How to fast track through airports

However, there are steps you can take to help make sure your next visit to the airport goes a little more smoothly. The following guide offers tips on moving through airports more quickly and making your time there a little more pleasant.

Travel lightly Pack as little as possible by bringing only the most critical items that you need. Most importantly, try to fit everything in a carry-on bag. By doing so, you can avoid having to stand in line to check in luggage, which could save you an hour or more.

Another advantage to travelling light is that if you arrive to the airport ahead of time and find out that there is an available seat on an earlier flight to your destination, you will have a much better chance of getting that seat if you only have a carry-on bag.

If you have luggage that needs to be checked in you may miss out because it will take too long to get you on the flight.

Pack carefully The last thing you want at the airport are additional security checks. Therefore, avoid packing knives, scissors, matches, or other 'dangerous' looking items in your carry-on bag.

It also helps to pack neatly. If you are subject to a random security check, it will take less time to search your belongings if they are packed in an organised manner.

To help speed your way through baggage claim, make sure you can distinguish your luggage from everyone else's. One way to make your bags stand out is by tying a coloured piece of fabric around the handle.

Travel off-peak Avoid travelling at peak times if you can help it. Instead of spending hours in line you may find that you will be able to stroll right to the counter without a wait.

Peak times are the first and last nights of the weekend, and the morning following the weekend. For example, if the weekend falls on Friday and Saturday, the peak times would be Thursday and Saturday evening, and Sunday morning.

Dress appropriately Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off. Tying and undoing laces may only take a few minutes, but that extra time adds up. Also, to help reduce unwanted attention from security, try to look clean and presentable. You don't want to give security any reason to think you are a suspicious character.

Choose your seat beforehand Make sure to get a seat assignment when you book your tickets. It can be very time consuming to make or change seat arrangements with gate agents at the last minute.

Also, to avoid the risk that there will be no room in the overhead bins for your carry-on bags (in which case your bags would have to be checked in), try to get a seat at the back of the plane. Most airlines seat people from the back of the plane forward, which means passengers in the rear are the first ones to store carry-on bags.

The downside to that is you get off the plane later, but if you have had to check-in luggage, that won't add time to your journey at the other end.

Check-in online Major airlines allow you to check-in online, and this enables you to arrive later at the airport. Check with the individual airline when checking in, but generally it means you'll spend up to an hour less at the airport.

Some, but not all, will also allow you to choose your seat when checking in online, giving you the edge over those who check in at the airport a couple of hours before the flight.

Use e-travel Purchasing an e-ticket can greatly reduce the time and hassle of checking in. If you buy an e-ticket and only have carry-on bags, you can completely skip the check-in counter and proceed directly to security by obtaining your boarding pass at a self-service kiosk.

Buying a fingerprint-matching card is also an excellent time saver. Many countries are adopting these cards to speed up the immigration process at airports. For example, travellers who purchase the UAE's e-Gate card can simply head to the e-Gate counter, swipe their card, and touch the panel to match their fingerprint.

The card, which is valid for two years, costs $55 and can be purchased by any UAE citizen or expat holding a residency visa.

Hire a personalised service Some airports offer personalised services that eliminate airport hassles. For example, the Ahlan service at Dubai International Airport handles the entire arrival process for the passenger.

Individuals who use the service are received immediately after deplaning by an escort, who then takes them to a lounge where they can relax while their immigration procedures are completed by the staff.

The passengers are then guided to the baggage carousel where the escort collects their luggage. As part of the service, passengers can request to have their family and friends meet them at the lounge inside the airport. The cost for the service is $27.

Emirates Airlines offers a similar service called Marhaba. It is available for both arrivals and departures to Dubai airport.

For a larger fee, Dubai airport passengers can purchase Al Majlis, which is a separate VIP terminal where arriving or departing passengers can receive personalised check-in, immigration and baggage clearance services. The package includes limousine service to and from the airport. The cost is Dhs1,510 ($411) for one to four passengers, and Dhs200 for every additional passenger (up to a maximum of nine).

Relax at the lounge Despite your best efforts to speed through airports, you will inevitably have to spend time waiting for your plane to board. To make this time more comfortable, visit an airport lounge. For a fee of about $25-35, lounges typically offer a small food court, comfortable seating, and computer connections.

In addition to basic economy lounges, most airports offer premium lounges that provide additional perks such as complimentary food and drinks, shower facilities, and separate family rooms. Major airlines will often have their own lounges for travellers who are flying business or first class.

Also, some airports offer a quiet lounge, which is a free alternative to paid lounges. These lounges offer reclining chairs that are perfect for resting your feet or taking a quick nap.

See also:
Free upgrades - business flights on economy fares
E-Gates for all UAE Nationals