Are you about to hop on a flight soon? Each day, there are thousands and thousands of flights. In fact, in March 2019, there was an average of 176,000 flights per day. Even though thousands and thousands of people travel by air per day, air travel is still something that a lot of us find difficult.
A recent survey found that 44% of flyers find air travel to be more stressful than a visit to the dentist or a trip to visit the in-laws! Luckily, there are some things you can do before you fly to make your air travel experience less stressful.
Check out this guide to discover the top things people should do before traveling by air.
1 Figure Out Transportation
Many people think that once they book their flight, they’ve got all of their transportation figured out. However, this isn’t the case, as you still need to figure out how you’re doing to get to and from the airport.
First, you need to decide whether it’s best to drive, taxi, or take public transportation to the airport. While public transportation is usually the cheapest option, it can be time-consuming and stressful.
If you do decide to take public transport, make sure you map out your route beforehand and give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. While taking a taxi is convenient, it can be very expensive, so make sure you know how much you’ll be paying.
Driving to the airport is perhaps the most convenient option, as you just need to get in your car and go. Before you drive though, make sure you figure out airport parking. Most airports have drive-up parking ramps where you pay for a spot via an automated machine.
You’ll need to hang onto the ticket, and then once you leave the airport, you’ll put the ticket back in the machine. Once you pay your bill, you can then leave the lot. Onsite parking is the most expensive, so if you’re looking to save some money, you can park in a lot or at a hotel nearby, then take a shuttle or taxi the rest of the way.
Opting for a professional airport car service company to get to and from the airport is one of the best possible choices whenever you want to ensure that you will be there on time, in absolute comfort and safety. Specialised companies monitor flight information and always know if your flight is delayed or early and ensure that your chauffeur is there upon your arrival and that he is waiting outside your home when you need to depart.
2 Ensure You Have All of the Necessary Travel Documents
If you’re traveling within the US, you typically just need your driver’s license to get to your destination. However, if you’re flying internationally, you’re going to need more travel documents.
At the very least, you’re going to need your passport. In some cases, however, you may also need a visa, work permit, immunization records, and proof of onward travel. Before you board your flight, look up your destination country’s requirements. The last thing you want is to get turned away while boarding because you don’t have the right documents in order.
Also, make sure your travel documents aren’t expired. Even if you’re just flying domestically, your license or ID card will need to be p to date.
3 Pack With Airport Security in Mind
If you’ve flown before, there’s a good chance that you or someone you know has had something confiscated at airport security. Each year, the rules seem to get stricter and stricter in terms of what you can take with you on a flight, so make sure you review the rules before you board.
The one rule that people always seem to forget is the rule regarding liquids. While you can travel with liquids, they need to be in clear containers that are 100 ml (3.4 ounces) or smaller. If your liquids exceed this limit, they’ll be confiscated by airport security, and you’ll never see them again.
Also, keep in mind that the rules regarding what you can bring in a carry-on bag are a lot stricter than what you can bring in your checked bag. For a full list of banned items, you can check TSA website.
4 Understand Your Airline’s Rules
Each airline has different rules regarding carry-on bags, check-in times, boarding, pet transportation, and more. Make sure you understand your airline’s rules before you board your flight.
For example, some airlines, like Delta, allow you to take one carry-on bag free of charge. But other airlines, such as Spirit and Frontier, charge for carry-on bags. If you bring a carry-on bag but don’t pay for it beforehand, you could get stuck with a massive fee at the counter.
Typically, airlines send out an email before departure that details all of the important rules you need to know. While it may be tempting to skip these over, read through them so you don’t get slammed with a huge fee at check-in.
5 Prepare for Comfort
A lot of people find flying to be absolutely miserable. While flying can be rough, there’s a lot that you can do to make yourself more comfortable during your flight. Here’s what we suggest:
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- Pack an airplane pillow so you can rest your head
- Bring a guidebook with you so you can do some research on your destination
- Load up your tablet or laptop with TV shows, movies, and books so you don’t get bored on your flight
- If flying makes you nervous, create a relaxing Spotify playlist to help you stay relaxed
- Pack a small toiletry bag so you can freshen up once you get off your flight
- Pack a small bottle of hand sanitizer so you don’t sick
If you’re going on an overnight flight, we also suggest packing an eye mask.
Before You Fly: Are You Ready to Fly?
Now that you know what to do before you fly, it’s time to get ready for departure. With these tips, your flying experience will be fun and stress-free.
Be sure to check back in with our blog for more travel tips and news!