Air travel isn't something that most people enjoy, but it is a necessity of life if you want to get from Point A to Point B quickly and easily. For business travelers, air travel is a part of every day of their lives. There are a few things you can do that will make air travel go smoother. These tips will reduce many of the negatives and help you focus on more of the positives of air travel.
One of the best tips for a smoother experience begins before you ever step foot into the airport. You need to completely check your ticket to make sure all information on the ticket is correct. The first thing you should check is the way your name is spelled. It should be exactly as it appears on your identification. If the name on your driver's license is spelled differently than on the ticket, or you used a nickname when buying the ticket, you may have trouble getting through security.
Also, check the dates and times. It is very easy to make a mistake, particularly when reserving online. Most airlines will let you change the ticket if you catch it within 48 to 72 hours of reserving the ticket. However, be warned that if you go through a third party, you will lose this ability and have to pay an exorbitant fee to change anything. When it comes to plane tickets, it is probably best to go directly through the airline for your reservations.
Seasoned travelers will tell you that it is best to make your luggage easily identifiable before you entrust your bags to the airline. When 100 plus suitcases come pouring onto the baggage claim conveyor belt, it will be much easier to spot yours.
If you only travel occasionally and don't want to invest in new luggage, then simply tying a ribbon tightly to the handle of your luggage can help you find it. Stay away from common color ribbons that others might use and try for bold prints and colors such as neon green or pink zebra stripe. Keep in mind that this is okay for occasional travel but that ribbons and ties can come undone while luggage is transported from one airplane to another or from one luggage car to the next.
If you travel regularly for business or even more than once a year, then you may want to invest in a suitcase that is in a unique color or has a unique look. The majority of travelers have luggage that is dark blue, black, gray or sometimes green. If you choose a pink suitcase with polka dots or a tie die suitcase, it will be much easier to spot. Suitcases are available at just about any big box retailer, stores and at specialty luggage retailers.
If you have a non-stop flight from your home to the place you are going, then you won't need to worry about switching planes or finding the right gate. However, since ticket prices for a flight with at least once stop are often much cheaper, you may have at least one layover. In this case, the ticket will list a gate number for the first stop. The problem with this gate number is that the ticket may have been printed weeks ago and the gate number can change quite often. It is best to stop and find a board that lists departures and arrivals or to ask your gate agent which gate you need.
Some layovers are quite short. If you only have 15 or 20 minutes to get to the next plane, you'll want to find out where you are going and how to get there quickly so you don't miss your connecting flight.
