Tips before you arrive
1. Know where you’re going
Establish where the airport is, how you’ll get there in good time for your flight and also which Terminal you’re flying from (if there are multiple). If you’re getting public transport to the airport, make sure you check an up-to-date timetable in advance, or if you’re making your own way there, use Google Maps route planner to give you a good idea of how long it’ll take to get there.
2. Screenshot your boarding pass
If you’re going paperless and carrying your e-ticket on your phone, take a screenshot of it. It’s much easier to find it in the gallery on your phone than on your email or the airline’s app if there’s no internet connection at the check-in desk. Always better to have more options than fewer!
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3. Always print your boarding pass
And if you’re able to print out your boarding pass, we recommend doing so. Unless you’re going to carry your charger with you, there’s always the chance that your mobile may run out of battery. So a paper back up can sometimes be a life-saver!
4. Get a credit card or two
Certain credit cards come with special perks exclusively for travelers such as free access to airport lounges. NBAD, HSBC and ADCB all offer cards that could help you kill at least an hour or two in the airport. Other perks can sometimes include free rides to the airport so do your homework and make sure you shop around.
Search the cheapest flights from the UAE
At check-in
5. Skip the check-in queue
When certain airports get very busy they generally call out the flights that are set to depart first, and let those passengers through as a priority. It means instead of spending hours in a check-in queue you could be enjoying a coffee and a book, and wait for your flight to be called. BUT be aware: some airports now call themselves ‘quiet airports’ and no longer do tannoy announcements. It’s best to check before you abandon your place in the queue!
6. Skip the security queue
Chances are if you’re very pushed for time a quiet and polite word with an airport staff member can likely result in a queue jump to the front of the line. If it doesn’t work, charm and plead fellow passengers to let you ahead. And have your boarding pass ready to show you’re up against it!
7. Remove the bling
There’s nothing more annoying than being stuck behind someone who has to walk through the security gate over and over until they find the source of the beeping. The easiest way to make sure this person isn’t you is removing any and all of your jewelry before reaching the gate. You’ll save time as well as your blushes.
8. Take a plastic bag or two
Certain airports are stricter than others when it comes to plastic bags so it’s a good idea to take a few spare clear ziplocks to store all of your liquids. If you are over the limit though, be prepared to part with your items, so we advise tactically packing your more expensive items in one bag, while the toothbrush and toothpaste in another that you’re happy to leave behind.
9. Choose your queue carefully if you’re in a hurry
Unless you’re told to join a specific queue, do some scouting before you join the line. Look for one which is light on children and heavy on business people, it’ll move much quicker.
In the departure lounge
10. Set an alarm
It’s easy to lose track of time in an airport – especially if you’re traveling with little ones or enjoying the shops – so set an alarm on your phone for boarding time so you don’t have any last-minute dashes to make.
11. Keep the children entertained
As long as you don’t exceed your hand luggage allowance, there’s no such thing as over-packing for kids. If they’re old enough to carry a backpack, fill a small one with crayons, paper, books, new toys, anything and everything you can think of to keep them entertained.
Read more: Top tips for traveling with babies and children on a plane
12. Get some work done
Why not use the dead time to do things you would otherwise have to do on the plane? Would you rather write a report or enjoy a movie or three in the sky?! Most airports have WiFi so you can catch up on emails while you wait to board and it’ll feel like no time before you’re being asked to board.
At the gate
13. Don’t queue to board
Your seat’s not going anywhere so there’s no need to spend 30 minutes queuing to get on the plane first (as long as you’ve got a pre-allocated seat of course). Queuing can also raise the stress levels as you incessantly watch the stream of people, waiting for the queue to start moving or those pesky passengers trying to jump in. Why not just wait until the last minute then casually stroll through the gate to the aircraft.
On the plane and on arrival
14. Look before you leave
This has to be the best, most under-rated travel tip ever, for on a plane, in a restaurant, anywhere simply! Whenever you’re moving around an airport or on the plane, always take one last look to check you haven’t left anything. Important things like wallets and passports can easily slip down the side of a seat or into the back pocket on the seat in front. Remembering once you’re in the airport or even worse once you’ve left the airport will add endless hours of pain onto your journey!
15. Travel with a (fancy) friend
And our final tip? Simply travel with your fanciest friend. You’ll be able to ride on their coattails into the lounge where lots of free food, magazines and drinks await you for the ultimate stress-free start to your flight.
Looking for more more advice and travel tips? Check these out:
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*Published August 2017. Prices correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change and/or availability.
