A good flight starts days before the airport. Most of the stress in air travel comes from a handful of predictable moments: check-in, the security line, the fight for overhead bin space, a stuffy cabin and the first groggy day at the destination. Each of them gets easier with a little preparation. This guide walks through the trip in order, from the night before to the morning after landing.
Before You Leave Home
Check in online and go digital
Most US airlines open online check-in 24 hours before departure, either on their website or in their app. Checking in early secures your seat assignment, lets you pay for bags in advance and gives you a mobile boarding pass that you can add to your phone’s wallet. Take a screenshot of the boarding pass as a backup in case the app or the airport Wi-Fi fails. If you are only carrying hand luggage, you can usually walk straight to security without stopping at the counter.
Turn on flight notifications in the airline app. Gate changes, delays and rebooking offers often reach the app before they appear on the airport screens.
Bring the right ID
Since May 7, 2025, TSA requires a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another accepted document, such as a US passport, passport card or trusted traveler card, at airport checkpoints for domestic flights. A REAL ID license carries a star in the upper corner. Travelers who arrive without an accepted ID can pay a $45 fee for TSA ConfirmID, an identity check that takes extra time and is not guaranteed to succeed. Checking your wallet the night before is much cheaper.
Consider TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
If you fly more than a couple of times a year, a trusted traveler program pays off quickly. With TSA PreCheck you use a separate lane and usually keep your laptop, liquids bag, belt and light jacket in place. Global Entry adds faster re-entry at US customs after international trips and includes PreCheck. Both require an application, a background check and a short appointment, so apply weeks ahead of your trip.
Packing Smart
The 3-1-1 liquids rule
Liquids, gels, creams and aerosols in carry-on bags still fall under TSA’s 3-1-1 rule: containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, packed together in one clear, quart-size bag, one bag per passenger. The rule covers more than drinks. Toothpaste, hair gel, lotion, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, peanut butter, jam and yogurt all count. Anything larger goes in checked luggage.
There are important exceptions. Medically necessary liquids, baby formula, breast milk and juice for infants are allowed in larger amounts. Take them out of your bag and tell the officer at the start of screening; they may be tested separately.
What belongs in your carry-on
Pack anything you cannot do without for a day in the bag that stays with you, in case your checked suitcase is delayed:
- prescription medications in their original containers, plus a list of what you take
- glasses, contact lenses and any medical devices such as inhalers or CPAP machines
- phone, chargers and headphones
- travel documents, keys and valuables
- a change of underwear and a light layer, since cabins can be cold
Spare lithium batteries and power banks must travel in the cabin, never in checked bags, because the crew can react if one overheats. Power banks up to 100 watt-hours are allowed without approval. Some airlines now limit how many you may bring or forbid charging them from seat outlets, so read your carrier’s current rules.
Size your bags correctly
A common carry-on limit on US airlines is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including wheels and handles, plus a personal item that fits under the seat. Basic economy fares on some airlines allow only the personal item. Measure your bag at home rather than at the gate, where an oversize bag can mean a fee and a forced check-in.
Prepare checked luggage
Put a tag with your name, phone number and email on the outside of every checked bag and a copy of the same information inside. A small Bluetooth tracker in the suitcase shows you where it is if it does not appear on the carousel. Photograph the bag and its contents before you leave; it speeds up any claim.
At the Airport
For domestic flights, arriving about two hours before departure is a safe rule; allow three hours for international flights and for busy holiday weekends. Wear shoes that are comfortable for long walks between gates. In standard lanes TSA no longer requires most travelers to remove their shoes, but officers can still ask for it if an alarm goes off.
Keep electronics larger than a phone easy to reach, since standard lanes may ask you to place them in a separate bin. Once through security, locate your gate first, then go for food. Fill an empty water bottle at a fountain on the far side of the checkpoint.
Choosing a Seat
- Aisle: easy access to the restroom and room to stretch one leg; best for long flights and frequent walkers.
- Window: a place to rest your head, control over the window shade and no one climbing over you.
- Over the wing: the aircraft moves least near its center of gravity, so turbulence usually feels milder there.
- Toward the front: faster boarding and deplaning, useful for tight connections.
Families should book seats together early. Several US airlines guarantee free adjacent seating for a parent and young children on most fares, but the details vary by carrier.
Staying Comfortable in the Air
Drink water and keep moving
Cabin air is dry, and most people drink less than usual while traveling. Drink water regularly and go easy on alcohol, which adds to dehydration and disrupts sleep. On flights longer than about four hours, the CDC advises moving your legs to lower the risk of deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs. Walk the aisle when the seatbelt sign is off, flex your ankles and calves while seated, and avoid crossing your legs for long periods. People with a history of clots, recent surgery or pregnancy should ask their doctor about compression stockings.
Ease ear pressure
Ear discomfort comes from pressure changes during climb and especially during descent. Swallowing, yawning, chewing gum or sucking on a hard candy helps the Eustachian tubes open. If your ears stay blocked, close your mouth, pinch your nose and blow very gently. Babies do best when they nurse or take a bottle during descent. If you have a cold or sinus infection, ask a pharmacist about a decongestant before the flight.
Pack for the cabin
A small kit makes a long flight noticeably better: noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs, an eye mask, a neck pillow, lip balm, a refillable water bottle and downloaded shows or books, since in-flight Wi-Fi is not always reliable.
Beating Jet Lag
Crossing several time zones throws off your internal clock, and jet lag is usually worse when flying east. Start adjusting a few days before departure by moving your bedtime and wake time an hour per day toward the destination’s schedule. On board, set your watch to local time at the destination and eat and sleep according to it.
After landing, daylight is the strongest signal for your body clock. Spend time outdoors, especially in the morning after an eastbound flight, and try to stay awake until a normal local bedtime. A short nap of 20 to 30 minutes is fine; a long afternoon sleep makes the first night harder. Some travelers use melatonin for a few days; it is worth discussing with a doctor, especially if you take other medications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I get to the airport?
About two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international one is a reliable rule. Allow extra time at large hubs, during holidays and when you need to check bags.
Can I bring medication in larger liquid amounts?
Yes. Medically necessary liquids are exempt from the 3.4-ounce limit. Tell the TSA officer at the start of screening and keep prescriptions in their labeled containers.
Do I need a REAL ID to fly within the US?
Yes, or another accepted document such as a passport. Without one, you may be sent through TSA ConfirmID for a $45 fee, which takes longer and does not guarantee you will be cleared.
Where is the smoothest seat on a plane?
Seats over the wing usually feel the least motion in turbulence, because they are closest to the aircraft’s center of gravity. Seats at the very back tend to feel the most.
