You’re the type who pays for the middle seat in Couch — and flies First Class. The one who somehow always avoids paying checked bag fees. You know, the one who’s always one step ahead of the airline industry thanks to your ingenious flying hacks.

Or, more likely, you want to be that person. Good news: you’re in the right spot.

We’ve compiled flying hacks from frequent travelers and expertise from flight attendants, and are ready to take you from airport novice to flying ace. Be warned, once you learn these flying hacks, you may just have a downright pleasant airport experience. And once that happens, you’ll likely become one of those people who is always visiting new places, you know, the one all of your friends envy.

Now, up until this point, if you’ve spent any time in the air, you know that traveling by plane can be stressful. You’ve got connections to catch, luggage to pick up, relatives to coordinate with… but with these flying hacks, you’ll be ready to take to the sky.

Book Like A Pro

First things first. And your first area to master is the flight booking process…

1. Do a little digging. Make sure any airfare deal you’re considering isn’t too good to be true. If a flight seems impossibly cheap, it probably is. Some discount airlines tack on additional hidden fees. Before you get too click happy and purchase your tickets, make sure you know what the final cost will be.

2. Use tech to your advantage. The usual flight comparison sites can be a great starting point to compare airline prices. There’s also Skiplagged, which uses loopholes to score you the cheapest flights possible. If you’ve got a little bit of time to book, try out Hopper, which is an app that predicts when flights will be the cheapest by monitoring prices and sending you a notification when the price drops!¹

Plan Ahead

The more you plan in advance, the greater your odds of not simply getting through a flight, but truly enjoying it!

3. Make the most of your carry-on. You can’t control if the airline loses your luggage, but you can make sure that you’re prepared. Keep the absolute essentials in your carry-on. A change of clothes, your prescriptions, deodorant and a toothbrush can go a long way if your checked bag is nowhere to be found when you land.¹ 

4. Consider your stomach. Finding food in an airport can be a drag, especially if you have any sort of dietary restrictions. Packing your lunch and some snacks eliminates the stress of making it through a food line in time to make your connection. With the dry air on flights, you also want to make sure that you stay hydrated. Rather than forking up $8 for a bottle of water, bring an empty refillable water bottle to fill once you’re through security.²

5. Do some intel. If you’re planning to work en route, check your plane’s amenities. Are there power outlets? What about Wifi? Should you shell out for a little extra room in case the passenger in front of you reclines — right into your tray table-turned-desk? Before you smoothly promise your boss that your project will be in by the deadline, make sure that you’ll actually have what you need to work during your flight. And if there isn’t a power outlet by your seat, bring a battery pack!¹

When Things Go Awry

Making sure you have a strong backup plan for your escape plan is key…

6. You forgot your… Even when you pack carefully, you may still forget a gotta-have item. If it’s something common such as a phone charger, head toward the airport lost and found. Usually, items that have gone unclaimed for 90 days or more are fair game. If you explain your situation, the staff may be happy to hand off an item that would otherwise go to waste.² 

7. Your flight is cancelled or delayed. It happens and it’s a pain. Rather than huffing and puffing as you elbow your way through a customer service line, double your chances of success. While you wait in line, call the airline’s 800 number. The staff you speak with on the phone will have the same capabilities as the in-person representative who is trying to help dozens of people ahead of you. It’s likely you’ll be able to resolve your issue much more quickly and be on your way!²

 8. Your neighbor wants to chat. We’ve been there. You’re ready to watch your movie, and your row-mate wants to talk. In fact, they want to tell you all sorts of things. Try packing a pair of headphones, the more conspicuous the better, to send a clear signal that you’d rather keep to yourself. Hint: you don’t even have to be listening to music or a movie, you can simply sit in sweet silence with headphones as your disguise.³ (That said, you never know who you may be chatting with. Or the stories you’ll hear. Or the friends you could make. Think twice before you miss a connection.) 

As a general tip, remember that airport staff deal with a lot of misdirected anger. If you can remain kind and thoughtful, even in a stressful situation, you’ll be much more likely to come out ahead. For example, jerks don’t get the coveted upgrade to First Class. Now, do you know who sometimes does get a free upgrade? The person at the back of the line who has politely waited their turn, and quietly asks if there is the possibility of an upgrade.^4 Even if they aren’t willing to upgrade you for free, inquiring on the same day as your flight may qualify you for a discounted upgrade, so it’s worth asking!¹

One last hack the real pros use? Snagging travel insurance from Allianz Global Assistance before you depart. You’ll have access to top-notch Concierge Service, which is like having a personal travel assistant in your pocket. Travel information, location-specific details, and backup in case of unexpected issues is just a phone call away.

Here is the catch with flying hacks. Once you learn them, you need to share them with someone else. We’re all in this together, and by “this,” we mean a sometimes sweaty, stifling metallic cylinder in the sky. By sharing tips and tricks, we all make flying a little easier for each other.

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