Some airport travel tips

If you’re getting a cab to an airport, it may be cheaper to stop nearby

For example, I recently took an Uber taxi from Goff’s Park Road in Crawley, Sussex, to Gatwick Airport. However, the fare indicated to be dropped off at the airport was £27, so I ordered an Uber to drop me off nearby, at Premier Inn Gatwick Airport (A23 Airport Way), with the postcode RH6 0NX. It is about a seven-minute walk to the North Terminal - and the fare was £13.50.

Always check other transport options when there’s a hotel bus from an airport hotel

These hotel buses tend to be wildly overpriced. They’re preying on your disorientation at staying in an unfamiliar hotel, and your lack of time or anxiety not to miss your flight, so you will default to using their hotel bus. However, checking out Google Maps or Citymapper takes seconds. A good example I experienced recently was during a stay at the Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow. Despite it being so near the airport it directly overlooks the runway, the ‘hoppa’ bus is a hefty £6.90, when there’s a 12-minute bus to the airport, the 423, directly outside the hotel.

Pack as lightly as possible to avoid checking in luggage

So many times I have heard people complain that they have overpacked for their holiday. I’ve also been amazed at the huge cases some people lug around, even though they are only going on a short break. As well as avoiding what may be a huge queue to check your luggage in, you may be waiting ages after the flight for your luggage to appear on the carousel. And of course there’s a chance it may get lost.

Ways to prevent airport luggage losses

Around 25 million pieces of luggage are lost on flights and at airports annually. There’s a number of ways you can greatly lessen the chance of losing your luggage. One thing to do is remove any old airline tags and stickers from your luggage. If your luggage strays it will make it easier for airline staff to see the most recent labels and not get confused by earlier ones. You could also include a paper version of your contact details and itinerary in your suitcase, not only so airline staff can reunite you with your lost luggage if the luggage tags have been damaged or fallen off during transit, but also if someone mistakenly takes your case instead of theirs from the baggage carousel.

How to speed up going through security when it’s busy

If there’s a long queue at security, just bustle through the crowd slightly breathlessly saying ‘sorry, my flight is leaving.’ I’ve seen it many times and no-one ever objects. However, I doubt that they are all genuinely in such a rush. Doing this when you are not late for your flight is selfishness akin to those bastards who jump in at the front of a long motorway queue just before the junction, but hey, you’ve saved 20 minutes of tedium. Please note, I don’t do this.

It’s often best to select seats near the back

People are like sheep and for some unfathomable reason all want to sit near the front of the plane. Often, yes, you’ll exit the aircraft first, but there are many times where the back exit is used to for disembarking the plane too. The aisle by the first few seats may have a continual queue for the loos during the flight also. The nearer you are to the back, the more likely you will get an empty seat beside you if the flight isn’t full, and often using this strategy I’ve had the row to myself while the front of the plane is pretty packed.

Think twice about paying extra for speedy boarding

If you have two pieces of cabin baggage it can be handy to board first to get more chance of stowing your bigger luggage in an overhead locker near your seat, but even with speedy boarding the overhead lockers can fill up very quickly. Speedy boarding ensures more chance of waiting in a holding area before you can board the plane. I’d rather lounge at the gate with wifi and a comfy seat and board as late as possible.

Book a window seat for overnight long haul, aisle for short flights

The window is ideal for leaning against for an overnight flight, although don’t drink gallons of water, soft drinks, tea or alcohol (despite the fact you should keep hydrated on a flight) as if you’ll need the loo and the person next to you is asleep, you’ll be trapped.

More ways to prevent airport luggage losses

Use a luggage tag that is strong and distinct and add a coloured ribbon or piece of fabric so your luggage stands out. I often see several identical or near identical pieces of luggage, usually black or grey, on the baggage belt. It makes it so easy to pick up the wrong case. You'll also make it easier for airline staff to return your lost baggage by including up-to-date contact details on your luggage tag. Also, a GPS luggage tracker like an AirTag or Tile Mate stored in your luggage will allow you to track its whereabouts from your phone, as well as make it easier to find your luggage if it does get lost.

Check in online at home and get your boarding pass

Many airlines, especially the cheaper ones like Ryanair and Wizz, slap on a hefty penalty if you check in at the airport two or three hours before the flight rather than print out your boarding pass or download it via the airline’s app beforehand. Checking in before arriving at the airport saves time queuing, too. However, some airlines allow you to pre-book airport check-in for a small fee, and generally the more expensive the airline/fare and longer the distance, the more likely checking in at the airport will be free.