There is more to flying than remembering your passport. Nick Trend offers tips to get you to the gate stress-free
It is one of the busiest times of year. Even if you are not hit by strikes or weather delays, getting through the airport smoothly is likely to be a struggle this Christmas. So here are 10 mistakes to avoid if you don’t want to make things worse. (I am assuming you don’t need reminding about being ready for security and bringing a valid passport.)
Turning up too early
Most airports don’t open bag drops or open flight check-in more than three hours before departure, so turn up before that and you will feel like a lemon. All offer guidance on good timing. Heathrow recommends getting there “three hours before your flight if you’re travelling internationally, or two if you’re travelling domestically or to Europe”. Manchester is less helpful: “You will need to have checked in and be ready to go through security at least two hours before your flight departure time.” It doesn’t say how long you should allow for check-in, but I guess an hour would be reasonable.
Turning up too late
If you are checked in, have no hold baggage, and pay for fast-track security, you can turn up a little later. But many airlines technically close the gate 30-45 minutes before departure, so remember to allow for that.
Buying currency
You will nearly always pay a hefty premium on the exchange rate at an airport bureau de change – unless you order online in advance.
Buying duty-free
Don’t buy without googling prices before you go. Otherwise, you may be paying extra just for the privilege of lugging the stuff home. This week, I did a random price check at World Duty Free in Gatwick. A one-litre bottle of Johnnie Walker Red Label whisky cost £17.59 duty-free, £18 at Asda. Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial cost £38.99 duty-free, and only £34 at Sainsbury’s.
Not bringing a bottle
Airports have got better at supplying drinking water stations. Take an empty bottle through security and you won’t have to pay through the nose in shops.
Not booking parking
At Gatwick, seven days in long stay costs £185 if you roll up on the day, but from about £82 if you pay in advance on the airport website (prices vary according to demand – if you are travelling in peak season, book a few weeks ahead).
Not weighing luggage
Check the weight and cabin-bag size restrictions before you go to the airport. Weights and dimensions vary according to the airline and the type of ticket booked. Get it wrong and it will cost you: typically, £10-£18 per extra kilo above the specified limit for your ticket. With Ryanair, if you turn up at the gate with an oversized cabin bag it could cost you £45.99 to have it put into the hold; BA charges £65 for an extra bag.
Not checking in online
Even if you have hold luggage, you should always check in online and then use the bag drop. Otherwise, you may actually have to pay to use the airport desk (Ryanair charges £55).
Not ‘fast-tracking’ tactically
I resent paying for fast-track access, but if I am travelling at peak times, I often fork out £7 to avoid a long security queue. And, because I have suffered a miserable history of arriving back at Stansted late at night to face long queues at passport control, I now do the same to avoid that. You have to book in advance online.
Not tracking your flight
When it comes to delays, airport flight-information boards are nearly always slow to update. You can usually find out information earlier by keying your flight details into an online tracker such as flightradar24.com.
