Has it been a little while since you have boarded a plane? With more travelers taking to the skies again, you will want to keep these 10 tips in mind before your next flight!

1. Do Your Homework

If you are required to present a negative COVID-19 test before you board, ensure that you know exactly when you should take the test for it to be accepted (sometimes within 24 hours) so you can meet the requirements of your home country, destination, or airline. You can stay up to date on the latest developments by reviewing alerts provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) websites.

2. Check In The Day Before Online or On the Airline’s App

Some airlines allow you to check in online the day before or even on their app. This can save you a little time at the airport. Once you’re there this will usually allow you to head straight to the luggage drop – one less line to wait in. Your Airline’s App can be useful in checking for any updates or gate changes the day you travel too!

3. Get There Early

It may seem like a drag but getting to the airport early allows you plenty of time to navigate longer lines and wait times. Just pack your patience too! You will be happy to have time to get through check in and security without having to run to the gate.

4. Get Comfy

With all the time you’ll be spending at the airport and on the plane, be sure to dress comfortably. You will want to ensure you wear comfy footwear that’s easy to take on and off, and socks so you don’t have to walk through security barefoot. You also never know how cold or warm a plane is going to be, so be sure to dress in layers so you’re prepared for anything. Consider bringing along a light blanket or neck pillow too.

5. Weigh Your Bags 

Don’t wait until you get to the airport to find out your checked bag is overweight! Grab a handheld luggage scale so you can check the weight before you depart, and if you have room, pack it so you can check again on your way home!

6. Strategically Pack Your Carry On

Even if you have a large checked bag, you will want to still be strategic in what you pack and how you pack your carry on. Although travel insurance can reimburse you for items you may need to purchase if your luggage is delayed for a specified period of time, your carry on should still include an extra set of clothes, and items you may need while waiting to check into your accommodation, like a bathing suit if you plan on hitting the pool! Consider what you would definitely need if your luggage was delayed and try to pack it in your carry on if it meets the restrictions. Make sure your boarding pass, passport, and any other documents are safe but accessible too! Remember all liquids packed in your carry on need to fit in a quart-sized bag, and the individual container sizes must be 3.4 ounces or less.

7. Stay Hydrated

Not only will you want to keep your skin hydrated with a good moisturizer, and pack a Chapstick, you will want to make sure you stay hydrated with water! Although you cannot bring a full water bottle through security at the airport, you may be able to bring an empty collapsible one. Simply fill once you’re through security, or purchase a bottle of water at the airport.

8. Charge It Up

Be sure your devices are fully charged before you leave for the airport and pack your charger. An external battery can be useful too, just ensure its allowed by your airline. If you need an adapter at your destination, it’s best to pack one of those as well so you have a backup if your accommodations do not provide enough for you.

9. Pack Your Masks and Sanitizer

Airports and airlines still require masks so be sure to pack them and some extras too. It’s a good idea to have a dedicated bag to store any reusable worn masks in until you have the opportunity to wash them. Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer (just make sure it’s within the liquid limits!) can be extremely useful too.

10. Find Your Recommended Travel Insurance

You can never be too prepared for your next trip and travel insurance is the ultimate peace of mind! For a small fraction of your travel budget, you can easily protect your investment.

TravelInsuranceMaster.com recommends the best plan and value for your next trip from the world’s leading travel insurance providers in just 3 easy steps. If you’re looking for specific benefits like Cancel for Any Reason, Adventure Sports Coverage, Emergency Medical, Trip Delay, and more, you can choose those filters to narrow down the plans and find the best one for your next trip. 

It’s never too early to shop for travel insurance either! Even if you haven’t paid for your trip in full yet, you can request a quote and purchase insurance as soon as you put down your initial trip deposit. TravelInsuranceMaster.com will email you your plan details as soon as you complete your purchase, that way you can get back to the fun part – packing, planning, and preparing for your next plane adventure!

Comments  
These are great tips! Even as a seasoned traveler, I find the airport experience so stressful and remembering tips like these really help me relax.
Definitely important to take water with you on the flight and keep your electronics charged. Especially for longer flights. These are all great tips!
I love that you mention weighing your bags in this list! I have been that person who realizes their suitcase is 2 lbs over and sitting on the ground moving things into the carry on or a friend's bag. You are absolutely right, planning ahead saves you this stress.
I have flown a lot, yet somehow I often forget to check in online a day as soon as it opens. I need to start setting alerts on my phone!
Quoting Hannah:
Whenever I book tickets I now add on insurance, it’s like $20+ extra but it’s always good to have just in case!

Just make sure you read fine print for this $20 insurance. It may be very limited and does not cover what you expect. Comprehesive travel insurance would cover not only fligtht but land/cruise portion of your trip and lots of extras like your health during the trip, bagage, trip delays, etc.
Whenever I book tickets I now add on insurance, it’s like $20+ extra but it’s always good to have just in case!
I just recently started buying travel insurance. For some reason, I always thought it was super expensive and its really not that bad. I got it on my last two trips and need to get it for some upcoming ones I have. But I do need to get a hand scale to weigh my bags beforehand. I'm usually pretty close to my limit and I know its something I'll need to get better at.
Great tips. I made a huge first-timer error once. I did not attempt to do online check-in, nor did I check for any communications from my airline. It turns out my flight was cancelled, and I had no clue. I bought a new ticket from another airline to get me to my destination! Lesson learned: check for messages from the airline before leaving for the airport.
getting there early is so important these days, especially with all the additional travel docs that need to be checked. i've gone from arriving 2hrs before my flight to arriving 3 hours before my flights now - and even then, there'd still be a queue already waiting!
Great tips! I am trying so hard to remember to bring a water bottle, because they are always so expensive at the airport and I hate using single use plastics. Good advice to also pack a chapstick!
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