Frequent Traveler Tips to Navigate the Airport Like a Pro

I’ve traveled enough at this point to know what works for me — and what doesn’t — when it comes to getting through check-in and settling into my seat once I’ve boarded. Here are a few pro travel tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way, in case they’re useful for you too.

The Clothes: Comfort and Style

Bottoms– I usually reach for something stretchy or roomy, like Vuori or Athleta pants, or a flowy wide-leg pant. I rarely wear jeans – unless they are stretchy – for flying, especially on long-haul flights…they can feel heavy and constricting after a few hours.

Tops – I like layers…a short-sleeve or sleeveless top with a cashmere zip-up or a fitted athletic jacket with pockets (more on that later). Planes run cold and then hot again, so having something to add or take off matters.

The Shoes

Flat, slip-on shoes are the move. I love my Olukai Huias…I can walk fast or run if my gate suddenly changes (yes, this has happened), and they still feel stylish rather than purely functional.

The Bag

A backpack with a zippered front or side pocket – I love the Away Active backpack …this gives me somewhere easily accessible to keep my ID, phone, AirPods, lip gloss (planes are notoriously dry) and something for a headache, in case one shows up mid-flight.

The Pocket Trick

A zippered pocket in my jacket or pants comes in handy once I’m on the plane …it’s a place to transfer my AirPods and lip gloss, the smaller items I’ll use throughout the flight but don’t want keep reaching for in my bag. This helps to prevent the dreaded AirPod escape. I don’t want AirPods dropping on the (let’s be honest, not-so-clean) plane floor, popping open, and bouncing away. If that’s ever happened to you, you know exactly the feeling I mean.

The Water Bottle

I bring a refillable bottle…a fancy metal one or a simple recyclable plastic one. I keep it empty through security, then fill it before boarding at one of the terminal water stations. It saves money and means I have a drink ready on the plane without waiting.

The Wrap

A wrap or large scarf earns its spot every time. It gets cold on planes, and it doubles as a pillow, a throw blanket in a chilly hotel room, and a cover up for the walk back from dinner in the evening. I’ve written before about how I pick mine, if you want a few recommendations.

None of this is complicated…it’s really just the handful of things I’ve come back to trip after trip, and they’ve made a real difference in how I feel once I land.

For more on how I pack before I even get to the airport, here’s my full carry-on system and the packing cubes and apps I travel with.