Tips for Enhancing Your Airport Experience

Navigating airports can be challenging, but with the right preparation and strategies, you can significantly improve your travel experience. While airports may not always be the most enjoyable places, there are several ways to get through more efficiently and make your time there more comfortable.

Here are some tips to help you have a better experience at the airport:

TSA PreCheck is a program that can greatly expedite your security screening process. For frequent travelers, this service can save considerable time and reduce stress at the airport.

To obtain TSA PreCheck, you'll need to complete an application process. This involves filling out a form, attending an in-person appointment for a background check and fingerprinting, and paying a fee. During the appointment, you may be asked to provide additional information about your travel history.

Once approved, TSA PreCheck allows you to keep your shoes, light jackets, and belts on during the security screening. You can also leave your laptop and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in your carry-on bag. These benefits can significantly streamline your passage through security.

While the application process requires some effort, the long-term convenience of TSA PreCheck far outweighs the initial inconvenience.

If you fly much at all, it’s worth having.

Also read: Stress-Free Airport Hacks for Parents

Along those lines, leave the Doc Martens at home or in your bag when you go through security, unless you really love untying and tying shoes.

Instead, this is a great time to use the shoes they advertise on TV that you don’t have to bend over to put on.  They’re pretty comfy, too, especially on long-hauls – and when you’re flying, anything that enhances your comfort even a little bit is a win.

Also read: Flight Troubles on the Rise: Why You Need Travel Protection More Than Ever

Carry-ons are popular these days, so let us explain why.

The whole paradigm of carrying a small suitcase on board and stuffing it into an overhead bin is broken. It’s time-consuming and frustrating for everyone involved.

Imagine how much easier embarking and de-embarking would be if everyone just grabbed their purse or backpack and walked off the plane.

If your flights are not complex but your connections are tight, and/or your airline offers free or cheap baggage-checking, consider checking your bag. If you have complex flights with long layovers, consider a carry-on.

And, if you have a travel protection plan from Generali Global Assistance, you can have peace of mind for your checked bags being delayed or lost, we have insurance coverages and assistance services that can help with that.

Either way, be aware that airlines appear to be tightening up about carry-ons.

The greatest gift you can give yourself when you travel is the gift of time. It may not seem like it when you’re Candy Crushing out a four-hour layover, but having enough time to get to your gate, get settled, and leisurely board your plane is a true luxury.

And the thing is, time is something you can manage, to an extent. Give yourself time to get through security and time to get to your gate. Once you’re there, take time to acquaint yourself with your surroundings.

Sure, it’s probably going to be an airport like any other, but many airports are a lot more accommodating these days. You may be surprised.

Also read: The Worst Airports for Flight Delays in the U.S. and the World

When you settle in, settle in near charging ports.

Electronics deplete themselves quickly when you travel. Take every opportunity to recharge electronics so you can always have the entertainment and connectivity you crave. Remember that most airlines these days only provide entertainment that you can stream on your own devices.

And because you can’t charge without cables, make sure you have the proper assortment of cables. To avoid a tangled mess, travel with a cord organizer.

Yes, there’s free Wi-Fi in many airports. But “free” does not equal “safe.”

For that reason, smart travelers invest in a virtual private network (VPN) – a system that goes where they go and helps protect their devices from being hacked or personal data being leaked in public places like airports.

While you still have to be mindful of the physical security of your device, having a VPN will help secure the back-end, where all the serious threats are happening.

It’s worth the investment.

Also read: Wi-Fi Travel Security Tips

After a while water can get a little bland. It needs something. And while it’s great to take along an empty water bottle you can fill on the other side of security, it’s less great that the substance you’re going to be filling it with on the other side is airport water.

For that reason, take along some packets of flavored hydration. They’re small and fit anywhere, and they jazz up your water just enough.

When you consider that most airplane cabins are not the most perfect environments from a relative humidity standpoint, a little extra hydration (and maybe some extra electrolytes) is a good thing.

Also read: When and Why You Need a REAL ID to Fly

Airport lounges aren’t cheap if you’re not a member of some ultra-luxury membership program or whatever it takes to enter. However, they can be totally worth it.

Airport lounges not only get you access to pub mix at 6 a.m., but they give you a great place to flop while your airline figures out where your plane is.

If you don’t know the secret handshake, you can usually pay your way into a lounge, and while it’s usually not cheap, it’s usually nice. See our list of the top airport lounges and what to expect.

Flying these days is like having your tonsils removed, only without the perk of all the ice cream you want afterwards. Just about anything that makes the experience more comfortable is okay.

Pajama pants? Sure. Inflatable pillows shaped like sea cucumbers? Why not? A car service ready to pick you up at the curb? Absolutely. Whatever makes you comfortable and reduces your stress level is what you should have along inside (or just outside) an airport.

Speaking of reducing stress, travel insurance and assistance services are a great way to reduce stress. Travel protection plans from Generali Global Assistance have the flexibility and the coverage you need.

And getting a quote is easy.

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