With the way travel goes these days, making it cleanly and quickly through the airport can feel like a Herculean task. I travel frequently for both business and pleasure, so I'm all about making my trips to and through the airport fast, easy, and comfortable. And over the years, I've taken every measure I can to make my airport time quick and painless. Some of these solutions won't cost you anything, while others do cost money and some effort on the front end, but they're totally worth it.
Now, my trips through SeaTac (my home airport) and other airports are way better than they used to be. For me, it has been totally worth it to go to the time and expense to make airport travel so much more pleasant.
Use the Airline Apps
Every airline has an app, and those apps can smooth the process from door to door. If you aren't using the apps, start now. They'll store your boarding pass (invaluable), inform you of gate changes and flight delays, prompt you to check in, tell you when the plane is boarding, and more. They're super handy and way better than the days before we had apps available to tell us everything about our flight.
Avoid Busy Travel Days Like the Plague
Some days are just going to be busier at the airport, no matter how much you do to smooth your travel. I was once required to fly on the first day of local spring break, and it sucked. So know when school holidays are and skip things like the first and last weeks of summer break, the first and last days of winter break, and the first and last days of spring break. Also, try not to fly Wednesday-Sunday over Thanksgiving weekend, or anytime during the week before or after Christmas.
Fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday instead of a Friday or Sunday, as these tend to be less crowded days for flying.
Fly During the Fringes of the Day
Sure, it can be a real pain to get to the airport super early in the morning, but for me, the hassle is worth it because the airport is so much less crowded, lines are a lot shorter, and flights are often cheaper. I prefer first thing in the morning flights for the least hassle, but red-eyes can also be easier if you're someone who can put on noise-canceling headphones and sleep on planes. Plus, if you're on an early morning flight, there's a lot smaller chance your flight will be delayed. Most of the flight delays I have experienced were scheduled to take off in the afternoon or evening.
Always Check in on the App 24 Hours Before Your Flight
Even if the app doesn't prompt you to check in, hop on about 24 hours before your flight and check in. The app will ask about how many bags you're checking and a few other questions. You should also use the app regularly in the 24 hours before your flight to check that you're still in the seat you selected (the airlines change it sometimes, so you have to be on your toes), your flight still leaves from the same gate, and whether it's on-time or delayed. I usually check all these things when I check in, and then maybe 8 hours before the flight, four hours before the flight, and a few times in the two hours or so before the flight.
Why do I check so often? Bottom line — things can change at a moment's notice. People get bumped from flights for all sorts of reasons, flights are delayed, seat assignments change. If you notice anything at all out of line, talk to the gate agent (or call the airline) as soon as you notice it.
Take a Shuttle or Ride Share & Skip Parking
Airport parking can be a real hassle, and shuttles or ride shares, if they're available, smooth the process. You'll get dropped off near your airline's check-in, and you won't have to wrestle with finding a parking space. Reserve ahead of time so there's space for you, especially on busy travel days.
If You Can, Don't Check Luggage
Whenever I travel with only carryon luggage, I'm always surprised at how much smoother the process is than checking bags. No long check-in lines. No long waits on the other side at the baggage carousel, and no lost baggage. It's ideal.
The only issue can be lack of overhead space if you're on a small plane and/or in a later boarding group. When we fly coach, my hubby and I hack this by always immediately heading to the gate agent if they call for people to check carryons because the plane is full. What we discovered is that when you check your carry-on bags at the gate, they don't charge you for checked baggage, and your luggage is the last on the plane, so the first off on the baggage carousel.
Only do this with carryon sized bags. Don't try to subvert checked baggage fees by taking a standard-sized suitcase and gate checking it when called for.
If You Do Check Luggage, Use the Self Check-In Kiosks
Sure, the touchscreens are glitchy, and the bag tags can be a real ordeal to put on your suitcase handle. But they still beat standing in a super long baggage check line, and many airlines have a DIY baggage dropoff spot for people who use the self-check-in kiosks. Hang on to your baggage claim number (put it in your bag, not your pocket, or TSA will stop you) and hold onto it until you claim your bags on the other side.
Get TSA Precheck or Global Entry (or Both)
I was flying home out of Knoxville a few years ago before I had TSA precheck, and it was awful. The TSA agents were screaming at passengers for virtually anything, pulling people aside to search, making you remove everything from shoes to belts to hair clips, and just overall making travel a super unpleasant experience.
The minute I got home, I applied for my Known Travel Number (KTN) through TSA Precheck. A few weeks later, I had an appointment, paid my 85 bucks, and traveling got a whole lot better.
At TSA Precheck, you can leave your liquids in your bag (they still need to be small and in the regulation clear bag, but at least you don't have to pull them out), keep your shoes on, and the agents just seem to be friendlier since you've already proven to the government you're no threat.
Lines are also shorter (usually), and the process is just better in every way. Totally worth every penny. You'll need to renew every five years.
Be sure once you get your KTN that you put it on every reservation and check your boarding pass ahead of time to make sure it says TSA Pre✓ on QR code. If it doesn't, you may have forgotten to add your KTN to your reservation, but you can do it in the app even a few hours before your flight.
Related: How to Get Through TSA Smoothly
Consider Getting Clear Plus
While it's not yet at every airport, Clear Plus greases the airport skids like nothing else I do. It costs $199 per year, and it is worth every penny. Instead of getting in a regular security line (whether you have a KTN or not), you go through a Clear Plus checkpoint. They'll scan your fingerprints or your eyes, and once you're identified, they escort you to the front of either the TSA Precheck line (if you have a KTN) or the regular security line (if you don't). You don't even need to take out your ID the entire time you're in the airport unless the airline requires it when you're checking bags. You can sign up for Clear Plus at the airport. You'll need a real ID or passport to sign up. Clear Plus has saved me hours of lines — I can get from security line to gate in 20 minutes or less usually.
If Checking Luggage, Put Your Liquids in Checked Bags
Liquids can slow you down through TSA, particularly if you haven't paid attention to the liquid rules. If I'm checking bags and taking liquids, I avoid this by packing them in my checked bags (I still put them in a secure zipper bag in case they leak, because nobody wants conditioner or lotion all over their clothes and shoes).
Check Your Purse and Make Sure You Don't Inadvertently Have Any Banned Items
I don't know about you, but I have all sorts of junk that accumulates in my purse amd surprises me when I clean it later. Corkscrews, manicure scissors, pocket knives — they're all banned and will get you stopped at TSA if they're in any carryon item. Nail clippers are okay. But lip gloss, perfume, and other items aren't. Check out TSA's banned list and make sure any of these items are in checked baggage or packaged appropriately.
I always go through my bags the night before my flight and take out all the stuff that won't pass muster. Otherwise, I almost always have something I shouldn't have. Once, I tried to go through TSA at the Spokane International Airport with a small bottle of water in my purse that I'd completely forgotten about. It went about how you think it would.
If You're Only Taking Carry-on, Think Carefully About Liquids
I have items I use only for travel which are solids that I normally use as liquids at home. For instance, instead of taking toothpaste, I have toothpaste tablets. I keep them all in a small bag in my bathroom that I can just grab and toss in my carry-on when it's time to go, so packing is easy.
Solids like solid deodorant, lip balm, or solid serums aren't considered liquids so they're easy to get through TSA. You can also buy powdered face and body washes or bar soap, lotion bars, and more.
Some of my favorite carryon non-liquid items I travel with include:
- Tatcha serum stick in place of my usual serums
- Pixi on the glow moisturizer stick in place of my regular moisturizer
- Hanelei papaya powder face cleanser in place of my regular cleanser
- Duo toothpaste tablets in place of tube toothpaste
- Kitsch solid shampoo and conditioner in place of liquid shampoo and conditioner
- Neutrogena SPF 50 sunscreen stick in place of liquid sunscreen
You can also plan to buy sample-size liquids at your destination, which I sometimes do.
Put All Your Liquids in a Clear Plastic Case and Put It in the Top Part of Your Carry-on
Put it where you can grab it easily so you can pull it out at security if necessary. I have these bags for liquids because I like how roomy they are while still meeting TSA specs.
Don't Wear Metal
Avoid anything that'll make that metal detector sound as you pass through it. Stretchy waistband pants are a great idea for airports and flying because you won't need a belt, and they're just more comfy for travel anyway. I tend to wear leggings because they're so comfortable for flying.
Empty Your Pockets
Having something in your pocket as you go through security is a surefire way to get yourself stopped. Put everything in your bag or in that little container on the security belt before you step through the scanner. Phone, keys, belt, change, all of it, even the non-metal stuff.
Wear Easy On/Off Shoes
If you go through TSA Precheck, you don't need to take off your shoes or belt, but normal security still requires the removal of these items. So easy on/off shoes were a lifesaver for me before I got my KTN. When I traveled in warm weather, flip-flops were my go-to, and at other times of the year, I wore slip-on shoes. A slip-on sneaker like a Skechers hands-free step-in shoe is comfortable and supportive enough for long airport walks but easy on and easy off.
Get to Your Gate at Least 30 Minutes Before Boarding Time (and Stay There)
On a recent flight from Phoenix to Seattle, we saw a drama unfold in the airport. The flight before ours had boarded and pushed back from the jetway when two men came running up to the gate agent and demanded they let them on. What ensued was human behavior at its worst, with the two men verbally abusing a very young gate agent who was only following rules. They claimed they were on a delayed flight that was late, and that's why they missed this flight. But when the supervisor came to step in and help, one of the passengers waiting for our flight happily piped up that he'd seen the two men sitting in the bar directly across from the gate drinking beers for the past hour. They not only missed their flights but were escorted by security out of the airport.
So yeah. Show up at least 30 minutes before, and don't assume you'll hear the boarding announcement even if you're nearby. Likewise, don't rely on the app to update you when the flight starts boarding, because sometimes those malfunction. Be in the gate area about 30 minutes before boarding and take off noise-canceling headphones so you can hear announcements — it's the only surefire way that you won't miss the boarding announcement when your boarding group is called (unless you fall asleep!).
If You Can Afford It, Fly Premium or First Class (& Take Upgrades if Offered)
I know this isn't affordable for everyone, but there are ways to get upgrades to first class using miles, etc. If you can't afford first class, definitely consider paying a little more to upgrade to premium class. Both give you priority boarding, which means that the overhead bins won't be filled when you get on the flight. And first-class passengers also get priority luggage handling on many airlines, meaning their bags are some of the first to come out on the baggage carousel. Plus, the whole first class and premium experience is just better all around, from the moment you get to the airport until you land. Avoid basic economy fares unless it's what you can afford, and always consider paying for travel insurance or the ability to cancel the flight.
Track Your Luggage on the App
We're back to the app, which makes flying so convenient. You'll be able to tell where your luggage goes which, hopefully, is the same place as you, but not always. You'll also see if your luggage somehow came on an earlier flight (we've had it happen), when it has been boarded and deboarded, and when it's coming to the baggage carousel.
Give Your Bags a Once-Over for Damage Before You Leave the Airport
We learned this the hard way so you don't have to! Most airlines have a policy that they will only cover damage to your bags (or loss) if you report it in person at the airport within 24 hours of your flight. So always check over your luggage before you leave the airport so you can make a claim if necessary.
Reserve/Schedule Ground Transportation Ahead of Time
If you aren't renting a car, you can reserve ride shares like an Uber ahead of time. One of the things I like about Uber is that if you enter your flight information, your driver will track your flight and show up no matter what time your flight lands, even if it's delayed. When I solo travel, I schedule all my rideshares ahead of time, so I can just go from place to place quickly and easily with virtually no waiting.
If You're Renting a Car, Join the Preferred Customer Club
When I do rent a car, I usually do it through one of two car rental companies with which I have a preferred membership. I can reserve a car on their app, check in before I arrive, and then skip the long car rental line and go straight to the garage to grab my car. This has saved me a ton of time.
Make Airline Travel Easier
Airline travel can be exhausting, frustrating, and sometimes even dehumanizing. But there are ways — some free, and some costing effort or money — that you can smooth the process. My average time in airports used to be about 90 minutes from parking to gate, and another hour from deplaning to departing. But with these travel hacks, I can get through either side of the flight in 20 to 45 minutes with my dignity and sanity intact. To me, it's totally worth it!
