Obviously, if you travel business or first class, you're going to have a more relaxing flight with more leg room and other benefits. However, the majority of travellers are in coach. If you travel often on one airline in particular, you might want to join their frequent flyer programme. As well as collecting points for flying, you can earn other bonuses like getting upgraded when flights are overbooked.



Once you reach your destination, you may have to battle jet lag. It's possible to lessen the effects of jet lag by avoiding drinking alcohol during the flight and instead, drinking lots of water. You should also move around, walk up and down the plane and do some stretching while in your seat to keep your blood circulating.

Set your watch to the local time at your end destination and try to sleep according to that time zone, if possible. When you arrive at your destination, try not to sleep if you arrive in the daytime.

The following six tips will make your travel experience easier and more relaxing.

Online check-in

Check with your airline to see if online check-in is available. If you can check-in online, you won't have to worry about arriving very early to the airport or battling long lines. However, you'll only be able to do this if you don't have any luggage to check-in and are travelling with just a carry-on bag.

Arrive early

Get to the airport at least 3 hours before an international flight and 1.5 hours before a domestic flight. With the increased security in airports these days, it takes much longer to get through checkpoints. You'll feel much more fresh and relaxed if you don't have to rush to make your flight. Additionally, you have a bit of buffer time in case something goes wrong on the way to the airport, like an unexpected traffic jam.

If you get to the airport early, you will also have the best chance of getting a good space at the airport parking lot. Being able to take your time will mean that you'll board the plane calm rather than tense and frazzled. If the airport is very far from where you are staying, you might consider spending a night at an airport hotel.

Take a morning flight

If it's possible, book yourself on an early morning flight, spending a night at an airport hotel to be closer if necessary. Most people prefer to take late flights, so there's often more room on early flights meaning you will have less crowd annoyances and a more peaceful trip.

Additionally, you'll arrive at your final destination earlier and have more time to get to your hotel or plan other activities. You'll also have a pick of spaces in the airport parking lots if you get there early.

Don't fly during rush hour

Peak flight times should be avoided if possible. Airports are much more crowded at these times and you'll spend far too much time standing in lines everywhere from check-in to buying reading material at a newspaper stand or just getting a coffee or bite to eat.

Security is likely to be under more pressure at heightened flight times and it can take longer to get through. Crowds can get pushy and it's easy to get agitated when so many people are pushing in and around you. Airport parking might also be full, wasting even more of your time as you circle around for a space.

Take non-stop flights

If you can, book a non-stop travel plan. Getting off one plane and on to another takes considerably more time than it should, even if you don't have to leave the transit lounge. While a non-stop flight might cost a bit more, it will save you a lot of time and hassle.

Leave ample time for connecting flights

Book connections with enough time to change airplanes, if a non-stop flight is unavailable. The only thing worse than not having a non-stop flight is having a connection that you have to run to catch. Make sure you have at least 1 hour between when your first flight lands and the connection leaves. Flights are often late, and you'll need a buffer.

Additionally, your next gate may be some distance away and if you have to run there, you will be uncomfortably sweaty on your next flight. If you do have a connecting flight, make sure your luggage is checked through to your final destination and that you get boarding passes for all connections when you check-in the first time.