Image description: Several passengers in blue athletic outfits crouch on a tiled airport floor, gathered around a golden retriever lying calmly on its side. The dog is wearing a red therapy-dog vest and a blue leash, indicating it is there to provide comfort for passangers. Multiple hands gently pet the dog as it relaxes, creating a soothing, supportive moment amid the busy airport setting. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMsr-wTTnON/?img_index=2.
Welcome to flight WestJet 654 on our way from Calgary to Toronto. Please sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight.
As you prepare for an upcoming research trip, conference, or visit home, here are a few jet set travel tips that have helped me survive long days of travel while keeping some comfort and sanity intact.
Before you arrive
• Check in 24 hours before your flight to reserve your seat. Set an alarm so you do not forget. I like to choose an aisle seat so I can stretch my legs and use the bathroom. The seats at the front of the plane are served first and are quicker to board and exit, while seats over the wings are considered the safest.
• Pack smart and weigh your bags before you arrive. (More on this soon in Travel Tips, Part 3).
• Travelling is both an opportunity and a privilege. Try to wear something that is comfortable and still looks nice.
• Arrive at the airport early. When you’re not rushing, delays and missed connections feel far more manageable, and yes, they do happen.
At the airport
• I always get a printed boarding pass so I’m not fumbling with my phone while boarding. Remember to double check gate numbers and departure times, as what’s printed on your ticket can change quickly due to delays or airport logistics.
• My Grandpa Alec loved going to the airport just to have a coffee and watch people. He used to say it was exciting to see everyone travelling for different reasons, and that most people were happy and excited. I like to people watch too.
• Make the most out of your airport. On my last trip, I found a piano in departure where a traveler was playing beautifully. Listening to her play helped ease the stress.
• If there are therapy dogs wandering around the terminal, find them. I recently met Duncan, a lovely chocolate lab who couldn’t get enough pets. A few minutes of dog time can really calm your nerves before boarding.
• Arrive at your gate early and wait there. Do not nap until you’re on the plane. Missing your flight because you slept through boarding is never worth it.
• For boarding, pay attention to when your zone number is called. Getting on the plane at the right time usually means you’ll have space for your carry on in the overhead bin.
In your small carry on
• Always pack important items in your carry on, including your medication, eyeglasses, passport, and any travel documents you might need along the way.
• Bring extra cash. You never know when you’ll need it and having it on hand removes a lot of stress in unexpected situations.
• Snacks are essential. I aim for something sweet, something fresh, and something salty and crunchy. Study snacks are perfect for flights. Airport food adds up quickly and isn’t always great, so having your own makes a big difference.
• A big scarf does triple duty as warmth, a blanket, and a comfort item.
• A sleep mask is essential. Cabin lights, early landings, and glowing screens make rest harder than it needs to be.
• Advil and Tylenol live permanently in my carry on. Travel headaches are very real.
• Lip gloss and hand cream are non-negotiable as air travel is incredibly dehydrating.
• I keep hand sanitizer and a mask within reach as well, because getting sick during heavy travel periods is just not worth it.
• An extra pair of shoes, like mules or sandals, makes a big difference once your feet stop being cooperative.
• AirPods are incredibly helpful since you can keep your device charging without wires everywhere.
• On that note, I keep all my cords in a small zip pouch so they’re easy to grab.
• For a carry on, I like using a backpack that hooks onto my small suitcase which makes moving through airports much easier. one (but in black) for this reason and all the pockets for organization.
• I also bring a foldable travel bag for any extras.
While on the plane
• Chewing gum or hard candy can help with ear pressure during takeoff and landing. You can also gently pop your ears by holding your nose and blowing. ear plugs can help regulate pressure and can be found easily at most pharmacies.
• Ginger chews or ginger tea are great if you’re feeling nauseous.
• On most flights I’ll order a tea and a water, and yes, both pretzels and cookies. Small comforts make a long flight feel far more pleasant.
• If you’re taking a red eye, do try to sleep.
• If you can, get up and walk around when it’s safe to do so. Movement helps circulation and prevents stiffness.
• When you’re stuck in your seat, simple exercises help too. Ankle ABCs and calf raises are easy to do quietly.
• A small gift for flight attendants, like a bag of candy or Timbits, can go a long way. Maybe you get lucky with an upgrade, maybe you don’t, but it’s always nice to show appreciation for the people keeping your flight running smoothly.
After a lot of trains, planes, and automobiles, along with more than a few long travel delays, I’ve learned that the key is not rushing, planning just enough, and rolling with whatever happens.
If you missed it, you can read How to Survive Grad School: Travel Tips, Part 1 The Commute to learn how to get to and from Kingston here. A quick update: the ride with home after my flight exceeded my expectations. The driver, David, picked us up at the hotel and dropped us off at home. He was friendly, safe, and made the ride enjoyable. Everyone on the ride was around my age and knew him by name. It was also reasonably priced. Highly recommend.
Prepare for landing. Take a moment to return to your seat, fasten your seatbelt, and stow your belongings. We hope you enjoyed your flight with us.