BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT

A stress and hassle-free airport experience really starts before you even get to the airport with on-line check-in. For most flights, you’ll be able to check-in 24 hours before the flight and it’s really in your best interest to do so to get some of the below benefits.

With online check-in, you’ll receive a copy of your boarding pass in an email and/or in your airline’s app. I like to take a screenshot of it (just in case I lose data service along the way) and sometimes I print off a copy as a back-up.

ELIMINATE STANDING IN LINE AT THE CHECK-IN COUNTER

You can skip right past the check-in step and go to the baggage drop area (if you are checking a bag) or bypass that too and go straight to the security queue if you only have a carry-on. If you’re not sure which line is for baggage check only, ask the airport employees and they’ll direct you to the right line.

REDUCE THE CHANCE YOU’LL GET BUMPED

I’ve noticed an increase of overbooked flights in the past few years and it seems like almost every flight there are requests for volunteers to be bumped. If they can’t find enough volunteers then people get bumped IN-voluntarily. If you want to reduce the chance that will be you it pays to check in early. In this case, the early bird could get the seat!

CHOOSE YOUR SEAT

Some airlines allow you to choose a seat when you book a flight, but some don’t. Either way, I always like to recheck the seat options at check-in and see if something better has opened up.

At the 24 hours to departure mark, many fliers with airline status have been given complimentary upgrades so they are no longer in economy seats and you can re-seat yourself. If you aren’t sure where the best seats are on the plane check out Seat Guru. Just enter your airline, flight number and date and it’ll show you a colour coded seat map and seat reviews from other fliers.

GET YOUR FREE UPGRADE IF YOU HAVE STATUS WITH AIRLINE

As an example, Silver members of United Airlines can pick an Economy Plus seat for themselves and one companion at check-in. These go pretty quickly so if you wait to do this at the airport when you check-in you might have missed the opportunity to change seats.

AT YOUR ORIGIN AIRPORT

My number one tip to reduce stress at the airport is simple – get there in plenty of time. Many people have different opinions about what “plenty of time” means but generally I find it’s best to the airport about three hours before an international flight. I don’t mind waiting at the gate if I get through baggage check and security quickly and it gives me peace of mind to know I have built in extra time if things go wrong. It seems to me the less time you leave yourself then Murphy’s Law kicks in and the lines are horrendous, but the earlier you’re there the shorter the lines.

Extra time is also always a good idea when you park off-site at the airport as the shuttle buses need to drive around the whole lot several times to get filled up and then you might not be the first terminal they drop-off at either. At big airports, it isn’t unheard of to be on that shuttle up to 30 minutes but it’s no sweat if you’ve allowed time for it. The time driving around the airport can be spent chatting with fellow travelers and tucking your shuttle ticket in a safe place (maybe snapping a quick photo of it with your phone just in case it gets lost) instead of looking at your watch in panic every three minutes because you fear you’re going to be late.

Once you arrive at the terminal, you can head straight to baggage check (if you checked in online) and then tuck your bag receipt away for safekeeping and proceed to security with your ID and boarding pass in hand. If it isn’t clear which security line you should be in, don’t hesitate to ask an employee for help. It’s better to take a moment to ask than waste time standing in the wrong line or not taking advantage of TSA Pre-Check (in US airports) or Premier Access/ Fast Track lines for fliers with airline status.

If you’re not sure if you have TSA Pre-Check it will be indicated on your boarding pass. You may be selected at random by the TSA for the expedited security screening, you may receive it as a benefit of your frequent flier program, or you can apply to TSA for a 5-year membership. Other options to be eligible to participate in TSA Pre-Check include enrollment in U.S. Global Entry, NEXUS, or being a member of the U.S. Military

If you don’t have TSA Pre-Check or any other fast-lane access, then take a quick glance at the people in the security lines. If you see lots of lone travellers dressed like they’re heading to work then they are likely the business travellers and this isn’t their first time through airport security. They’ll know what they are doing and are usually quick and efficient about it so head to that line if you’re able to choose which line you go through, as it’ll likely move quickly.

 Once through security, I always feel like everything else is smooth sailing and you just need to head to the gate to wait. Even though the gate is marked on the boarding pass it is always worth a stop at the departures board to reconfirm that. This is especially important if you don’t have much time as you don’t want to waste what little time you do have going to the wrong gate. A quick stop to recheck that gate could save you 10 minutes (and a lot of stress) from going to the wrong gate and then needing to make a run for the right gate.

At your gate, you really don’t need to see the agent for anything unless you truly need assistance or they’ve called you to the counter. Just have a seat, sit back, relax, but keep an ear out for announcements in case they make any last-minute gate changes. If you have the airline’s app they’ll also send you alerts about this but listening to announcements in your gate area is the best way to stay advised. Before you know it you’ll be settled on your seat and ready to take off.

LAYOVERS

“Ah but wait!” you say, “My stress isn’t over yet. I have … a layover! And it’s a short one. I’ll NEVER make my connection.” I understand. I’ve been there. And it can be stressful. So what do you do?

Remember when I said at the beginning that I actually study those airport maps in the magazines in the back of the seat? Well not only do I do that but I look up airport maps and Google tips for making tight connections before I leave home too and it can make a big difference.

On a past flight through Newark Liberty International Airport my son and I had to make a really tight connection AND change terminals. With a little pre-trip research, I learned there is a bus that goes between the two terminals which bypass the need to go through security again and saves a lot of time and hassle. Without checking I would have assumed we had to take the train between terminals and I really don’t think we would have made it in the time we had.

Instead we knew exactly which gate to go to once off the plane (and I knew the directions to it by looking at the map in the magazine as we pulled up to the gate our plane was parking at), we hopped on the shuttle bus, and then we knew exactly where our departure gate was in relation to where the bus was dropping us. So easy! We even had time to spare to pick up a snack!

Don’t let the layover stress you out. Just be prepared with as much knowledge as possible before you leave. And don’t be afraid to ask questions when you get there.

Maybe though it isn’t a short layover you’re stressing over, but a long layover you’re dreading.

Again, a little research ahead of time can uncover gems you might not know exist in the airport you’ll be in. For example, did you know there is a yoga room in Chicago O’Hare airport? Or that you can use the sauna, steam room, or jacuzzi at the Hilton Hotel that is connected to the airport?

If you’re a frequent flier, flying business or first class, or have particular credit cards you may have access to airline lounges but if not, some are still accessible if you purchase a day pass. Depending on your layover they may be worth the price as most include food, drinks, free WiFi, showers, and a nice atmosphere to relax or get a little work done. One site/app that can be used to find these is LoungeBuddy which includes a list of amenities, reviews from other travellers, and will sell passes.

Layovers don’t have to be SO bad. They might just end up being a relaxing break in your day.

AT YOUR DESTINATION AIRPORT

You’ve made it! Hopefully, if you were on an overnight flight, then you’ve slept all night and now you’ve landed and know passport control and customs are ahead. Let the chaos and stress begin again! Nah, it doesn’t have to be like that.

If you are entering the U.S. and have Global Entry or NEXUS you’ll receive expedited entry through border patrol. If you are visiting the UK they have a similar program called Registered Traveller Service that you may qualify for to expedite entry or you may be eligible to use the eGates that have been expanded to include citizens of Britain, European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States. The eGates offer a tremendous time savings if you are able to use them. For years I have averaged 45-60 minutes in the UK passport control line at London Heathrow airport, but since Canada was added I now use the eGates and it is less than 5 minutes. Now I’m at baggage pick-up before the bags arrive! 

If you are visiting other countries they may have similar programs that you’ll find with a little Googling ahead of time.

If you’re not a member of any of these programs or the country your visiting doesn’t have one, it’ll just take a little longer to get through the queue and you’ll be on your way too. Just be sure to pay attention to the signs directing you to the proper queue for the passport you hold.

After passport control, you’re almost done with the airport. Just pop to the luggage carousel, grab your bags when they come around and head through customs if you’re coming in from an international flight. 

If several flights arrived at the same time, and it seems like everyone is trying to be picked up outside arrivals, you don’t have to join the chaos. If you have someone coming to pick you up ask them to pick up at departures instead (if the airport you’re arriving at allows it). It might be less crowded and you’ll be easier to see as your driver pulls up.

Then you’ll be on your way to enjoying your trip, or home to remember your great trip – one in which the airport wasn’t actually that stressful after all.

Do you have any other tips you use to make it less stressful at the airport?

We’d love for you to share them in the comments below!

RESOURCES | PLAN YOUR TRIP