Nervous flyer? Worried you’ll miss your boarding call? You’re not the only one. In 2018, a Which? report described UK airports as “stressful”, “abysmal” and a “total nightmare”*. If you count yourself among the holiday-makers that turn down a pre-flight drink at the bar to wait tensely at the gate instead, allow Flight Centre, one of the UK’s most trusted travel agents, to ease your airport anxiety with these easy tips.
- Fly in the morning
If you can’t relax on the day of your flight, then aim for an early flight; you can get it all over and done with! Going early also means you enjoy more time in your destination as well.
2. Pre-book your airport transfers
Particularly useful if you are flying early (see tip one), pre-booking your airport transfer takes out the stress of getting to the airport, leaving the hassle to the professionals instead. They’ll know the routes, what the traffic is like, and how to get to your specific terminal. Plus, if you tell them you’re nervous they’ll put your mind at ease. To make sure things run smoothly for you, Flight Centre Travel Experts can pre-book your airport transfers, ensuring complete peace of mind.
3. Stay at an airport hotel the night before
This is a great tactic to use if you have a very early flight. Airport hotels are practically set up for people who are nervous about getting to the terminal on time. They’re quiet, relaxing and best of all they’re close to the airport. Most offer free shuttle transfers while others have direct access to airport terminals – an airport anxiety sufferer’s dream!
4. Aim to get there early
As mentioned before, arriving at the airport early is the key ingredient in curing your airport anxiety. For most international flights, airlines recommend you arrive two to three hours before your flight. Generally, the longer the distance you are flying, the earlier you should arrive at the airport. So, if you’re flying long-haul, you should arrive at the airport three hours before.
5. Relax in an airport lounge
Airport lounges are great for obvious reasons (quiet, comfortable lounges, family rooms, complimentary food and drink), but they’re also incredible for airport anxiety sufferers. Ask your Flight Centre Travel Expert to arrange this in advance, so you can enjoy a relaxing cup of tea in front of a screen displaying live flight times, safe in the knowledge that you’re a short stroll to your gate.
For an even more stress-free lounge experience, it’s worth considering upgrading your flight. This way, you will be able to access your airline’s premium lounge, plus added extras, such as on-site spas, cinemas, private hotel-style rooms and direct gate access.
6. Breathe
Just a few deep breaths can make a real difference. It sounds so simple, but it’s often the simplest things that are the most effective. Once you’ve arrived at the airport on time, gone through security and found your gate, take the time to find a seat, put your phone away, close your eyes and breathe. Breathing deeply slows down your heart rate, relaxes your body and eases your body out of anxiety mode. Your travel partner will no doubt thank you for it.
7. Do yoga
Forget a stiff drink, yoga is the true cure for anxiety sufferers. Taking a few minutes to breath, stretch and pose will, according to the NHS, benefit people with high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and stress. Yoga rooms are the latest trend popping up in the world’s airports. San Francisco International Airport was the first to introduce one and, in the UK, the SkyTeam Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 4 offers guests access to a tranquil yoga room complete with mats and SkyTeam’s own yoga video exercises.
For further information, visit https://www.flightcentre.co.uk/uk-travel-blog
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Notes to Editors:
* https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/airports/article/uk-airports/best-and-worst-large-uk-airports
For further press information, please contact:
Emma Arthurs/Hannah Carlisle
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About the Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG)
The Flight Centre Travel Group (fctgl.com) is one of the world’s largest travel companies with over 18,000 staff and 2500 stores across its leisure, corporate and wholesale businesses. The company’s turnover in 2014/2015 financial year was £9 billion. After starting with one shop 30 years ago, FCTG has enjoyed remarkable growth and is one of the top 100 publicly listed companies on the Australian Securities Exchange.
All specialist brands under the FCTG Corporate banner offer 24/7 support and the benefits of a blended offline/online solution; global negotiation strength and unique and superior business travel products.
About Flight Centre
The team at Flight Centre are experts when it comes to travel and are committed to providing customers with a great experience. The company’s success comes down to its people, experienced Travel Experts who are passionate about finding their customers the holiday they want, for the price they want.
Since establishing the first Flight Centre store in 1995, the business has grown its team of Travel Experts to include over 80 stores within the United Kingdom, with new stores opening regularly. Worldwide, Flight Centre has an amazing 2,500 stores across the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States, Canada and more, making Flight Centre one of the largest and most successful independent travel retailers in the world. With its global reach and close relationships with the world’s best travel providers, the company is able to provide competitive travel deals.
The Flight Centre team can organise anything from flights and hotels, car hire, tours, travel insurance, visas and more to tailor make the perfect holiday. They also have dedicated First and Business Class flight teams and Business Travel teams to help with any specialised travel needs.
For more information go to www.flightcentre.co.uk, www.facebook.com/FlightCentreUK, www.twitter.com/flightcentre_UK or www.instagram.com/flightcentreuk.
