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The Smarter Way to Travel™

Tag Archive: airport

  1. Navigating an Airport – Departures Area and Lounges

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    Now that you have cleared security and you’ve arrived with plenty of time for your flight. It’s time to sit back and relax for a bit. Whilst there are airports that are nothing more than a small building and a landing strip; many terminals at the major and larger airports are designed to keep you entertained while you wait for your flight; as well as trying to be efficient.

    Airports often rely on retail outlets for a significant portion of their revenue so it should be no surprise that the airport is going to entice you to want to shop. Major international airports are great places to browse and admire luxury items, as well as the more mundane. Airports will often have stores that will cater to your last minute needs if you’ve forgotten something like your toothbrush, or you need a charger for your phone. But there are also items that you won’t easily find at your local high-street store. Dubai airport even has an ATM that dispenses gold!

    Take your time to browse and enjoy; but also remember to check the departure screens to see if your flight is boarding and whether or not you are delayed. It is easy to get lost and forget the time. Find a nice seating area if you just want to unwind or catch up on some work. Often there’s wifi (paid or free) and there are outlets and desks for people to use. These areas can get busy, so you may also find that it’s nice to sit at a gate that is’t being used right at that moment.

    If you’re flying in premium cabins, or if you have elite status you can often use airline lounges. These spaces are designed to be quieter and more luxurious, offering an exclusive setting while you await your flight to be called. here you might be able to grab a bite to eat, or even find a private room to catch some sleep. There are also Paid for options such as Priority Pass, or Number 1 lounges so be sure to keep an eye on the VIP upgrades benefits pages to see if you have access to these.

    Next week, Boarding!

  2. Navigating an Airport – Boarding

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    Following on from previous weeks, we conclude the ‘Navigating an Airport‘ series with a look at boarding. what should be as simple as walking on a plane and sitting down never is. Airlines are looking to create the fastest possible turnaround time, so that they can get the most use of an aircraft.

    An aircraft on the ground isn’t making any money, unless maybe it’s a feature piece of a museum, or it’s been converted into a hostel. I digress. Airlines want you to get on board as quickly and efficiently as possible so they can keep the planes flying.

    You’ve made it to the gate on time and you’re relaxed and stress free, milling around waiting for your flight to be called. Depending on the airline you are flying there are different procedures. Every airline has its own take on what the best way to board an aircraft is, and they will try to guide you in this process with announcements, signs, printed zone numbers, and by other means.

    Pay attention to what you see and hear. Everything is designed for you to not have to worry, and with a little bit of patience you are helping the gate agents do their jobs as best they can, while shuffling people’s seats so that a couple can sit together, for example.

    Airlines have also started to realize that priority boarding can be quite desirable and lucrative and may even charge a fee for this. Most often, those in premium cabins and elite card holders are given these privileges as a benefit, but sometimes the airlines will also offer this facility to those who are willing to pay a little bit extra for it. When you would like that extra bit of time to get settled, and perhaps find space for your carry-on: pay attention to your airline’s website and offers.

    We hope you’ve enjoyed this series. Please leave a comment below to tell us what you think.

    We wish you safe, and smooth travels!

  3. Navigating an Airport – Immigration and Security

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    Secrets of a First Class Traveller

     

    You’ve gotten to the airport, and you’re checked in for your flight. Your bags have been tagged and they are on their way into the bowels of the airport ready to be sorted and put on your flight (we hope). What’s next?!

    Depending on where you are travelling, you may have to do an immigration departure check, or go through pre-clearance. The process is roughly the same for each of these. You will want to have your passport and any visa or customs declarations forms ready to hand over for inspection. Some airports offer automated gates and services such as Global Entry in many US pre-clearance facilities, or E-Passport gates in many European airports. Check whether you have to register for these programmes, or if you have the appropriate documents to be able to use these facilities as they are often much quicker than the “regular” queue.

    Once this is done, if it is required you will be funneled to the security checkpoint. The bane of most every traveller’s existence. Check what you are and aren’t allowed to take and be ready to take off your shoes if required, have any electronics screened separately, and remove your liquids from your bag for separate inspection. If you are a member of Global Entry, Nexus, or another trusted traveller scheme, you may be invited to a separate lane which doesn’t have these requirements; though you will always have to be security screened.

    Be patient, but be ready. Make sure you have no metal objects or anything in your pockets that will be detected by a scanner. Have your boarding pass in your hand (and we like to advise to always keep your passport in your hand too). Being ready makes the process quick and smooth and is a courtesy to your fellow travellers.

    Coming up next week, Departures areas and Lounges. What to do while you wait

  4. Navigating an Airport – Getting there and checking in

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    No two airports are built the same, but for the travelling public they all have one thing in common, their purpose. That purpose is to get passengers from the ground, into the air on a flight to their destination; help passengers connect between flights not served non-stop from their origin; and receive arriving passengers, be it domestic or international. Each of these scenarios follows a slightly different pattern, but getting you on or off a plane is the goal.

    For any traveller, the mantra should be: leave yourself plenty of time. With lineups and security delays, the last thing you want to do is to miss your flight. Airlines and airports publish recommended check-in times so check with them before your trip. Plan your journey to the airport. Are you driving? Taking a train? Is someone dropping you off? Are you getting a cab? Your journey doesn’t start at the airport so plan for this as part of the overall experience and feel relaxed the moment you step in to the terminal.

    If you’re on the airport’s website, try and see if there’s a map. Often there will be a digital file or web page which has a schematic of the airport. Acquaint yourself with the layout, find where your airline’s check-in counter is. How do you get from there to Security, and then on to your gate? Have a picture in your head and you’ll find that you’re more confident and less stressed on the day of travel.

    If you’re flying in business class, first class, or you have elite status; you often have designated check-in counters. Check with your airline and see if you’re eligible to use these and once you’re at the airport have your confirmation or membership card ready to show to staff. If you’ve checked-in online and you already have your boarding pass, look for baggage drop counters. the queues for these counters are often shorter than check-in queues and you’ll speed through the airport a lot quicker. Didn’t have a chance to check-in online or print your boarding pass? Look for the touch-screen kiosks for your airline and use these to check-in. This should also give you a boarding pass and let you use the Bag-Drop counters.

    Once this is done, it’s time to wave goodbye to anyone who has accompanied you and make your way to security. More to follow…