How To Be Confident At The Airport
Have you ever had airport anxiety? Maybe the airport is unfamiliar to you or you’re traveling alone. Maybe you’re worried that you’ll miss your connecting flight or think security might be stressful. Maybe you’re just not familiar with the airport and flight process altogether. Whatever the case may be - I’ve got you. Confidence is key. And with good research and preparation - you will have all the confidence you need to navigate through any airport.
Book Flights With Longer Layovers
Long layovers get such a bad rap. There is, of course, such a thing as too much of a good thing! Like that time I spent 11 hours at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for an overnight layover. Gosh, that was miserable. No shops open, and I was freezing.
However, a layover anywhere between 2 and 4 hours is the sweet spot for me. Every airport has different ways of doing things. Some airports may require you to collect your luggage and re-check it before connecting to another flight (the worst). Some airports may be undergoing construction. Some airports may require you to take a shuttle to get to your connecting terminal. In any circumstance, leaving yourself with ample time to figure out where you’re going, what you need to do, having some time to get food, use the bathroom, stretch you legs, etc. - is always the best move.
This will also give you a security blanket should any of your flights be delayed.
Write it Out
Write out your flight schedule. Write out the times, airport codes, terminals, and your gate information. A lot times your gate info won’t be available until you check in, but your terminal is often already determined.
Look Up Airport Maps
I always check out the airport map to see where I'm going to need to go. If you know your outgoing and incoming terminals, or gate numbers as mentioned above, you can spot them on the map. Then you’ll be able to come up with a game plan. This is most helpful when you have a connecting flight. Instead of running around confused and in a rush, you will have an idea of where you’re going.
Reach Out to Airlines & Airports
If you’ve ever been worried about connection times, airline policies, airport security policies, etc. - just reach out to the airline or airport themselves. There have been so many times that I’ve reached out to airlines on Twitter to ask different things. I’ve asked about required documents and processes for different countries. I’ve asked about my shorter connecting flights and what would be the process if I missed the flight. And so on. You can almost always get your concern or question answered. I prefer to reach out via Twitter instead of on the phone because the process is quicker.
Check Airport Security Policies
If you’re not up to date with the latest TSA/airport security protocols, check their site for answers to any easy security questions. If you travel a lot, consider applying for TSA PreCheck which will make your time at security even smoother. If you have a connecting flight and you checked your luggage, check with the airline or airport you’re traveling to to see if you need to collect and re-check your bag before moving onto your next destination. Even if you didn’t check your luggage, you may still need to go through a security screening again. For example, every time I connect in Paris at Charles de Gaulle, I know that I need to go through security again before getting onto my next flight. Many times this is only necessary when you’re connecting in another country, returning back to and connecting in the United States, or switching airlines.
Check Airport Security Wait Times Before Planned Arrival
Some airports have their wait times posted on their website. It’s always worth checking to see if they do. If they do, you can plan your arrival time around that. Any time I fly out of ATL - I check the wait times online before leaving my house.
Arrive Early
If you can’t check wait times, just plan to arrive early. I’m that person that is always at the airport three hours early. It makes me feel better having more time to go through security, get food, find my gate, and still hold time for any type of delay that could pop up.
Have Your Required Documents Easily Accessible To You
Let me first say - don’t just have your documents out in the open for all of the world to see. No, of course not. You want your documents to always be secure. You just need to know exactly where they are so that you can access them easily. That way when it’s time to show confirmations, vaccinations, identifications, or any other type of documentation - they are easy to pull out and put away. No fluster.
Read the Signs
Duh. All airports have signs to help you get to where you need to be. Use them. If you’re traveling to another country where the first language is not English, you may not be able to read the signs. Many countries have their national language and English on the airport signs because English is the most universal language. If they don’t, no worries. Look up the below words and phrases using a translator.
Exit - Arrival - Baggage Claim - Customs - Immigration - Boarding Time - Passport - Gate
You can do a quick Google Search for more key airport words and phrases.
Bonus tip: Download a translator app. We’ve used translator apps to communicate with people in other countries before, and it really helps. Some apps allow you to speak into the app, and then it will repeat what you said in the local language. Same goes for if a foreigner speaks into the app. You will be able to at least partially understand what they’re saying too.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
If all else fails - ask for help. There are people working all over the airport, and they are almost always willing to help you. If one person can’t, the next one often can.
These tips and tricks have helped me feel less anxious and more confident while traveling throughout the world, flying in and out of different airports. They don’t guarantee a seamless process, of course there will always be things that come up that are out of our control, but they do help with the things you can control. This prep-work gives me peace of mind, and I feel more ready to travel. It gives me one less thing to worry about in the moment. If anything does happen that is not in your control, the best practice, as always, is to ask for help. There is always a solution.
Sending love as always,
Ellie
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