Travel Hacks for your next Flight.

By
 reachabdur
 -
September 26, 2017
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P
lane trips are really awesome and memorable. However they have the
potential to cruel up like a municipal bus ride if things don’t get right. No
one wants that. I have tried to include as many details as possible to
make sure you live your moment and enjoy your flight. Life goes by fast.
You can’t afford missing them.Who knows, your next trip could end you
up opening a complete new chapter!

Let’s get started.

1. Make use of seatguru.

Be smart when it comes to your seating, especially for long-hauls.

If you don’t want to climb over strangers to use the lavatory, get
the aisle seat: gives you great mobility.

If you don’t want getting up to let people out, take the middle section
aisle seat.

If you don’t want cabin noise, skip the last row seats.

If you want some sleep, take the window.

If you are flying business or first, then all these should not be an issue.

Remember: budget airlines could charge you for choosing seats. 

2. Go for clever Bookings.

Seatguru comes here again. The opportunity to search more than 200
travel sites for a single route from just one website cant go more happier.

From the cheapest flights to the best rated , its you who get to choose.

2. Thinking of cheaper flights?

Choose connecting flights. When compared, non-stop  flights are
expensive and they are meant to be. Why? Read this. 

If possible, you can also go for stopovers. Stopovers are stops in an

itinerary that are over 24 hours long.

It not only gives you a chance to split very long flights into short ones but
also gives you a chance to take rest and visit more destinations than
originally planned. It enriches your airport experience. A lot of airlines
offer free stopovers.

3. Timing Matters.

One of the best hack to get your favorite pricing. Try buying your tickets
really early or just minutes before the flight. 

The latter works best for long-hauls. For the frequent short-haul flights,
last minute ticket prices are mostly high. 

Again, use Seatguru.

 4. Go incognito.

Fares automatically increase when you run the same search multiple
times in the airline’s websites. So, go incognito (private browsing).

Also avoid booking with an ios or macOS device. Prices can go high with
these.

Another great way is clearing the cookies from your computer before
making the bookings.

 5. Mind those turbulences?

Choose your seat near the wings.

 6. Travel light.

Travelling with just a carry-on should be your goal. Just pack the airport
essentials. You don’t need to take a month’s supply if you are going for a
week. Be a minimalist.

Helps you avoid battling for the bin space! Why simply add stress to the
experience?

7. A compliment always pays off.

Don’t mistake flight attendants as waiters or servants. Rather they are

trained safety officials! They could be the ones saving your life. Smile at
them. (Don’t feel shy :P) Thank them. Make use of respect, courtesy and
kindness. It will give you an amazing flight experience for sure.(Who
knows. You could end up with an extra cookie!)

8. Make yourself comfortable.

I don’t know why you should wear suits, shirts and ties. If it’s an official
or business trip, leave your suit in the checked-in baggage. Wear
comfortable clothes for your flight. Consider T-shirts, sweat pants,
sweaters or even hoodies. (There is nothing more comfortable than a
sweat pant).

DON’T CUT YOUR COMFORTS TO LOOK GOOD. YOU LOOK GOOD WHEN

YOU ARE COMFORTABLE!

9. Bring a pen, always.

 Some airports don’t provide any at all. Even if they do, they never have
enough. Your customs form will definitely need them if not anything else.

10. Plan for delays. It happens.

11. Stay hydrated. Planes make you dry.

 The humidity of a pressurized cabin is very low (this is needed to prevent

the aluminum airframe from corrosion). For comfort, you need 30-64% air
humidity. Aircraft cabins can be as low as 10%. This will definitely
dehydrate you.

So, drink lots of water and juice. Just ask for it. Some Airlines are known
to provide wet facial masks. If yours don’t, prepare one yourself. Your
skin’s really gonna be dry otherwise.

 Note: Hydrate with plenty of water the day before flight too.

In fact, the travel aches, pains and some of the jet lag effects are caused
due to dehydration.

12. Don’t fly if you are not collecting air miles/points.

Seriously, some people still don’t know what this is.

 You get awesome benefits and rewards with these. They make you stand
out of the crowd. You can’t afford missing them.

They are not just points, but currencies to travel hackers. Want to travel
the world for less? or even free?? Then consider joining the club. 

Check your airline’s page for details and signup. I recommend sticking to
a few airlines exclusively and getting an appropriate credit card for
miles. You will make your rewards count in no time! Cheaper fares will
pop up occasionally in some other airlines, but frequent fliers get lots of
perks and your loyalty will save you money in the long run. Even if you
are entry level, you will have recognition.

So, commit to an airline, start building amenities and get the club access!

Don’t know which airline to choose? Find your answer here.

Note: Even if you’re not collecting points, it’s good to have a frequent
flyer number. Experience will tell you.

13. When flying from U.S to Europe, book the seats on the left side.

You can’t miss the northern lights if they come out. Doesn’t works during
summer though.

14. Don’t bring Peanuts.

Seriously, don’t. You can bring any other snacks with you but not
peanuts. There is a reason why airlines stopped serving them. The
allergens in peanut is so light, it hangs in the air. When eaten, the
allergen gets released into the cabin and could cause any person with
peanut allergy to have a life threatening reaction.

15. Get the proper shoe.

Spending several hours sitting at that altitude could cause blood to party
at your feet. If you wear tight shoes, this can get uncomfortable. So, get
some loose and comfortable shoes (probably the ones with “slip-off/slip-
on” capability).

16. Try to fly on the 787 or the A350 or the A380.

 The Boeing 787 , Airbus A350 and the A380 have large windows, higher
cabin ceilings and advanced air filtration systems.

 The cabins in these airliners have got more humidity and thus more
comfort. This makes dehydration and jet lag a less worry. All of this is
possible due to the carbon fiber structure.

 Find out whether your airline flies them. If yes, check out the routes.

15. Check-in early.

Better than the long immigration lines or missing the flight. Airports are a
hive of activity. Keep gaping at the astounding modern airport structures
or watch the ground crews do their thing. It’s Fun. Believe me!

Also remember there is a whole world of duty-frees waiting for you.

16. Make New Friends.

Consider talking to people sitting near you. Strike up a conversation or

just say Hello. Leave them alone if they look annoyed. If you are sitting
by parents of young children, offer your help.

17. Nowadays Airports like to remove shoes and belts and socks and
what not.

Prepare beforehand. Do as much as you can while you are in the queue.
Get your jackets off and laptops out and jewelry removed before it’s your
turn. Helps save time and makes the process better and efficient.

18. Some people really hate it when you recline the seat in front of
them (I hate that too).
 If you absolutely need to, recline slowly and make sure you don’t hit
their lap or laptop.

Note: Seats in FRONT of the emergency exits don’t recline.

19. Don’t rush to leave the plane (after landing).

Take it easy. You will find that it’s better and easier to remain seated
rather than fighting for the overhead carry-on.

Yes. Some of them have this annoying habit of getting up as soon as the
plane lands and battle over the carry-on bins.

20. Know how to open the lavatory doors.

You got to push through the middle of them. Many people don’t know
that (well, they are not supposed to) and end up getting embarrassed.
The toilets are loud and powerful too. Prepare for a huge gush when you
flush. They use vacuum force for the flush and not water.

Also it is known that they suck down at a speed faster than the Formula
One cars. #Facts101

21. Inside the cabin, it’s freezing cold.

Planes are chilly, even if its summer. You can request a blanket. If it is a
low cost carrier, take your own jacket or blanket. They don’t have for
everyone and they will charge you too.

22. There is a white bag in your seat pocket.

 Will help you if you are sick or got the habit of dizziness with motion.
 You will be glad that you knew it.

23. There is a call button in case you need the          attendant’s

attention.

Use it sensibly of course.

24. The exit row seats got more legroom.

 You get them at no extra cost. To grab them, you either have to pre-
book or check-in early.

 But also note that using exit row seats entitles you to the  responsibility
to assist in case of an emergency. Not willing? Inform the crew and leave
’em.

25. Lounges are awesome.

 Most of the airlines offer lounge access for free to their passengers. Even
many credit cards does. Still, if you don’t have the access, consider
taking a day pass. It’s as low as $50. More better, if you can travel with
someone who has the access, be their guest!

26. Skip the Line, Check-in online.

 Some airlines offer check-ins through kiosk too.

27. It is a good idea to check the meals online.

Most of the airlines allow meal selection online. Check them out. Choose
your meals otherwise you might not get what you want. You could end up
with leftovers (doesn’t always happens though). More importantly, by
reserving meals online, you will  be the first one to get served. (sounds
great huh?)

28. Seats near the restrooms aren’t great.

 That place is usually congested.

29. Avoid Alcohol. Go easy.

 It dehydrates your body. Will also make it difficult for you to sleep.

Moreover, your mouth will be desert dry when you wake up.

Know how your body reacts to alcohol beforehand. Some enjoy while
others use the restroom way too much!

30. Keep a bottle or thermos with you.

 Now this advice, you will find all over the web. It’s really a great one.
But make sure your bottle is EMPTY. Fill the bottle only after clearing the
security (You are not allowed to bring in fluids). You can ask your flight
attendant to fill it for you. They will be happy to help. You can also get a
filled bottle from the duty-free on the other side of the security.

It’s better keeping a bottle than asking over and over for those tiny water
cups during flight (they are cute though).

31. A laptop is not counted in the weight.

So are the goods purchased from the duty-free.

32. Any flight above 4 hours, prefer wide-bodied jets.

Airlines usually let you know your aircraft while booking.

33. You have Wi-Fi in your flight.

Most great airlines will. They give you free for some time and charge
later on. It’s super cheap.

500 mega-bytes for a dollar (in my airline).

A great way to make time fly if you don’t like the movies there.

Note: Charge your devices beforehand. You are not allowed to charge
from a backup charger/power bank in the aircraft. If your aircraft is great
enough to have power outlets and USB ports, then that’s awesome.

34. Refreshments aren’t free if it is a low-cost carrier.

Buy some beforehand from the duty-free. It’s not cheap but cheaper and
better than that on the cabin (welll, sometimes)

35. Consider bringing in your own headphones.

If you are flying economy,the quality’s gonna be rather poor.

A good pair of headphones (noise cancellation) will give you a great

escape from all the noises around you…be it your mate snoring or some
random kids crying.

Might cost you bit money but I consider that an awesome investment.

36. Never pay extra for your baggage.

If at all you need to take the loads, FedEx them. Its way cheaper.
Weight your stuffs before you leave. Helps avoid the surprise at the
check-in. Remember, it sucks unpacking at the counter.

If you don’t mind those terrible charges, RELAX.

37. Try Business, at least once.

If only you can afford. (and you should try to :D)

In business class, you get to define your limits. If you are grumpy about
those long queues, those limited meal options, those leg rooms, then go
for business.

38. And last.

 Be thankful and happy- That you have got this awesome opportunity of
flying and travelling. Hundreds and thousands of people exists out there
who have never even seen an aircraft, have always wanted to ride one
but can’t afford.