Ten Air Travel Tips

1. Book well ahead of time.  If you can book your flight at least two or three months ahead of time you will usually get better air fares, and you have more options about which flights to choose.  

2. Give yourself lots of time when traveling.  Arrive at the airport early and allow yourself plenty of time between flights when you make your reservations.  Anything can happen when you are traveling, and you will have a better air travel experience if you allow extra time for everything.

3. Travel light.  Don’t pack more stuff than you will need.  Everything you take with you has to be dealt with somewhere along the line, and that increases your stress. 

4. Check everything you can.  Keep your carry-on at a minimum.  Almost all flights are full these days, and there is simply no space for excess stuff.  You have to deal with your carry-on luggage when boarding and deplaning, and often in between.  Make it easy on yourself by checking most of your things.

With that said, however, there are a few things you want to make sure you have in your carry-on in case your luggage gets lost, like your prescription medications and an extra set of clean underwear.  Expensive electronic equipment—computers, cameras, phones, etc—belongs in your carry-on luggage, too.

5. Drink lots of water.  The air on airplanes is dry and recycled.  A day of travel can leave you dehydrated.  Drink lots of water and minimize caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.  You may not be able to take a bottle of water through security, but you can either take an empty water bottle through, or you can buy bottled water in the airport.  They usually don’t serve enough water on a long flight, so bring your own.

6. Bring crunchy, chewy, healthy snacks.  Many airlines no longer serve meals.  In addition, the inactivity of a long flight can affect your digestive system.  Healthy snacks with lots of fiber, like nuts, fruits and vegetables can help.  Chewy and crunchy snacks help with changes in air pressure, too.

7. Dress comfortably.  Air travel is physically uncomfortable.  Unless you must wear business or dress clothes, wear your most comfortable clothes.  Sweats, scrubs and pajamas are perfect for traveling in.  Wear comfortable shoes, too.

8. Walk a lot.  If you are in the air for more than a couple of hours, get out of your seat and walk up and down the aisle a few times.  Prolonged inactivity can cause blood clots to form in your legs, and can even kill you.  If you have connecting flights, get a good walk around the airport between flights.  It’s also a good idea to take a walk before getting on your first airplane and after you reach your destination.

9. Treat yourself.  Buy a magazine you wouldn’t normally spend money on.  Bring a comfy pillow.  Get that new best-seller you’ve been wanting to read.  Give yourself something to look forward during your flight.

10. Be safe.  Hold onto your possessions.  Don’t travel with large amounts of money.  Be aware of your surroundings.  Take care of yourself and don’t let your guard down, and have a safe and pleasant trip.