Ways on How to Make Your Next Flight a Stress-free and Pleasant One
Let’s admit it. There have been occasions when we wished we could live like those big-shot rock stars and businessmen who charter their own flight or even better, have their own airplanes.
At first blush it’s the prestige of that kind of privilege that is impressed on you. But perhaps the best advantage to that kind of travel arrangement is the sheer convenience of having the flight adjust to you, instead of you adjusting to it.
Oh well, reality check: Most of us may never charter a private flight much less own a Cessna. That being the case, we have to make the best of what our checkbook dictates.
But this reality does not have to be a bleak one. In fact, traveling on a commercial flight can still be a very pleasant experience. It simply takes a matter of preparation on your part.
Here are some tips to get you started:
Reservations and bookings
1. If it is at all possible, schedule your flight on the days where there are the least number of people. This can not only save you a lot of queuing but also opens up more chances of a less crowded flight. These days usually fall during the middle of the week to the early weekend (Tuesdays noontime to Saturday mornings).
2. Confirm your reservation, along with your requirements (seat assignments, food restrictions, wheelchair request, etc.) at least two days in advance.
3. At least six hours before your intended time of arrival at the airport, call the airlines to check whether your flight will be on schedule. Even if you’ve been advised it will be delayed, be diligent enough not to take this information for granted. Better being too early for a flight than missing it.
Packing
4. All pieces of luggage (whether check-in or carry-on) need to be labeled properly on the outside as well as inside. Check-in luggage contains items that can easily be replaced while your carry-on holds more important items such as travel documents, money, identification and the like.
5. To avoid inconveniences with security checkpoints, avoid carrying long-bladed items like box cutters or Swiss army knives. If it cannot be avoided, pack these with the items the check-in luggage.
6. Limitations on the number and weight of check-in and carry-on luggage vary with each airline so ascertain this information from their website or through the phone.
Arriving at the Airport
7. Most airlines advise that you check-in at least an hour before domestic flights and two hours for international ones. This is so that you can go through the entire process without having to sprint from one counter to the other.
8. If you purchased an e-ticket, be sure to take the time to print your ticket and boarding pass before leaving or allot enough time at the airport to access a kiosk to do the same.
Boarding the plane
9. Another advantage of arriving early is that you increase the chances of getting on the plane before everyone else does. This at least saves you the effort of needing to squeeze around what a very little space.
10. Get settled as soon as you can. This not only allows you to relax sooner but also helps other passengers since there are less people moving and fumbling around.
On the plane
11. Each passenger has his / her own preferences when it comes to comfort, but it is common fact that the more things there are to get you comfortable, the better. So if you feel that that airline issued travel pillow will not be enough, take the time to pack your own in your carry-on luggage. Other possible comfort items might be your own music player, or a good book to read during the flight.
12. Make the effort to be nice to the flight crew. While they are paid to attend to you, it is not license for you to make them your own personal assistants. At least ask for things and information politely and chances are they will attend to you with more care than they would the average passenger.
Deplaning
13. Anticipate when you will be landing. This will allow you time to get things back in your luggage before the captain turns on the seatbelt sign. Packing ahead will again save you the effort of needing to squeeze around small spaces along with everyone else on the plane after it lands.
14. Wait patiently for your turn to leave the plane and move as efficiently as possible when it is your section’s turn to leave.
With these tips, your flight is not only made less stressful, they also allow you to contribute in making the entire flight a pleasant one.
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