Things To Do Before Your Flight To Make Flying Stress Free In 2026

Let's face it, the airlines themselves are making flying as difficult as possible for their customers and that pre-flight prep can make or break the journey ahead.

If you’re looking to fly smarter, save time, and feel less stressed at the airport, you’re in the right place. I'll share my pre-flight checklist with you that make flights easier to handle.

Use Going’s flight alerts to find mistake fares and cheap flights, saving you hundreds on airfare. It’s totally free and easy to use - enter your home airport and where you want to go, and they’ll send you mistake fares and other ridiculously cheap flight deals. You can save hundreds of dollars on airfare.

Download your airline’s app and check in early to skip lines and access digital boarding passes, even for inflight entertainment.

Use a flight tracking app like FlightAware to stay informed on any changes or delays, helping you plan accordingly.

Search all the frequent flier programs out there, and make sure your flight purchases are helping you achieve premium status. If you have a favorite airline, will you be able to reach gold or platinum status this year? Have you remembered to attach your frequent flier number on all your recent (and upcoming) flights? If you travel often, this is something you’ll want to look into and strategize on a regular basis. Confirm passport and visa documents one month in advance, ensuring your passport doesn’t expire within six months of travel. Passports are one of the most difficult documents to get and it's not something you can do last minute given how long it takes the government to send your passport.

Make sure your passport is set to expire at least 6 months after the final date of travel.

Know the vaccination requirements of your travel destination and get any necessary vaccinations at least a couple of weeks in advance of your trip to allow for any potential side affects or reactions to appear BEFORE you're 30,000 feet in the air.

Also, if you take any prescription drugs, now is a good time to get them refilled.

To reduce jet lag, stay hydrated and bring a reusable water bottle on your trip with you.

Don't forget your headphones or earbugs to shut out annoying noise during your flight so you can relax during your flight. Create a Spotify playlist and download it offline so you can vibe out or relax, even in airplane mode.

Mark your bags distinctively to make them easy to spot at baggage claim, reducing any risk of mix-ups. The worst thing in the world is to arrive at your travel destination without essentials like clothing.

Research international data plans or local SIM card options, saving you from costly roaming charges.

Start packing early! Organize your essentials a few days out to avoid last-minute stress and forgotten items. Don't leave your packing to the last minute.

Print copies of important documents (passport, visa, driver’s license) and keep one copy in your luggage as a backup.

Confirm vacation days with your boss.

As you’re planning the trip of a lifetime, remember to run the dates by your boss, coworkers, and clients, and plan for upcoming projects accordingly. You should also set boundaries and expectations around your vacation (i.e. do you intend to be offline the whole time, or are you planning to check emails at night?) The last thing you want after a trip is come back to the office and receive dirty looks from coworkers. So set the expectations up front!

Book your accommodations as much in advance as possible to not only get the accommodation you want but to very possibly getting a discount for early booking.

An essential - get travel insurance! It gives you peace of mind in case plans change or you encounter any unforeseen obstacles. My go-to travel insurance company is Safety Wing -

Comprehensive and affordable coverage wherever you go.

Book the main attractions. Now’s the time to start putting together your travel plans. If you’re trip coincides with high season, don’t wait until the day before to book the main attractions. Whether you’re looking to do a popular guided tour or go somewhere special for your anniversary dinner, you should begin booking these things well in advance of your trip.

Research stuff to do (don’t wait until moments before you board a flight!)

If you’re someone who likes to have a plan before arriving at the destination, now’s the time to put in the research. I always jot down the main sights and attractions I want to see, and put them into Google My Maps so I can plan my itinerary accordingly. I also recommend familiarizing yourself with cultural etiquette in the places you visit. This can go a long way in making your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable, especially in regions with specific social customs. Last-second research is no fun, so begin your research well in advance.

Exchange currency if needed. If you’re traveling to a foreign country, you’ll want to make sure you have some local currency on hand to pay for things like transportation, food, and souvenirs. Before you leave, consider exchanging some of your money at a bank or currency exchange kiosk, or you can use a credit card or ATM while you’re there (just be aware of any fees that may apply).

Not sure how much money you’ll need? A good rule of thumb is to bring a mix of cash and card, and to do some research on the local cost of living and prices for common items. That way, you’ll be prepared for any expenses that may come up and can enjoy your trip without any financial stress.

Lastly, organize all of your tickets and confirmations. Using an app like TripIt, you can consolidate all your trip information in one place. It can get overwhelming trying to remember your flight’s check-in times, gate numbers, and flight statuses on top of all the other logistical items of your trip, such as hotel reservations and tour bookings. Have an app do this for you!

Happy travels!