While it seems like it has been conveniencing our lives forever, flying is a relatively recent innovation that radically changed the face of world travel. Instead of taking weeks, days, or months to get from one location to the next, travelers can experience safe and easy travel from the comforts of a cushy (albeit cramped!) airplane chair. For business professionals on the go, flying is particularly important, as it allows them to pop from one location to the next without having to worry about missing a bear.
But if you aren’t exactly a frequent flyer, airports can be a stressful place. Here are a few things to know before embarking on an airborne journey:
Give Yourself Time to Get There
When heading to the airport, it’s foolish not to factor in parking, transportation to the airport, checking in, and going through security. In order to streamline the process, it often helps to facilitate transportation services that will cut out the inconvenience of getting to the airport, finding parking, and paying for your car to stay there. Airport shuttle services allow for easy transport that will get you to your gate with plenty of time to spare.
Equip Yourself With Provision
Sure, there are a lot of things to do in international airports, such as eat, drink, and pay $10 for 30 minutes of wifi. However, these things can cost up — especially considering how inflated prices at airports are. Instead, bring your own diversions and snacks. Bring a good book, a notebook, or even a deck of cards for entertainment. As far as snacks go, bring healthy, protein-filled snacks such as nuts and beef jerky that won’t contribute to that sinking feeling of jet lag.
Pay Attention
This tip applies to a lot of things. Pay attention to the time of your flight, your gate, where your luggage is, when your transportation services are arriving, and where you put your feet. After all, it is rude to sprawl out in someone else’s seat.