Top 10 Flying tips
Calm your fears of flying
This is one of the best flying tips for a nervous traveller. Take yourself to the duty free and ask for some samples of alcohol, most airports usually have a counter with a member of staff giving away free shots or tasters. This is a great free way to make you feel more relaxed for your flight. Don’t forget to stay hydrated and drink lots of water too!
Tell the police
Skyscanner PR Manager and mother-of-two Mary Porter has loads of tips on flying with toddlers. Our favourite is: “warn young children of the ‘Aeroplane Police’ who are looking out for badly behaved children. I am not suggesting you scare them out of their wits (and admittedly we never did explain what the Aeroplane Police actually do when they catch a naughty child). However, it proved hugely effective in stopping my toddler climbing over seats, playing with the fold down table, kicking the seat in front and all the other things that passengers around you really love.”
Check if it's cheaper to pay in other currencies
Before booking a flight, consider if the rate is cheaper if paid in another currency. Often budget airlines will make you pay in the currency of the country you're departing from, but this isn't always the case. An important note when doing this: make sure you're using a credit card that is free of foreign-transaction fees, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, otherwise your attempts to save money doing this will be lost! Our article on money matters for world travellers can help steer you in the right direction for the best credit cards for travel.
Ask for a free upgrade at the Departure Gates
Are you travelling for a celebration? Inform the staff and sometimes they give out freebies on the flight! The departure gate is also a great place to try your luck and ask the staff if there are any free upgrades available. All of the seats will have been paid for or taken by this point so if any are going spare you may get upgraded. If you don’t ask you don’t get!
Don’t cross your legs.
When seeking a comfortable pose, we often put one leg over the other. However, it’s better to skip this when up in the air. Crossing your legs on long flights restricts blood flow and increases the risk of blood clots. Experts urge you to keep your legs straight, slightly bending them at the knees.
Pre-order your baby milk from Boots
Baby milk is something that always throws up questions. What can you take? Will you have to taste it at security? How much are you allowed and will it be enough? To avoid these questions did you know you could pre-order your milk from Boots and collect from a store in the airports departures? Find out here which airports are available. Alternatively check out Skyscanner’s guide to hand luggage restrictions do you don’t get caught out.
Browse Airline Specials
If you're going to wait until the final weeks to book, you might be able to find some last-minute deals directly from the carrier. This option can be hit or miss as it depends on how badly the carrier wants to sell any remaining seats. Or, if they recently launched a new route and are trying to generate interest. The good part is that these specials don't always require you to fly a redeye flight just to save a few bucks!
Bring an extra top on board
When flying (especially long haul) always travel with an extra top as the blankets they provide are thin and the plane can get very cold. Clare McMonagle, Skyscanner Graphic Designer
When Both Parents Travel, Avoid Basic Economy
On two-parent journeys with airlines that distinguish between basic economy and “main cabin” economy, always pay for a main-cabin fare. On a typical route, the main cabin can cost 15% or 20% more than the basic economy, but it’s the only way to guarantee seats together. Trust me: You’ll be glad you sat together. Getting up from your seat every time you need to hand off Baby — which, between feedings and bathroom breaks, can happen several times during a flight — is inconvenient and, during meal or beverage service, sometimes impossible.