Turn left through terminal doors, fly at night…plus 10 more amazing air travel hacks

BEFORE any good holiday can get underway, the stress of flying has to be overcome.

Whether you are travelling alone or with children in tow, jetting off can often be a minefield.

Make your summer holiday stress-free and get ahead of the rest with these flight hacks.

Turn Left

Studies show that, as the majority of the world’s population are right-handed, people are naturally inclined to turn right.

By turning left, you could save yourself precious holiday time as the queue is likely to be shorter.

Join the left-hand security lane to avoid unnecessary delays.

Be a Night Owl

Ever considered taking a late night flight?

Not only are flights after 10pm usually significantly cheaper than those at peak times, the unpopular hour means that the airport will be far less congested.

Fewer people results in fewer queues and a hassle-free airport experience.

By saving money on flight tickets, you’ll have more to splash on your summer getaway.

Waste not, want not

Hotels regularly give out miniature toiletries. Save these up as they are the perfect size to be taken through airport security.

Branded miniature products are always extortionately priced. Don’t let yourself be caught out and cut costs with this savvy tip.

Don’t forget to place your toiletries in a resealable plastic bag before reaching the airport, as many airlines now charge for them.

Terrified of turbulence?

While it may be cheaper to travel at night, for those that dislike turbulence, travelling in the morning could be for you.

Due to the fact that weather is less stormy and humid earlier on in the day, turbulence is significantly reduced.

Of course, by travelling in the morning you cannot guarantee that the flight won’t be bumpy, but chances are you’ll be in for a much smoother ride.

Stay Hydrated

When flying, it is always importantly to stay hydrated

While it isn’t possible to take drinks over 100ml through security, many people don’t realise that you can bring an empty water bottle with you.

All airports have numerous water refill points. If you bring your own bottle you’ll have no need to shell out on pricey bottled drinks.

Take a break

Hunt out the family lounges in airports. Most have one in some form or another and while the kids are distracted, you can relax.

This is a particularly good idea during long layovers and will help you have a stress-free flying experience.

Memory aid

Nowadays, airport car parks can be huge. After time away, thoughts of England can be a distant memory and it can be hard to remember where you left your vehicle.

Don’t find yourself caught out; take a photo of your car park spot to aid your memory on your return.

This may seem simple, but it’s better than finding yourself lost in a maze of cars after a tiring flight.

Security Savvy

Don’t let yourself be caught out by luggage weight restrictions.

If you know your suitcase is going to be over the weight limit, wear extra layers and your heaviest items when going through airport security.

Once out the other side, you can then take the layers off.

Think Ahead

Why not save yourself time by checking in online. Most airlines now offer a service whereby you can check in online.

For some, it is compulsory, but with those where it isn’t, it is well worth doing so to avoid unnecessary queuing.

Further still, you can now also download your boarding pass onto your phone. They’ll be no panicked search for paper tickets and no queuing at the airport to have them printed off.

That’s one less thing to worry about.

Bag yourself a bargain

Airlines are constantly changing their prices. There are now even websites designed to help you discover the best time to buy your flight tickets.

Skyscanner estimate that 86% of Brits have no idea when the best time to book flights is.

As a general rule, the more flexible you are with dates, the easier you’ll find it to get a great deal.

The number of weeks in advance can vary from destination to destination. From 5 weeks ahead for Alicante, to 18 weeks for New York, you could save up to 33%.

Standout from the crowd

Don’t take the wrong bag home by mistake. Ensure your holiday doesn’t get off on the wrong foot by making your suitcase easily recognisable.

You could buy a distinctly patterned suitcase, but a much more affordable option is to simply invest in a brightly coloured luggage tag.

Alternatively, attach a piece of coloured ribbon to the handle of your suitcase to also help it stand out.

Never lose your suitcase again.

Ask for upgrades

Admittedly, it’s a long shot, but airlines do regularly give out free upgrades.

What have you got to lose? The worst that will happen is a polite no.

If it’s a honeymoon or birthday especially, you are more likely to receive upgrades or freebies.

So try your luck, you never know, you could be jetting off in style.