Vacation time has finally arrived. But these days, our trips abroad are accompanied by a certain level of anxiety. Beyond extreme heat and wildfires in Europe, airport worker strikes and air traffic control strikes in Europe added an extra layer of stress to last year’s hearings. Time will tell whether a similar situation will occur in 2024.
While airport queues are so far incomparable to the chaos of 2023, they may be getting on travelers’ pre-holiday nerves. While it’s impossible to mitigate strikes, delays, or cancellations, there are some tips to help you increase your chances of a smoother airport experience.
Here we will talk about a series of tips that will help you start your holiday in the right way.
Choose flight times carefully
This ship may have sailed, but for future reference, early morning flights may be a better bet, as delays tend to have a knock-on effect as the day goes on – especially for budget airlines whose planes make multiple trips each day. Considering that waits and cancellations cause increased queues and chaos throughout the terminal, starting early may prove to be worth it.
But there is also an argument for booking flights late at night because this is generally a less popular time for travel. Therefore, the airport will likely be quieter and security lines more manageable. The difference can be particularly noticeable at European-focused airports such as Stansted or Luton.
Check in online and pay for carry-on luggage
Without stating the obvious, checking in online can save you valuable time at the airport and often saves you money too. Additionally, it is always wise to have a printout as well as a digital version of your boarding pass in case there are any technical glitches on the day.
When it comes to luggage, an increasing number of airlines are charging for carry-on luggage larger than a small backpack. So your options are to travel extremely light or pay for carry-on or carry-on luggage. While it may be frustrating to spend money on a small roller bag, the joy of sailing straight to safety can be a worthwhile investment. Moreover, you won’t have to deal with the frustrating wait at the other end during baggage claim.
Leave your luggage at the airport the night before
In the age of online check-in, the two important points of the airport are now baggage drop and security. But some airlines are now taking action against one of these lines by giving passengers the option to drop off their bags the night before travel.
British Airways offers “twilight baggage drop” between 16:00 and 22:00 at Heathrow Terminal 5 for flights departing before 10:00. Passengers with flights at Gatwick before 13:00 can leave their luggage between 18:00 and 21:00 the night before. Other airlines providing the service (with varying time restrictions) are easyJet and Tui.
Of course, this tip will probably only apply to those staying on-site or living close to the airport. Others may not be inclined to take multiple trips to Heathrow just to avoid the queue.
Don’t arrive too early
This may seem counterintuitive, but arriving more than three hours early for your flight can actually increase queues, and passenger density on multiple flights can cause bottlenecks at security and beyond.
Early birds should also be warned that some airports will only allow you to go through security or drop off your bags four hours before departure. However, for those determined to arrive at dawn, Heathrow’s check-in desks and security generally open at 4am, while Gatwick’s North Terminal security opens at 2am.
Use the check-in or baggage claim line closest to the first trip/business trip
While it’s by no means a hard and fast rule, on your next flight it may be helpful to choose the check-in line closest to the check-in line reserved for first and business class passengers. Some frequent flyers have noted that if the economy queue becomes unwieldy, the closest passengers may be summoned to take advantage of expedited check-in.
While you’re there, you can always try your luck by asking for an upgrade or at least asking how much it would cost to go up to business class (some airlines offer special deals on the day), as staff at premium tables may be more committed to what’s available.
Select the security checkpoint on your leftT
We’ve all been there; While waiting in a long line for security, you are suddenly faced with a choice as to which lane to take. One is always faster and you will inevitably choose badly. As time progressed, you couldn’t even secure a plastic tray while the noisy couple behind you going the other way were already finished and eating their Pret croissants.
But there may be a way to make the process go faster. Research has shown that when people are presented with a choice, they naturally tend to turn to the right (since most of us are right-handed), and queues on the left are often slightly shorter. Next time, remember left is best.
Pay for fast security
Spending money for a faster security line can be frustrating, but the investment may be worth it when you keep an eye on the meandering line for everyone else. Still, there’s no full guarantee that security-first will be significantly faster.
Keep in mind that airports have different policies when it comes to express security. Stansted charges £8 to access the special priority lane and the service must be booked in advance. The airport also offers express passport control for your return journey (£6).
Gatwick, meanwhile, charges £6 if booked in advance and £8 at the airport, while Luton costs £4 when booked online or £8 from airport kiosks. This service cannot currently be booked at Heathrow but may be offered through your airline.
This story was first published in July 2023 and has been revised and updated.