20 airport hacks from seasoned travelers

After spending hours in airports and on flights, frequent fliers know how to ensure a day of air travel is an enjoyable experience. Here are some insider airport hacks from seasoned travelers:

• Bring an (empty) reusable water bottle
• Weigh and measure your luggage at home
• Download content while you still have Wi-Fi

Soaring through the clouds at 30,000 feet shouldn’t be stressful, uncomfortable, and tiring. Quite the opposite – flying should make for an exhilarating start to your vacation. Fortunately, after spending endless hours in airports and on planes, frequent fliers have a treasure trove of flight hacks to ensure an enjoyable journey. And today, we’re sharing their top tips with you.

Here are our top 20 airplane hacks from seasoned travelers to transform a dreaded flight into an exciting and relaxing experience.

Top 20 Airport Hacks From Seasoned Travelers

A smooth and enjoyable airport experience sets the tone for your whole journey. Here are our top airport hacks from frequent fliers to help you navigate the airport without stress.

1. Make the most of the airport’s amenities

Some airports—such as Singapore Changi, Dubai International Airport, and Minneapolis St. Paul Airport—are almost like destinations in themselves. Singapore Changi, for example, boasts a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex – complete with the world’s tallest indoor waterfall!

At Hong Kong International Airport, you’ll find various art exhibitions and festivals, while its Artisan Avenue gives visitors an insight into the city’s traditional crafts and unique cultural experiences. With outstanding restaurants, bars, shops, and cultural experiences you’ll start enjoying your holiday before you’ve even left the tarmac.

Check out the airport’s amenities online to plan your experience before setting off. If you’re heading to an airport that has nice restaurants, bars, lounges, and shops, get there in plenty of time and incorporate it into your vacation experience.

Make the most of the airport cafes too. Find a seat at a coffee shop, buy one coffee and sit for as long as you like reading or listening to podcasts on your headphones.

2. Opt for an airport lounge

Airport lounges are cost effective and comfortable.

Once you’re inside, all food and drink is free—including alcoholic drinks—and it’s usually laid out buffet-style. You’ll likely have access to complimentary Wi-Fi too.

Price of entry varies, but if you’re planning to buy a couple of meals, several drinks and Wi-Fi access at the airport, opting for a lounge can work out cheaper. And children are often granted free or discounted access to airport lounges.

If you’ve got a layover coming up and are considering getting a hotel room to freshen up, consider using an airport lounge instead. They often have private showers you can use and are super comfortable if you need to take a load off for a while.

3. Download the airline app

When in an airport, do you worry about missing a vital announcement? Before traveling, download the app of the airline you’re flying with. The app should display your departure gate, boarding time and the status of your flight.

Another option is to check the live departure board on the airport website. This airport hack will save you some steps so you don’t have to constantly hunt for screens in the airport and miss any important information like changes to your gate or departure time.

4. Pre-pack your liquids

Navigating security is definitely my least favorite part of the airport experience – but preparing ahead of time removes a lot of the stress.

Pre-pack your liquids into a 20x20 cm transparent resealable bag and place it at the top of your carry-on. This way you won’t have to scramble around in your bag in the security line.

Tired of rushing through the airport, afraid you’ll miss your flight?

5. Check-in online

Online check-in is one of the biggest time savers when you’re flying. For some airlines, checking in online is mandatory and you’ll get a steep fee if you forget. But even if your airline does offer in-person check-in, it’s much quicker and easier to do it online before you arrive at the airport and then go straight to bag drop or, if you’re only traveling with hand luggage, security.

6. Skip hold luggage

A sure fire way to ensure a quicker trip through the airport is to stick to hand luggage only. This won’t always be possible, but if you’re traveling short-haul or only away for a long weekend, it will save you both time and money. When traveling with cabin bags only, check in online, head straight to security and you won’t be forced to wait at the baggage carousel after touching down.

7. Consider fast track

This is one of the most helpful travel hacks for flights if you need to get through the airport quickly. Many airports and airlines offer fast track passes to help you move through the airport faster. This may not be necessary at smaller, quieter airports or when you’re traveling at odd hours.

8. Sign up for TSA PreCheck

This one’s for the frequent fliers. Enroll in TSA Precheck and you’ll enjoy shorter waits at security in over 200 airports, with no need to remove liquids, shoes, laptops, jackets or belts. Around 99% of TSA Precheck passengers wait less than ten minutes to get through security on average and families can use the scheme too.

9. Pre-book your seat

If saving time at your destination is a priority, book a seat close to the front doors of the aircraft. While some airlines will use both front and back doors for disembarkation, often only the front doors are open. This means that people in the middle and back of the plane have to wait for many other passengers to find their bags and disembark before they get off the plane themselves.

10. Check-in as early as possible

Want to sit next to your travel companions without paying extra fees? While this one isn’t a guaranteed win, check in as early as possible for a chance of making this happen.

Checking in as early as possible with some airlines could get you seated next to your travel partner without paying extra.

11. Bring an (empty) reusable water bottle

It’s vital to stay hydrated in the low-moisture environment of an airplane cabin. But bottled water comes with a hefty price tag at airports and onboard planes. While you can’t bring much liquid through security, you can bring an empty reusable water bottle. Once you’re airside, fill it up at a water fountain or drinkable water tap and you’ll be able to stay hydrated at 30,000 feet without denting your vacation budget.

12. Pack snacks

The price of airport and airline food and snacks can be shocking. This is why one of the top hacks for flying is to pack some snacks from home—remember, no liquids or gels—in your carry-on to ensure you don’t go hungry during your day of travel. And check to see if you have meals included in the price of your ticket to work out how much food you’ll need.

13. Weigh and measure your luggage at home

Turning up to the airport with overweight or oversized baggage is almost guaranteed to result in a steep fee. This is why—if keeping costs low is important to you—it’s essential to weigh and measure your hold luggage and cabin bags at home once you’re fully packed.

However, if your bags are a bit overweight, you don’t necessarily need to leave items at home.

Wear layers – they don't weigh passengers, only bags.

14. Book extra legroom or aisle seats

When you’re flying economy, things can get a little cramped. But some economy seats offer more comfort than others. One of the top airplane tips for staying comfortable is to pay just a little bit more to select your seat ahead of time.

Consider upgrading to premium economy or economy with extra legroom, especially if you are taller than average. These seats are usually by the emergency exits or the front of each section on long-haul.

15. Bring a ‘business class’ travel kit

This is one of the flying hacks that will seriously help upgrade your economy experience. If you want to add a touch of luxury to an economy flight, consider bringing your own ‘business class’ travel kit.

Recreate what you’d be given if you were flying business even if you’re flying economy.

Pack hand wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, an eye mask, a face mask or face mist, hand cream, lip balm, and ear plugs.

If you have room in your cabin bag, you could even bring a blanket.

16. Pack a change of clothes

Pack a change of clothes in your cabin bag.

You might set off from a winter climate and arrive somewhere hot or face a long transfer to your destination.

Pack a change of clothing in your hand luggage, so you can change in the toilets either before you land or once you get to your airport.

17. Pack medication in carry-on

If you take medication, it’s vital to pack some of it in both your carry-on and your hold luggage. This way, you will have enough medication to get you through the flight and you’ll also still have some medication if your hold luggage is lost or damaged. Ensure your medication is in its original pharmacy packaging and don’t forget to bring the prescription and a doctor’s note if you need one.

18. Download content while you still have Wi-Fi

Download TV shows, films, books, and music while you have Wi-Fi so you can listen to or watch them on the flight.

Once your phone is in airplane mode, you’ll no longer have access to the internet, meaning you’re stuck with whatever content you’ve already downloaded. While on long-haul flights, you’ll typically have access to a touch screen stocked with films, TV shows, music, and games, on shorter or budget flights you have to provide your own entertainment. So think ahead to ensure you’re entertained from take-off to landing.

19. Download games that work in plane mode

Mobile games can provide endless entertainment on a long flight – but bear in mind that many don’t work without internet access. However, there are plenty of games you can download onto your phone that you’ll be able to play during your flight. Ahead of your flight, download some games that work offline and test them out by putting your phone in airplane mode and giving them a trial run.

20. Make sure your chargers are easily accessible

A long day of traveling can leave you with low batteries. And if you’re depending on your phone or tablet for in-flight entertainment or need to contact your transfer on the other end, this can be a disaster. So here’s a vital airplane hack. Make sure you pack your chargers and travel adapters in an easy-to-access spot in your cabin bag. You’ll be able to charge your devices at the airport and on some planes.