Between passengers being forcibly dragged off planes and fist fights breaking out, it is a turbulent time for air travel.
These tips and recommendations are for those wanting to make their time spend in the air more positive (and even enjoyable)!
Approach your flight with a sense of community. You are going to be part of this for several hours. Do not treat the flight crew like they are the enemy as you are all in this together!
Make sure you buy your ticket under the exact name that appears on your ID.
It might seem obvious to you that Betsy is a nickname for Elizabeth, but it may not to a skycap, a desk agent, or a security officer―any of whom could ask you to show ID with that name before boarding.
Know the difference between “direct” and “nonstop” flights, and always opt for the latter.
Unlike nonstop, direct flights can touch down at other airports on the way to their ultimate destinations. While stops are built in to the total travel time, the potential delays they can cause aren’t.
Use the restroom before your flight.
Do not wait until you have to go to use the restroom. I read this horror story once of a guy who neglected the urge to use the restroom until he couldn't wait anymore, except this time he was in the air and the lavatory was occupied. He urinated on the floor right in front of the lavatory, and that is just unacceptable.
Check your carry-on at the gate.
This one only works if your bag is already the approved carry-on size. If you reach the gate with your luggage plus one bag and the flight is very full, the attendants will often ask for volunteers to check baggage to free up space in the overhead bins.
Take this opportunity! They'll tag your bag, give you a receipt and your bag will be checked through to your destination, even if you have to change planes in the middle of your trip. You'll have just your purse or laptop bag with you in the cabin, which should already have everything you need for your flight, such as headphones and a magazine.
Drink Water
The air in the cabin isn't humidified, which leads to that all-too-familiar parched feeling. Lips chap, nasal passages dry out, skin feels papery and the likelihood of blood clots can even increase. Sounds great, right?
The good news is that all these things can be mitigated by staying hydrated -- simply drinking water. Start early, drinking as much water in the airport gate area as you can hold comfortably for about an hour. That's about how long it typically takes for the seatbelt light to be switched off, allowing you to visit the restroom. Then keep drinking water, about 8 ounces (0.2 liters) every hour or two, while you're in the air. Don't try to substitute coffee, soda or a tiny bottle of booze for water either. Caffeine and alcohol will dehydrate you -- the opposite of what you're trying to achieve.
Moderate alcohol consumption.The same alcoholic beverage you're drinking on the ground is very different when the cabin is closed and you're at 8,000 feet. It affects you differently, and most people don't realize you get drunk far more easily in the air than on the ground.
