7 tips to guarantee a smooth time at the airport

This look screams comfy chic and that’s just the level of functionality you need when traveling or simply when running errands on the weekend. By throwing on a blazer over this gorgeous midi dress, I was able to actually wear it to work on a casual Friday with my gold sneakers and from there, I went to see Black Panther. I mean these stripes on the sleeves came in handy when I had to get in my ‘Wakanda Forever’ pose 🙂 By now, I hope you’ve all seen this epic film. Considering I’m not typically a fan of superhero movies, I didn’t expect to come out of the theater feeling so empowered. It’s no wonder this movie is breaking all kinds of records. It is the epitome of black magic in all its glory. I loved every second of it!

OUTFIT DETAILS:

ZARA dress – bodycon style here in black & loose fitting version in gray here) // ZARA blazer – options here // MICHAEL KORS sneakers (MK option 1 – MK option 2) // ALDO bag (available in navy & green for less than $30)

Over the years, I’ve shared most of my travel experiences on the blog which you can always check out on the travel tab. I’ve heard and experienced many travel woes such as wishing we could reach our destinations without having to drive or fly for long periods of time or even worst, be pat down by TSA… Granted, we can’t avoid these things but here are a few things you can do to make your time at the airport more bearable.

Check in online

Especially when traveling domestically, you are able to check in online and avoid waiting in line at the airport to check in or pay for your luggages. Most airlines allow you to check in up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure but when I was in Thailand, AirAsia allowed me to check in two weeks prior to my departure date for a domestic flight between Bangkok and Phuket so it is wise to check each specific airline’s rules ahead of time.

Download your airline’s app

I am a big fan of Jetblue for my domestic travels so since they’ve added a route to Haiti, it is needless to say that I haven’t flown any other airline when visiting home. With the Jetblue app, I am able to book flights without filling in my personal info every time, check in early, receive notifications about delays and even save my boarding pass on my phone. I can’t guarantee that every airline’s app will be as efficient but nothing beats this level of convenience.

Save your boarding pass to your iPhone’s wallet

It’s great having your boarding pass on your airline’s app but if you’re out of your area of service, you may be unable to access it. By saving it to your phone’s wallet, it can easily be accessed from your home screen. The convenience of being able to scan your phone directly not only saves trees but it certainly saves time.

Arrive before time

Speaking of time, you already know the deal: If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. And if you’re late… well, there will be no traveling for you my friend. Airports are unpredictable. Traffic is unpredictable. Life is unpredictable. By giving yourself more than enough time, you can rest assured that even if the unexpected happens, you won’t miss your trip.

Pack only the stuff you need

Years ago, travelers were allowed 2 free luggages on international flights along with a carry on and personal item. Although I still experience that luxury with Emirates Airlines, times have changed and checked luggages must be paid for on most flights. I try my best to only bring a carry on when I’m traveling because it really makes my life easier when I don’t have to carry around heavy bags. Knowing that I can get off the plane and out of the airport without trying to find which carousel my luggage is on, is the best thing ever. My best friend once lost her luggage full of clothes, shoes and important documents so that’s another reason I forfeit checked bags when possible. Unfortunately, I have been asked to check my carry on at the entrance of the plane because they run out of overhead storage space but that part we can’t control.

Wear shoes that can easily be removed at security

I remember traveling to Florida about 10 years ago with boots that needed to be laced all the way up my thigh. I don’t know what I was thinking but I vowed since that day that I would never enter an airport with shoes that can’t easily be taken off. Sometimes you get lucky and security don’t ask you to remove your shoes but to be on the safe side, always wear socks or bring socks that you can put on when your shoes are removed because darling you do not want your toes on these nasty airport floors.

Pay attention to gate changes & other announcements

Let me tell you guys how I got to the airport super early on my last trip and went to sit at the gate number specified on my boarding pass. I got distracted with Instagram of course and lo and behold, there were gate change announcements made that I never heard. I almost missed my flight while being at the airport and had to run from gate 15 to gate 1 with minutes to spare. I was one of the last people to board the plane although I was one of the first to arrive. So don’t make the mistake I made. Stay alert at all times!

Bonus: So many people seem not to know that they can bring food onboard. Although liquids won’t get through security checks, you can certainly bring your wraps, sandwiches or even cooked meals with you (preferably one that won’t stink up the whole cabin). That may be helpful if you’re on a diet and want to avoid unhealthy meals on the go or if you’re budget conscious and don’t want to overspend at the airport. Also, once you pass security, if you pruchase drinks at the airport restaurants, you can bring those onboard.

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I hope you found these tips helpful and will keep them in mind for your next trip. I’ll be going to Georgia in a couple of months and hope to make it to LA this year as well since I’ve never been. But the highlight of the year will be a trip Morocco if the logistics work out. What’s on your itinerary this year? Let’s chat in the comments.

Until next time,