FlySafair offers travel tips to help you travel smoothly this holiday season

With December finally here, the excitement of the holiday season is building, and for many, this means planning a much-anticipated getaway.

The festive season is one of the busiest times for travel, with families and friends eager to reunite and explore new destinations. However, navigating bustling airports and ensuring a smooth journey can be challenging.

To help you prepare for your end-of-year trips, South Africa’s leading low-cost airline, FlySafair, is dedicated to making your travel experience as seamless as possible.

• Click here to book your next flight on FlySafair.

From affordable fares to reliable, on-time flights, FlySafair is committed to your comfort and convenience.

To further enhance your journey, the airline has compiled a list of essential travel tips, ensuring you can travel like a pro and enjoy a stress-free holiday.

Choose the Right Luggage

Successful travel starts well before you step out the door. One of the key elements to a smooth journey is having the right luggage.

Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, quality luggage can significantly enhance your comfort and ease.

If you haven’t yet invested in reliable, durable luggage, now is the perfect time to do so. Good luggage can make all the difference in ensuring your trip is hassle-free and enjoyable.

Tips:

• Durability: Consider opting for hard-shell suitcases that can protect your belongings, or soft-shell luggage from reputable brands that can withstand the rigors of travel. Bear in mind that cheaper luggage is made from more brittle materials, and more likely to break. For checked luggage, two-wheeled bags where the wheels don’t stick out is the best option, and less likely to be damaged when moving through airport conveyor systems
• Size: Ensure your luggage meets airline size requirements, which for FlySafair are 90 x75 x 43cm for checked luggage and 56 x36 x 23cm for carry on. Good luggage stores have sizing bins to test before you buy.
• Mobility: For carry-on, look for suitcases with 360-degree spinner wheels for easy manoeuvrability through the airport, on the plane, and when navigating to your accommodation.
• Handling: Luggage with handles on the top and sides is easier to stow onboard and remove from the carousel. You can also opt to wrap your bag at the airport, which protects it from scuff marks and from tampering. Better yet, and more environmentally friendly, is to purchase reusable fabric covers from a luggage store.
• Zips and locks: Bags that latch shut are the most secure and most difficult to break into. If you want a zipped case, then look for one which has an inbuilt zip lock. Unfortunately, separate locks that hang off zippers can break off when moving on the conveyor belts and are not ideal.

Pack Smart

Packing efficiently is a crucial travel skill that can save you both money and stress.

By organizing your belongings thoughtfully, you can avoid excess baggage fees and ensure a smoother, more enjoyable journey.

Tips:

• Pack Timeously: Give yourself plenty of time to pack before you depart so that you can weigh your luggage and repack if necessary. Pack outfits rather than single items and choose clothing that you can interchange easily.
• Pack Efficiently: Use packing cubes to organize your belongings and save space. Alternatively, roll your clothes instead of folding them to fit more into your suitcase. Wear heavier items that you want to take with you but don’t want to pack, such as hiking boots.
• Know Your Limits: Check FlySafair’s baggage policy to understand the weight and size limits for both checked and carry-on luggage. FlySafair allows 20kg for a checked bag and up to 7kg for hand luggage at no extra charge.
• Avoid Overpacking: Stick to the essentials and avoid packing items you can easily buy at your destination. Weigh your bags before leaving home to ensure your luggage isn’t over the allowed weight.
• Buy Online: If you need more than one checked bag, buy an extra bag allowance online before you leave; it is cheaper than doing so at the airport.
• Store Your Essentials: Keep essential items like medications, travel documents, and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag.

Plan to Succeed

As with many aspects of life, thorough planning enhances your chances of success and shields you from unexpected travel issues.

Tips:

• Coverage: Purchase travel insurance that covers trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage.
• Documentation: Keep a copy of your insurance policy, passport/ID document, proof of hotel registration, and emergency contact numbers handy.
• Plan Ahead: Arrive at the airport at least two to three hours before your flight to account for longer queues and security checks.
• Check In Early: Check in online as soon as it opens—usually 24 hours before your flight—choose your seat and print out your boarding pass as well as storing it on your phone or in Google Wallet.
• Stay Informed: Download the airline’s app and check your flight details on the morning of your travel.

Be Prepared for Security

• Documents: Have your ID and boarding pass ready for security checks. It is advisable to print out your boarding pass as well as have a digital version on your phone.
• Clear your pockets: Don’t forget to remove your keys, spare change, and any metallic items from your pockets before you go through the security screening process.

Travel in Style

• Devices: Download some TV series or movies for offline viewing from your streaming service of choice well before you leave. Bring noise-cancelling headphones or buds if you have them; these can help immensely to block out ambient noise.
• Power Up: Bring fully charged devices and portable chargers for entertainment during your journey and bring a portable power bank to charge on the go.
• Comfort Items: Pack a neck pillow, eye mask, and earplugs for a more comfortable flight.
• Dress Comfortably: Dress in layers, with a light jacket over a T-shirt, for example, if traveling at night or when it is chilly.

Final Steps

Once the flight is complete, it is time to collect any checked luggage.

A final tip is to make your luggage stand out from the crowd by tying a brightly coloured ribbon on the handle before you check it in, or by using a luggage strap.

Following any or all these tips can help ensure that your trip is as smooth as possible.

All that is left to do is enjoy your flight and have a fantastic holiday.