Airports have an understandable reputation as being highly-stressful environments. With so many people coming and going, tedious security measures and the potential for queues, delays, cancellations and lengthy layovers, it’s no surprise that many people dread their pre-departures and arrivals when travelling by plane. 

  I am probably in the minority when I claim to absolutely love airports, but I truly see my allotted time in airports as part of my holiday. In fact, I often relish the novelty of having two or three hours to spend in an airport between the connecting-flights of a trip, particularly if it is one that’s new to me. I realise that the more I travel and the more time I spend in airports, the more at ease I feel in them, allowing me to truly enjoy the experience. 

  In this article, I will try to convince any non-believers as to why airports can be an extension of your holiday, and offer some suggestions on how to get the most out of your airport experience, turning the potential for stress into the potential for an easy-going interlude to your destination. 

 

Eliminate the Stress 

The biggest cause of stress when navigating an airport is undoubtedly the dreaded fear of missing your flight. In most cases, this occurs due to a lack of planning or time-keeping. Although you can’t control things like flight delays and cancellations, some careful planning goes a long way toward making sure you give yourself the best chance of getting to that gate in plenty time for boarding. Most airport information services suggest arriving at the airport at least two hours before your departure, for both international and domestic flights. Keep this in mind when planning your journey.

 

Transport 

In your planning, you should start by considering how and when you’ll get to the airport. I would suggest giving yourself a buffer of at least 30 extra minutes if you will be depending on any form of public transport, taking into account the possibility of heavy traffic or unreliable services. That way, you will be less likely to go into panic-mode if your bus or train is 15 minutes behind schedule the day of your flight. The reliability of public transport may vary depending on which airport or city you are flying out of. Public transport is generally the cheapest option but can be less reliable than taking a pre-arranged taxi or driving to the airport yourself. Whichever transport option you choose, just ensure you leave yourself enough time to arrive with the recommended two hours to spare before your flight’s departure. 

 

Check-in

Now that you’ve arrived at the airport a full two hours before your flight, you should proceed to check-in any non-carry-on luggage you have with you and retrieve your boarding passes if you don’t already have them. I prefer to check-in online prior to arrival, and use digital boarding passes that are accessible on my phone. This saves having to queue to check-in at the desk and have boarding passes printed out. I also tend to travel light whenever possible, with just a carry-on bag, which saves me having to check anything into the hold and wait for baggage claim after arrival. Different airlines have different baggage allowance and policies so check what you are entitled to bring (including weight limits and measurements) before you arrive to avoid any unwanted extra baggage costs. Please note that it often costs more to add extra bags at the flight’s departure gate, so I recommend paying online or at the check-in desk if you do find yourself in that situation. 

 

Security 

It can be tempting to put-off going through security when you first arrive at the airport but I have come to learn that the sooner this is out of the way, the sooner you can relax and enjoy your airport experience. It is also common for large queues and congestion in the security area so I suggest being proactive and head through as soon as possible. Remember to pay attention to what the security team want you to remove from your bags and place into the trays for scanning. Liquids should be 100ml and below, and placed in a clear resealable bag. These are supplied at the airport but I recommend using your own when packing to save time. The bag should measure approximately 20cm x 20cm and hold no more than a litre. The general rule of thumb is that the bag should be able to be completely sealed before being placed into the tray, separate from your carry-on bag. You may also be required to remove jackets, boots, belts and declare any electronic devices such as laptops or tablets in your bag or case. Remove everything from your pockets and place into the tray to ensure the security procedure is fast and efficient. 

 

Check the Screens

After passing through security, I suggest finding the nearest electronic screen that displays the list of departures, and check if there are any updates to your flight information. Usually, you will see your flight and a scheduled time for when the gate number will be announced. Keep an eye on these screens during your time in the airport as this information can change at any time. 

 

Relax! 

Now you can relax and enjoy everything that the airport has to offer. This will vary depending on the airport so it’s always worth exploring and seeing what you can find. How you spend this time will also be determined by who you are travelling with, but airports can be a wonderful place to grab a coffee and people-watch, enjoy a cold pint of beer or get stuck-in to food at the kiosks or restaurants. Just make sure to keep an eye on your time and pay attention to announcements and updates on the screens, as they might have information relevant to your flight. 

 

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Restaurants & Bars 

Food and drink in airports do tend to be on the expensive side, even in countries that are generally considered good value for money, but this shouldn’t deter you from trying some of the culinary options on offer. My advice would be to assess how busy the restaurant or bar is before committing and placing an order. This should help you avoid the stress of waiting too long for food or drinks when you are pressed for time. Don’t be afraid to try local cuisine in airports too, as there are some top-quality chefs and restaurants operating in airports all over the world. Some of the best meals of your trips can occur in airports! 

 

Shops 

Airports usually have a variety of shops, selling everything from souvenirs and sweets to magazines and clothes, it’s always worth browsing these stores if you have the time. You might also want to grab some handy accessories for your trip, like travel adapter plugs or a neck cushion for the plane. 

 

Currency Exchange 

You may also see kiosks selling travel money throughout the airport. These are handy if you really need to buy foreign currency for your trip and are willing to fork-out for the high exchange rate that is generally offered in airports. 

 

Duty-Free 

Duty-free stores are synonymous with airports due to the fact there is no import tax required on the goods that they sell. This can mean an opportunity for some substantial savings on otherwise expensive items such as perfumes and aftershaves, alcohol and cigarettes. You are usually required to walk through the duty-free section after security clearance, on the way to the main halls of the airport. Many people use this opportunity to freshen-up by trying some of the tester samples of fragrances. 

 

Head to the Gate 

Once the departure screen displays the gate number of your flight, it is a good idea to consider making your way there as soon as possible. Some of the bigger airports will often display the estimated time it takes to walk to the gate from the particular screen’s location, so bear this in mind and make sure you head there in plenty time before boarding calls begin. Most airports are clearly signed so continue to keep an eye on which direction your gate is in as you walk there to avoid taking a wrong turn. Once at the gate, await the boarding instructions and get ready to fly! 

 

Connecting Flights 

Connecting flights can be stressful if you don’t have much time to reach your next flight’s departure gate. Make sure to read the screens and follow the signs that will guide you to where you need to be for your next departure. If you do have a bit more time to spare, just be mindful that some airports require you to pass through a passport check between connecting flights, so bear this in mind if you intend to stop and browse the shops or grab some food before continuing on. 

 

CTC Airport Tip:

Make sure to keep your boarding pass and passport in an easily-accessible yet secure place, as you may need to present it numerous times throughout the duration of your time in the airport. Many airports now operate a self-scanning passport check before and after your flight, as well as manual passport checks upon boarding, so having your passport easily to hand is highly recommended.

 

Delays and Cancellations 

Flight delays and cancellations happen now and then, most commonly due to bad weather and technical issues. There are some rules surrounding delays and cancellations, some of which can result in the option to claim compensation. The type of compensation you are entitled to depends on the circumstances of your flight. In the UK, if a flight is delayed by more than three hours, you are entitled to compensation if it is the fault of the airline. This could be because there was a technical fault with the plane, or there was a booking issue. However, it is uncommon for anyone to receive compensation if the delay was caused by something outside of the airline’s control, such as bad weather or security risks. 

Generally, when a flight is cancelled, it is up to the airline to supply you with overnight accommodation and transport to and from your hotel, if they cannot supply a replacement flight that same day. Again, this could depend on your flight’s cancellation circumstances. 

  Compensation can range from food and drinks vouchers to full refunds for flights, so it is always worth checking your airline’s policy on compensation when you experience a flight delay or cancellation. 

 

Time to Fly! 

And there you have it, my guide to enjoying your airport experience. With a bit of careful planning and time-management you can turn a potentially stressful situation into an enjoyable one, adding to the overall experience of your holiday. Hopefully, the more you travel, the more comfortable you will become in airports and will learn to love them just like I do!