If you have booked your air travel, arranged your accommodation, and got your suitcase out of the loft then you may think that you are all prepared and ready for your flight. But there are many other things you need to do before you can get on that plane feeling organized and ready for your trip ahead! Around 4.3 billion people boarded commercial flights just last year alone, so while for some people flying is a regular occurrence, for others it takes a little more preparation. To make preparing that little bit easier, we have put together this helpful guide of six things you should do before your flight.
Do Your Research
It is important that you do your research before you board the plane and are aware of what to expect both on your flight, as well as what to expect at your destination. Check whether you will be required to pay a tourist tax once you land at the other end so that you aren’t met with any unexpected hidden fees. It is important that you are aware of your rights in case your flight is delayed or cancelled. For example, if you are flying with EasyJet you can find information here.
You should be sure to check out the information provided by Flightright, the number one website detailing air passenger rights. Whether you are flying with EasyJet or any other airline, you may be able to claim compensation through the Flightright claim checker just as the 5,200,000 other happy Flightright customers have done. With over a 99 percent success rate in court you should be sure to visit their site if you think you may be owed compensation you may suffer due to a delayed or cancelled flight.
Get Your Travel Documents in Order
While making sure that you have your passport with you and that it is in date may seem like an obvious way of preparing for your flight, it is always one of the easiest things to forget. You should check that your passport is valid before you book your trip and that it is valid for at least 6 months after the date you travel as this is a requirement in some countries.
You should also consult with your local travel agents to see if you need any sort of tourist visa in order to allow you to travel to your destination. You may find that you will have to pay a fee before entering the country.
Get Travel Insurance
It is essential that you get travel insurance to ensure that you are safe and protected during your trip. Even if you are only going away for a few days it is still essential that you should invest in travel insurance. If you are a frequent traveller, then you could consider taking out travel insurance to last you a year so that you don’t have to worry about renewing a policy. You can get travel insurance that includes both health care and loss of your belongings so make sure to check the small print on the insurance policy.
Check If You Need Immunisations
Depending on where you are travelling to, you may have to get immunisations before entering a different country and you may even be required to show proof that you have had the correct injections when going through border control at your destination. Therefore, you should book an appointment with your GP before you travel so that you can be sure you are fit and healthy for your trip!
Sort Out Your Finances
It is essential that you are aware of the currency in the country you are travelling to and it is advisable to get your money changed before you travel. While you may be able to exchange your money at the airport, by doing it before you travel you may be able to get a better exchange rate and get more value for your money.
If you are travelling for an extended period, then you may want to let your bank know that you will be going abroad so that any activity on your bank account that occurs in a different country doesn’t flag up as suspicious.
Pack Smart
It is important that you think carefully about what you need to take with you when you are packing and that you don’t take items with you unnecessarily. You will likely have a luggage weight limit with the airline so be sure to check how much your suitcase weighs before you get to the airport to avoid any last-minute and unexpected charges.
The more prepared you are for your flight, the more enjoyable and relaxing the experience will be. Be sure to have everything in place before you fly so that you don’t start your trip feeling stressed.
