Here are a few tips you may want to know before you travel:

[berma]

• Check in from home: most of the airlines allow you to check in up to 24 hours before your departure. This is going to save you time at the airport.

• Choosing your seat: the emergency seats are usually "friendlier" to your legs. Be careful that they might be near the toilets (in big airplanes), and beside the smell, they can be a little bit noisy because of people congregating. Try to avoid choosing the seats in the last row. They generally have less space for your legs, do not recline as far and there may be some smell from the toilet.

• Special services: if you need any help at the airport such as wheel chairs, ask for it at the time of checking in. If you need a special meal, make sure to request it as soon as possible; do not leave it to the last few days before the departure.

• Check that the flight is on time: nowadays technology allows us to check if a flight is on time (via the airline's site or the airport's site). It will help you avoid long waits at the expensive bars at the airport!

• Money exchange: try always to exchange some money at home in order to arrive at your destination with some local money. If you are coming back home, leave some cash for the last few hours and change all the money left before you leave for the airport. Airports have the worst exchange rates ever.

• Destination: before you get the plane, make sure to be informed how you are going to get to your final destination. Even if you are going to take a taxi, be aware approximately how much it should cost.

• Ask about being volunteered: if you are not in a rush to get to your destination, ask the airlines workers if they need people to volunteer. Many airlines overbook their flights and they might offer you money if you decide to volunteer to take a later flight. There are cases where travelers receive up to €600 per passenger as well as being hosted in a 5 stars hotel with meals and transfer paid.

• Be ready for security: have your shoes off, coins inside the wallets, rings in the bags, laptops out of their bag and avoid anything that might be suspicious in order to pass security quickly.

• Locate your boarding gate: some airports are really big and you will have to walk a lot to get to your plane. Before you start shopping at the duty free or buying something to eat, make sure you know where your boarding gate is. In large airports there is often a notice telling you how much time to allow in order to get to your gate on time.

• Work out on your flight: it is always good to get up of your seat and walk around the cabin, it is important for your blood circulation and to prevent deep vein thrombosis.

• Enjoy the pleasure of flying: relax, watch a movie, look at the view or read a good book, the pilot will do the rest.

Lucas Bermanso
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[John_from_Eurapart]

Lucas,

A lot of excellent tips there. They do not apply to all airlines and all categories of traveller though
.

[jimb12345]

these are great tips. you are so right about checking on your flight. the airport is so expensive to hang out in.
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[airfrank]

favorite tip of mine: don't ever forget something to help you pass the time, like a magazine, good book, ipod, etc.

people get so weirded out if you're doing nothing and just people watching. i guess individuals just have an increased guard up at the airport.
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[johnny_mac]

great tipS! thanks for sharing that. i can add another tip too:

When you get out of the airport. Never take a taxi that seems just to be hanging around, offering its services when there is a taxi queue available.
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[Bendie]

Great tips, thank you! I would just add that in many countries the easiest way to exchange money is to withdraw it from the ATM machine. The exchange rate is usually better than in a bank and the fees are not so bad (depends on your bank of course).
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[johnny_mac]

or western union?
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[sanju121]

If you have costly things in your luggage and it is very important to you then make sure you have effective luggage security. Locks don’t work and can be tamper easily so for safety of luggage TSA lock would be advisable.
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[st1house07]

I always suggest taking an extra layer for the plane...I always find it gets a bit chilly up there!

If you suffer with your ears on the plane like me (they never pop at the right time and it sometimes feels like I am losing my hearing!) then take a hard boiled sweet to suck on, normally on your way up and when you are landing.

Airfrank good point, I always stock up on magazines, cross words and sudoko to keep me entertained in flight, particularly on short haul journeys when a film isn't an option. Part of the preparation fun is creating a new playlist for my ipod too!

Lastly, when you land, remember all of your bits and pieces and most importantly do not forget where you have parked your car!
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[hammythomas]

Here are some more air travelling tips:
1. Set your luggage apart from the pack. Tying a red ribbon to your black bag is not the most effective way to distinguish it.
2. Know your airport’s code. It’s easy for luggage-destination tags to get mixed up at a curbside check-in.
3. Call for help. If you’ve missed a connection, don’t stand in line to rebook with a gate agent. Instead, use your cell phone to call the airline’s customer-service number.
4. Choose your airport with some care, a decent airport can create a pleasant experience on departure, a nice stopover and an efficient arrival.
5. Consider the date and time of flights. Flights are typically busy Monday morning's, Friday evening's and "convenient times" which depart and arrive in daylight hours.
6. Before booking a budget airline over a full-service airline, consider that a long haul, full-service airline will include all food, drinks, entertainment and often alcoholic drinks. This not only makes the time go faster, but it can save you a heap of cash on a long-flight.
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[Rhinocarhire]

nice thread, good tips too! My most recent trip saw me go down the 'hand luggage only' route....

checked in on-line, no queing at airport, straight through to security, best bit was at the other end, passport control then out of there! no waiting at baggage re-claim!!!

You'll need a decent hand luggage bag tho, i went for a Berghaus, is excellent and got everything in there for a 6 day business trip, including laptop. check out my blog if interested.

http://www.rhinocarhire.com/Car-Hire-Blog/April-2010/Hand-luggage-takes-on-Checked-in-luggage.aspx

regards
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[apriljune]

you made a wonderful sharing to us

lots a lot
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