Advertisement

15 simple air travel hacks that anyone could use

Air travel can be an ordeal. Delayed flights, irate passengers, confiscated items, and the kid who kicks the back of your seat test your patience.

Navigating airports takes preparation and ingenuity to game the system.

While nothing can prevent you from getting seated next to the sick passenger or wailing baby, these tips can help make your next flight frictionless, so you can get where you’re going with little to no stress.

HONG KONG - SEPTEMBER 29: U.S. influencers Blair Eadie (right) and Leonie Hanne (middle) at the opening of the American Express Centurion Lounge at Hong Kong international airport on September 29, 2017 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong.  (Photo by Billy H.C. Kwok/Getty Images For American Express)
U.S. influencers Blair Eadie and Leonie Hanne at the opening of the American Express Centurion Lounge at Hong Kong international airport. (Photo: Billy H.C. Kwok/Getty Images For American Express)

When you book

When flying with a travel companion, select the window and aisle seats to increase your chances of getting the row to yourselves. Because the middle seat is often considered the last resort, you might just get lucky and a little extra room to lounge.

When you pack

Airports are notorious for price gouging, so pack a reusable water bottle to avoid overpaying at a kiosk in the name of hydration. Carry extra quart-sized bags to keep your phone dry, hold a stash of snacks, or keep cords easily accessible and untangled.

A reusable tap water bottle provided by Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY is pictured in Helsinki, Finland July 14, 2018. Lehtikuva/Emmi Korhonen/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. NOT FOR USE BY REUTERS THIRD PARTY DISTRIBUTORS. FINLAND OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN FINLAND.
A reusable tap water bottle provided by Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY is pictured in Helsinki, Finland. (Photo: Reuters)

Bring a small portable battery charger and avoid the chaos that surrounds airport charging stations to keep your gadgets fully juiced.

ADVERTISEMENT

Even if you’re headed to a tropical destination, pack a scarf or a sweater for the chilly plane ride. Also, add a distinguishing element to your luggage like a ribbon, tag or sticker to prevent accidental mix-ups at the baggage claim.

On your way to the airport

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 28: Driving from Amherst, NH, Mary Jo Bristol, center, drops her daughter Steffanie Bristol off at Boston Logan International Airport on Aug. 28, 2017. A proposal is being floated to charge people a toll to drop off and pick up passengers at the airport. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA: Driving from Amherst, NH, Mary Jo Bristol, center, drops her daughter Steffanie Bristol off at Boston Logan International Airport. (Photo: Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Consult the FAA’s website for real-time information about delays, ground stops and conditions so you know what to expect and plan accordingly.

Also, get answers to your most pressing questions with the MyTSA App. Loaded with valuable information like what you can and cannot bring on a flight, real-time wait lines for your airport’s security line, and how busy the airport will be on your day and time of travel based on historical data.

Avoid airport traffic. If you’re getting dropped off, ask your ride to drop you off at arrivals rather than departures, so you can skip the kiss-and-wave traffic and just walk upstairs.

If you drove to the airport and will park your car, snap a picture of a permanent fixture to serve as a landmark to avoid wandering the lot when you return.

At the airport

Arriving at the airport early comes with its own set of perks that far extend beyond peace of mind and ease.

If you’re flying a popular route, ask the gate agent if you can go on standby for the flight preceding yours. It’s free of charge and your checked bag will also follow you.

FILE- In this Thursday, June 21, 2018 photo, air passengers heading to their departure gates enter TSA pre-check before going through security screening at Orlando International Airport, in Orlando, Fla. Investigators were unable to corroborate specific allegations that a Transportation Security Administration supervisor instructed air marshals to racially discriminate against passengers at Florida's busiest airport. But investigators for the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General uncovered other concerns about racial profiling of passengers by other TSA supervisors at Orlando International Airport, according to a report sent to lawmakers last week. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Air passengers heading to their departure gates enter TSA pre-check before going through security screening at Orlando International Airport, in Orlando, Fla. (Photo: AP Photo/John Raoux)

Avoid being the ire of your fellow passengers when you’re in the TSA line. Instead of fumbling around with loose change, keys, belts, and intricately laced shoes, dress with expedience and efficiency in mind.

Consider wearing slip-on shoes; keep your laptop readily accessible, and move all contents from your pockets to your carry-on before hopping in line to prevent passenger gridlock.

If you’re a frequent traveler who can justify the expense, register with Global Entry and TSA PreCheck.

Good for five-year memberships, you get the perk of expedited security lines, walking through security with shoes, and not removing laptops or liquids from your bags. The Global Entry membership fee is $100 and TSA PreCheck is $85. Some travel credit cards also will reimburse you for this expense.

You’ll never see a faster line form than the one after a flight has been canceled. Instead of waiting your turn to speak with a gate agent, call the airline to rebook your flight. The airline representative and gate agent do the exact same thing, but the difference is that you can speak to one while sitting in an airport bar getting a bite or sipping a drink.

At your destination

A traveler looks at an information board as officials, far right, stand guard at Newark Liberty International Airport, Wednesday, June 29, 2016, in Newark, N.J. Following the Istanbul terrorist attack on Tuesday, travel experts say still take that vacation but always be valiant about surroundings. A few key tricks can help to make the trip safer. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
A traveler looks at an information board as officials, far right, stand guard at Newark Liberty International Airport, in Newark, N.J. (Photo: AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

After a flight, you’re probably eager to stretch your legs and relieve yourself. Skip the bathrooms closest to your gate because those are the most crowded and find the bathrooms where you won’t have to stand and wait for your turn.

Stephanie is a writer for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @SJAsymkos.

Read more:

Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit.