Travel Tips
Posted February 18, 2010 by Joyce Wan
The advent of low-cost, no-frill airlines has seen the demise of many an unappetising inflight meal. While most passengers are happy to go without food on a short-haul flight, some people’s bellies do start complaining on longer flights. It’s not a great idea to starve yourself during a longer journey, so you’ll probably need to eat at some point. However, instead of opting for the unhealthy snacks many airlines offer, why not pack your own healthy and delicious inflight meal instead? Here are some important points to keep in mind when packing your inflight picnic.
See-through containers - Pack your food in transparent plastic containers - like the kind you get from takeaways - so it’s much easier for security staff to see what you’ve brought with you. This way, you won’t need to spend much time opening up all the containers, then repacking them into your bags again.
No liquids - Bring an empty water-bottle with you, and fill it up once you’ve passed the security checkpoints, to save the hassle and expense of having to throw away a full bottle, and then buying a new one. Try to avoid bringing dips with you, as they may be thrown away too, and soups are a definite no-no!
Finger food - Bring along hassle-free food that can be easily eaten straight from the container. Baby carrots, pre-cut fruits (e.g apples or pears), grapes, rice crackers, nuts and granola bars are all healthy, yet fuss free, and you’re left with hardly any mess to clean up after the meal. Sandwiches are great too - cut them into halves or quarters to make it easier for little hands. Cutting your food into bite-sizes pieces also mean you won’t need any cutlery.
No smell - Be considerate to your fellow passengers – after all, you’ll need to share a very tight space with them for the next several hours. Try to refrain from packing foods that may smell strongly or linger in the air for ages. So, no garlic or blue cheese, and try to pop a couple of breath mints after your meal so you won’t smell like Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Do you have other tips on how to pack food for flights? If so, we’d love to hear from you, please leave a comment!
(Photo: theforestlight.com)
Posted December 16, 2009 by Joyce Wan
Going on holiday may be exciting, but the flight there and back is usually a whole other story. No matter how fancy the inflight entertainment system may be, there are only so many repeats of Family Guy that you can put up with before you start grinding your teeth into bloody stumps. And that’s only if you’re lucky and your chosen airline does offer inflight entertainment! What do you do if you’re not one of those who can fall asleep anywhere, anytime, and you’re facing a cramped eight hour flight? Here are some suggestions on how to pass the time -
Finger-knitting – As many avid knitters will no doubt agree, security restrictions these days mean that it’s nigh on impossible for me to bring a pair of knitting needles on the plane. So finger-knitting seems to be the way to go. Bring a skein of yarn along, and simply watch the hours fly by as you loop bits of string around your fingers. This rudimentary form of knitting may seem childish, but it is strangely addictive. And an added perk is that you end up with a hand knit scarf at the end of your flight – great if you’re on your way to a cold destination!
Origami – Airlines provide a ton of free inflight magazine and catalogues for your entertainment, but once you’ve read one, you’ve probably read them all. So put them to good use instead, and improve your paper-folding skills. Rip pages out of the magazines, and start folding them into birds, boxes and even make a few paper planes. It’s also a very cheap way to entertain your kids if you don’t fancy buying them colouring books and pencils with the airline’s brand plastered all over.
Food Architecture – Even with the fancy chefs the airlines are bringing in these days, most inflight meals are still hardly stuff to write home about (unless you’re writing a letter of complaint). So if you can’t face chewing on another luridly yellow, strangely sweaty block of cheddar the next time mealtime comes around, why not play with your food instead. Join forces with your neighbours, and assemble the mini cheese version of Stonehenge. Try to build a bread roll version of the Coliseum. Indulge your geeky side and erect a water cracker and butter ode to the Millennium Falcon. The possibilities are endless (and slightly more entertaining than chowing down on that mysterious brown ‘beef Wellington’).
(Photo: anthropology.wisc.edu)
Posted June 10, 2009 by Joyce Wan
Alright, so you’ve decided to heed our advice and only take carry-on luggage with you on your next trip. You’re about to start packing your bag, but all those changes to hand luggage restrictions over the last couple of years has left you confused about what you’re allowed to take onboard. What’s the largest bag you’re allowed to carry on, and will that £30 bottle of shampoo be confiscated by security? This week, BookingBuddy is here to help clear up your packing confusion.
Size Of LuggageThe Department of Transport has stated that the maximum size of carry on bags are to be no bigger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (including protruding parts such as wheels or handles). However, some airlines, such as British Airways, only allow smaller bags, so it’s important to find out about each airline’s size restrictions before flying.
Anything larger than that will have to be checked in, unless you’re carrying a musical instrument, in which case you’ll have to check with the airline as you may be required to buy an extra seat for your instrument.
Carrying LiquidsFor security purposes, liquids are defined as drinks, cosmetics and toiletries, sprays, pastes, gels, contact lens solutions, lighters and other items of similar consistency.
There are restrictions on the liquids you take onboard, so if you’re intent on bringing that expensive shampoo or shower gel along, make sure you decant it into containers smaller than 100ml. All containers must be smaller than 100ml, as anything larger than that will not be allowed on even if they are only partially full. Those containers must also be packed into a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag no larger than one litre in volume. Many airports now provide free re-sealable sandwich bags that you can pack your liquids into before going through security.
Lighters also need to be packed into the plastic bag and screened, and have to be kept on your person for the duration of the flight.
Other Items Allowed As Hand LuggageIf you need to carry essential medication in containers larger than 100ml as part of your hand luggage, you will need prior approval from your airline and the airport you are departing from, as well as a letter from your doctor. This also applies to any essential medical equipment you may need for your trip.
Other items such as laptops and electrical equipment (such as a hairdryer), as well as walking aids, wheelchairs and prams, are allowed on as hand luggage, but all need to be screened by security.
While this article tries to provide an overview of current hand luggage restrictions, it's recommended that you always check with the Department of Transport for any recent changes before flying.
(Photo: webjet.com.au)
Posted May 27, 2009 by Joyce Wan
Last week, we left you with a bunch of tips on how to lessen your stress levels before a long haul flight. This week, we’re back with some tips on how to relax while on the flight itself.
During The Flight
Be quick
Once you’re actually on the plane, try to stow your carry-on luggage in the overhead storage compartment as soon as you get to your seat. You can always open it up later on in the flight to get your necessities out of your bag. If you wait till later to store your bags, you may not be able to keep them near you as all the available space nearby gets taken up by other people’s luggage. Instead, you may end up having to keep your bags further away. You do not want to spend the duration of a long haul flight worrying about strangers accidentally walking off with your carry-on luggage when you could be relaxing and enjoying the flight.
Sit down
After your carry-on bags are safely stowed away, sit down and let the other passengers get past you and on to their seats. There’s always time to stand up and chat or stretch later on in the flight. Boarding the plane can be a long and tedious process, so the faster everyone gets seated, the sooner the plane is able to take off. Besides, you probably wouldn’t like having two hundred angry people shoving past you and yelling at you to sit down.
Pillow talk
If you’re travelling in economy, it is also a good idea to pack an inflatable travel neck pillow along with the rest of your carry-on stuff. This supports your neck when you sleep, giving you a more comfortable and restful sleep. You’ll also wake up without that annoying pain in the sides of your neck that you get when your head keeps slipping over.
You may also find it useful to carry a sleep mask and earplugs with you, to help block out ambient light and noise, for an even more peaceful sleep.
Mind your P’s and Q’s
You may be in a relaxed holiday mood, but that’s no excuse for relaxing your manners. The cabin crew are there to help you, so remember to be nice and polite to them, and they will help make your flight more comfortable. After all, their journey will be just as long as yours, and they will be just as tired and stressed out as you will be. It’s also never a good idea to antagonise someone who serves you your meal.
Be patient
Once again, patience plays a large part in having a stress free flight. When the plane lands, wait for your turn to disembark. Pushing and shoving won’t get you off the plane much quicker, and also leads to increased stress levels, both yours and the passengers you’ve annoyed. Wait till people in the rows in front of you have got off, then quickly get in line and file off the plane.
We hope these tips have contributed to you having a more enjoyable flight. Have you got any other stress-busting tips you’d like to share?
(Photo: securityenglish.co.uk)
Posted May 20, 2009 by Joyce Wan
For many people, travelling can be an extremely stressful time. There’s so much to organize and so many little things to remember, that sometimes, you feel like pulling your hair out (but then you'd be bald in all those holiday photos). This week, we’re here to offer some times on how to lower your stress levels before travelling.
Before The FlightBe preparedStart by making some lists – a packing list, a list of chores you need to finish, a list of appliances to be switched on/off before leaving, and a list of emergency numbers you may need while on holiday. You don’t want to have an ‘Oh no! I left the kettle on!’ moment halfway through a trip. If you have pets, you may also need to make sure that someone will care for them while you’re away.
Pre-pack Start packing your bags more than half an hour before leaving for the airport. Cutting it too close to the flight will send your stress levels through the roof, and it’s also highly likely you’ll forget something. At the very least, try to pack it the night before you leave, so you can go through the bag again just before you leave and see if you’ve left anything out. Have all your paperwork and documents organized and packed in a handy carry-on bag, then go through it all the night before you leave just to be sure you have everything.
Travel non-stop
If you can, try to book a non-stop flight instead of one with stopovers. This saves you from worrying about possible delays, and whether you’ll be able to make your connecting flight in time. Some countries also require you to have a transit visa even if you’re simply stopping over, so a non-stop flight saves you from the hassle of dealing with visas.
Web check-inMany airlines now allow passengers to check themselves in online and print their boarding passes out at home. This saves you the stress of having to rush to the airport and wait for ages in a queue– you simply stroll up and present your boarding pass at the security gates at least half an hour before the flight leaves. Of course, if you’re checking in bags, you’ll still have to wait in a queue at the airport, so make sure you get there with plenty of time to spare before the flight leaves.
Lounge aroundIf you have some time to spare at an airline, why not pay a one-off fee to make use of an airline lounge? Many offer facilities such as shower rooms, free food and beverages, and internet access. A shower before your flight (especially a long distance flight) will refresh you and go a long way in helping you relax.
Be patientOf course, sometimes, the unforeseen happens – there may be a technical problem, or Mother Nature decides it’s her turn to throw a tantrum. Even the most prepared person can’t do a thing about delays such as this, and you’ll just have to be patient. After all, getting angry and stomping you feet will get you nowhere faster.
Next week, we’ll come back with Part Two of our tips on having a stress free flight. Have any of you got other stress-busting tips you’d like to share?
(Photo: www.2theairport.com)
Posted May 13, 2009 by Joyce Wan
Last week, we started a new series, providing you with tips on how to be more comfortable during your long haul flights. This week, we continue that series, this time with some advice on how to minimise jet lag.
Unless you’re one of the lucky few who can claim never to suffer from jet lag after a long haul flight, you’re probably familiar with the effects it can have on your body. Jet lag occurs when you’re travelling over several time zones within a few hours. You may have experienced disturbed sleep patterns, disorientation, or physical weakness. As it often takes at least a couple of days to recover, jet lag can often affect a holiday or business trip. Here are some ideas on how you can cut down on its ill effects.
Changing sleep patterns
A few days before your next flight, find out which direction you’ll be travelling in and try to adjust your sleep patterns. If you’re heading west, your day gets extended, so try to go to bed a few hours later than usual before you board your flight. If you’re going east, your day gets shorter, so try sleeping a little earlier than your usual bedtime. This helps your body acclimatise to your new sleep pattern at your destination.
Stay hydrated
You may be tempted to take advantage of the free alcohol handed out on some flights. However, saying away from it will probably work out much better for you in the long run. Try to also stay away from coffee and tea. These are all diuretics, and in combination with the dry, pressurized cabin air, will cause you to become dehydrated. Dehydration may also cause a headache.
Instead, try and drink as much water as possible. If you find water to be too ‘boring’, ask for the cabin crew if they can squeeze a little lemon into the water, or try some tomato or apple juice.
Keep active
Nobody’s asking you to have a full-scale workout while confined to a plane. Just try to move around as much as possible. Go for a walk every hour or so, and do some stretches. If that’s not always practical (stuck in the middle seat/ sleeping neighbour etc), then do some light exercises such as stretching your limbs, and moving your ankles and wrists, to prevent your joints from stiffening up.
Get natural light
Once you’re at your destination, try and spend as much time outdoors in sunlight as you can. If you’ve arrived during the day, then try to stay up as late as possible, to help reset your body clock. It may be tempting to have a nap straight away, but spending time in daylight will help your body get used to the new time zone much quicker.
So, those are a few tips on minimising jet lag. I’m sure there are many more of you out there who have your own tricks to combat it. I’d love to hear from you, please write them down in the ‘comments’ section.
(Photo: pbase.com)
Posted May 6, 2009 by Joyce Wan
Flying long haul - either for business or pleasure - is a fairly common occurrence these days. Since long haul flights are usually defined as trips that last at least seven hours, you’ll be buckling yourself up into that tin can for a long time. The top priority for most people is often to be as comfortable as possible. Here at BookingBuddy, we’re starting a new series of tips on how to get through that long haul flight and arrive with your sanity intact. This week, we focus on dressing tips.
First of all, wear comfortable clothes. That may sound obvious, but beware, there’s a very fine line between ‘comfortable’ and ‘sloppy’. The glamourous early days of dressing up for a flight may be long over, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to put some effort in. After all, a plane is still a public space, and as with most public spaces, you’re expected to put some effort into how you dress.
If you’re hoping for a seat upgrade, dressing better will also improve your chances of being bumped up, as flight crews will often select people based on the image they project. You may be tempted to wear that baby pink Juicy Couture terry-towelling tracksuit, but please, ask yourself if you really want the word ‘Juicy’ slathered over your backside. Instead, why not wear some loose fitting cotton trousers? Loose cotton clothing helps with your circulation (very important on a long haul flight), and lets your skin breathe, so that you do not leave the plane with bad body odour.
On a related note, try not to wear tight shoes or heels while inflight. Your feet tend to swell because of the air pressure, and tight shoes tend to add to the discomfort. Choose a pair of chic, flat shoes that you can easily put on and remove, so that you can remove them once you’re in the air. Taking your belt off will also increase your comfort level, as inflight bloat may cause the belt to bite into you.
When dressing for long haul, keep the ‘onion principal’ in mind – that is, wear lots of light layers that you can take off easily. The temperature in the plane tends to fluctuate, especially over a long flight. Pick clothes that can be easily put on or taken off should the temperature get too hot or cold. A pashmina also works as an extra blanket and is lightweight enough to be carried in hand baggage.
Some passengers even pack two sets of clothing – one set to wear while checking in, and a second set to change into for the duration of the flight. While a good idea in theory, that may not always be practical, since it requires you to pack more into your hand luggage. You may also need to exit the plane due to technical problems, after you’ve changed into your jammies. If you’re wearing reasonably loose cotton trousers and a t-shirt anyway, you can always skip this step.
So, those are a few tips for getting through a long haul flight as comfortably as possible, but I’m sure there are many more of you out there with your own suggestions. I’d love to hear from you, please leave your ideas in the ‘comments’ section.
(Photo: travel.msn.co.nz)
Posted April 22, 2009 by Joyce Wan
It used to be that we could check in our bags for free whenever we flew. However, with more and more airlines levying a fee on checked bags, those good ol’ days seem to be coming to an end. Fortunately, it is still free to travel with hand luggage (for now anyway), so if you’re one of those who absolutely have to pack two huge Samsonites for a long weekend, after booking cheap flights to Paris, now might be a good time to start thinking about cutting out some items. Don’t despair; your good friends here at BookingBuddy have a few handy tips for you. First of all, when packing your carry-on, be sure to find out what the hand luggage restrictions are. Many carriers often have their own restrictions on hand luggage. While BA only requires that you have one bag no bigger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, Ryanair’s requirements are slightly stricter – your bag ‘should weigh no more than 10kg and not exceed the maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm’. Find cheap flights to Dublin with Ryanair.
Some carriers may not have a weight restriction for cabin baggage, but that does not mean that just because you can shove everything including the kitchen sink into your backpack, that you should. Airlines are wont to scrutinise your hand luggage, and if it looks like you’re about to dislocate you shoulder from the weight of the bag, they’re very probably going to make you check it in anyway.
And, as we have already pointed out before, be sure to start with a packing list. This way, you can eliminate the unnecessary, and make sure you’ve packed everything you need. If it’s not on the list, it doesn’t go into the bag.
Remember, restrictions are still in place regarding the amount of liquids you can carry on. Decant all liquids and gels (shampoo, soap etc) into 100ml bottles if they come in bigger sizes. If you’re worried you’ll run out, you can always buy more supplies once you’ve gone through the security screening, or even when you’re at your destination.
Your liquids and gels must then be packed into clear, resealable bags – if you haven’t got any, many airports supply them for free, so pick them up and transfer your liquids into them before going through security. Sharp items such as nail files or nail clippers/ scissors should also be packed in an easily accessible pocket of your carry-on bag, as security may want to inspect them.
Finally, you may also want to pack a collapsible or foldable bag (such as a canvas shopping bag) with your hand luggage. Security on your return flight may not be so restricted, and if you bought anything new, it can always go into the extra bag. You can also use the extra bag to hold any items that you’re likely to use while on the flight – books, a cardigan, a bottle of water. Pack those items into the collapsible bag, then stuff it into your carry-on. Once you’re on the place, you can then take the second bag out and stow it under your seat, while keeping the main bag in the overhead storage bins.
(Photo credit: nydailynews.com)
Posted April 15, 2009 by Joyce Wan
With the weather warming up, you may be planning where to go for your next holiday. If you have the cash to splash, the world’s most expensive hotel rooms are always ready to welcome you. But let’s face it, most of us aren’t going to have £25 000 a night to spend on a room. So, why not find out where the cheaper hotels are and go there instead?
A recent survey by website hotels.com showed that most hotel prices around the world had fallen at the end of last year.
If you’re looking for cheap accommodation, Reykjavik is a great place to find it. The collapse of the country’s economy may not have been a good thing for it’s citizens, but it seems to have been great for those travelling on a budget, as prices in the traditionally expensive country dropped.
Mumbai is also a good place to find cheap accommodation, as hotel prices fell more than 40 percent, with most tourists having been deterred from holidaying there in the wake of the November attacks. Find cheap flights to Mumbai
If you’re looking for somewhere closer to home, there’s good news too, as Cheap flights to London, Cheap flights to Berlin and Cheap flights to Paris have all fallen by between 10 to 15 percent. And you’ll not only save on accommodation but on airfares as well, as many low-cost carriers offer flights to those cities.
And if you’re still hoping to follow in Hugh Hefner’s shoes but haven’t got the budget for it, well, good news, as the survey also found that prices in Las Vegas have fallen by about a third, So, why not book yourself a cheap hotel room in Sin City, hit the casinos, and hope for the best?
(Photo: radisson.com)
Posted April 7, 2009 by Joyce Wan
In these days of having to pay for nearly everything on your flight, you might not have realised that some airlines do have little perks available to every passenger, regardless of what class you’re flying in. The trick is knowing how to get them.
Some carriers provide little goodies to make your trip just a little bit more enjoyable. Air France, for instance, offers complimentary champagne to every passenger. Yes, every passenger – not just those in business or first class.
In the past, flying with luggage was a given, but these days, more and more airlines are charging for it. So, if you absolutely have to fly with check-in luggage, then perhaps it’s worth doing some research to find out which companies still let your bags fly for free. Singapore Airlines lets frequent flyers check up to three bags free, and Virgin Atlantic allows you to fly with up to 23 kilograms, for free.
If you’ve always wanted an upgrade but never managed to get it, maybe it’s because you didn’t know the right codes. And no, this isn’t some sort of secret Masonic code that you have to learn, rather, they’re special airline codes. Y-Ups are codes on first-class airfares that indicate a seat can be given to someone from economy looking to upgrade. To get your upgrade, search for first-class seats on the flight you’d like to be on. Then, search for an upgradeable seat in economy and give the airline a call to ask if your seat can be upgraded to a first-class one. For the same price as economy, of course.
These are only a few tips for a more enjoyable trip the next time you’re flying. If anyone else has some tips they’d like too share, please share them with me by leaving a comment.
(Photo: bbc.co.uk)
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