- Add an extra day to your holiday by staying at an airport hotel the night before you fly.

Staying the night before allows you to relax in the comfort of the hotel surroundings and arrive refreshed at the airport the next day, ready for your flight.

Many airport hotels now offer some form of park-and-stay package where airport parking is included in the cost of the hotel room, or heavily discounted. Check when booking your hotel room and consider using this to save time and hassle at the start of your holiday.

For best deals on parking and accommodation, visit The Hilton London Gatwick Airport.
Paula Garrett ID2162

- Instead of wasting your time in long queues in front of a check-in counter at the airport, you can check in at home and even print out your boarding pass. If you travel with hand luggage only, you can proceed directly to the security check and if you travel with luggage, you will find special “drop off” counters for passengers already holding such a boarding pass. The queues here are normally much shorter than all the other queues.

However, who can remember all the different websites of the airlines? One website offers a fast connection to the specific check-in page of most airlines. The service is free and you only have to remember one site for all airlines. Try worldwidewebcheckin.com.
Tilo Weger ID2158

- Get your holiday off to a healthy start whilst onboard your flight and always put your shoes on for a visit to the washrooms. Do not go either barefoot or in just your socks. Just think about it: there are four toilets for a couple of hundred passengers – stay hygienic!
PureTravel Adventure Holidays ID2152

- On flights of 4 hours or more:

• Request an aisle seat when you reach your gate if you have been assigned to a middle row or window seat.
• Wear comfortable/casual pants/shoes – sometimes it gets cold and there may not be extra blankets-they are so small anyways.
• Bring tea bags and ask flight attendants for warm water.
• Bring a washcloth to the bathroom, dab into warm water, and breathe into it, as cabin air is especially dry.
• Bring your own headphones.
• Bring instant soup mix in a Ziploc bag.
• Stow all small valuables not in the floor or overhead bins, but in the seat back pocket in front of you.
• Bring Kleenex if you are prone to allergies/sinus.
• Of course, bring reading material and [crossword] puzzles.
• Consider buying or making a bigger blanket for the plane-I made one to cover my length and waist and it makes for a super comfortable flight.
• Always be aware of beverage service and food service when timing your bathroom visits.
• Whatever time zone you are traveling to, sync up to it on the way over so you can adjust quicker.

Michelle ID2155

- Ensure your immune system is in peak condition before traveling by eating plenty of fruit and vegetables prior to your trip. If you feel you need extra help, then stock up on vitamins and supplements to boost your intake; and clear your fridge out before setting off and whip up tasty smoothies and vegetable juices with any leftovers. No decomposed nasties in the fridge to come home to!