Today I bring you a very simple and rather obvious flying tip: Check in online.
I've flown both high cost (Etihad) and low cost (Cebu Pacific) this year and I noticed on both occasions there were big lines at the check in counters but barely anyone at baggage drop.
I don't know why so many people don't check in online. The line can be about half the size or less in comparison to regular check in counters. It's quick and easy to do - you can even do it on your phone at the airport! It can be a huge time saver - if you're not checking in online for your flights then you need to start.
Most online check ins begin 36-24 hours before the flight and close a few hours before the flight departs. You can usually only check in one way (unless your trip is less than 36 hours).
I think most/all airlines will say you need to print your boarding pass and bring it to the airport, but once you check in online it goes into their system and they already know when you hand them your booking details at the baggage drop desk. Therefore many are ok with mobile passes on your phone (take a screenshot in case you have no internet access), or they'll print you an official one to use anyway.
The key is to know your airline and their policies - for example lower cost airlines around Europe like Ryanair can fine you badly for not printing your boarding pass, but my experience with more high cost/long haul airlines is that they will print you an official pass anyway, regardless if you printed yours at home.
My next rather obvious tip is: know your baggage allowance.
There have been so many times (literally every time I fly) when the check in/bag drop line will come to a standstill for maybe 15 or more minutes because someone has tried to check in more than their allowance and is either being refused or charged very high penalties.
As a general rule, for flights within Europe the baggage allowances are usually non existant or very small (less than 20kg). Any short haul flight (5hours or less?) will usually have no/small baggage allowances, while long distance flights tend to have around 23-30kg. Flights around Asia tends to have higher weight allowances and lower fees.
This next part will sound racist and maybe it is - but the major allowance problems I have seen usually come from Asians and non-Western countries in general. And by major I mean they try bring 2 large 40kg suitcases when they had no baggage allowance at all, and then they appear confused when they are refused and then angry and indignant when they are asked to fork over hundreds in excess fees.
Meanwhile I'm waiting behind them with my 9kg backpack wondering how they could get it so, so, so wrong.
Maybe it's a language barrier, maybe because they were allowed 40kg in their home country and they assume this is the usual, maybe it's because they don't fly often, maybe it's because they knew about the charges and were somehow hoping they wouldn't have to pay.
All I know is they could save themselves and everyone on the flight a lot of time by getting their shit together and knowing their baggage limits.
Finally, prepare for going through security. Some countries and airports can be more strict than others, but it's always the same basic format worldwide.
Obviously some people have more stuff than others so taking off your boots, taking out your phone, camera, computer, phone, iPad, mp3 player, Kindle etc etc can take longer than an old lady with sandals and one phone. But if you have a lot of stuff work quickly and efficiently to remove it.
I do find it maddening when there is someone in front of me who has to go through the metal detector 3 times because of his loose change, watch, belt etc. Or when they argue when security go to confiscate a 2l bottle of perfume when it's very clear you can't take large amounts of any liquid.
If you have never flown look up information beforehand, or read the multiple signs and notices before entering the security clearance area. It's much faster, easier and more pleasant than a cavity search.
So there you have it - rather obvious airport tips that thousands of people are somehow still getting wrong every day.
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