Air travel can be a pain in the neck, especially if you’re carrying a lot of luggage. But it doesn’t have to be that way. By following these smart ways you can save time and avoid jam at the airport.
If you’re flying this holiday season, there are lots of ways to save time and avoid jam. Here are five tips:
- Get an early arrival. Arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight departure time to allow plenty of time for check-in, security, and travel preparations.
- Use online check-in. Signing up for online check-in can help speed up your check-in process and prevent potential congestion at the airport checkpoint.
- Pack light. Bring only what you need for the duration of your trip, rather than packing everything in hopes that you’ll have enough space to store it once you reach your destination.
- Utilize travel tools and apps. Many airlines now offer tools and apps that allow passengers to plan their trips, track their flights, and receive notifications about delays or cancellations in real time.
- Prepare for disruptions early on by consulting travel advisories and tracking updates about weather conditions in your destination area on social media websites or via news sources.
1. Avoid Long Lines
There are many ways to avoid long lines at the airport, and most of them can be done without even leaving your chair. Here are a few tips:
- Use the app FlyAway to book your flights. This app takes the guesswork out of booking flights, and will give you notifications about cheap tickets that are available.
- Check out peak travel times to avoid long lines at the airport. Airpirt operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s important to arrive early in order to avoid lines.
- Use the self-serve check-in kiosks found near many terminals. These kiosks allow you to check in without having to wait in line.
- Purchase your ticket in advance. This will save you time and money, and guarantee that you’ll get a seat on your flight.
- Use meet and greet services. For example, LHR meet and greet airport services will allow you to bypass the lines at the airport, and greeting services can help you with luggage, directions, and more.
2. Use the Security Checkpoint
If you’re traveling with carry-on luggage, it’s important to know how to use the security checkpoint. Here are five easy tips:
- Arrive early – The earlier you arrive, the less time you’ll spend waiting in line.
- Know the rules of screening – Follow the rules so you don’t have to wait long or go through a full security check.
- Be organized and pack lightly – Pack your items in a clear, plastic bag and put them in a bin at the security checkpoint. This will help speed up your screening process.
- Have your boarding pass and ID ready – Bring your boarding pass and ID with you so you won’t have to search for them during the security check process.
- Follow instructions – Do as instructed by staff at the security checkpoint, even if it seems inconvenient. This will help ensure a quick and smooth screening process.
3. Check-in Online
Looking to save time and avoid jams at the airport? Here are five ways you can check in online:
- Use a travel website like Orbitz or Expedia. They’ll have all the details on your flight, including check-in time and location.
- Sign up for an airline’s e-check in service. This will allow you to check in online and print your boarding pass at home. Some airlines even offer rewards for using this service!
- Make a reservation at a nearby hotel before you go to the airport. This way, you won’t have to wait in line to check in and can get right on your way.
- Use Google Maps to find the closest airport check-in counter and walk there instead of driving or taking public transportation.
- Bring along copies of important documents like your driver’s license, passport, and airfare tickets just in case something goes wrong while you’re checking in.
4. Pack Your Carry-on Essentials
Whether you’re flying for business or pleasure, packing your carry-on essentials can save you time and avoid unnecessary jam at the airport. Here are five smart ways to pack efficiently:
- Use a carry-on bag that is versatile and fits multiple purposes. For travel to and from the airport, consider packing a small backpack that can be used as a carry-on or checked bag. This way, you’ll have everything you need without having to search through several different bags.
- Pack light but efficiently. Instead of filling your bag with heavy items like textbooks, bring only what you need for the duration of your trip. This will keep your bag lighter and reduce the likelihood of it becoming overstuffed during transport.
- Pack efficiently. When packing for a trip, try to group similar items together so they can be easily accessed when needed. This will help eliminate the need to search through numerous pockets and compartments in order to find what you’re looking for.
- Make use of TSA PreCheck® lanes when available. If flying within the U.S., select TSA PreCheck®, which allows passengers to go through security without having their bags inspected. This option is not available if traveling internationally or on certain routes within the U.S., but it’s worth checking if your flight falls within those categories before booking your ticket online or at the airport counter!
- Utilize carry-on bag minimization techniques. When packing your carry-on bag, try to keep it as small as possible in order to avoid excess baggage charges. This means packing light and avoiding items that can’t be easily wrapped or packed into a small space.
5. Make Copies of Important Documents
If you are traveling for business or pleasure and have important documents to bring with you, make copies of them before you leave. You can save a lot of time by doing this. Also, if your original documents are damaged in any way, make copies of them so that you will still have a copy to use if necessary.
Conclusion
You’re flying out of town and you know that your luggage is going to be crammed into that small overhead compartment. You’ve tried packing as lightly as possible, but there’s just no way you can avoid the inevitable jam. Air travel can be a pain, but following these tips can make it much easier.
