7 Tips That Will Make Your Next Airport Experience As Smooth As Possible!

Long lines, delays, partially disrobing for the sake of security – the airport can certainly be an unpleasant experience at times. However, there are ways to mitigate your travel woes, it just takes a little prep work and smart thinking. Here are seven useful tips to make your next trip a little smoother.

1. DOWNLOAD THE AIRLINE APP.


Do it before you arrive at the airport (ideally the day before so that you can check in). The app will alert you to any flight delays, cancellations, and gate changes; allow you to choose or change your seat; and will give you real-time flight information that may be essential to your travels. 

2. GIVE YOURSELF TIME.


Word to the wise: don’t cut it close when it comes to air travel. There are too many things that can go wrong — traffic on the way to the airport, long lines at check-in or security, changes in gates, or other issues with the airline — to risk waiting until the very last minute to head to the airport. Give yourself time so that you don’t have to panic that you’re going to miss your flight.

3. CARRY ON YOUR LUGGAGE.


Carrying on your luggage means avoiding the lines for checking your bags and eliminates the possibility of your items getting lost or damaged. Skip the hassle, and bring everything on board with you for an overall less stressful airport experience.

4. PACK SMART.


You’d be surprised just how much better your airport experience can be if you know how to pack smart. If you’re carrying on your luggage instead of checking it, then going through airport security can be stressful unless you’ve organized your belongings in the most efficient way for getting past TSA. 

5. BE PREPARED TO GO THROUGH SECURITY.


Digging through your carry-on while everyone glares at you is literally the worst feeling, so double, triple check to make sure that you don’t have anything in your carry-on that’ll hold up the line. Start taking off the items that need to go into the bin and onto the conveyor belt before you actually get there.

6. BRING A WATER BOTTLE AND SNACKS.


You never know when hunger may hit you, and there’s nothing worse than a growling stomach in a long line, or worse, on a long flight.  Airports are stressful enough without hunger taking over and making those long lines an even bigger nightmare. Make sure your snack game is on lock with goodies like granola bars, fresh fruit and pretzels. Pack a water bottle that you can empty before you go through security, then refill on the other side, in order to save you money.

7. ALWAYS HAVE ENTERTAINMENT ON HAND.


Download your favorite movies, TV shows, and games to your phone or iPad, and always have a physical book or magazine available as backup in case any of your devices die. You’ll be glad you have something to keep your mind off airport lines, delayed flights, and frustrating fellow travelers.