How to: Travel with ease

Travel often gets a bad rap. While most of us love the idea of jumping on a plane and traversing the planet to some far-flung destination to relax and regroup, it can sometimes seem like too much of a hassle: Long check-in lines, rigorous security checks (what do you mean I can’t bring my can of hairspray?!), tight seats and unseemly seatmates, lost luggage and long layovers – what’s so relaxing about that?

There are all kinds of ways to avoid these hassles. I recently traveled British Airways’ business class (Club World) from Toronto to London, with a stopover before heading to Istanbul, and the experience couldn’t have been more wonderful. Here’s why:

Long check-in lines
Want to avoid the check-in lines that snake interminably around the terminal? Check in online before you head to the airport. You’ll save oodles of time. If you’re traveling British Airways, simply visit ba.com and check in up to 24 hours before your flight.  

Rigorous security checks
Airport security is essential and we all understand why. So play by the rules. According to the TSA, the general rule is this: 3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 oz. container size is a security measure. Respecting the rules will save you time and hassle.

Tight seats
If you can swing it, fly business class! British Airways’ Club World service makes flying a luxurious experience. I’d never realized what I was missing. For long-haul flights, like the transatlantic flight I was taking, Club World offers an unparalleled level of personalized service, starting with the seats. Each passenger has their own “pod”, which means total and complete privacy if you wish. The pods are staggered, facing alternate directions and there’s a privacy screen you can use if you don’t feel like looking at the person in the seat beside yours. The nearly lie-flat beds mean you can sleep comfortably or relax, work, read or watch one of the many movies available on your personal touch screen television. Pods feature a laptop locker, power socket, private adjustable reading light, a telephone and a memory foam headrest. The food is gourmet and the flight attendants are friendly, approachable and always ready to help make your flight more comfortable and enjoyable.

Lost luggage
That’s an easy problem to avoid: Travel only with carry-on. Not only will you eliminate the worry of your luggage getting lost but you won’t have to waste time at the baggage carousel upon arrival and you’ll also have increased flexibility as you travel. Should you decide to change your travel plans at the airport, it’s always best to have all your luggage in your possession. And of course, it’s just so much easier to travel light and not have to lug your luggage all over town.

A layover isn't so bad ... find out why on the next page ...

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