in carry-on luggage or checked baggage.
Confirm your Hotel Shuttle or Transportation
You want to avoid wasting time determining your ground transportation once you’ve landed. Confirm your hotel’s airport shuttle or prebook a car service, rideshare, or public transportation. This step will save you time, energy, and confusion when you arrive on the island.
Tip: When you arrive at your destination with limited internet connectivity, use the Google Maps offline mode to save the route.
Plan your Airport Routine and Time for Travel
The protocol of your airport, whether at check-in or security, will be different for different airports, so you must do the necessary research on your airport’s particular protocol. For domestic flights, arrive in two hours, and three hours for international flights.
Travel Insight: Monitor the real-time traffic conditions to avoid delays when traveling to the airport, especially during peak hours.
Update Yourself on Security Regulations
Airport rules differ depending on the transportation location and airline. To avoid unnecessary delays, familiarize yourself with the latest restrictions on liquids, electronics, and carry-on items.
For example, many airports require laptops and tablets to be placed in their own bin during screening.
Stay Hydrated and Well Rested
Dehydrating air requires taking plenty of water before and during an air trip. But if you intend to change your sleep routine or get a good night’s sleep, you must be careful.
Health Hack: Fill an empty reusable water bottle post-security. This will dispose of waste and save you money on overpriced bottled water.
Check the weather at your destination
Weather conditions affect not only what you wear but also your flight schedule. The forecast can help you pack the needed clothing and be ready in case of any delays.
When rain or snow is predicted, consider buying a compact umbrella to make any outing more comfortable, or purchase a weather-resistant jacket.
Arrive at the Airport Early
The best friend of any traveler is to be early. Arriving early leaves you plenty of time to complete your check-in and security screening, and arrive at your gate without stress.
In addition, early arrivals also permit you to utilize perks like airport lounges (these usually have free Wi-Fi, beverages, and comfy seating).
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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