Nobody particularly enjoys visiting the airport. So much can go wrong in a visit and what is supposed to be an easier experience ends up being a nightmare. If you always work yourself up when it comes to airport travel, here are some of the things you can do to help everything feel a bit smoother.
Leave Plenty of Time
People always joke about arriving for the flight hours early but there is a ring of truth to it. Would you rather enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the airport or endure a mad dash for the departure gate right before closing?
Did you know that it is recommended that you leave at least three hours at the airport for an international flight? That number only increases with different variables. Is it bad weather or a peak time to be flying? All of these could impact the number of hours it takes you to go through check-in and security. Don’t miss your flight because you could not be bothered to sit in a departure lounge for an hour. It really isn’t worth it.
Prepare for Security
There are a few tips and tricks you can use to get you through security a little quicker than some of your fellow passengers. Firstly, you could pay for a fast pass. Coming in at about £5, this is a great option if you have small children. You will be whisked off into a separate queue and allowed to go through a security scanner at your own pace. It is a lot less stress and a lot less hassle.
Secondly, make sure that you are not wearing excessive jewellery or anything which is difficult to remove. Those heels might look fabulous but you are only going to annoy everyone in the line behind you while you fiddle with the straps to take them on and off. Dress in loose, breathable layers that allow you to quickly adjust how much you are wearing. Make sure that your shoes are easy to slip on and off as needed and place your toiletries and electronics in easy to reach places for the scanners.
Pre-Book the Parking
When rolling up to the parking at Birmingham airport, it can be quite stressful trying to think about where you are going to grab a space. However, there is a much simpler solution available to you; https://www.birminghamparking.com/. Head here to pre-book a parking space in one of the dedicated carparks.
This could be a fantastic affordable option if you need your car at the airport but don’t want to have to fork out for lengthy long-stay parking fees. What’s more, you will not have to drive around and potentially park miles away from the airport. You know that you will have a space ready and waiting just for you. This might be especially helpful if you have chosen a late evening or early morning flight to try and beat some of the queues.
Hydrate
Everyone knows you can only take a certain amount of liquids through security but a common trick is to take an empty water bottle. There is a plethora of places airside where you can fill it up from the toilets to dedicated water fountains. Your body will get very dehydrated on the plane and you want to grab every opportunity you can to prevent that from happening.
Why fork out for overpriced water from the airside cafés and restaurants when you can just grab your own before you board the plane? Think smart and prepare ahead so you can give your body the attention it needs no matter how long your flight.
Head to an Airline Lounge
You are sometimes able to buy passes to certain airline lounges like those belonging to Virgin or British Airways if you are travelling with these carriers. Stopping off in the lounges is a great way to chill out and relax a little before you board your flight. Not only are there much comfier chairs than anything you will find downstairs at the gate, but there are also drink facilities and a buffet or restaurant so you can recharge before the flight.
There are also sometimes showers and spa facilities; a godsend if you are in the middle of a transfer or have had a difficult time travelling already. Enquire at your airline desk to see how much it would be for you to swing by the lounge.
Airports can be stressful places but they really do not have to be. Next time you have a flight which you think might be a little more stress-inducing than usual, be sure to try out some of the tips we have listed above. If you know how to plan the journey correctly, there is no reason why the majority of your travel cannot be a pleasure every single time you fly.
