Airplane Travel Tips
by Melanie Linn Gutowski (RSS feed) on Aug 9th, 2010 at 11:16AM
Though it may seem appealing to sleep through those long waits on the tarmac, avoid the temptation to take a sleep aid until you're up in the air.
You may miss important announcements, or, worse yet, you may be asked to disembark and wait for a later plane.
If you plan to take a sleep aid, be sure to take a seat where you are less likely to block in other passengers, like a window seat or a middle seat. Your fellow passengers don't want to climb over your dead weight in the middle of the night.
[Photo: Flickr |
mirjoran]
by Erin Frank (RSS feed) on Aug 9th, 2010 at 10:16AM
I've been noticing swap shelves in airport bookstores lately. Store owners are starting to encourage frequent fliers to leave a book and take a book. This helps you get fresh reading material for free (or cheap) and lightens your load of a book you're done with.
A few airports,
like Portland International, have used bookstores where someone has undoubtedly just sold back that bestseller you wanted, and you can pick it up for less than full price.
Alternatively, check out
The Paradies Shops: they let you return a book you bought within 6 months and receive half your money back.
[Photo: Flickr |
jrodmanjr]
by Mia von Doom (RSS feed) on Aug 8th, 2010 at 5:57PM
My problem with flying stems from having really bad seatmates -- the kind that read over your arm, nudge and kick you endlessly, and take eons to mess around with their luggage. And I'd sit and grit my teeth in silence.
The solution is
shockingly simple: about a year ago, I accidentally wore my sunglasses the entire time we were on the plane, and I noticed my seatmate was courteous, but left me alone. One more flight confirmed it: no more eye contact means my bad neighbors leave me alone unless absolutely necessary. I can finally fly in peace.
[Photo: Flickr |
Robert Thomson]
by Shawn Pandorf (RSS feed) on Aug 7th, 2010 at 5:57PM
When your airline trip involves multiple stops, a little research before you leave will reduce frustration during the time you switch from one plane to the next.
Visit the website of the airport you will be changing planes at and print out a map of the terminal. When faced with a short time to get from one concourse to the next you will find a map to be very helpful.
In addition to your investigation of the airport layout, you should also identify shops and restaurants that interest you in the event that your layover time becomes lengthy.
Pro tip: add the
Gate Guru app to your smart phone.
[Photo: Flickr |
James Cridland]
by Debi Kemp (RSS feed) on Jun 22nd, 2010 at 4:50PM
During your next flight, be considerate of the passenger in front of you. When settling down into -- or, getting out of -- your seat, don't grab the seat in front of you for leverage.
Nothing is more startling (or, annoying) than to suddenly feel your seat rock backwards because the passenger seated in the row behind you couldn't just use the armrest.
by Lori Vechazone (RSS feed) on Jun 21st, 2010 at 4:50PM
Forget buying expensive products that promise to keep you healthy when you fly. This simple, but unglamorous trick, prevents me from getting sick every time.
Before I head to the airport, I put a generous amount of antibiotic ointment on a cotton swab and then coat the inside of my nose. It creates a barrier for the germs and keeps my nose from becoming dry and irritated while breathing the recycled air in the plane.
(Of course, I have no medical proof, but I never get sick after flying when I remember to do this.)
by Robert Carlton (RSS feed) on Jun 20th, 2010 at 4:50PM
Last year on our flight to Las Vegas, I asked several of the other passengers if they would like to partake in a drawing for a chance to win money before landing in Vegas.
Several passengers were interested, so we got a trash bag and a marker, and each passenger that wanted to play wrote their seat number on a dollar bill and placed it in the trash bag.
After asking everyone if they wanted to play, we had a young passenger draw one of the dollars from the bag and that person won all the cash.
by Debby Girvan (RSS feed) on Apr 30th, 2010 at 9:35AM
Airline space seems tighter than ever. Before you recline your seat, make sure you warn the passenger behind you.
Broken computer screens, spilled drinks and bruised knees are just a few of the hazards of what is supposed to be a relaxing seat position. Done properly, the seat will recline without slamming your back against it.
If you decide to nap, don't turn it into a bed. Rolling over in your seat or shifting positions abruptly while the seat is reclined will launch anything on the tray table behind you.
Be aware -- and be courteous!
by Staci M. Alziebler (RSS feed) on Apr 29th, 2010 at 11:20AM
Most people like to travel during the day, but I prefer to take the night flight and pamper myself. In my carry-on, I pack an eye mask, ear plugs, soothing music on my iPod, my fuzziest socks, and a journal.
As we start off, I order a glass of wine and write down my thoughts about the trip, and the top three things I have to do while I am there to feel like I experienced the place.
Then I sit back, listen to my music, wearing my eye mask and fuzzy socks. Before you know it, we have landed, and I am refreshed and ready to explore.
by Ana (RSS feed) on Apr 28th, 2010 at 11:26AM
Most of us underestimate how much water we should consume on a daily basis, but we should not overlook it on the day of a flight!
Water works wonders when it comes to off-setting jet lag. It hydrates and promotes mental clarity. It also helps with fatigue, dizziness and lightheadedness, all common symptoms when we fly.
The best part is: water is free when you're on board, and you can order as much as you need.
Pro tip: purchase a bottle after you've arrived at your gate, and you won't have to ask for water on the flight.
by Nico Deyo (RSS feed) on Apr 27th, 2010 at 11:25AM
While some people espouse the virtues of "cheap tickets" service, I've found that those sites actually add quite a lot of taxes and fees on top of standard airline tickets. What they
are useful for is finding out exactly what airlines are offering flights and when.
Look at the list of all flights going to the destination, and pick a time and airline company you want to go with. Then book tickets directly through the airline themselves.
Not only is it cheaper to book directly, but often, it can clue you into deals they may have going for booking in advance, or on a certain day.
by Debbie Bookstaber (RSS feed) on Apr 26th, 2010 at 11:34AM
Obese fliers, crying babies and ever-shrinking legroom get lots of press, but the stinky guy is a frequent flier's worst nightmare. While a good book and your favorite music can distract from the physical discomfort of flying, sitting next to or even near to something with very strong body odor can be downright nauseating.
Travel pros come prepared. I carry
Origins Peace of Mind on planes and dab a bit under my nose to block unpleasant odors. Unlike dousing yourself in strong perfume, the scent won't bother your neighbors. In a pinch, alternatives include Vapor-Rub, essential oils and pulse-point creams.
by Alex Pollock (RSS feed) on Apr 26th, 2010 at 11:27AM
Looking for a cheap flight in a far-away place? Most low-cost carriers (like
Southwest in the US) don't list or sell their fares through aggregator websites (like
Expedia and Travelocity) -- you need to book directly with the airline.
To find out what low-cost carriers fly between any two given cities, check out
AirNinja. They let you enter in your starting airport (and a destination, if desired), and show what low-cost airlines have departures from that airport and where they go, complete with links out to the airline's own site for booking. And it's free!
by Kay Logsdon (RSS feed) on Apr 25th, 2010 at 11:21AM
We're accustomed to two extremes: the gregarious seatmate who talks through the whole flight, and the one who has his eyes closed from the start. Most of us prefer the latter, but we may be cheating ourselves out of a business contact or an interesting story.
In my opinion, here's the best greeting to use to help find that middle ground:
Hi. Nice sitting with you. Would you mind giving me five minutes about you, then we can each read/work/listen to music/sleep, having had our lives enriched by knowing another interesting person.
You never know, you may wish you had a longer flight.
by David P. Sims (RSS feed) on Mar 30th, 2010 at 4:37PM
Sick of hearing about a stranger's dysfunctional family or odd medical conditions? Avoid conversations all-together by doing a simple thing: wear headphones.
This works best if you also avoid eye contact (and it may be necessary to pretend that you don't hear you fellow passengers the first time they speak). Pull your headphones off when speaking to them and then put the headphones back on when the chit-chat is over.
In reality, it doesn't even matter if the headphones are plugged in. The other passengers just need to believe they are.
by Henry Hill (RSS feed) on Mar 29th, 2010 at 4:36PM
Here's your best shot at getting that coveted empty seat.
- Book a seat close to the back of the plane. Most airlines and bookers fill the seats at the front of the plane first, leaving more empty space in the back.
- Don't choose the last row, though, as often times these seats don't recline.
- Don't choose an exit row seat (these tend to fill up) or a row of three that's completely empty (lots of people travel in pairs).
- Finally, make sure to re-checkin at the airport kiosk to see if any more desirable spaces have opened up.
Have fun spreading out!
by Janice Forrest (RSS feed) on Mar 28th, 2010 at 4:34PM
Now that most
airlines charge to check your bags, more people are opting to carry their luggage onto planes. However, not much fits in your typical carry-on. To maximize your carry-on capacity and still fit your bag in the overhead compartment, take a tip from the U.S. Army. Trade your rolling luggage for an army surplus Ruck Sack.
A Ruck Sack offers plenty of pockets and lots of room for your belongings. They're also durable and easy to sling across your shoulders. Look for a pack with an internal back frame to better support the load.
by Chris Zubak-Skees (RSS feed) on Mar 18th, 2010 at 11:01AM
The uncertainty of flight delays can be nerve-wracking. Will you make that 40 minute layover... or will you be stuck in Newark for half the day? An alchemy of time of day, current weather, and the airports involved determine your fate.
You can obsessively check, but can't really predict, weather. The other factors, however, are a little easier to figure out ahead of time. Sites like the well-regarded FlightStats.com offer historical on-time performance for most routes. Punch in your flight info, and you'll be rewarded with average delays and details on past performance.
Maybe, now, you can relax.
Maybe.
by Jeff Allan (RSS feed) on Mar 8th, 2010 at 11:08AM
Work for a company that will only reimburse coach fares? Book a full-fare economy class ticket with a Y booking code.
Commonly referred to as "Y-up" tickets, travelers with a
Y booking code may request complimentary upgrade to first class seating. Airlines created the Y booking code to get around tighter corporate travel policies, while still catering to their most lucrative passenger segment.
by Matthew Wilkening (RSS feed) on Mar 7th, 2010 at 11:09AM
Your seats are reserved. There's no circulating air until the plane takes off, and even if you're the first person on the plane, you're going to be hot, you're going to have to move, and you're going to get elbowed -- and maybe get luggage dropped on you. Also, if you're not the first person to board, you're going to spend 20 minutes slowly creeping down the crowded walkway.
So... stay out in the relative open space of the terminal waiting area until the gate agents make the final boarding call. Or, at a minimum, wait until they call your boarding number before rushing the gate.
No one like gate lice hovering around the entryway -- especially as the rest of us are trying to board.
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