13 aeroplane hacks that will change the way you fly

Flying is such an amazing way to get you around the world, but it often comes with airport delays, baggage issues and security nightmares. Fortunately, some simple hacks can make your trip just a little easier and your entire travel experience a whole lot better. We got the lowdown from travel experts on everything from getting through security easily to skipping baggage claim even when you have a ton of luggage. Trust us: These tips will change the way you look at flying.

Yes, we’re talking about your basic multi-outlet surge protector. Why is packing this in your carry-on such a genius idea? Because when you get to the gate and find that all the plugs are taken, you can nicely ask one of the plug owners if it’s OK to swap your power strip so both of you can plug in and power up, says Cindy Richards, editor-in-chief of TravelingMom.com. It’s also useful in hotels, when outlets are limited or when you only have a single electrical adapter to use in another country.

Packing these things in your carry-on could save your life.

One of the worst things about flying is emptying out your suitcase filled with electronics and liquids at the security checkpoint. But Allie Phillips, the owner of Soarin Travel, has a smart hack. “Packing your carry-on bag with easy access to anything that needs to be scanned separately helps,” she says. If you group all of your electronics and liquids together in a separate travel bag within your larger bag so you can grab it all at once, you won’t feel quite so frazzled.

Make sure you know these genius packing tips from flight attendants.

Try to avoid a departure time that coincides with rush-hour traffic, says George Morgan-Grenville, CEO and founder of the UK-based luxury travel company Red Savannah. “It’s a pointless and stressful way of missing a flight,” he says. And while that may seem like common sense, this isn’t: If possible, avoid arriving in a destination very late at night or early in the morning, when it’ll be trickier to find a car service to take you to your destination.

Even when you’ve sufficiently packed for an international flight, your bag may be overweight for a connection, as many domestic connections have lower allowances, Morgan-Grenville says. He advises weighing your luggage ahead of time, since it’s much less expensive to buy overweight allowance in advance.

To avoid bloating and making jet lag worse, Morgan-Grenville recommends drinking lots of still water, which will flush out your system and keep headaches at bay. Avoid carbonated drinks, which cause major bloat, along with alcohol, since it can be particularly dehydrating when you’re flying. Also minimise food intake, especially carbs, which your body will have difficulty digesting at high altitudes, he says. If you’re hungry, feast on fruits and veggies.

Many people aren’t aware that their passports have a hidden expiration date, says Jose Bone from The Passport Office. “What I mean is that depending on where you are travelling, you may be required to have a few months of validity remaining on your passport,” he explains. “For example, if you attempt to travel to any EU country with a passport with less than six months’ validity remaining, you will be denied entry.” In other words, if you’re heading to Europe, your passport will expire six months earlier than what is printed. This rule varies from country to country – for example, Mexico and Canada only require three months’ validity remaining for entry.

“Travel is not always an easy experience, so try to prepare yourself for potential problems,” says travel agent Liz Dahl. Dahl suggests researching what to do if your luggage gets lost, if your flight gets delayed, and if bad weather changes your vacation options. It’s also smart to bring along books, magazines, snacks and water so you don’t have to pay high prices at the airport, she says. “The most important thing to bring is a good sense of humour, and remember to be polite to the people who can actually help you at the airlines and airport,” she says. “Then, you will have a great trip.”

Don’t miss these things you’re probably doing on a plane that flight attendants wouldn’t.

No one likes jet lag, and this trick can, well, trick your body into adjusting a lot quicker if you’re travelling across time zones. According to Scott McNeely, COO and cofounder of the experiential travel company Modern Adventure, the key is to do this with an old-fashioned watch, not your phone – and to do it early. Start wearing your time-adjusted watch for a day or so before departure to make your brain adopt the local time and reset your circadian rhythm ahead of your arrival. And on the flight, adds McNeely, avoid looking at any clock except your watch.

You may have to buy a more expensive seat, or have the airline’s cobranded credit card, says Miguel Suro, a lifestyle writer at The Rich Miser, but it’s worth it. “Otherwise, you might be forced to gate-check your bag because the overhead bins are full by the time you board,” he explains. “The problem with this is that if there’s a delay in baggage claim at your destination airport, you can get stuck there for half an hour or more upon landing.”

As well as monopolising the overhead bins, here are things polite people don’t do on planes.