Hey there, fellow travelers! Today we’re at St. Louis International Airport and we’re sharing the six simple ways that travelers miss flights or six things you can do to ensure you do not miss your flight.
#1 Get to the Airport on Time
Don’t aim to get to the airport on time, aim to get there early. This way, if you get stuck in traffic or have to run back to the house, you have a cushion of time built in. This is probably the top cause for missing a flight.
#2 Pick Flights You Can Make
You can avoid missing your flight by first booking flights you know you can actually make. If you can’t get up early enough for a 6 am flight, don’t book a 6 am flight. Don’t cause yourself more stress by booking a flight that will have you rushing to the airport. If you have a meeting until 6 pm, don’t book the 8 pm flight.
#3 Consider Your Connections
Along with choosing flights you can make, pay attention to the connection time, especially with international travel. An hour layover may sound like plenty of time, but if you are arriving in the US from Europe, you’ll have to clear customs, claim your luggage, re-check your luggage and check back in through security. You might barely make it. Add in a 20-minute delay and one hour probably won’t be enough time.
Read: Travel Documents You Need for International Travel
#4 Dress the Part
The faster you get through the security checkpoint, the faster you can be at your departure gate. Wear shoes you can slip on and off easily. Don’t wear a belt or anything with a lot of metal. Have layers you can easily remove and don’t wear scarves, hats, or other accessories that are going to slow you down. Keep your laptop in a laptop sleeve where it’s easy to remove and put back in your bag.
Read: Long-Haul Flight Tips
#5 Have Liquids Separated
If you have anything liquid in your carry-on, have it already separated into a clear plastic bag that you can pull out and send through the scanner. Nothing should be larger than three ounces, and it all has to fit in a one-quart clear bag. Keep this bag on top of your carry-on so you can easily pull it out without digging through your whole bag.
#6 Pay Attention to Announcements & Information Screens
You’ve arrived at the airport two hours early, got to your gate, catching up on the latest book and start to notice you’re the only one at the gate and you should be boarding soon. If you weren’t paying attention and your gate changed, you could now find yourself sprinting across the airport and even missing your flight. It’s so easy to miss the announcements, so make sure you have the app for your airline downloaded, and occasionally check the screens as well.
With these six travel tips, let’s hope you never miss a flight again. If you have missed a flight before, share with us in the comments what made you miss the flight. In the meantime, for more travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos:
