Keep cool at the airport when flying to France

AIR travel can be stressful at the best of times, but as people head to France for their holidays the worries can really mount up.

But Which? Holiday has set out some tips and advice on making your flight to France a little easier, so that you don't need a second break to recover from the first.

Lorna Cowan, editor of Which? Holiday, said: "Airports can be stressful places at anytime of the year, but with passenger numbers significantly increasing during school holidays, the next few months will be particularly exasperating.

"The key to surviving the airport experience, and starting your holiday on a high is preparation. A few small steps can make all the difference between a relaxing trip or complete holiday hell."

Which? Holiday travel tips:

Check ticket details at the time of booking
You could get turned away at check-in if any of the details are incorrect, for example, passenger names, time of flight and date of flight.

Check hand and hold luggage allowances
Airlines all have baggage restrictions, but these differ between companies. Make sure you do not go over weight or size restrictions on your luggage. Also, ensure you are not carrying sharp objects in your hand luggage, such as scissors, as these are considered a security risk.

Book airport parking in advance
By booking ahead you can save almost half the airport daily parking charge.

Check-in online
If you only have hand luggage, go to the airlines’ website and check in. This way you can go straight to the security gate and avoid some of the queues.

Allow enough time to go through security
Some passengers queued for 40 minutes to reach the security scanners last summer at Gatwick. The best way of coping with these queues is to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare.

Label luggage correctly
Although there is no foolproof method to prevent luggage from going astray, always ensure your suitcase is labelled inside and out. Include name, address and mobile phone details, and also information about your destination airport.

Airport lounges
For a quiet relaxing wait, book into an airport lounge. Prices range from £12 to £19, and snacks and drinks are included in the price.

What tips would you pass on to others? Please feel free to leave a comment below.

Comments

[Caroline Mills]

I'd be cautious about putting your home address on the outside of your luggage. Maybe use your office contact details, as there are types that will be noticing that your house may well be empty for the next week. The same is true of getting mini-cabs to the airport, try to leave from a friend or neighbours house.

You were lucky at Gatwick, my worst experience was over an hour at the security checks but things are better this year.

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Caroline, thanks for those tips, maybe it's worth placing a note of your office address inside the case should your baggage go astray.
All the best
Craig