Some of you may already be familiar with half of these hacks, but this is just a quick blog post to show you what you can do at the airport to pass the time without spending money on entertainment.

1. Netflix

Many people I know were unaware that you’re able to do this with Netflix. If you head towards the app on your phone, you can actually download some movies, which you don’t need Wi-Fi for when downloaded. You only have them for a certain amount of time depending on the film of your choice; not all of the shows are downloadable, but it’s super easy.

I download instead a few, but once you start watching, it does tell you how long you have left, kind of like a timer. It doesn’t take up your space as much as other Apple or Android videos. Here is what you do!

2. Food and Drinks

This being one of the primary concerns, it is exceedingly aggravating to be stranded in an airport, experience a delayed flight, or experience hunger (after all, we are mere mortals!).

So you go to WHSmith or another store to buy a packet of crisps, which, in theory, would cost about 70 pence at a local supermarket, but at the airport, you’re looking at taking out a loan!

Even more irritating is that many of us are students coming home or are thirsty in general! Or a complimentary BIG breakfast—I mean, we’re not asking for much.

​​Prior to flying, get yourself a meal deal or some crisps and fruit and simply load up your hand luggage with that (minus the drinks). Furthermore, if you want to be super cheap, grab an empty bottle of water. Most airports have fountains where you’re able to fill up your water bottle.

3. WiFi

Very often in airports, you are only allowed to use the Internet for a limited amount of time; this is so frustrating!

You can pay for additional Internet access, but by the time you do, it’s time to board. If anything else occurs, such as your phone suddenly dying.

Many airports ask you to supply an email address after the two to three hours are up and you’re still waiting to board or the flight has been delayed. Simply log out of the assigned server prior to being cut off and simply sign in with a new email address you may have or even a friend back home.

Your browser will then restart you from the very beginning. But you have to remember to log out before you’re kicked out.

4. Queuing

This is my This is something I have never really understood. As soon as they announce boarding, you find yourself standing in the queue for over 45 minutes to an hour at the gate; you’re all getting on the plane or going to the same place, and it’s not going anywhere without you.

Simply sit in the chair and wait for the last remaining passengers to get on and afterwards, with no hassle or rush from people throwing suitcases all over the place and getting to their seats, you simply walk, feeling like a boss.

5. Smoking

I know many friends and family members who smoke, and travelling with them can actually be kind of stressful sometimes, such as when your flight is delayed or there’s been some other issue that you aren’t told about. Smokers start losing their temper because they’ve already passed passport control.

Now in many airports globally, this is changing. Check out my past blog for airports that contain smoking areas inside.

6. Boarding pass

Although this may seem obvious, I still know of a few individuals who do not follow this practice. Is the mobile app EasyJet? British Airways, Ryanair, KLM, Virgin—you name it; all these companies have their personal apps.

This eliminates the stress of having to print out your boarding pass and look for it, as well as the stress of not losing your passport and your other belongings.

You can watch movies when you get to passport control or your gates. You swipe up to your pocketbook and scan your boarding pass, or depending on the flights you are using, you get continuously updated on your flight, gate times, etc.

7. Other useful apps

Before flying, I tend to check the airport’s website to see if they have any special offers.

You might be surprised to find a special coupon that gives you free Wi-Fi, food, and drinks at one of the airport lounges for a price range from £45 to as little as £10. It is worth taking a look! ​

8. Baggage allowance

As much as it irritates me, things are slowly improving. Have you ever been on a flight where, by the time you reach the front of the cabin, the flight attendant announces, “We have a full flight? If anyone wishes to put their luggage in cargo, come to the front of the cabin and you will receive complimentary Speedy boarding.”

Well, it’s becoming more and more frequent now; I never check in an extra bag unless it’s a massive one and I’m going on holiday somewhere, but I always bring my small pull bag and my laptop bag along with my small handbag, and by the time I get to the front, they ask if I want to pop in for free.

This is because fewer people are using the check-in luggage. (They wonder why!) £40 per 15 kg! Everyone is bringing smaller bags to avoid this, but the overhead lockers are quickly filling up! They do this due to limited space in the overhead lockers. This has happened on airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet, and Jet2, mainly for shorter flights/domestic flights.

9. Bathrooms

Occasionally the bathroom on board is a little claustrophobic, and some people even get a little bit of stage fright. If it’s only a short flight, I usually wait because it’s ridiculously long by the time you get off the bottom of the line.

It may take a little longer, but make your way around areas with fewer people; don’t follow the signs to the bathroom; you’ll be surprised that a small one is right around the corner and no one knows about it! i.e., download the airport app!

10. Waiting for Your Baggage

One problem with using a bag service, whether it’s free or not, is that everyone rushes to the pickup point as soon as the sirens go off, which can cause traffic jams.

Eventually, someone will collect the bags, and rushing will only exacerbate the situation. When I arrive at an airport, I usually use the restrooms to clean myself, turn on my phone to notify friends and family that I’ve landed, and then I might check Facebook until the airport empties. It’s just you, your luggage, and possibly a few other people’s bags on the conveyor belt.

With travel now being as common as catching a bus, it can get incredibly irritating, both financially and physically. So let me know your ideas and what your super-great hack for the airport is. However, there are means of avoiding it. Good luck on your flight!