Travelling opens you up to new possibilities, introduces you to different cultures and creates lifelong friendships. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to get out there and see the world! But – and this is a big but! – travelling also comes with it’s fair share of low points. One of the worst is when you’re stuck in the airport because you’ve been denied boarding or the flight’s been cancelled or delayed. Let’s face it, when you want to explore other countries, chances are at some point, you’re going to need to hop on a plane. Now, I’m one of those people who love flying – heck, I even like plane food – but when the journey is prolonged because of something out of my control it’s the worst!
Seeing as this is a pretty common predicament among travellers, I decided to gather a few of my go-to tips to make sure that you stay comfy and relaxed in the face of a flight irregularity.
1. Smile through the stress
Okay, when you’re in this situation and you feel completely at a loss of what to do, this advice may seem a little irritating! I get it but remember you’re not alone. There’s a whole plane’s worth of passengers going through the exact same thing. It really does help to see the humour in this, and you may as well laugh about it – it’s way better than crying. What’s more, if you’re communicating with airline staff about the flight issue, it pays to be pleasant. After all, it’s not their fault and they’re the ones who can help you.
2. Stay fed & watered
I don’t know about you, but I suffer from severe hanger issues – especially when travelling. It’s a good idea to pack plenty of snacks in your carry-on luggage permitted by TSA food rules to keep you going during times of need and if you’re super prepared, you can always make a meal that’s tasty eaten cold. This will only get you so far though, and it doesn’t take long to get snacked-out. When I’m looking at a long wait at the airport, I always try to find a nice restaurant and treat myself to a proper meal. It just makes me feel human. I know the prices are hiked up in airports, but come on, now more than ever you deserve a little treat to keep you going.
3. Freshen up
Another key thing to stop me feeling like I’ve completely lost all my dignity is to make sure I feel reasonably clean. It’s happened before that I packed all my full-size toiletries in my cabin luggage, skipped through security with not a drop of gel or liquid to worry about – only to see that my flight was delayed by 8 hours. Not a good look! So, now I make sure to buy all the travel size options I might possibly need and it’s so worth it. Being able to wash your face and brush your teeth while you’re waiting for a flight will do wonders, believe me.
4. Relax, explore & entertain
Do all three, try a combo or simply do whatever floats your boat. Are you cool will sitting and listening to your favourite podcast and watching the world go by? Then do that. If you’re one of those people who can’t sit still for more than two minutes, check out what the airport has going on. Whether it’s just perusing some souvenirs, strolling around the Duty Free, or – if you’re lucky – perhaps your airport has a cool gallery, observation deck or even a garden to explore. Pretty much every airport has a spot to relax in, or you could splash out on a lounge to make sure you can switch off in style.
Hopefully my tips will help you prepare for the worst fellow travellers! Happy flying and enjoy exploring the world!
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