15 tips for a fabulous summer flight

By James Wysong

Travel columnist

updated 2:28 p.m. ET May 27, 2008

James Wysong Travel columnist • Profile • E-mail

How do you have a great summer flight from start to finish?

In my columns, I often focus on one part of air travel, like boarding, luggage or what to do in flight. Today, as the busy summer travel season begins, I’m connecting the dots for you.

Here are 15 of my favorite tips:

1. Booking
By far the best thing you can do when buying a ticket is to schedule a flight for as early in the day as possible. The later you get the greater possibility of problematic weather and the resulting snowball effect. If possible, avoid connections and book a non-stop, and if you must connect, make the time in between flights two hours or more.

2. Going to the airport
No good comes from rushing at airports, the lines and inefficiencies alone can drive your blood pressure through the roof. Go early and avoid the rush.

3. Memory lot
When parking your car at the airport lot, make a point to write the location down and stick it in your passport. Or better yet, call yourself on the cell phone and leave a brief message. If your cell has a camera you could always take a picture and save it. It may seem unnecessary at the time, but your memory will fade after you return.

4. Checking in
Ask for a seat as far forward in your cabin as possible to get more legroom. Be considerate and offer up your seat for a separated family. The gate agents will usually not need it but they are more likely to remember you when forced to make upgrades.

5. Security
Have a plan of attack. For me, the most annoying thing about the long lines are the people who have been in line for an hour who suddenly become confused or lost when it is their time to go through. Watch the people in front of you, read the posted instruction signs, and be ready for your turn. Pull your laptop out of the bag, take your shoes off, and don’t forget to put that cell phone elsewhere. It will set off the magnetometer.

6. Boarding
If your flight is not full, try to be one of the last to board. That way, if you don’t like your seat or the looks of your seat neighbors, you can always pass it by and plop yourself down on a more promising seat or perhaps a row. If by chance someone comes for that seat, look at your boarding card in surprise and take your originally assigned seat.

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7. Inflight comfort
Dress in layers and take a jacket or sweater regardless of the season. I know this may sound bizarre if it is the middle of summer, but after sweating in the airport, in the jetway, and then on the plane before takeoff, you will freeze once you get airborne. That’s when we blast the air conditioning. Moments later, your perspiration will turn to icicles. Trust me on this.

8. Long-haul flying
Delay the z’s. Watch the movie, have a drink, eat a meal, read a book, do something to keep you awake as long as possible. When you finally do get some sleep, it will be heavier and longer, and when you awake, you should have the better part of the flight behind you.

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