If you’re a frequent traveler, you know the importance of proper and respectful airport etiquette, from ensuring your kids are well-behaved and preparing for security lines to minding your manners. There’s a lot to consider when traveling with your family. Air travel can be intimidating and stressful. But it doesn’t have to be. With preparation and forethought, your family can enjoy a stress-free trip through the airport. Here are 15 helpful tips from a seasoned family traveler to help make your next trip through the airport go smoothly and peacefully.
Affiliate Disclosure: There are affiliate links throughout this post. This means if you click on a link and purchase a product through that link, then I will receive a small commission for the referral. And that is kinda cool.
If you’ve ever traveled through an airport, chances are you’ve experienced THAT GUY. From not understanding the security protocols to general bad manners, it only takes one person to create an unfavorable environment for other travelers and make the entire experience more challenging.
With this post, we’re here to help. We’ll give you 15 valuable tips from a seasoned family traveler on how to make your airport experience smooth, relaxing, and courteous.
Read on for Airport Etiquette 101: 15 Valuable Tips from a Family Traveler To Keep You From Being THAT GUY.
1. Get organized before you head off to the airport.
Airport security is not something to mess around with, so prepare your bags for a quick and efficient breeze through. Organize your travel documents before you leave home and have them easily accessible for check-in. Ensure all the liquids are in containers at most 3 ounces. Finally, consider what you are going to wear on travel day. Slip-on shoes will make it a lot easier when going through security.
2. Always get to the airport early.
My absolute #1 tip for anyone flying to their vacation destination is to arrive at the airport early, giving you plenty of time to park, check-in, get through security, find your gate, grab a bite to eat, and relax. Arriving early is vital for avoiding stressful pre-flight moments, especially when traveling internationally.
Airport crowds can be disorienting, so by getting to the airport well ahead of time, you can avoid the overwhelming feeling of being surrounded by a mass of people with the same hurry and worry in their steps or voices. In addition, taking the extra time to arrive at the airport comfortably before your flight ensures you can board and fly without all that stress.
3. Be expeditious at car drop-off.
Many families drive up and drop off their loved ones in front of the airport to avoid exorbitant parking charges or uber fees. If you do it this way, do it quickly. Have your bags arranged for easy access when you drive up. Make it quick. Try not to linger for long goodbyes. Take care of all of that before drop-off time.
4. Prepare for security.
Have your travel documents prepared and easily accessible before you enter security so that it’s quick and efficient. Also, be mindful of other passengers when taking out your laptop or other electronics for screening— try to keep it as speedy as possible. Finally, remove your belt and jacket before you arrive at the front of the line.
Be aware of what you can and cannot pass through security. Consult airline and TSA websites for more information on prohibited items to ensure smooth security screenings when flying. Common no-nos include liquids over 3 oz, ammunition, dangerous weapons or tools such as axes, hatchets, pocket knives, scissors, baseball bats, BB guns, bows and arrows, and flammable materials. Refer to the TSA website for a comprehensive list of things you can and can’t pack in your carry-on bag.
Once dismissal is granted, grab the bin with your belongings promptly and move aside so others can continue their passage. Then, take a moment at one of the benches provided to get yourself situated again. And put your bin away.
5. Relax.
If you are relaxed, your family will be relaxed. You will be less likely to pop off on fellow travelers and airport staff. If you have airport anxiety, read this post full of top tips from frequent travelers.
Here are my essential tips leading up to the big day that will decrease the chances of experiencing airport anxiety and enable you to keep your cool.
- Make a checklist of everything you need in your carry-on bag, including all necessary travel documents. Check things off as you place them in your carry-on bag (and don’t remove them).
- If you like having everything printed, include this on your checklist. I use a travel journal for all of my printable documents.
- Some say to book an early flight because the airport will be less busy, and you could arrive at your destination in time for some fun.
- If your family is not happy with super early flights (e.g., mine), a late morning or afternoon flight will lessen the rush in the morning, and you may even have time to exercise before your long day of travel.
- Take advantage of online check-in when available. Check in early. Once you arrive at the airport, find the kiosk, answer some quick questions, print your bag tags, attach them, and hand over your bags.
- Sign up for TSA Precheck. The cost is $85 for five years to speed through security without removing your shoes, laptop, liquids, belts, and light jackets. Worth it to me.
- Global Entry allows expedited clearance through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports. We stood in line at Customs in the Miami airport for two hours. Never again.
- If you are a master travel hacker or finances permit, book first class, you will have priority boarding and access to the airport lounge, plus the flight is glorious with tons of space, movies, games, and an adult beverage before the plane leaves the gate. Although, once you experience first class, it is difficult to return to anything less.
- Don’t tie one on the night before your travel. You will have an upset stomach, headache, and difficulty concentrating, a terrible condition to start your holiday.
- Getting a good night’s sleep; is another way to ensure that you feel fresh and concentrate on everything you need to do.
- Eat a healthful breakfast, something light and easily digestible.
- If there is time in the morning, go for a walk, jog, or hit the gym. Exercising is refreshing, plus it will get some of that nervous energy out so you can relax on the plane and maybe even take a nap.
Remember, this is supposed to be a fun experience for everyone involved. So take a deep breath and enjoy the ride (literally!).
5. Be polite to the airport staff.
Use your manners. Say “please” and “thank you.” Airport staff go through a lot of stress daily, dealing with long lines and tense situations. Remember to show respect when interacting with them — it will make their jobs easier and create a calm atmosphere. Airport workers help make your experience as easy and stress-free as possible. Be courteous to them, follow their instructions carefully, and thank them for their assistance. Being polite and courteous goes a long way in making the airport experience easier for everyone involved.
6. Observe proper people mover etiquette.
Slower traffic stays on the right, so those in a hurry can pass on the left. And don’t hog both lanes chatting with your travel mates, keeping those in a hurry from passing.
7. Wash your hands.
I hope this goes without saying, but I will say it anyways. Wash your hands after using the restroom. Pack hand sanitizer, if you wish, too. Do your part in diminishing the spread of nasty stuff. For more tips on how to stay healthy when flying, READ THIS.
8. Always respect other passengers and their space.
Have you been in an airport waiting area and had someone way too close? Just think of it — can’t you almost feel their breath on your neck? Ew! Distance, my friend. Respect people’s personal space and keep a good amount of physical distance between yourself and other travelers.
9. Be mindful of the noise you may be creating.
Observing proper airport etiquette is all about being considerate of your fellow travelers, and one way to do this is by keeping your noise level down. If you’re chatting with travel mates, use your inside voice to avoid disturbing those around you. Even if you’re excited about travel, remember that not everyone wants to hear about it.
Also, not everyone wants to hear your phone conversation, especially via FaceTime or speakerphone. And we all like different kinds of music, so keep it to yourself. Plug in those AirPods and get in the zone without disturbing others.
10. Keep your children quiet and entertained while waiting at the airport.
Keep your children quiet and entertained while waiting at the airport. Airport etiquette isn’t just for adults; it’s essential to teach kids good behaviors early. For example, keep them engaged and busy with a book or movie, so they don’t disturb other passengers. Use headphones to listen to music or watch movies. And pack lots of snacks. Read this post for more ideas on how to pass the time while waiting in an airport.
11. Don’t tie one on while waiting for your flight.
Don’t go wild at the airport bar. Sure, a vacation begins long before that plane hits its destination – but save those tantalizing tiki drinks for when you’ve touched down.
It’s tempting to ease your travel day jitters by loosening up with an adult beverage, but keep it in moderation until you’ve reached paradise. So save those piña coladas for the beach and avoid becoming one of THOSE passengers. Your fellow travelers will thank you. Trust me.
12. Be prepared for anything.
Murphy’s Law applies when traveling with kids – “anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” So make sure you pack spare clothes for everyone, extra diapers, formula, and medications, just in case something goes wrong. Stuff happens, and if you’re anything like me, stuff won’t happen if you are prepared.
13. Don’t forget your patience.
Be patient when waiting in line or going through security checkpoints. Be patient with your travel mates and other travelers, too. And keep calm and collected when dealing with travel delays or different stressful situations that may come up while traveling with kids in tow. Things will happen – it’s part of travel – but getting frazzled and losing your you-know-what won’t help anyone.
14. Mind your manners.
As you embark on your journey, remember to mind your manners and be kind to people you encounter who are trying to help you. Little acts of kindness go a long way. For example, a smile, saying “please,” and verbally expressing gratitude with a “thank you” are small gestures that let people know you appreciate them.
15. When it gets close to boarding time, be prepared.
- Don’t be *Gate Lice*. According to the Urban Dictionary, a passenger, often an inexperienced flyer, who crowds around or lines up at a gate at an airport, completely blocking the boarding area and preventing First and Business Class passengers from being able to get on the plane when it is their turn. Gate Lice can also cause delays and confusion if a passenger in a wheelchair needs to board, as the chair has to plow through the mass of gate lice hovering around the gate.
- Put your phone down and pay attention.
- Don’t crowd the person in front of you. Remember personal space.
- Don’t cut in line.
- Be prepared when it is your turn. Have your ID and boarding pass ready to show.
And once you board, here are a few more things to do.
- When you arrive at your seat, step in and let people pass.
- Don’t hog the overhead bin. Use the space below your seat for stuff, too.
- Put your seatbelt on and turn your devices to airplane mode.
Following these 15 valuable airport etiquette tips will help reduce anxiety and make for a smooth start to your vacation. Arrive early, organized and prepared, respect other passengers’ space, relax, and have patience. Oh, and mind your manners.
With these valuable tips in mind, you are sure to have an enjoyable and stress-free experience from the moment you leave for the airport until you finally reach your destination.
Do you have any other airport etiquette tips that you find helpful? Share them with us in the comments below!
