Most airport advice repeats the same tired tips. Arrive early, check in online, keep documents handy. You already know this stuff.
But flying right now is chaotic, with people stress out and flights are being delayed and cancelled more than ever. I love flying but it’s because I avoid as many problems by doing things differently.
Here are five actually useful strategies that make flying less painful.
Flying through the US? Check TSA Wait Times Before You Leave
Most major US airports publish live security wait times on their websites or apps. Check these 30 minutes before you leave for the airport.
If your usual terminal shows a 45-minute wait, you can adjust your departure time.
MyTSA shows current and historical wait times for every checkpoint. You can see which terminals move fastest at your departure time. This one check can save you an hour of standing in line.
And if you really want to save time look at flying around the US instead of through it. I’m Canadian and while connecting through the US can be less expensive it also is more stressful.
I often fly to Asia connecting through Qatar or Dubai, which is more pleasant and I arrive in a good mood, excited to eat, especially these Vietnamese breakfast dishes.
Pick the Left Security Line
Studies show that most people instinctively choose the right line when given a choice. The left line often moves 10-15% faster simply because fewer people join it.
This works at security, customs and even coffee shops.
Watch for families with small children or elderly passengers who might need extra time. Skip those lines entirely. One slow passenger can back up an entire queue for 10 minutes.
Bring an Empty Water Bottle
You can’t bring liquids through security but you can bring an empty bottle. Fill it at a fountain after security instead of paying $5 for airport water.
Many airports now have bottle filling stations with filtered water.
A collapsible bottle takes up almost no space in your bag. You stay hydrated without spending money or waiting in cafe lines. Some bottles even have built-in filters for international travel where water quality varies.
Download Offline Maps of Your Destination
Airport WiFi fails at the worst times. Download offline maps of your destination city before you leave home. Google Maps lets you save entire regions for offline use. This works when you land and your phone hasn’t connected yet.
An eSIM for international travel gets you connected faster when you land without hunting for SIM card kiosks. You can message your hotel, check directions or call a ride immediately. Set it up before your trip so it activates when you arrive.
Skip the Baggage Claim Crowd
Don’t stand at the carousel with everyone else.
Bags usually take 15-20 minutes to appear after the first passenger reaches baggage claim. Use the bathroom, grab a snack or make a phone call first.
Come back after 10 minutes and your bag will likely appear within a few minutes. You avoid the crowd fighting for position at the carousel. This trick works best for domestic flights where customs doesn’t create a rush.
Most travelers do the same things and hit the same bottlenecks. Small changes in timing and strategy can cut your airport time significantly. Skip what everyone else does and you’ll move through faster every time.