Wherever you're flying to, take the time to prepare and you'll be rewarded with a far smoother in-flight experience. Not only will you take away some of the stress, you might even save a little cash too. We've put our heads together – and roped in a few travel pros – to assemble more than 30 hacks that'll help get your trip off to a flying start.
Need to be sure you'll get there on time? Pick an airline with a good reputation for punctuality. According to flight database OAG, Hawaiian Airlines was the world’s most punctual airline in 2022 with 87.4% of their flights departing on time, followed closely by Delta at just over 83.5%. At the other end of the scale, mobile travel app Colibra claims Air Arabia sees the most cancellations at a miserable 91.63%.
Be savvy with the day you make your booking: according to Skyscanner, you can typically save between 15 and 25% when booking on a Tuesday morning. Also, book an early morning or night flight for the cheapest fares. As an added bonus, if you're driving or taking a bus to the airport, the roads should be much quieter. While daytime flights are typically the most convenient for travellers, that convenience comes with higher prices.
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Another way to bag cheap flights is by avoiding travel on weekends (including Mondays and Fridays). Try flying on a weekday afternoon, when most people are at work, and you’ll likely find lower fares and more space to spread out on the flight. Even superstition plays a part in flight prices; fares on Friday 13 can sometimes be cheaper.
The time has come to put your air miles to good use – in the name of inflation. Through 2022 a lot of airlines raised their award rates, meaning your air miles are likely to get much less valuable. Singapore Airlines raised award rates by 10% for most flights, while Emirates did the same for a lot of business class fares. The solution? ThriftyTraveler recommends you stop swiping your go-to airline credit card and focus on earning transferable credit card points instead.
Did you know some airlines offer ‘bid upgrades’, where you take part in an auction to get deals on better seat classes? Founder of Pocket Wanderings travel blog, Jessie Moore, explains: "After you've booked a flight, you can place a bid for an upgrade, usually at a significantly cheaper price than the actual cost of an upgrade." Take a look at Virgin Atlantic’s offering, where you can bid to upgrade to Economy Delight, Premium or Upper Class. "There is usually a minimum bid but a lot of the time you'll win, as not many people know about this secret tactic", says Moore.
Moore also tells us that staying loyal to a particular airline will significantly improve your chances of an upgrade, especially if you're part of the airline's Frequent Flyer programme. Even if you don't fly regularly or tend to book with different airlines, it’s still worth signing up for these programmes, as a slow and steady accumulation might make all the difference on a future trip.
We're very on board for this two-in-one holiday tip. The CEO of Tourism Fiji, Brent Hill, suggests taking in two (or more) destinations at a time if you're travelling long-haul. "Not only does a stopover make long-haul travel more comfortable," he says, "and alleviate some of the potential jet lag, but, by extending your trip, you can make your long-haul travel work harder as it's much more sustainable than it would be to take two separate holidays to the same destinations".
In a dizzyingly vast airport car park, you might struggle to remember where you parked your car after all those unforgettable holiday memories. So before you fly, take a photo of your car and where you’ve parked it – Level A, Section 10 for example – so you can easily locate it on your return. Or, if your phone is connected to your car via Bluetooth, most phone map apps can pinpoint exactly where your car is. That's one less thing to worry about.
Once you get to the airport (or even in the hours or days before that), it's essential to monitor the status of your flight. You should receive updates via email or text if your flight is delayed or cancelled, and Alison Wressell of private jet charter Admiral Jet says downloading the airline's app "can help you enormously, making it easier to change flights, get to the right place and plan what to watch, eat and drink on board". Social media is typically the quickest way to get updates, and Twitter is often the first place airlines will send out updates on specific routes. Plus, it can be easier contacting an airline on Twitter rather than calling and being placed on hold for hours.
According to a UK study by retail giant Next, 42% of UK passengers throw away full-sized toiletries at security because they’re too large for their hand luggage, totalling a whopping £270 million ($327.8m) of wasted goods. But overpacking comes at another cost: on average, each person pays an extra £11.80 ($14.30) in excess baggage costs per year – or £75 ($91) for one in 20 of us – totting up to £494 million ($600m) in total.
The same survey reveals that being stricter with packing is probably a good thing; the average UK traveller only uses 74% of what’s in their suitcase anyway. Otherwise, you could don a few extra items (coats, cardigans, accessories – anything with big pockets is a huge plus). Once you’ve passed through the gate, you can pack them away in your hand luggage, provided you've left a little room in your bag. If not, you'll be wearing extra layers all the way.
If you’re stuck at the airport waiting for a delayed flight, download an aviation-tracking app like Flightradar24. The free mobile app tracks worldwide commercial flights in live-time with aircraft icons accompanied by information about the aircraft type, flight number, airline, altitude, speed, origin and destination. You can even see exactly how long is left before each plane lands – which might give you a clearer idea of just how much longer your delay might be.
In the US, some 65,000 flights suffer moderate turbulence every year, but don't panic – there are a few tips and tricks to put your mind at ease. Seats at the front of the plane, plus middle seats (especially over the wing) typically experience the least movement during turbulence, as the wings keep the plane balanced. To try and avoid a bumpy ride altogether, book onto a night or morning flight – turbulence tends to hit harder in the afternoon and evening, as this is when warm air from the ground collides with cool air from the sky.
Flying with a baby in tow? Baby Sleep Consultant Jilly Blankenship recommends "creating a familiar sleeping space" and, if you can, "trying to book flights around your baby’s schedule" so that their sleep pattern isn’t affected. Daytime flights are usually the safest bet.
Airplanes can be a haven for germs, but contrary to popular belief getting a cold on a flight isn’t the result of poor air quality or recycled air; it’s more likely due to a combination of excessive germs in a confined space. While face masks are no longer mandatory, some still might wish to wear one, although you should be fairly safe: 40% of cabin air we breathe during a flight is filtered through a High Efficiency Particulate Air filter (HEPA) while the other 60% is piped in fresh from outside. And you'll also be happy to know that while cruising, cabin air is changed every three minutes on average.
Book ahead to secure seats with extra leg room (these tend to be at the front of the plane, or in the emergency exit rows). If you’ve got back pain, you can hack your seat to make it ergonomic: sit upright with support, such as a cushion (which is often complimentary on long-haul flights), in the small of your back. Your knees and hips should be level, and your feet should be flat on the floor. Put your armrests down as you can use them to rest your forearms, which should relax your shoulders.
To avoid ear pain or a headache from the pressure change as you take off, pack chewing gum or boiled sweets in your hand luggage. The Eustachian tube, which connects your middle ear to the pharynx (throat), usually equalises pressure on its own but finds it hard to respond quickly enough to the rapid changes on an aircraft. Help activate it during take-off and landing by chewing, yawning or pinching your nose and blowing gently through your mouth.
Depending on the size of the aircraft and the route it's flying, cabin cleaning types vary. Turnaround cleaning includes picking up litter and sterilising the bathrooms. A more thorough clean, which takes place before the aircraft's first flight of the day, takes no more than a couple of hours, while most airlines schedule a deep clean every four to six weeks. If you're worried about getting sick from your flight, pack disposable wipes for the tray tables, arm rests and door handles. You might also want to pack a small hand sanitizer for cleaning your hands before and after in-flight meals too.
Many airports have designated play areas, giving kids the chance to thoroughly tire themselves out before the flight. When you get on board and the kids are bored, bring out pre-packed snacks, toys and child-friendly headphones to avoid restlessness during the flight. Some cabin crew recommend that passengers with young children board the plane first, giving everyone time to settle in, strap up and wind down.
If you’re putting the bulk of your hand luggage in an overhead locker, pack a smaller bag with your in-flight essentials so you don’t need to keep getting up and down. Grab a tote bag and pack lip balm, face spray and moisturiser for dry skin caused by the plane's lack of humidity, plus books and notepads to keep you entertained. You could also give your body a boost with an immune supplement or vitamin tablets.
Plane temperatures can range from unbearably stuffy to practically subarctic. A warm but lightweight (and packable) jacket, good socks and comfy trousers (like tracksuit bottoms) are always helpful in case your flight does end up being surprisingly cold. A British Airways cabin crew member we spoke to recommends packing a hot water bottle, as some passengers may feel cold on night flights: "We can fill up hot water bottles in the galley – a lot of the crew bring them in too." Regardless of the plane temperature, it’s always best to wear something comfortable – which might include kicking your shoes off (but definitely not your socks).
Thanks to low humidity levels, long flights can cause dry eyes, but cosmetic eye surgeon Dr Elizabeth Hawkes has a few top tips. She recommends using lubricating eye drops, or swapping contact lenses for a pair of glasses. And take regular breaks from looking at the in-flight entertainment using the 20-20-20 rule: “Every 20 minutes you should look away from your screen and look at something 20 feet (6m) away for 20 seconds. This helps give the eyes a rest and reduces eye strain”, she explains.
Some passengers choose to watch movies on their own laptops, but make sure yours has long-lasting battery life for long-haul flights. The Points Guy took an 18-hour flight (currently the world’s longest) with Apple’s latest MacBook Air and touched down with an impressive 85% battery charge left.
You probably shouldn’t count on restful sleep during an economy class flight, but if you are planning to catch some shut-eye, opt for a window seat. Not only will you have control over the window blind (and sunlight levels), you’ll also be out of the way of climbing neighbours tapping you on the shoulder to get up, or people bumping into you in the aisle. If you want to lie back without worrying about the person behind you, book a seat at the back of the plane for max relaxation. Remember that the seat needs to stay upright during take-off and landing.
If you’re flying for a special occasion, let the staff at the check-in desk know. Travel expert and ex-airline crew member Jane Hawkes says that "any notes inputted into the system could result in an upgrade when you board", or try again by speaking to cabin crew later on. "Even if they can't move you, you might get something else, like a lovely glass of bubbly!" Always be polite to staff, as you never know what they might be able to bag you. If nothing else, it's a good way to pass the time.
For the benefit of your circulatory system, it's vital to move on a flight – particularly long-haul – so get up and walk around the cabin as much as possible, and do some shoulder and ankle rolls, feet tapping and stretches in your seat. This movement will help to keep your blood flowing and prevent you from becoming stiff and tense. Immobility can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially serious condition sometimes called ‘economy class syndrome’.
The key to minimising jet lag is to adjust to your new time zone as quickly as possible. Start as soon as you get on the plane by setting your watch to your destination's time zone. Luxury travel experts Inspiring Travel explain that might mean staying up, if it’s daytime, or trying to get some rest if it's already nighttime there. You can even download a phone app that will help resynchronise your body clock (even better if it works in flight mode, so you can use it on board). Jet lag tends to be worse as you travel from west to east, but thankfully it doesn’t last forever.
The plane’s air conditioning, the altitude and jet lag can all leave you feeling groggy and can dry out your skin. Drinking plenty of water, or even the occasional electrolyte-heavy beverage (sports drinks), will help your body cope with the unnatural environment. Aim to drink a bottle of water for every hour you’re in the air. Bonus: the increased bathroom breaks will offer an additional opportunity to stretch your legs. Another tip is to bring your own tea bags (as some airline selections are limited) and ask for hot water; peppermint tea is said to help with digestion.
Many of us like a drink on holiday, but alcohol presents a double threat on planes. Alcohol makes it more difficult for cells to absorb oxygen, and with cabin air running at 4% less oxygen than normal you'll feel the effects much faster on a plane. It also dehydrates your body quicker, meaning your hangover will be even more unpleasant. When it comes to caffeine, British medical doctor Deborah Lee explains that "caffeine is a psychoactive stimulant. It induces wakefulness and is often used to fight sleep in those who need to stay awake". So, if you’re feeling stressed about flying, opt for a herbal tea instead of a strong drink.
A flight is the perfect opportunity to really relish the lack of distractions. Do something you don’t typically find the time to do, like read, write, sketch, listen to an album, or watch that TV series or film you've long wanted to. Or, unwind by practicing some mindfulness or meditation – there are plenty of podcasts available. Airlines like British Airways and Singapore Airlines offer in-flight meditation and calming audio channels as part of their in-flight entertainment.
Rather than relax, you might want to use the spare time to get some jobs done. Whether it’s work-related or personal admin, ticking off some of those little jobs can clear your mental workload, and give you some breathing space when you land. Some airlines offer Wi-Fi (free or paid for), so you can power through many of the computer-based tasks you'd do on land.
According to travel deals platform Kiwi, Generation Z are the most anxious flyers, with 53% of survey respondents saying they experienced flight nerves. Interestingly, this rate declined by generation; Baby Boomers came in at a tame 27%. To alleviate the anxiety, pack something you're passionate about: something you're writing, a language-learning book or even a craft project. Always check before flying, but in most cases you can bring knitting needles on board. If you're a nervous flyer, knitting is a great way to keep your mind focused and your hands busy. Make sure you choose a small project to work on, as you don't want to annoy the person sat next to you!
Can't spread the ice-cold butter on your bread roll? Place the butter packet on the foil lid of your hot meal for a few moments, so it's soft and spreadable by the time you're ready to spread. And if you've really enjoyed your meal, there's no harm in asking for seconds once the cabin crew have finished dishing out the trays – there's a good chance another passenger didn't eat theirs. Waste not, want not!
Use the toilet as soon as the pilot turns off the seatbelt sign, or just before the trolley service begins. There's usually a queue after meals have been served, so go as soon as you see the trolley emerge from the galley – or be prepared to wait until the queue quietens down. That said, if you're feeling stiff, you might actually want to line up, as it gives you time to stretch while you wait. Oh, and make sure you don't go barefoot; this cabin crew member revealed that the toilet floor is the dirtiest place in a plane.
If you’re flying while it’s nighttime in your destination, try to sleep on the plane and hold off eating until it's breakfast time where you land. If possible, wait until you’ve landed in the morning then get a hearty breakfast or brunch, with some natural light. This will help your body recognise that it’s the start of the day. It could also help to include as much of your usual AM routine in your journey as possible. For example, clean your teeth and wash your face in the plane's bathroom before you go to sleep, and then again when you wake up.
If you’re landing in the evening, stay awake on the plane as much as you can, keep yourself entertained and move and stretch regularly. If you’re not picking up a car and driving, start winding down as you approach your destination, so you can get to sleep as you get to your accommodation. Then, force yourself to wake up at a reasonable time the following morning.
Need to make a speedy exit once you land? It's worth bagging a seat towards the front of the plane; an aisle seat on the left-hand side if you can. Not only will you be the first to disembark, but you'll also get a good headstart on any immigration and passport control checks. On average, it takes around 15-20 minutes for all passengers to disembark after landing, so if you end up with a seat towards the middle of the plane you may need to be patient...
Most suitcases look the same, which can make the wait at baggage reclaim even more arduous. Want to avoid lifting up bags, only to realise they're not yours? Get creative: tie a colourful ribbon round the handle, add stickers to show off the places you've been and always include a name and contact details label. Tagging devices such as iPhone’s AirTags track your items using Precision Finding technology, which (in theory) could help airline staff locate your luggage quicker if it gets lost.