10 Tips for Avoiding A Stressful Flight

There's nothing worse than starting off an exciting new journey tired and stressed.

Here are ten things I've learned from experience that make my travels days more enjoyable -- or at least easily endurable:

1. Aim for flights that depart in the late morning or early afternoon. Why? You’ll be more likely to get a good night’s sleep the night before, since you won’t have to be at the airport in the early morning. Additionally, later flights are usually calmer and quieter, because once dinner is served, the attendants dim the overhead lights and everyone just watches movies or sleeps.

2. Look for a flight with just one connection, and preferably with that connection in the USA.

   Why? Much of the stress of traveling is making your connections on time, trying to find the right gate, and going through customs. So, having just one connection greatly simplifies your travel day.

   A single connection also means there's a better chance that your luggage will arrive at the same time you do.

   Finally, if you must spend time in an airport, it helps to be in an airport in the USA, where the signs and employees speak your language.

3. When you book your flight, make sure there's plenty of time between flights for making connections. Racing to make connections, hoping you'll make your flight is definitely stressful! (Avoid connections of less than 1 hour between flights. Aim for about 2 hours or so.)

4. In regard to connections, both in the USA and Europe, try to avoid connections in Newark, LaGuardia, London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Florence, and Charles De Gaulle.

5. If you haven’t done it already, I recommend signing up for TSA Pre-Check. It’s easy to apply for, costs about $85 per person, and will make going through security lines (and sometimes customs lines) quicker and easier. Agents like IdentoGO can facilitate your application and make it super quick and easy.

6. In the carry-on that you’ll stow under your seat, pack things that will make your flight more comfortable: For example, an iPad with games, an entertaining book, gum or snacks (but no fresh fruits or veggies!), a light jacket, a neck pillow, compression socks, pain reliever, eye drops, etc. Sleep, read or watch on-board movies or TV shows to take your mind off other things.

7. To avoid jet lag, don't drink alcohol on your travel day (including on the plane -- sorry), and drink lots of water. Set your mental clock to Europe time once you board your trans-Atlantic flight.

8. If you're tall or claustrophobic, try to book bulkhead seats (at the front of a section), which means there are no other seats directly in front of you. You’ll have more leg (and face) room. The downside is that sometimes these are close to the restrooms. You can also pay a bit extra for upgrades that aren’t as expensive as First Class, but will give you extra leg room.

9. Consider the importance of your comfort and quantify it. In other words, before you book, determine what your priorities are. If you need to spend a bit more in order to get a more comfortable flight, consider ways to offset that additional expense. For me, I pack inexpensive snacks for travel days so I don't have to spend on airport food, and I try not to eat out the month before I travel to offset upcoming expenditures, but I will pay a bit more to get a more comfortable flight. When I travel, I usually don't buy souvenirs, and I only have "big" meals every few days to offset the expense of better flight arrangements. Quantify what matters most to you!

10. Finally, make a “count-down” list and a packing list, and be totally packed the day before you depart. It's no fun arriving at the airport already frazzled from a last-minute packing frenzy! Put your TSA quart-size bag, passport, and drivers license in an easy-access place AND double-check that you have them just before you walk out the door.

    For international flights, get to the airport 2 hours before your flight's boarding time. Arriving early and having some down-time before your flight to visit the bathroom, buy a bottle of water, and take a calming stroll is much preferable to a late, sweaty, worrisome experience at the check-in counter, an anxious wait in the security line, followed by rushing to the gate.

I hope these suggestions are helpful -- they've worked for me in my international flights. Happy travels!