Last Updated on April 3, 2024 by ETC Team
We all have to acknowledge that it has become more and more difficult to fly without running into issues or problems with the airport or the airlines. Enduring the line at the security check point in some airports is enough to put some passengers in a bad mood. However, despite all of the inconveniences that come with flying, it is a necessity. There are several things that can be done to make air travel easier and more hassle free. All that is involved is a little bit of common sense and planning.
Make Air Travel Easier
1. Arrive At The Airport Early
Arriving at the airport early is a no-brainer. Most airlines tell passengers to arrive at least two hours prior to a flight’s departure time. However, there are many people who refuse to follow this request. They will arrive at the airport just several minutes before a flight is scheduled to leave. If there is a line at the check-in counter or at security, this can create a very stressful situation. Not only can the flight be missed, but a new flight must be booked. When this happens, the passengers will probably have to travel stand-by on a later flight with no guarantee of a seat until the very last minute.
Make Air Travel Easier
2. Take A Morning Flight
Leaving on an early flight does not necessarily mean a 4 a.m. flight must be chosen. However, flights that leave first thing in the morning are less likely to be running late, and they are less likely to be affected by weather problems across the country and/or other planes that may be delayed at other airports. Also, if for some reason the first flight of the day is canceled or delayed, there will probably be several other flights throughout the rest of the day that, if necessary, can be taken instead.
Make Air Travel Easier
3. Avoid Flying During “Rush Hour”
Airports, like highways, have rush hours. Typically, rush hour in the morning is from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., and in the afternoon from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. These are the hours when airports are the most crowded with people waiting for flights. Crowds mean longer lines at the security check points, more people in the restrooms, more people waiting in restaurant lines, and more people taking up seats in the waiting areas. By avoiding flights during the rush hour time of day you can mitigate the need to stand in lines and sit with crowds.
Make Air Travel Easier
4. Try To Take Non-Stop Flights
Obviously, when a non-stop flight is taken, there is less risk of being delayed. Taking off and landing both take quite a bit of time, so avoiding having to do this twice is recommended. There will always be destinations when a non-stop flight is not available, but there are plenty of cities where non-stop flights are just as common as those that have stops. It can even be worth a few extra dollars to book a non-stop flight to avoid the unwanted hassle and the possibility of being delayed. Take this in to account when planning your travel budget and decide what is best for your trip.
Make Air Travel Easier
5. Book Connections With Ample Time
If a non-stop flight is not available to a desired destination, make sure to schedule enough time in between flights. When airlines book flights, they often have a layover requirement of 30 or 45 minutes between connections. However, this is often not enough time if the original flight arrives late. You never want to feel like getting to your next gate is a track meet. In order to avoid this stress, try to schedule connecting flights with at least an hour to spare between the arrival time of the first flight and the departure time of the connecting flight.
