The ultimate checklist for a worry-free flight

It’s challenging to enjoy a trip if one feels stressed before, during and after the flight. Instead of looking forward to the destinations on the itinerary, travellers will likely spend more time worrying about what could go wrong and how to deal with any emergencies.

Hopping on a plane is often stressful, but there are plenty of hacks to ward off stress. Having a worry-free flight is as easy as one, two, three. The tips listed here will show how easy it is to enjoy that next flight with zero worries.

Get educated about flight delay compensation

Not knowing what to do when certain situations take place is one of the reasons for stress. This can put things in a sour mood, cause delays and even require spending more.

To enjoy a worry-free flight, it’s worth putting some time and effort into learning about flight delay compensation. Passengers are eligible for monetary compensation if a flight is delayed. The amount received varies depending on different factors, most commonly the travel distance and the degree of delay reaching the final destination. Travellers can, for example, get up to €600 ($700) when they claim flight delay compensation from TUI.

Knowing one’s rights when a flight gets delayed can save stress as knowing what to do streamlines finding solutions. Plus, being aware of how to claim and how much can be claimed as compensation can help with sticking to the travel budget, thus minimising further issues.

Prepare documents

Nothing is more stressful than not being able to push through with a flight due to lacking the documents required for the destination. This is probably every holidayer’s worst nightmare, as the resources spent preparing for the trip will go down the drain.

Months or weeks before the flight, it’s a good idea to spend time determining the travel requirements of the place one wants to visit. In general, it’s likely to be necessary to prepare the following:

• Passport: A passport is one of the most important and basic requirements needed when traveling abroad. It must be still valid for at least six months, and some countries will require passports with longer expiration dates, so it’s essential research ahead of time.
• Visa: Some countries require travellers to secure visas while others don’t. Those unsure whether the country they’re traveling to requires a visa can check resources online. Securing one often takes time and money.
• Travel tickets: It’s important to prepare travel tickets both in soft and hard copies to avoid stress when boarding. Securing copies of tickets is a detail that must not be forgotten, as airlines will require these documents before granting any flight delay compensation.

Have an itinerary

Imagine arriving in a dream country with no idea what to do or visit. Being in this situation will make it impossible to get the most out of the trip.

To ensure an optimal experience, having an itinerary ready weeks before the travel dates is a must, using the Internet to look for the best activities to do and the best places to eat. If the group is adventurous, it’s definitely worth looking into adrenaline-seeking activities that are only available in the country in question.

Having an itinerary ahead of time will save the hassle of looking for places to visit on arrival, when WiFi might not be so readily available. Plus, this will also help determine the travel budget without compromising on fun during the trip.

Pay attention to health needs

The flight could end up a disaster if health needs are neglected. It’s very hard to to relax boarding an airplane or enjoy a trip if important medicines have been left behind.

Health is paramount when travelling, so one must not forget to pay attention to health needs. Those on medication should set an appointment with their doctor before a flight and stock up on essential medicines. These should be added ideally to hand luggage in case of delays or lost luggage. Anyone who relies on a pair of glasses or contact lenses to see clearly should keep an extra pair close by as well..

Some countries would also require immunisations from tourists. This information can be verified with a doctor and in may be necessary to get vaccinated – in some cases months ahead. As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Pack gadgets and other electronics

Technology can be a great ally when flying. With the variety of gadgets available today, one can use one for entertainment and connect with loved ones back home. Gadgets are crucial to ensure a worry-free flight, so it’s best to prepare them ahead of time.

Here are some gadgets and must-haves for an upcoming flight:

• Mobile phone: It’s worth contacting network providers months before a flight and asking for an international plan. Doing that makes it possible to contact friends and family on landing to get on with having fun at the destination. Most importantly, the phone must be charged and a functioning charger should be on hand just in case.
• Universal adapter and portable battery charger: For other gadgets, such as a camera and laptop, it’s good to pack a universal adapter and portable battery charger. A universal adapter is essential because the power supply switch available in the destination country might be different from home.
• Entertainment: Traveling on a plane for hours will never be boring if there’s entertainment at the ready. One can download favourite books, playlists, movies or even series onto a device to stay occupied throughout the entire flight. To make the experience better for everyone, headphones are a must!
• Travel apps: There are plenty of travel apps available for Android and Apple users today. They can be downloaded on the phone before boarding to easily navigate through the place one is visiting. Some travel apps offer discounts for first-time users, allowing them to maximise the trip without additional expense.

Check luggage restrictions

The luggage restrictions of airlines regularly change. To avoid paying expensive baggage fees and experiencing stress at the airport’s check-in counter, it’s important to check the luggage restrictions of preferred airlines. What is the allowable weight for hand-carry bags? How big (or small) should a hand-carry be? Having answers to these questions will avoid any inconvenience at the airport.

Additionally, travellers must make sure to take pictures of any packed luggage before boarding. In this way, they can prevent any mix-ups and ensure that they’re bringing their luggage (not someone else’s) to the trip!

It’s easy with the right know-how

Having a worry-free flight isn’t as challenging as most people think. As long as some of the tips mentioned here are incorporated into travel routines, all upcoming flights will become a breeze. These hacks can become the key to having the best trips!

The editorial unit