13 Mistakes to NEVER Make Before a Flight
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-timer, the hours leading up to a flight are often a blur of checklists and high-stress decisions. Avoiding these 13 common mistakes will save you from unnecessary fees, health issues, and the heartbreak of a missed vacation.
- Trusting Your Digital Boarding Pass Alone
Phones die, apps crash, and airport Wi-Fi is notoriously fickle.
The Fix: Always take a screenshot of your boarding pass or keep a printed backup in your carry-on.
- Eating “Stomach Bombs” Before Boarding
Avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy foods. Cabin pressure causes gases in your body to expand, which can lead to extreme bloating and discomfort.
Avoid: Beans, fried fast food, and excessive dairy.
- Packing Valuables in Checked Luggage
Checked bags can be delayed, lost, or even rummaged through.
The Fix: Keep jewelry, electronics, cash, and essential medications in your “personal item” that stays under the seat in front of you.
- Using “Math” Scams at Currency Exchanges
Airport kiosks offer the worst exchange rates and highest fees.
The Fix: Use a local ATM at your destination or order currency from your home bank a week before you leave.
- Dressing for Your Current Weather (Not the Plane)
A 90°F (32°C) departure gate doesn’t mean the plane won’t be freezing.
The Fix: Dress in layers and always wear closed-toe shoes to protect your feet during long walks and security lines.
- Buying Water at the Terminal
Bottled water at the airport can cost 300% more than at a grocery store.
The Fix: Bring an empty reusable bottle through security and fill it at a “hydration station” once you’re inside.
- Arriving “Just on Time”
Traffic, long security lines, or a gate change can happen instantly. “On time” at the airport is actually late.
The Fix: Aim to be through security at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours for international.
- Ignoring the 3-1-1 Rule
Nothing slows down a security line faster than someone digging for a 5oz bottle of shampoo.
The Rule: Liquids must be 3.4oz (100ml) or less, in 1 quart-sized clear bag, for 1 passenger.
- Booking Tight Layovers
A 45-minute connection might look efficient on paper, but if your first flight is delayed by 15 minutes, you’ve missed your second flight.
The Fix: Give yourself a minimum of 90 minutes for domestic connections and 3 hours for international.
- Skipping Online Check-In
Waiting to check in at the counter can mean losing your seat assignment or being the first person bumped from an overbooked flight.
The Fix: Check in 24 hours early via the app to secure your spot and skip the longest lines.
- Overloading Your Carry-On
If you have to sit on your suitcase to close it, you’ll likely struggle to lift it into the overhead bin—or worse, be forced to “gate check” it for a fee.
The Fix: Keep your carry-on light enough to lift over your head comfortably.
- Not Researching Your Arrival Transit
Walking out of a foreign airport without a plan makes you a prime target for taxi scams.
The Fix: Check if the city has a train link or download the local rideshare app (Uber, Grab, Bolt) before you take off.
- Neglecting Your Health (DVT Risk)
Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clots) is a real risk on long flights due to immobility.
The Fix: Wear compression socks and avoid “pre-gaming” with alcohol, which dehydrates you and makes you less likely to move around.