Travel smart: 15 things to do before flying
'05.07.2023'
Nadezhda Verbitskaya
Summer is vacation time. Frequent flyers share tips to make your day on the road go smoothly. Some of them are obvious, but there are also those for which you want to directly embrace the adviser.
Passport is everything
If you are traveling abroad, you will not get anywhere without a passport. So be sure to double check if you put it in your hand luggage before heading to the airport.
“Make a copy of your passport so you can carry it with you at all times. And keep the original in the hotel safe, says Patricia Hadjifotiou, owner of a travel company. “Laminate a copy of your passport to use on future trips.”
Protect yourself from inconvenience
A lot can go wrong when traveling: flight delays and cancellations, lost luggage, traffic accidents, emergency evacuations and more. No, this does not mean that you should stay at home and give up your dream of seeing the world.
“When I book an international trip with my family, I make sure to pay for our flights, accommodation and car rental with a credit card, which, if anything, will allow me to cancel these expenses,” says Leah Altizer, owner of a travel blog. – Most premium credit cards offer this benefit. Some of them cost less than $100 a year, but can potentially save you thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.”
If you don't have a credit card with a cancellation option, consider purchasing travel insurance.
Notify Banks
Be sure to tell the bank about the dates and place of your trip.
“Banks are taking extra precautions to prevent credit card fraud. They will block transactions that don't match your normal spending pattern, says Tom Carr, founder and CEO of Preferred Vacations. "If you don't travel often, it's best to let them know where you'll be so you don't end up in an awkward situation at a restaurant or shop."
Protect yourself from germs
During your day on the road, you'll be touching numerous surfaces, buttons, touch screens, escalator handrails, security boxes, armrests, seat belts, and trays - touched by countless people before you.
Wash your hands as often as possible. And carry a small-volume antibacterial hand sanitizer with you in case you can't wash your hands with soap and water. Also, consider taking a small packet of antibacterial wipes with you when you fly to wipe surfaces that will be in close proximity to you throughout the flight. This is especially true of the table in the back of the seat, which has more germs than an airplane toilet.
On the subject: How to sleep on a plane and keep your feet from swelling: a device for $ 18 will save your trip
Prevent jet lag
If the rhythm of your day is easily disrupted, a little forethought can help shorten your adjustment time.
“Set your watch to your arrival time zone as soon as you board the plane,” says Mitch Crichton, CTA, owner of Denver-based Krayton Travel. – On the plane, eat, sleep, and act as if you were already in that time zone. This will help you deal with jet lag and prepare you for your arrival.”
Put on compression stockings
They may not be sexy, but compression stockings are a simple lifesaver that everyone should add to their wardrobe.
“Sitting on a long flight can be problematic,” says Dr. William Spangler, who has more than 30 years of experience in emergency medicine. – One of the most common of these is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is the formation of blood clots in the lower leg or thigh. It doesn't cause much pain, but when the clots break off and go elsewhere, they can create serious problems."
In addition to compression stockings, which help improve circulation, Dr. Spangler advises getting up at least every two hours to move your legs. If you can walk down the aisle for a bit, that's even better.
Charge your electronic devices
“Making sure your phone, laptop and other electronics are charged does two things,” says Christian Eilers, founder of travel website Dauntless Jaunter. “Firstly, it ensures that you have enough charge to entertain or work during the flight. Secondly, it also forces you to know where all your cables are in advance so you don't have to look for them when the taxi is already waiting outside.
It's also wise to bring a portable charger (power bank) with you in case your battery runs out faster than you expected.
Register for TSA PreCheck
Wouldn't it be nice to significantly reduce the waiting time at security control?
“If you'd rather keep security checks to a minimum, apply for TSA PreCheck,” recommends Jenny Smith, frequent flyer and founder of How to Move to New Zealand blog.
There is a small fee to use it, but if you're a frequent flyer, it might be worth it not to go through security every time.
Subscribe to flight status updates
You just ran all the way to your gate only to find out that the boarding was moved to another gate, located completely in the other direction ... Has it happened to you? And it happened to us, although you can protect yourself from this.
“Sign up for flight updates over the phone (you can do this when you buy your ticket),” says Alyssa Musto, a professional traveling musician and songwriter. “If your flight is delayed or the security lines are too long, you will receive real-time updates and know what to expect when you arrive at the airport.”
Along with signing up for text alerts, don't forget to also download your airline's app.
Pack everything you need
If you haven't mastered the art of traveling with hand luggage only, that's fine. But there are certain things that you should always take with you in your hand luggage. If you are taking medication, please take it with you in your hand luggage. Depending on your destination, if you lose your luggage, you risk not finding the medicine you need, or it can cost a fortune.
It also makes sense to take a change of clothes in your hand luggage so that you have a clean set of clothes in case your luggage accidentally flies to the wrong place. The same goes for your passport, money, electronics, jewelry - all this should be with you in your hand luggage.
Take food with you
The prices for food at the airport are too high and the quality of the food on the plane is not very good. Therefore, bring nuts, fruits and vegetables with you, you can even take a salad in a sealed bag. If you bring your own food with you, you can eat on your own schedule and according to your dietary preferences.
Choose Your Airplane Seats Wisely
If you know the seating pattern on the plane, you may find out that you are sitting next to the toilet, you have less legroom due to the equipment box, or you accidentally booked a seat without a movable armrest (thus reducing the width of the seat).
“When booking seats on a flight, please contact SeatGuru website, says Victoria Langmead, safari expert at Scott Dunn Travel Company. – There you will be able to see the seat map for each specific aircraft and choose the ideal seat according to your preferences.
Visit the airport lounge
Whether you have a long layover or need to have a quiet conference call, an airport lounge can be your escape from all the chaos.
“Take advantage of the lounges at the airport, because they will make your journey much less stressful,” says Yuichi Nishiyama, All Nippon Airways pilot. – Lounges are not only a good place to take a break from the hustle and bustle that takes place at the boarding gate. There is a wide range of services here, from dining to showers and dedicated workspaces.”
If you haven't earned enough airline credits or your credit card doesn't give you lounge access, many airlines will allow you to purchase a day pass there.
Check destination country for security
Before every vacation, it's important to know what's going on where you're going. The US State Department publishes travel advice for different countries, explaining which ones you can ride safely and which ones you should be a little more careful about.
Moisturize your body
There's a reason why your lips get chapped, your nose and throat dry up, and your hands get coated during a flight. According to the Cleveland Clinic, about half of the air circulating in the cabin comes from outside. And at 35 feet there is very little moisture in the air.
“I always try to drink plenty of water before flying,” says Anisa Alkhilali, co-owner of the blog Two Traveling Texans, who has stamps from 41 countries in her passport. I try to drink as much water as possible 24 hours before the trip. I also make sure to take water with me on the plane. It is best to bring a reusable water bottle with you. And fill it up after going through security control, since buying water at the airport is most often expensive.”
Avoiding caffeine and alcohol during the flight will also help you stay hydrated.