As long as you leave plenty of time to arrive feeling calm and in control, airports are typically well-oiled machines where systems are set up to ensure you get to the gate, on your flight and on your way with ease. Try not to feel anxious (I find breathing exercises help), be courteous in queues and patient with staff (who are there to help). Take minimal carry-on so you don’t feel weighed down or flustered at security checks and keep your important documents accessible. If you’re flying, it usually means you’re headed somewhere exciting – that feeling should kick in at the beginning of the journey, not just when you arrive at the destination.”

Genevra Leek, editor-in-chief 

“Once my bags have been scanned at security, instead of reaching around people trying to collect their luggage on the scanner’s conveyor belt, I always push my open bags to the very end of the conveyor belt, where only empty trays seem to gather. I can then take my time repacking my laptop and liquids – it also keeps the high-traffic areas free for others.” 

Bridget de Maine, editor

"The days leading up to your flight can often easily slip away as you wrap up final work deadlines and get on top of your packing. If you’ve forgotten any essentials, or just want to breeze by and grab a snack without the queues, it’s worth checking if airport stores offer click-and-collect services. Sydney Airport’s Mecca and Heinemann Tax & Duty Free at the Gold Coast and Sydney both do. Conveniently located near the gates, you can swing by to pick up an SPF (the new Sunceutical SPF50 face cream by Emma Lewisham is one of our top picks) or a new set of noise-cancelling headphones for a restful flight."

Hollie Wornes, Senior Digital and Social Producer

“I am that person who photocopies all of their essential information and keeps it in a leather folder. That means I always have a copy of my passport, vaccination certificates, itinerary and anything else I think might be handy in case of an emergency. I also keep cash in the folder – I try hard to avoid the currency converters at the airport because the exchange rate isn’t that flash and I want to make every dollar count.” 

Kirsten Galliott, head of content

"Travelling with small children is such a hot-button topic – and I'm about to throw fuel on that fire. Let the kids burn their energy at the airport! Yes, people may scoff or roll their eyes in your direction but the more the tiny terrors run (or crawl) around before take-off, the more peaceful the flight will be for everyone involved. Obviously, all the normal caveats apply: don't leave them unattended, or let them trample on strangers' bags and definitely don't let them get in the way of official airport duties. Other than that, let them be. Big props to the airports that have top-tier play equipment and experiences for this very purpose: Singapore Changi might be the gold-standard."

Melanie Colwell, Senior Campaigns Editor

“It’s almost always a rush getting to the airport, right? So what’s better than kicking back with a drink, something to eat and somewhere to charge your phone/laptop (and download your favourite shows) once you've dropped off your bags and been through security? Even if you don’t have Qantas Club membership, you can purchase single-visit passes with cash or Qantas Points to make your departure even smoother. A lot of credit cards these days also come with complimentary Qantas lounge passes, which can be transferred between family members, too.”

Mark Brandon, content and partnerships director

“I avoid wearing an outfit that requires a belt and I always wear slip-on shoes. This ensures both a swift trip through security and an extra-comfy flight.”

Faith Campbell, content director

“Some security scanners at certain airports no longer require you to take your laptop and liquids out of your carry-on bag, but I’m a firm believer in ‘better safe than sorry’. I put all my liquids in a transparent make-up bag and any metals (belts, jewellery and the like) in another so I can easily pull them out if need be.”

Christina Rae, online editor

“Charged-up, pre-downloaded and headphones engaged. We have multiple teens in our family so it’s all about access to tech. Ensuring there’s no fighting for a charger/cord in the departure lounge means a smoother experience for everyone. Always, always have a pen handy. You never know when you’re going to need to write something down, fill in a travel card or sign something. I distribute essentials – snacks, sanitiser, tissues, hydration spray, hand cream – across everyone’s carry-on. Food is also a big factor pre-travel. We make sure we check in with plenty of time to have something to eat before we’re called to the gate – it means that everyone is much happier and ready to go.”

Pippa Duffy, copy editor

“Call me a contrarian (you’re not the first) but I always check a bag. I used to lug a jam-packed carry-on around until I realised that it wasn’t being opened between leaving home and arriving at my destination. Now I take any essentials in my handbag and can waltz freely around the airport spritzing perfume samples before my flight. Any waiting time at the baggage carousel is filled by planning transport or checking in on loved ones back home.”

Faith Campbell, content cirector

“One of the best gifts my daughter was ever given was a ‘busy book’. It’s basically a soft fabric tome with different fun, fine-motor-skill-testing activities on each page. In ours, one page has a felt basket and a bunch of felt carrots to ‘dig up’ and put in said basket; another has a monster with a tiny toothbrush attached, for concentrated brushing. Being fabric, it’s lightweight and flexible, and the activities have way more longevity than a standard book (and no annoying sounds or need for wired tech). If you’re travelling with a toddler, the combination of this with an enormous bag of non-crumb-making snacks is a slam dunk.”

Bridget de Maine, editor

“I always move as much as possible before I get on a plane, especially if it’s a long-haul flight. That means wearing trainers (and even activewear!) and having only a light carry-on bag so I can stride around the airport without causing a back injury. I download a few audiobooks from the library and lose myself in a story. By the time we’re ready to go, I’ve got my steps in and I’m ready for a sit-down.”

Sandra Bridekirk, deputy copy director

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