FLYING has proven to be a nightmare for thousands of people this summer, with travel chaos at airports adding unnecessary stress to holidays.
Staff shortages, strikes and cancellations have all played their part in the nightmare, as airports have introduced caps on passenger numbers on airlines and airlines have reduced services.
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Passengers have been told to plan ahead in case their flights are delayedCredit: Louis Wood
With all that to consider, it can be difficult to relax when preparing to go away for a much-needed break, but there are ways to make your flight run much smoother.
Travel experts from Wizz Air have revealed their top five tips for avoiding the airport chaos this summer.
Plan ahead
It may seem simple, but pre-planning can help relieve a lot of the stress associated with travel.
Wizz advises checking in online 24 hours in advance of your flight, getting a paperless boarding pass and taking a screenshot of it, just in case you can’t get online.
Bringing snacks is also important in case you are made to wait longer in the airport and don’t want to have to pay for any food.
Scheduling your arrival to the airport can also help, especially with trains and public transport also struggling at the moment.
Make sure you know how you’re getting to the airport, as well as how to get to your destination after your flight.
Finally, wearing shoes that can be easily removed to get through security quickly is a simple yet effective step to take.
Know your hand luggage limits in advance
If you have any liquids in your hand luggage, remember to keep them separate so you don’t have to dig around for them in your bag when you go through security.
Make sure your hand luggage fits the size allowance and remember that some airlines will allow a small suitcase plus a small bag, and
others won’t.
This will make getting through security so much quicker and easier and you don’t have to sacrifice half the things you’ve packed because you’ve gone over the limit.
Choosing the best seats
The best seats are different for everyone, but everyone agrees that the middle seats are the worst.
If you like to be able to get up and stretch your legs on a longer flight, like London to Tenerife which is around 4 hours 30 minutes, go for an aisle.
Mid-week or evening flights are usually less crowded, and if the flight isn’t full, you may be able to move to a different seat to have space around you to be more comfortable.
On a shorter flight like London to mainland Spain, which is only around 2 hours 30 minutes, you might want to go for a window seat and take advantage of the views.
Avoid choosing a seat at the back – this is closest to the engines and is generally noisier and bumpier, and you’ll have people queuing up for the toilet next to you and possibly disturbing your mid-flight nap.
Pack emergency hand luggage
Everyone has had the moment of tension when you think your suitcase is never going to come around the conveyer belt after your flight.
Pack some of your clothes in your hand luggage in case your luggage is lost so you don’t have to wear your airport clothes for the whole week.
Pack some toiletries like face cleanser, toothpaste, and deodorant in case you want to refresh on a long flight.
Wear glasses instead of your contacts or take eye drops.
Download the apps
The easiest way to keep an eye on your flight information is by downloading the app of the airline you’re flying with.
You can keep your boarding pass and check-in details in one place, as well as looking out for delays and cancellation information.
Other travel apps like App in the Air are great for frequent fliers, where you can track itineraries and even get airport tips from other travellers.
SeatGuru allows you to pick your perfect seat by looking at a seat map and seeing every detail and rating whether seats are good or bad, and why.
Here are six tips for avoiding airport chaos when travelling as a family.
These hints will help you avoid overspending while on holiday this summer.
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Airports have been the site of delays, cancellations and baggage problems this summerCredit: AP
