Air travel can be stressful—but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve listed a few things to do before your next take-off so you can relax and be prepared. Obviously, don’t forget to get your travel insurance cover.
- Get your airline’s app
Unless you’re checking a bag, don’t wait in line at the airport check-in desk or use a fingerprint-smudged kiosk. Download your airline’s app ahead of time, check in, and confirm your reservation.
- Airline credit card
Don’t fly enough? Airline credit cards can save you money on luggage and help you get overhead bin space first.
- Plan status
If you want gold, silver, or platinum airline status this year, make sure your frequent-flier number is on all your airline reservations. Due to alliances, your airline may be partners with the one you fly more often. Every flight earns airline miles toward status.
- Consider other aircraft
Even within an airline’s fleet of jets, seats and amenities can vary greatly. To ensure you’re flying the plane you want, check the airline’s aircraft type and seat map.
- Evaluate seating
Your flight’s detailed seat maps can help you make sure your window or aisle seat isn’t too close to the galley or lavatories, which can be noisy and smelly.
- Organize
Aggregator apps consolidate flight statuses, check-in times, gate numbers, and nearby lounge locations and notify you of schedule and gate changes. Also, be sure to get flight insurance.
- Real-time reports
Airline apps rarely know when things go wrong. Aggregator apps track flight statuses, on-time performance, weather conditions, and your aircraft’s flight history in real-time so you can be the first to know if your flight is delayed or rebooked.
- Remember liquid lowdown
Every country has a limit to the amount of liquid you can carry onboard a flight. Be sure to check this, so you don’t have to throw your lotion/perfume away.
- Measure your bag
Many airlines have strict carry-on bag size limits, which gate agents strictly enforce. Check your airline’s bag size limits at home.
- Gather devices
Check power cords. More travellers now bring more and more electronics. There are many organiser cases to keep your devices and cables handy for security screening. To ensure peace of mind, buy travel insurance online.
- Remove the batteries
Since January 2018, airlines have banned smart luggage batteries over fire concerns. If gate-checked, your bag’s battery pack must be removable. Don’t leave that battery pack at home. Your aeroplane seat’s power ports may not work.
- Grab-and-go
Hate aeroplane food but are afraid you’ll miss boarding waiting in an airport restaurant line? Order on the way to the airport and pick it up without stopping.
- Connect for free!
Hackers target airports’ free Wi-Fi. VPNs protect. And you can always buy travel insurance online.
- Relax
Why wait at the gate when a lounge has free Wi-Fi and snacks? A lot of debit and credit cards offer lounge access. Be sure to check them out.
- Dress comfortably
Aeroplane cabin temperatures fluctuate between icebox and toaster oven, with no comfortable middle ground. Wear multiple light layers and look stylish in any situation.
- Stick your neck out
Ergonomics are disappearing quickly as airlines pack more seats into the coach. Travel pillow technology has improved, with options for every sitter and sleeper. And if anything happens, there’s always domestic travel insurance.
- BYOB
Bring an empty travel water bottle to avoid single-use plastic. Some are collapsible to save space, and more airports have water bottle filling stations next to drinking fountains.
- Clean everything
Airports and aeroplanes are the germiest because so many people touch everything. Once settled, use disinfecting wipes on your hands and aeroplane seat to protect yourself.
* Standard T&C Apply
** Currently, there are 2 tax regimes in India – new and old. To get the tax benefit you desire, choose the correct one after consulting an expert. You can opt for a regime change during the next financial year.
# Visit the official website of IRDAI for further details.
## All savings are provided by the insurer as per the IRDAI-approved insurance plan. Standard T&C apply
Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions,
limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully
before concluding a sale.
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