I fly twice a month for work. Here are 5 mistakes all travelers should avoid making.

08.04.2024 - 19:19 / insider.com / Airlines

As an adventure-travel writer, I typically find myself at the airport at least twice a month for work.

I've certainly made some mistakes along the way, but have developed some go-to travel hacks to ensure a smooth air-travel experience.

Here are five mistakes you should avoid making during your next trip.

It's frustratingly common to step into the airport only to realize cell phone connectivity has disappeared, airport WiFi is nonexistent, and the airline app you've become dependent upon is unresponsive.

Once that crucial connectivity is lost, accessing a boarding pass becomes nearly impossible. That's why I now screenshot my boarding pass before heading to the airport. I've found this works well for me when all other options have disappeared.

Catching a flight can be chaotic, and slowing down to grab a quick bite to eat in the airport can sometimes get deprioritized. However, in-flight snack and beverage service can't always be depended upon.

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I've often found myself counting down the minutes until the flight attendants come by with the service cart, just to find out there won't be any food or drink served on my flight. This can be due to anything from a short flight time to turbulence.

To avoid encountering this travel nightmare, I always bring a reusable water bottle and a stash of snacks with me to hold me over until my flight lands.

It's easy to get caught up in the boarding process and skip the last opportunity to stop at the bathroom before getting on the plane. However, the boarding process can be long and passengers often have to wait a while to safely use the restroom after the flight takes off.

As tempting as it is to get on board and claim a spot for my carry-on, I always take a few extra minutes to hit the terminal bathroom first.

Many times, I've found myself not drinking water on a flight to avoid having to disturb those around me to use the bathroom. However, this often means I arrive at my destination dehydrated.

No one wants to be a nuisance, but most people understand that, no matter how long the flight, someone nearby will likely have to access the bathroom. At the end of the day, getting up to let someone out of the row is a minor inconvenience and an accepted part of air travel.

Ideally, airplane bathrooms should be thoroughly stocked with hand soap and sanitizer. However, this isn't always the case.

Rather than depending on the airline to help me stay germ-free, I always come prepared with my own hand sanitizer or wipes.