Airports all over Europe are currently making the headlines, with their repeated strikes, interminable queues, slow security checks, lost luggage and staff shortages… If you’d like to take a trip to Ireland via an airport (Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Shannon or Knock), there are plenty of tips to make your experience more pleasant! So here are a few easy hacks to help you reduce your time in airport security queues, boarding and more! With excessive waiting times currently being reported at Dublin airport, these tips could well save you!
This is the most obvious advice. A trip to the airport can sometimes be a source of stress… and anticipation is often the best way to leave with peace of mind!
By arriving in advance, you can be sure of a trouble-free stay. Even if the check-in counters are late, or the lines at security are long, you’ll be sure to leave with peace of mind, without missing your flight!
It is generally advisable to arrive at the airport 2 hours before your flight. Given the complicated situation at Dublin airport, we recommend arriving up to 3 hours in advance…
Admittedly, this can be restrictive… But you’ll avoid any stress, and gain in serenity!
Most travelers don’t like the hassle, and prefer flights at convenient times… Most of these take place during the day.
Although this is indeed very practical, most airport users do the same… which guarantees record crowds during the day… when airports are often much more pleasant to use early in the morning… or late at night!
At this time of year, flights are often less saturated. This allows airport staff to treat passengers with greater peace of mind. Less queuing, less stress: so it’s much more pleasant to travel when it’s not busy…
Of course, you’ll have to get up early, or go to bed late… But I promise you won’t regret it: your time at the airport will be 100 times more pleasant!
The scene is quite common at the airport. Many travelers find themselves at the baggage check-in counter, discovering that their suitcases are much heavier than they thought.
The scenarios then vary: some reopen their luggage and try to divide the weight between several of their suitcases, exposing their personal belongings to the whole world… while others have to resign themselves to pulling out their credit card to pay an unfortunate surcharge…
Whatever the outcome, the result is always the same: you lose time…
We also recommend that you always weigh your luggage before you leave. This will speed up the check-in process and allow you to move on easily to the next stage: the security check.
It may sound silly, but most people tend to take the right-hand lanes… while the left-hand lanes are often unfairly ignored…
Although the explanation isn’t clear, it could have something to do with the fact that most people are right-handed… They would be more inclined to choose the right path than the left…
In addition to this technique, we also recommend “easing” the workload of security teams, by facilitating the control process. Follow their recommendations:
This will save you the hassle of additional checks, including palpation and the statutory search of your bag.
Once you’ve passed security checks, you’ll be able to relax. Now all you have to do is get to your boarding gate and wait your turn to board your plane.
But there’s still one more ordeal to get through: the queue to get through the last checkpoint, and then onto the plane.
It’s a common sight: when the start of boarding is announced, large crowds of people flock to the boarding counter to wait their turn in a long queue.
But is it really necessary?
Instead, we recommend that you don’t move an inch. Rather than join in the hustle and bustle, relax, enjoy a snack and read your book while the queue slowly dwindles… Only when the queue is down to a dozen or so people can you naturally stand up and show your boarding pass and identity papers to the stewardess or steward.
Your seat on the plane will be waiting for you, and you’ll have avoided the backache of waiting 30 minutes on your feet for your turn to come!
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