- This year we took 24 flights to nine countries.
- As a frequent flyer, I’ve made several mistakes when traveling through airports.
- Passengers should avoid overpacking or wearing uncomfortable shoes for a smooth experience.
As an Insider travel writer in Singapore, I fly regularly for work and leisure. This year alone, I took about 24 flights to nine countries including Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines.
I have flown not only with low-cost airlines such as Malaysia’s AirAsia and Philippines’ Cebu Pacific Air, but also with 5-star airlines such as Singapore Airlines. And on all of these flights, I witnessed passengers doing things that made the experience unnecessarily unpleasant.
No matter which airline you fly with, passengers can follow some rules and guidelines for a smooth trip. Here, he shares five common mistakes passengers make when flying and what they can do to avoid them.
1. If you want to check in your overweight baggage, you will have to pay a high fee at the counter.
Many airlines have strict policies regarding overweight baggage. In February, I traveled from Taiwan to Vietnam on Vietnam’s low-cost airline Vietjet Air, and ended up paying nearly $100 in extra baggage allowance. If you purchased your baggage allowance in advance, it would have cost you less than $50.
It’s also important to make sure your carry-on bag is not too large, as it may fit in the overhead compartment and need to be checked in even if it doesn’t exceed the weight limit. for example, Southwest Airlines only allows one carry-on bag per passenger. Maximum size must be 24 x 16 x 10 inches.
Paying your baggage allowance in advance may seem expensive at first, but it can help you avoid expensive last-minute fees.
3. Wear lots of accessories on the plane and wait in line at security.
Going through airport security is one of the most stressful parts of flying. This process is hectic, with frequent bag checks and thorough inspection of contents. Passengers often have to pass through metal detectors that scan for common metals such as steel and brass.
Accessories such as costume jewelry and belts are often made of these metals, so they must be removed every time you pass through a metal detector. Avoid holding the line by removing outerwear before heading to security, and avoid wearing accessories altogether. Instead, style your outfit with a silhouette and a pop of color.
4. Not following guidelines for packing liquids in carry-on baggage.
Airport security is very strict about the amount of liquids (shampoo, perfume, etc.) you can bring in your carry-on baggage. Each liquid must be stored in a 100 ml container.Less than 3.4 ounces, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Any liquids in excess of this must be stored in checked baggage per TSA regulations.
Outside the United States, liquid size rules still apply. In April, when I was flying Scoot from Singapore to Laos, airport security had to throw away four bottles of liquid larger than 3.4 ounces. I was traveling with only a carry-on suitcase, so I had no choice but to re-buy all my essentials after landing.
Use only containers clearly labeled as 3.4 ounces and store in clear bags in case of security screening.
5. Arriving at the airport later than the instructed time.
Many airports advise passengers to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departure time, and for good reason. In some cases, there may be issues at the check-in counter or security check, which may cause it to take longer to reach the gate.
In April, I was flying from Bangkok to Singapore via Suvarnabhumi Airport, the city’s largest airport. Then I realized I had left my passport at a money exchange office about 45 minutes away. Arriving at the airport just an hour and a half before scheduled departure, I ended up missing my flight and spending over $100 on a new ticket.
Try to get to the airport as early as possible to account for traffic jams. This is especially true if you are departing from a busy airport with long lines.