Nothing beats the thrill of traveling – the excitement that comes when you’re packed, passport in hand, ready to explore a new country, or return to a favorite city. As fun as the adventure is, the act of travel can be daunting, especially at the airport. From long lines to strict TSA agents to finding a reliable Wi-Fi signal, there are countless ways your new trip buzz can be stifled before you board the plane. To keep your trip running smoothly, here are some expert flying hacks that work.
Lounge Around
Most airlines offer lounge access to top fliers; however, you don’t have to be George Clooney in Up in the Air to enter one. Credit cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum also give members exclusive lounge access simply by owning the card. You can also pay to enter many of the airline lounges for the day for approximately $50. Not a bad price if you have several hours to kill.
Find the Best Seats before You Buy
You can avoid being assigned the dreaded middle seat before you buy your ticket. Simply scour sites like Seat Guru, which lets you pick out the best seats on available flights before you buy. Or at least choose your seat on the airline’s site before you finalize the booking. Travel agent tip: if you prefer not to sit next to small children, choose to sit next to passengers who appear to be flying solo, which is typically easy to figure out on a real-time seating chart.
Go Left…or Right, Depending on the Country
As you’re going through security and you arrive at the screening zone, pick the lines to the left. These are typically shorter, in the United States at least, partially because American’s drive on the right-hand side of the road and tend to maneuver in that direction. Inversely, aim right in England, Ireland, and Australia.
Breakfast is Served
Bring a bag of instant oatmeal in your carry-on, along with your favorite toppings, be it diced fruit or brown sugar packets. When the beverage cart is pushed down the aisle, simply ask for a paper cup, some hot water, and voilà—you have a healthy snack.
Pre-order Your Lunch or Dinner
If you’re stuck in a long security line that seems to be moving at a snail’s pace, and you’re worried you won’t have enough time to grab a solid meal before your flight, worry no more. With the Grab app, you can pre-order a meal anywhere in the airport—if your airport is one of the 40 it currently supports. You can search restaurants that are near your gate, order and pay through your phone, and your meal will be ready when you arrive.
