Best airport hacks for an easier, smoother flight

If you only take one of our hacks on board, this is the one that’ll save you most time. Checking in online means you can bypass the airline desks and head straight to security. Even if you have hold luggage, most airports now have self-service points where you print off and fix on your own luggage tags before taking them to designated drop-off points. Try to check in online as early as possible (some airlines let you do this up to 30 days before your flight). You’ll get a better choice of seat (if you haven’t booked in advance) and you’ll be able to download your boarding pass before you leave home.

Lots of airlines have their own app which you can download to your phone or tablet. These apps are useful for checking in online, but they also give you lots of other useful information before your flight and while you’re at the airport, like live updates, check-in times, gate numbers and cancellations. Apps also store your boarding passes, so you don’t have to search through your bags at security and when boarding.

This is a hack for those early morning flights, or for anyone who stresses about getting to the airport on time. Book an airport hotel for the night before you fly and you won’t have to worry about traffic or delays, and you can get a sound night’s sleep before you jet off. Lots of airlines let you drop your bags off the evening before a morning flight so you can head straight to security when it’s time to fly next day.

Picture the scene. You touch down after your holiday, exhilarated if a little weary after your latest adventure. Now, where did you park the car? Trying to recall which car park, which level, which row and which space contains your car can be stressful, so a simple hack is to take a picture of your car in its space at the airport. Make sure you include a clue (perhaps a sign or number) to indicate precisely where your wheels are, because airport car park levels often look the same!

Of course the other option is to let someone else do the driving, and not worry about parking at all. Asking friends or relatives can be awkward and taxis can be expensive, especially when you include tips and drop-off parking costs at both ends of your trip. With Saga’s VIP door-to-door travel service - included on all escorted tours and an option on all Hosted and Tailor-Made holidays - a driver will pick you up from home, load your luggage, drive you to the airport and be waiting when you land to drive you home afterwards. The service is available to airport hotels too, if you book one before you fly.

Airports can be busy, hectic places with queues everywhere for airline desks, security, shops, food outlets and bars. One way of avoiding this chaos (although you’ll still have to queue for security) is to book an airport lounge. Knowing there’s a peaceful, comfortable space where you can wait to board your flight after passing through security can change your whole experience. If you’re anxious about flying and airports, this hack is for you.

An airport lounge is one way to avoid airport chaos

There’s nothing worse than finding your hold cases are too heavy, or your hand luggage is too big, when you get to the airport. Not only will it hold you up, it will also cost you money as you’ll need to pay extra before you can get your bags on board. Check your airline’s baggage allowance, and size restrictions for hand luggage or carry-on bags. Not all airlines are the same, so it’s always worth checking before you leave home.

Airport food is expensive, and although refreshments are available on most flights, they’re only served at certain times. Having your own snacks will save you queuing and spending money at airport fast food outlets, and you’ll be able to eat whenever you like on board.

It’s tempting to pack as much as you can into hand luggage, but things like passports and boarding passes should be easy to find. You’ll need to show them when you go through security at the airport, and again when you board the plane. Using a bum bag or waist bag for your important documents and mobile phone keeps them separate and accessible. Otherwise put them in a little bag or zip-up pocket in your hand luggage so you can get to them easily.

There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination, only to find your luggage has flown to a different airport. Investing in a tracking tag won’t stop this happening, but it can get you reunited with your bags more quickly. As long as the tag is in your luggage and paired to your mobile phone or device, you should be able to track it down wherever it is in the world. This one’s a bit of a techy hack (and hopefully you won’t need it) but you’ll be glad of it if you do.

You’d be surprised how many people have very similar suitcases, and it’s something that quickly becomes apparent beside an airport carousel. This hack’s a simple fix. Personalise your bags with a brightly coloured luggage belt or do something simple like tying a ribbon to the handle; anything to help you spot your own suitcase or stop someone thinking it’s theirs.

Make sure your suitcase is easily recognisable

Two of you travelling? Book the window and aisle seats (leaving the middle one free) and there’s a chance you’ll fly with all three seats to yourself. Even if someone does book the middle seat, they’ll almost certainly be glad to swap with one of you, so you should end up sitting next to each other anyway.

When travelling, we tend to use mobile phones not just to communicate but also for directions, entertainment and information. With a fully charged portable charger in your hand luggage you can give your battery a boost if needed; you won’t have to worry about finding a plug socket in the airport that’s not being used. If your boarding pass is on your phone, it’s especially important not to get caught short.

A fully charged portable charger can be vital when your boarding pass is on your phone

If you’re taking devices with you that are battery operated, like torches or electric toothbrushes, remove the batteries before you pack them. Devices do occasionally switch themselves on and this can cause security alerts leading to long airport delays for everyone. So this hack goes for hold luggage and hand luggage - if in doubt take it out.

Passing through security involves walking through a scanner which detects heavy metals. Things like belt and boot buckles, watches and bracelets can set the alarm off, causing delays not just to you but to others in the queue. You’ll be asked to put items like these in a tray which passes through a separate scanner (you’ll also need to put your coat, electronic devices, hand luggage and loose change in the tray). Packing them in your suitcase avoids having to take them off in the queue and remembering to pick them up afterwards.

If you have a condition that means you need to take medication with you, pack it in your hand luggage and make sure it’s clearly identifiable. Ideally, keep it in the container it was prescribed in, to avoid any questions that could result in delays.

It’s still the rule. Only containers with a maximum capacity of 100ml (including aerosols and gels) can be carried in hand luggage, packed separately in a small, clear plastic bag. You can pick up bags at security but to avoid the stress of last-minute packing and unpacking, check and pre-pack liquids before you leave home.

Drinking water will help you stay hydrated during your flight and fend off things like headaches or a dry throat. You can’t take bottled water through airport security, but you can bring an empty bottle and fill it up on the other side. That way you won’t need to buy bottled water at the airport (see tip number 8).

Screens at the airport will tell you which gate you need to go to, to board your flight. But they won’t tell you how far away the gate is, and sometimes it can be further than you think. Ask an airport official how long it should take and leave plenty of time to get there. If you think you might need wheelchair assistance, book it at least 48 hours before you travel, ideally when you book the flight.

Be careful about using headphones or ear buds at the airport, especially if they’re noise cancelling. You don’t want to miss any important announcements like last calls or gate changes. If you do use them, keep the volume down so you can still hear what’s going on around you.

If you’ve pre-booked your seats, there is no need to rush to get on the plane. Ultimately you all end up in the same place, so it’s better to sit back and relax until the queue goes down. If you board when most people have already taken their seats the aisles are clearer, and there’s more room to take your coat off and get comfortable before sitting down.

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