Why you should always board the plane LAST, not first – and other golden rules of flying from a travel expert

STRESS-INDUCING security, jet lag and maddening crowds — travelling overseas is often far from pleasurable.

But believe it or not, you can improve your flying experience, and I’m here to tell you how.

Over my years as a globetrotting travel writer — and through some serious trial and error — I’ve garnered a few hard-earned strategies to improve a long-haul journey.

Here are five of them...

I check in early

The age-old adage “it’s better to be safe than sorry” comes into play here. I set a reminder on my phone and always try to check in online 24 hours before a flight.

This protects you from getting bumped on an overbooked plane and removes some of the stress if you’re running a bit late.

But most importantly, it helps get you the best choice of seats on board, which brings me to my next travel habit.

I know what seat works for me

Before checking in I already have my seat preference in mind - which plane seat is best depends on your tastes and priorities.

Want easy access to the loo? Opt for an aisle seats. Craving more legroom? Make a play for the coveted exit row seats, though you’ll face stiff competition.

For me, it’s a window seat at the front of the plane. Sleep is hard to come by at 35,000-feet and the front tends to be quieter.

I board last

I can hear the sharp intake of breath from fellow frequent flyers as I type this, but hear me out.

As I sit comfortably at the gate I’m always amazed at those who are intent on queuing way before boarding.

You have an assigned seat, being first isn’t going to get you a better one, and the aircraft isn’t going anywhere without you — the umpteen loudspeaker calls chasing missing passengers are testimony to that.

Planes are built to accommodate carry-on luggage for all passengers, and for the rare occasion when space does run out, there’s always crew stowage.

I pack in-flight lifesavers

The reality is most of us have to fly economy, but there are definitely strategies to make the experience better.

My in-flight arsenal contains a laptop filled with movies in case the entertainment on-board doesn’t work, a good book, and hand sanitiser to banish bacteria.

To get some z’s en route, I come prepared with a nap kit of earplugs, eye mask, PJ bottoms and an additional blanket.

If you’re flying long-haul, hydration is super-important.

I bring an empty bottle into which I’ve sliced fresh lemon, then when I’m at the airport or on the plane, I have delicious flavoured water that’s much more palatable.

I stress less

Travelling can be stressful, so I make sure to do whatever I can to avoid any potential cold sweats and anxiety.

I arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare — there’s nothing worse than sprinting down seemingly never-ending corridors.

Next, I ensure that I breeze my way through security: laptop and toiletry bag out, belt off and water bottle drained.

When in a new airport, I find out how long it will take me to walk to the gate and either make sure I keep an eye on the time or set an alarm on my phone.

I minimise jet lag

Ask any regular long-haul flyer and they’ll have their own methods, but the key is to find out what works best for you.

My anti-jet lag strategy begins way before I even get on the plane.

I make sure I notch up a good night’s sleep before travelling and, if possible, I’ll pick a flight that gets me into my destination in the evening, so I can use my exhaustion as a tool to adopt to the local time easily.

This article was originally published on and has been reproduced with permission.