7 SURVIVAL TIPS

for an extremely early flight

As you’re reading this, I will already be halfway through to my destination. Our editor Liesbeth and I are traveling from Amsterdam ‘via Barcelona’ to Mallorca. As fancy as it sounds, it’s just another euphony for making a transit flight. And when you have a transit flight, chances are you’re flying with a low cost airline and you’re more than likely to travel at the most ungodly hour.

Which happened to be the case for us with a 05:30 am boarding time. “This means setting my alarm clock at an unthinkable 4 in the morning.” For Liesbeth this sounds more like bedtime than a time to get up.

Odds are you’ve travelled with a low cost airline before (because evidently you’d rather spend your money on a fresh new pair of heels or indulge in a deluxe lunch) but here are some tips to ease the travel stress.

Book a good driver

When you have to wake up before sunrise, the very last thing you want to do is be transported by a stale smelling taxi. So, do your research beforehand and be willing to spend those few extra dollars on a nicer ride. The same goes for chic parties you might be attending. I was once picked up and dropped off at a red carpet in an ugly old van. So embarrassing. And don’t forget you can never go wrong with good old UberBLACK.

Another tip: always order your cab the day before. Organizing a taxi in the morning only calls for unnecessary stress.

Set a double alarm clock

The useful thing about your iPhone alarm clock is that you can set it to go off at different times. This way you’ll know you have a back up incase you snooze through your first alarm.

Wash  your hair the night before

I always want to board a plane with my hair perfectly groomed. But since I have far more important things to do in the morning than juggle around my brush and blow dryer, I make sure I do it the night before. One less thing to check off my list in the morning.

Skip breakfast

This will save you a valuable 10 minutes. You’ll have plenty of time for a croissant and a latte when you get to the airport and plus you’ll probably have no appetite at such an hour.

Pre organize your things

How many times have you frantically scurried through your home last minute searching for your passport or anything resembling your credit card? Avoid the unnecessary mini heart attack. Neatly place everything in a row on your kitchen table so you can easily mark everything off of your checklist. I go through this list give or take about 17 times (boarding pass? Check, passport? Check, credit card? Check).

For your fellow travellers

Be attentive with your scent. A very dominant aura is not great for your sense of smell in the morning. Go for a modest fragrance, a light perfume or use your perfumes body lotion. This way you’ll still smell great without it being overbearing.

Treat yourself

Make sure you have something to look forward to during your flight. Maybe you’ll bring along your favorite snack. I downloaded the movie Dior and I through iTunes and while you’re busy reading this, I’ll be busy watching that.

Safe travels!