How to Navigate an Airport Like a Pro
Photo by Heng Yu
My parents met in the travel industry and our family is scattered throughout the world, so learning how to move through an airport seamlessly was taught alongside long division and how to spell words like s-p-a-g-h-e-t-t-i. From a young age, it was important that I could confidently approach a ticket desk, manage airport security, and pack luggage like a fully grown adult running through terminals purely to rack up airline miles. By the time I saw George Clooney in Up in the Air, I related to that smug fella’s strut through security from years of experience doing the same — with decidedly more giggles.
So excuse my privilege when I say this: Most new travelers have no idea how to move through an airport without looking like an anxiety tornado.
There’s a learning curve, of course. When I was nine, I packed a purple backpack so full of stuff that my dad said, “Do you think we’re not coming back?” But last summer, when he picked me up from the airport, I told him that one guy in Kansas City had actually checked an Old World-style trunk onto the flight. “Did he think he was boarding the Titanic?,” I said. The student became the master and blah, blah, blah.
The truth is, unless that man was moving back to 1912, you don’t need an oversized trunk to get where you’re going. You probably don’t need to lug a brick of a purple backpack, either. Here’s what you should do to emulate George Clooney’s character, because you do need to know how to navigate an airport like a pro.
Stop Packing Like You’re Not Coming Back
Unless you’re going somewhere for three weeks, you can likely fit everything you need into a carry-on bag. (If you’re going somewhere for three weeks, I’m jealous, take me with you.) You don’t need every pair of underwear you’ve ever owned. You don’t need more than two bathing suits. You can get by wearing the same shirt more than once, and I know you can, because you do it at home.
If you forget toiletries, there’s likely going to be a pharmacy near wherever you’re staying. You absolutely do not need to pack full-size bottles of lotion, shampoo, or the like. When you pack lighter, it’s easier to move through an airport. And whether you check them or not, you should always strive to board your plane with two bags or less (a carry-on luggage and a backpack or tote). I believe in you.
Add Your Ticket to Your Phone Wallet
When an airline sends you a nice little message that it’s time to check in, do so and add your ticket to your phone’s wallet. This takes care of the need to print it out at home or on a kiosk, because if there’s one thing you should actively avoid doing at all costs in an airport, it’s waiting as other people figure out shared technology. You should also enable gate update texts to your phone, to be safe, and it’s also wise to have the airline’s app on your phone, too. (You can delete it later.)
Get to the Airport Around Two Hours Early
Getting to the airport hours before your flight is set to take off is a contentious subject: Anyone who has ever flown anywhere has thoughts on how much time you should really set aside to go through security. If you’re not checking a bag, you’re checked into your flight with access to a digital ticket, and you’re being dropped off at an airport, then getting to the airport two hours ahead of your flight is fine. If you are checking a bag, I’d add 30 minutes, tops. If you’re going somewhere international, add 30 minutes, or an hour if you must. Here’s where things get complicated beyond my general two-hour rule of thumb:
You need disability assistance: It’s impossible to predict how long it’ll take for a wheelchair attendant to swoop you up and take you to your gate. I know. Trust me, I know. Sometimes two hours is fine, but sometimes your wheelchair attendant is literally running you through a terminal because he’s the only person working that afternoon and he’s sorry you’ve been waiting and now your flight is boarding. If you’re not an adrenaline junkie like me, add an hour.
You don’t have TSA PreCheck or its friends: Ok, I admit, I have this and it makes a world of difference (kinda the best thing that came out of a previous relationship, but that’s another story). While I recommend having this increasingly depleting perk — particularly for people with physical disabilities, because you don’t need to take your shoes off — not having it means that you’re at the mercy of the security line’s length. Again, add more time if you’re prone to sweat.
You like eating in airports: Everyday food rules don’t exist in airport terminals. Wash down chicken fingers with a margarita at 10 a.m., or get some fries to go with your pancakes for dinner. This might be one of the rare silver linings of so many sad American airports. But also, I’d rather spend my time and money outside of a terminal if I can help it. If you can’t eat ahead or simply don’t want to, add two hours.
You’re returning or parking a car: That’s a lot of waiting and walking, add an hour.
What to Wear
Since I don’t like checking a bag (I am my travel industry father’s daughter), then I am most likely wearing my bulkiest shoes on a flight. I understand wearing flip flops to get through security, but also: How hard is it for non-disabled people to take their shoes off, really? I’ve watched you slide out of shoes like you’re in a Sketchers commercial. Secondly, planes are cold and heat rises. Your bare toes will not think the skies are so friendly.
I’d wear something comfortable that doesn’t give off a “I rolled out of bed to be here” vibe. Elastic pants, a sweater, a matching set — look at you, yes! Literal pajamas are fine for kids, but I have two reasons for not pretending like my six inches of space on a plane is akin to my couch: If I need someone to help me at an airport, I want them to take me seriously. This probably has to do with me being a disabled woman, but frankly, I think everyone is judged by what they wear out in public. Wear something that’ll keep you warm and make you feel comfortable, but also look pulled together if needed.
Lastly, don’t wear a belt on a plane. Taking it off and putting it on through security just seems embarrassing. We get it, you have a 401k.
Get to the Gate
Once you’ve made it through security, it’s time to get to the gate. I also use this time to grab food, go to the bathroom, check out some magazines, and generally enjoy not being in a metal tube thousands of miles above the ground for the time being.
I’m in a wheelchair by the time the plane is ready to board, so this doesn’t really apply to me, but I’ll still mention it: If you have an assigned seat, you don’t have to wait in line longer than necessary. I generally don’t understand people’s willingness to wait in lines, but for some reason, people just want to form lines around and in planes. Try to resist this, it’s strange.
If you are standing there waiting, and a wheelchair is trying to get through you and other line-lovers, try not to stare down, it’s rude. Better yet, ask other people to move aside.
Some Lingering Details
Let’s say that things did not go as planned, for whatever reason. You got to the airport late! Your flight got canceled! You thought your Old World-inspired trunk would be manageable! I will give you the advice I’ve learned when things go awry during travel: Be as nice as possible, and in desperate situations, throw money at the problem.
If there’s an issue with your flight, like a cancellation, don’t scream at the ticket agent. Watch someone else regrettably do that as you book the next flight and get outta Dodge. It’s easier to get a refund with customer service after the fact than to wait and see what’ll happen. Do whatever you need to do to not sleep in an airport, which includes being nice to strangers who are just trying to do their jobs.
Airports can be stressful, but they don’t have to be blackholes of despair. As my dad always said as we traveled, keep your wits about you and act like you have somewhere to be.
What other advice do you have for moving through an airport like a pro? Let me know in the comments!
Related: The 4 Things I Usually Have in My Carry-On Bag, 4 Things That Make Traveling So Much Easier
