Making sure you are as comfortable as possible going to and coming from your place of pouncy adventure can make a significant difference, and it doesn’t make you a wimp. Flying can be hard, especially if you don’t fly much or have trouble with the pressure up there in the tin can. See if our tips from scores of flights short and long can’t give you some degree of relief.
Purchasing the Tickets
We almost always recommend purchasing directly from carriers. We've purchased tickets through a pile of carriers and third-party travel agent sites, and the main issue is this: What happens when something goes wrong? When the unexpected strikes? When you just need some flexibility because of personal reasons? Third-party sites will sell you this insurance and make you that assurance, but cashing in on those promises is a pain.
When you deal directly with the airline, things are just simpler. There's nothing to it - you cut out the middle man. Under extenuating circumstances - such as, say, Covid-19 - refunds and credits come easier, fuller, and faster. Using an airline's mobile app is usually the easiest way to book (and retrieve e-tickets when you use an airport that supports them).
Choosing Seats
One benefit of booking direct is you have a better chance of being able to choose your seats at all and a much better chance of having those choices respected. This is not to say that you can't ever choose seats through third-party sites, but you might be surprised what doesn't carry over...even if you take screen shots. Also, if you book direct through dedicated airline apps, the seat-choosing page is usually less glitchy and more accurate.
If you're tall, like I am, it is almost always worth it to snatch up the exit row - even if you have to pay a little. The longer the flight, the truer this becomes. Exit row seats essentially class you up a level for $15-$20 instead of hundreds or thousands. Exit row seats are especially sweet when there is a row with one fewer seat. If you are traveling as a couple for a flight of several hours or longer - especially if at least one of you is tall - we say do it.
If you desperately need to save that $15-$20, one thing you can look for is a seat behind an empty spot in an exit row. It gives you all the leg room, often without being considered an exit row seat. Not every plane has one, but check. This seat is a prize, so people snatch it up. Don't hesitate!
One other way to find some extra leg room is to choose a seat in the first row. Even the first row of economy offers extra space. Keep in mind, however, that the front row is also where parents can let a baby rest in a bassinet. Give front seats to parents of infants. If there are no infants on board, enjoy.
If you are traveling as a couple, don't get married to the idea that you have to sit next to each other. This almost guarantees - unless you're in the magical two-seat exit row - that one of you is sandwiched. Choose both aisle seats in the same row or aisle seats one behind the other. That way you both have more room and still have access to each other...if you really even need it.
Packing
Pack light. Seriously. Counter agents weigh everything these days. Those are the charges to avoid. Think about what you're really going to wear. Are you going to change that often? Are you not going to re-wear anything? Do you not have access to laundry at all? Do you need all those shoes?
Also, infrequent travelers often consider it a fun challenge to stuff as much into a suitcase as possible. Friends, that just makes it super-heavy. This will help you: 1) incur overweight charges, 2) hurt your back, and 3) be forced to check what you thought was a carry-on. Pack less. If you need another t-shirt, buy one there! You know you probably will anyway.
Re-wear pants. No, Brits, I don't mean underwear. I mean trousers. If you are bringing more than two pairs of pants - not including shorts or workout gear - ask yourself why. Can you really not wear pants for several days? I often regret taking the second pair if we go somewhere for a week or less.
Meds
If you are a healthy adult and you know you suffer from motion sickness, you have plenty of company. A primary care doctor will have no trouble prescribing you motion sickness medication. For no reason but pride and stubbornness, I resisted this sort of assistance for far too long. I thought for a stupidly long time that I would eventually become accustomed to it and that it was 'just headaches.' Nope. Never. Then I finally listened to The Boss and went to the doctor. Those awful headaches are for sure motion sickness. Now I’m all set for boats, buses, cars, planes - you name it! You can get full-strength motion sickness meds or ones that cause less drowsiness. Both work. If you know you suffer from motion sickness, don’t try to be tough. It never goes away, and even the slightest stressor can kick it into overdrive. Pop one about half an hour before departure.
Accessories
This is another ‘why did I wait so long?’ situation for me. I am quite tall, and my lumbar roll is invaluable. It makes an incredible difference. I’ve had back surgery, and with that little pillow, I can take any flight - and I’ve taken them all. Without it...well, I can survive about 45 minutes.
The neck pillow is less essential for me, personally, but as essential for many as my lumbar roll is for me. Don’t be proud. Be comfortable, and if you need a neck pillow, find one that breathes and cools off. Otherwise, you’re often just jumping out of the neck pain and into the oven. It can be a tough call then.
When to Arrive
Two hours early is usually pretty safe - at good airports, we often end up sitting at the gate for over an hour when we arrive two hours early. In places with retina scanners, facial recognition, universal use of e-tickets, etc., ninety minutes is often more than enough time. In Abu Dhabi, we would be at our gate fewer than fifteen minutes after arriving at the airport. Our record was eleven minutes. Eleven - for an international flight.
Some airports are less efficient...or altogether unpredictable. Old guard US airports in the northeast corridor and in Chicago are horribly inefficient. Especially during high-volume periods, make that two-hour mark your minimum. Newer US airports such as Minneapolis and Phoenix are much easier to stomach. Small airports such as Lehigh Valley, Kalamazoo, and Luang Prabang are usually much easier to handle. Most major international hubs are solid - comparable to the new breed of US airports and certainly better than the US old guard.
The key is knowing your home airport. Otherwise, start with the two-hour rule and adjust based on airport size, time of day, any extenuating factors (usually related to heightened security risk), and how old or new the airport is.
Checking In
Most airports and airlines in developed, industrialized nations make it easy to check in online so that, if you don't have to check a bag and don't have an issue with your seat, you don't need to go to the counter.
Air carriers in developing nations sometimes don't offer online check-in, or, strangely, offer online check-in but still require you to obtain a paper boarding pass from a counter agent. Yet others simply require paper tickets. If you are able to download electronic boarding passes, by all means - go for it. If you need paper, you'll most assuredly find out before long. No big deal.
The Security Checkpoint
Don't freak out. It almost never takes as long as it looks. Even when it does - take Beirut during a high-alert period, for example - people usually let you cut the line if you really need to in non-US settings. In the US, make sure to arrive early on holidays, during rush hour, or if there is any sort of heightened risk.
Yes, if you are flying economy, you are almost certainly going to have to take your shoes off, soooo...maybe not the strappy heels or work boots, eh? Keep the liquids under 100 mL (3 oz.) and in a clear plastic resealable bag. Some airports are stricter than others regarding the liquids - this can really only be determined through experience with particular airports, and trying a slightly bigger bottle of lotion or toothpaste isn't the end of the world. Empty your pockets completely before going through the scanner - empty empty.
Business and first class have their own security line, which is typically super-short and often lets you keep your shoes on. Whatever.
Back to the common folk: Try to be quick about it. Everybody has this in common: nobody likes being in the security line.
When You Get Antsy
Some grow anxious waiting in line; some don't like sitting at the gate; most don't like being stuck in the tin can for super-long hauls. Whatever pushes you over the edge, first remember that if you're flying, you have a good reason - usually a great reason. If you're stuck in a line, consider the line itself: if it's the line to board, make sure you popped your motion sickness and/or anxiety pill(s) if you haven't already. If it's the security line, remember that once you're through, the worst is over. If it's the line to board, nobody in the line doesn't board - not a big deal.
In the air, get up when you need to - this is another reason why I always go either aisle seat, front row, or exit row. On large airliners, there will be space to stretch somewhere. On long hauls, the flight crew don't mind (or at least don't say anything) if you hang back in their service area for a minute. You can always have water, and you can almost always have any of the juices or sodas. All you have to do is ask.
Thank you for choosing Globepouncing and enjoy your flight.
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