I have taken more than a thousand flights, but I still admit to having airport anxiety. As a result, I have learned ways to deal with airport stress. After all, travel is supposed to reduce stress, not cause it! From leaving early to security tips to airport lounges, these practical ideas have helped me and should help you too.
1. Be prepared before you leave home
I have seen people scramble to find their passport just before leaving for the airport. Not good. Worse is finding out your passport, while not expired, is still not valid. What? Yes, most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity after the final day of travel. On top of that, your passport needs to have sufficient blank pages for visa stamps throughout your trip.
2. Go to the airport early
This might seem to be a given in avoiding stress, but I strongly suggest it is the number one way to avoid anxiety. There are plenty of ways to spend your time at the airport, as I will explain later. The recommendation for most major international flights is to arrive three hours before takeoff. Don’t try to cut it close.
Two of my most-used airports are Beijing (PEK) and Los Angeles (LAX). The traffic in these cities is notoriously uncertain at any hour. I also refuse to take airport shuttles that make multiple stops. If I drive, I make sure I use a parking lot I am familiar with, such as The Spot at LAX. I even sometimes rent a car in Orange County and drop it off at LAX, taking their bus to the terminal. It can be easier and cheaper than a long-term parking stay.
Having a few handy apps can also reduce stress. I always check FlightAware from home to see if my flight is on time or delayed. If you are unfamiliar with the airport, an app such as AtAirports can give good information about the layout and amenities.
3. Skip the ticket counter, if possible
Lines at the airport induce anxiety. Some can often be avoided, starting with the ticket counter. I always try to check in online in advance and print my boarding pass, even if it is on my phone. That’s the first opportunity to skip the ticket counter or kiosk lines.
Next, I try to travel with carry-on only, so I don’t have to deal with the hassle (and possible expense) of checking a bag. That pays off even more when skipping baggage claim on the other end of the flight. If I must check a bag, I make sure I understand the airline weight limits – before leaving for the airport. I was allowed one weight limit on a flight from London to Dublin, but a lower one on the connection from Dublin to Killarney.
If you must deal with lines, keep in mind that, as the day goes along, the cumulative effect of things going wrong, such as delayed or canceled flights, kicks in. If you have a choice, book a morning flight. You will also arrive at your destination earlier, reducing stress there too.
4. Use priority security lines
One of the biggest unknowns and therefore, causes of stress at the airport is the length of time spent going through security. I arrived at Denver one time to encounter a security line wrapped around the airport. A similar experience occurred in Las Vegas. Now, I make sure to always use TSA-Pre, which I receive by virtue of my U.S. Global Entry status. The time savings from shorter and faster lines and stress-reduction have been enormous.
Another advantage of priority lines, especially in the U.S., is the ease – leaving shoes on, laptops in bags, toiletries in bags, etc. You still need to make sure you abide by the liquid limitations. Read about how I carry a drug store in a Ziploc bag.
Of course, there are not priority lines in 100% of the cases – another reason to arrive early!
5. Make use of airport lounges
So you have arrived early, skipped by the ticket counter and bag check, and breezed through security. With an eye on departure boards, you find yourself in the concourse with an hour or more to spare.
You can always shop. Some airports, such as Bangkok (BKK) are a shopping paradise. Singapore (SIN) is practically a destination in itself. One caution about buying amenities in airports: once I bought a simple tube of Crest toothpaste at the Beijing airport, only to have it confiscated by security for being too large. Why sell it there?
One of my best investments has been to carry a Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. Included with it is Priority Pass, which gives me access to more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide. So I can be flying economy on Jet Blue out of San Francisco (SFO) and hang out in the Air France lounge, eating and drinking, until my flight boards. I have used Priority Pass lounges from Tokyo to Zurich to Nairobi. I relax and enjoy the airport experience while the maddening crowds are outside the door.
6. Choose regional airports, if possible
Most of this post has focused on big airports and international travel, but another secret to reducing stress is to use regional airports. From my home base of Orange County, California, I much prefer to fly out of John Wayne Airport (SNA) or nearby Long Beach (LGB) versus LAX.
Long Beach Airport is freeway-close, with easy parking, and a time-gone-by vibe. There aren’t even any jetways, as you walk outside using stairs to the front (and back) of the plane. Of course, that is the norm in many small countries, from Laos to Myanmar. The downside can be fewer flights and amenities, but the low-key atmosphere can make all the difference.
While on the subject of where to fly from, I can’t forget the recommendation on how to fly. I have written an entire post imploring you to always fly nonstop if possible!
7. Be polite to people
Ellen DeGeneres ends her show with the phrase, “Be kind to one another.” I thought I would end with that tip. I have encountered much less stress in airports by not inflicting stress. Be polite and friendly to a ticket agent, and you might be surprised how your request for a better seat magically appears. Be courteous to TSA agents – they have a thankless job. Be nice to gate agents and lounge receptionists and flight attendants. No matter what the challenge, try to deal with it in a civil way. You will be less anxious and so will the people around you.
Read about more airport travel advice here. Do you have anything to add? Feel free to comment at the bottom of this post.
What’s upscale?
Flying business or first class has its advantages, as does the Priority Pass for airport lounges.
What’s budget?
Take carry-on only to avoid baggage fees, and use public transportation to the airport when reliable. And remember, it doesn’t cost anything to be kind.
