| 17;ve been lucky enough to have been able to travel to | | | | chance that your checked bags will be lost or, at the |
| a number of foreign countries, and in doing so, | | | | very least, rerouted. This is a problem when you arrive |
| I’ve learned a lot about airline travel. Most | | | | in Bangkok for your jungle trek but you’re |
| people know what to expect when flying, and are | | | | walking shoes are in the baggage claim area at |
| pretty well versed in what to do. But when | | | | Dallas-Fort Worth. If you can carry on, do it. |
| you’re traveling internationally, there are a few | | | | Don’t check unnecessary luggage |
| important things to remember NOT to do in order to | | | | DON’T schedule connecting flights too close |
| keep your trip running smoothly: | | | | together |
| DON’T assume that check in time will be the | | | | No one likes layovers, and it may be tempting to book |
| same as domestic flights | | | | flights as little as 45 minutes apart. Not only are you |
| When flying domestically, the airlines tell you that you | | | | running the risk of missing an important connection, but |
| should get to the airport two hours early. Most | | | | many people also forget that they will have to go |
| experienced domestic fliers know that this isn’t | | | | through customs in the first city they arrive in. I once |
| really the case. You can almost always get away with | | | | flew from London to Washington, DC and was |
| just an hour before your flight time. Not true with | | | | supposed to have a connection on to Los Angeles. I |
| international flights. When the airlines say three hours | | | | HATE waiting in airports, and gave myself only a one |
| early, they mean it. Not only are you more likely to get | | | | hour window to make my connection. The London |
| pulled out in the security line, but international flights are | | | | flight was on time, and I thought I was golden, but I |
| almost always bigger. More people = more problems. | | | | forgot about customs. As I stood in line, waiting to |
| Baggage issues, check in issues, seat issues , all more | | | | declare my Harrod’s purchases, I watched the |
| likely with international travel. Also, if you miss your | | | | minutes tick away, and knew exactly when my flight |
| domestic flight, you can usually wrangle another. If you | | | | to LA was taking off without me. Always give |
| miss an international flight, you’re risking messing | | | | yourself at least two hours between flights |
| up connecting flights and expensive foreign hotel | | | | – nothing is worse than having |
| reservations. When flying internationally, always arrive | | | | to spend the night at the airport after you’ve |
| three hours early. | | | | just spent 8 hours on a plane |
| DON’T check more bags than you need to | | | | Most Importantly… |
| Flying internationally almost always means taking | | | | Don’t forget to relax! International flights are |
| connecting flights. For this reason, many people like to | | | | long, and the possibility that something could throw you |
| check bags that they could otherwise carry on so that | | | | off schedule can be stressful. Just give yourself time |
| they won’t have to carry anything through | | | | and remember that missing a flight or losing a bag is |
| another airport when they change flights. Bad idea. | | | | not the end of the world. It’s just another part |
| Connecting flights mean there’s a much greater | | | | of your adventure. |