✈️ My next flight will be my 50th flight of the year. By the end of the year I will hit between 70-80 flights. This is my normal. Hotels and cruise ships are my home. Airports are my office. And after thousands of hours in the air, I have built a system that makes flying easier, safer, and less stressful. Most people wing it. I treat it like a discipline.
These are my 20 travel tips that actually matter:
1. Disinfect everything you touch: tray, seatbelt buckle, armrests, touchscreen, even the air vent. Planes are bacteria hotels.
2. Carry a power bank. Dead phone equals no boarding pass, no transport, no hotel confirmation.
3. Keep copies of your passport and ID in multiple places: phone, email draft, and a hard copy.
4. Use luggage trackers. You will know where your bag is before the airline does.
5. Always pack one outfit, meds, and essentials in your carry-on. Bags get delayed every day.
6. Hydrate like your life depends on it. Cabin air will drain you if you don’t. I double my water intake on travel days, and use electrolyte packs for added supplements.
7. Switch your devices to destination time as soon as you board. Train your brain early.
8. Download your airline’s app before flying. Gate changes, rebooking options, baggage updates, even food ordering all happen there faster than at the counter.
9. Eat light before boarding. Heavy meals plus cabin pressure equals fatigue.
10. Study seat maps. Choosing the right seat changes the entire flight.
11. Slip-on shoes only. Security is faster, comfort is higher, and no hassle mid-flight.
12. Carry a pen. Immigration lines move faster when you are not begging for one.
13. Never store valuables in the seat-back pocket. It is a black hole of forgotten items.
14. A roll of duct tape can save your luggage, shoes, or bag strap in seconds. Pack a small roll in your carryon.
15. Pack a travel extension cord or multi-USB hub. Outlets are never where you need them.
16. Peppermint oil or gum relieves ear pressure and refreshes you after long flights.
17. Bring zipper bags. Perfect for leaks, snacks, and last-minute security requests.
18. Book morning flights. Delays stack up later in the day.
19. Photograph your parking spot, boarding pass, and luggage. Saves you time and headaches.
20. Carry a small collapsible tote bag. If your carry-on is overweight or you make last-minute airport purchases, this keeps you from paying extra fees or scrambling at the gate.
One more that is not about packing but about mindset, always be kind to gate agents, check-in staff, flight attendants, and pilots. Travel is stressful for everyone. A little kindness makes your trip smoother and makes their day better.
These 20 tips are the habits I live by. If you want to travel like a pro, preparation is the difference between misery and mastery.
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If you like the way I look at the world of hospitality, let’s chat: scott@mrscotteddy.com
