Trifter

Airlines travels are so relaxing. Just sit back, relax, read if you wish, watch television, listen to radio. If you need anything just ring the bell. Supper, tea, coffee, juice and what not; everything just a ring away. It is like having a genie at your service. It is like dream come true, then why so many of us cringe at the thought of the journey.

Long journey, delays, cancellations, lost baggage and so many things that could go wrong, like Murphy’s Law working round the clock.

Here are a few tips for a comfortable journey.

1. Check baggage requirements for the airlines you are traveling with.

All airlines provide clear cut guidelines of baggage requirements on their websites. There is a restriction on the dimensions of the hand as well as checked baggage, which varies according to airlines.

Number of items of hand baggage is restricted, for example some airlines allow one standard sized bag, a laptop sized, a briefcase or a handbag.

For security purposes, countries have different rules regarding the amount of liquid one can carry on board. Airlines websites provide required information.

1. Excess baggage requirements

There is restriction on the weight of hand baggage as well as checked baggage. But excess checked baggage can be purchased, online or at the counter.

1. Never keep any valuables in checked luggage. Always have Insurance papers, tickets to any further journey and reservation receipts with you in the hand baggage.
2. Keep one set of clothes in the hand baggage incase there is any problem with checked luggage. It is of vital importance if you are going on a business trip to have a set of Formals in the hand baggage. Imagine the nightmare of lost luggage with an important business meeting the next day.
3. If a family is traveling together, distribute clothing and other necessary items of every person among all checked luggage. Make sure each bag contains some items of every person in family. If one of the bags doesn’t reach the destination, any single person will not have too much inconvenience.
4. Attach some identification tag to the checked luggage, like a satin ribbon, coloured tape. Paste an A4 size paper with name and destination details on the front of the bag. It makes it easy to spot the bag on the belt, with many similar looking bags around.
5. Write down the passport details, Passport Number, Date and Place of Issue, Date of Expiry for each family member on a piece of paper. Every time for filling up forms, instead of taking out all the passports, this piece of paper would be handy. Always have a ball pen at disposal.
6. If there is a child under two traveling with you, enquire about bassinet seat.
7. All the airlines have facility of online check-in. If you have any specific preferences for seats, opt for online check-in.
8. Keep some change in currency of the country you are in as well as the country you are traveling to.
9. At the time of take-off and landing, chew a gum to keep your ears comfortable. Have some colourful gums or candies for kids. For babies or toddlers, have a milk bottle or a juice carton ready. The chewing and swallowing action helps to get rid of that uncomfortable sensation in the ears, which is very essential to have a pleasant journey.
10. Wear layered clothing, for example, a sweater over the T-shirt, a jacket over the sweater, so that when required can get rid of the extra layer.
11. Incase of kids, this works other way round. Let them wear light clothes, but carry warm clothes with you which can be donned as and when required. If kids get uncomfortable due to warm clothes at the beginning of the travel, then you have a cranky kid for rest of the journey.
12. Carry some dry food items for kids, who may not agree well with the airlines food.
13. To entertain kids on board, carry some handheld games, magic pads, activity books with pens which can be worn around neck.
14. Beforehand, check for lost baggage policy of the airlines. Incase of lost luggage, it would only be the luggage at loss and not you as to what to do.
15. Buy international SIM card to stay connected.

All set, On Board now, Bon Voyage!!