I'm glad you asked.
First Things First: Carry-On vs. Stow Away Luggage
The first and most important thing you need to take into consideration when flying alone is this: what you bring with you STAYS with you. If you are traveling domestically and doing carry-on luggage, you need to be aware that taking a risk of entrusting a stranger to watch your things if you need is incredibly risky, so be prepared for the instance that you will be bringing everything you've packed with you in the bathroom!
Items You Are Usually Allowed to Bring
Most airlines allow you to bring at least 2 items for free: 1 small bag, such as a purse, backpack, or messenger bag, and one overhead bin item, which can be a duffel bag, backpack, or small sized suitcase. Not all airlines allow two items for free, so make sure that you double check the fees before booking.
What I would recommend is to bring a backpack, though only to be used for the flight. Backpacks work great for traveling because, provided you keep it packed with the bare essentials on the way to your destination, you can fill it with souvenirs, or use it for extra storage if your return finds that your suitcase can't be closed anymore.
The Case for Carry-Ons
If you choose to take your luggage as a carry-on, the best combo would be to use the backpack for the small item, and the small rolling suitcase for the overhead bin. I have used both duffel bags and suitcases for the carry-on, and the suitcase is the better option, if only for the bathroom portion of the trip. If you need to use the bathroom, finding a hook inside the stall to hang your bag from can be a problem if there's no hook there! The rolling suitcase can stand on its own and is more maneuverable.
The best argument for carry-on is that you don't have to wait for your luggage to be unloaded! You can grab your suitcase or duffel from the overhead bin, exit the plane, and be on your merry way! You don't have to worry about it being manhandled or jostled by baggage handlers or having to wait anywhere from 10-30 minutes for your suitcase to come crashing down onto the carousel, or having someone accidentally grab the wrong back, or even it not showing up at all.
There is also the chance that not enough people choose stow-away luggage. Many flights will offer to stow overhead bin luggage for free if not enough passengers have opted for stowing larger suitcases. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide if you want to take advantage of that offer if it's made available. Also, there are times when, even though you've already passed through TSA and security, your bags will be subjected to being searched before boarding the plane. Even if you don't have anything worth confiscating, they can mess up your packing job or break something.
However, as I mentioned, what comes with you stays with you. You won't be able to leave your carry-on luggage alone, so if you want to explore the terminal or do some shopping, you're gonna be dragging everything around with you. It can make you more tired and add strain to your arms, shoulders or back.
The question you should pose to yourself before choosing this option is if the freedom of keeping track of your luggage at all times is worth having it with you for the duration of your flight.
Benefits of Stow-Away Luggage
The first and most obvious benefit of stow-away luggage is that you can bring more items with you. This option is usually better if the trip you'll be taking will last over a week or if the place you're staying is cold and you need to back extra layers of clothing. Having the extra room can also allow you to splurge on shopping more.
Another benefit to choosing stow-away luggage is that it's taken from you right at the gate. If your flight allows you to have three items of a small bag, overhead bin and stow-away, then your most cumbersome piece of luggage won't be in your way as you traverse the terminals. You'll only have your two items, which I reiterate should be a backpack and a messenger bag, which are much easier to tout and less strain on your body.
Then there is the fact that most stow-away luggage is accepted without being looked through. Any carry-on luggage will be subjected to TSA X-raying, and sometimes even searching between layovers. If you went to Italy and wanted to bring back a bottle of wine from an independent vintner that wouldn't be sold at the airport duty-free, or if you went to Japan and wanted to bring back some fancy weapons that are too expensive to ship home, then using a stow-away suitcase would be ideal. Now keep in mind that I am not telling you to do anything illegal, as taking home alcohol or weapons aren't illegal as long as they're stowed but bringing them in your carry-on will result in the alcohol being confiscated and likely destroyed, and any weapons could get you banned from flying altogether, so I would advise trying to have items like that shipped to your home instead of bringing it with you.
Of course, you can refer to the arguments for carry-on regarding the cons on stow-away, which include damage or loss. Domestic flights have a higher chance of being a one-way trip without needing to stop for layovers, and the odds of your luggage being lost are extremely low. But if you're going between cities or internationally, the odds of loss or damage go up. And you have to wait for the carousel as well.
And don't forget about the requirements for stow-away suitcases. There will often be a fee to allow for checked bags. The fees can, on average, range from $9-$65, and only allow 15-70.5 lbs. weight per bag. Make sure your tickets include a checked bag, and if they don't, that you know exactly how much you'll be paying to have it stowed.
My Verdict
I'll keep it simple: for domestic? Carry-on. International? Stow-away if you're away for 10 days or more, otherwise stick with carry-on as well.
What to Bring for the Flight
I know I've already said this, but I highly advise that one of your two carry-on items be a backpack. It's good to have for the flight portion of your trip so that you can bring immediate sundries with you and can have the extra room for any souvenirs you'll be bringing home.
If your backpack will need to be put in the overhead bin, any immediate items that you would need on hand, such as your wallet, some snacks, and/or a book should be kept in your purse/messenger bag. If you've opted for the carry-on luggage option, you can also use the backpack to store either a folded-up messenger bag or purse for when you arrive at your destination.
After packing those items, you should also bring along these:
Medication
Antibacterial wet wipes or baby wipes (make sure they are suitable for using on skin, don't bring Lysol wipes!)
Kleenex packs
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Deodorant
Hairbrush
Hand sanitizer
Immune system boosters
Battery packs and phone chargers
Water bottle
Neck Pillow
Here are some of the items listed. Dinosaurs are optional but recommended!
These items are just in case your flight is delayed. Delayed flights can be short, being only about an hour or two, or they can strand you for several hours to even a day or two. Keeping these items with you will ensure that you can stay fresh and sanitary during your flight.
Further Explanations
I want to delve into why bringing a book or reading material with you is a smart idea. Many planes offer in-flight entertainment, which can either be in a movie/TV system, or an app where you can stream free entertainment during the flight. However, sometimes this entertainment charged, or the streaming platform is free while the in-flight wi-fi is not. Or which is the case that I have personally experienced, the entertainment system fails. Bringing a book just in case the entertainment system fails or is a rip-off will help keep you occupied.
Then I want to discuss the water bottles. I've gone into the subject before, but I will go deeper into the subject here. You can bring an empty, reusable bottle through TSA and fill it up inside the terminal. They can be filled at the water fountains, or at water bottle filling stations, which are often near the fountains or bathrooms. But if you go for a water bottle with a spout and straw, make sure that you loosen the lid before drinking from it, because the air pressure up in the air can cause the water to shoot out of the spout, getting you or a neighbor all wet!
And finally, the subject of neck pillows. I have tried several different types of neck pillows and I can honestly say that you need to try these out before traveling with them. The wrong type of neck pillow can make your flight more uncomfortable.
Every person is going to have different comfort levels depending on preference or physicality. The most popular brands usually use microbeads or memory foam at differing levels of firmness. If you have any friends or family members who travel regularly and have a neck pillow, ask if you can borrow one (after having been sanitized, of course!) to see if that particular model works best for your needs. And if it works out, you can purchase your own so you can be plenty comfortable!
What to Wear
Comfort should be the number one focus when putting together your outfit for your flight. The next? Neatness. You may be tempted to dress like a slob in pajama pants and an old hoodie, but looking nice will benefit you more than you'd think.
This is what I wore on my most recent flight, and I have numbered the items I'm wearing so you can have a visual aid.
1. Shoes and socks
Shoes are incredibly important to consider before flying. When you fly, your feet and ankles tend to swell, which is completely normal. So, when considering footwear, you want to wear something light that won't constrict your feet and make you even more uncomfortable when your feet do swell.
Footwear you should avoid is sandals and boots. Sandals may be easier to deal with the swelling, but it gets cold up there in the air and you don't want to suffer frozen toes for hours on end, plus you could have foot odor which will make everyone around you miserable.
And boots? If your feet swell in those, you are going to be extremely uncomfortable.
The best bet would be to go for shoes that you can easily slip on and off. You are required through most TSA checkpoints to remove your shoes, so if you have shoes without laces (like in my picture) or flats, you can get through much faster, and the swelling won't be as much of a nuisance.
Now in my picture, I'm wearing 2 pairs of socks. My first pair is compression socks. Compression socks help to stimulate blood flow in your legs since you won't be able to move around and make your blood flow naturally. They can be worn with slip-on shoes and flats. Since I'm wearing slip-on shoes, and it's December, I'm wearing a pair of ankle socks to help keep my feet warm.
For more information on the effects of flying with compression socks, please check out this link.
2. Pants
You will notice that I am wearing black leggings in this picture. These leggings are fleece-lined, and they were the most comfortable pants I've ever worn while flying! They fit over the compression socks without being too constricting, and they kept me warmer than regular leggings.
That's what I'm talking about!
Leggings and yoga pants are a wonderful choice when flying because they allow for more mobility than other types of pants. Jeans can be too constricting, slacks can be too nice to wear in that kind of environment, pajama pants can look tacky, and sweatpants make you look like a slob. Cargo pants are also a decent alternative with all their pockets, provided they are made from a more synthetic fiber.
Another thing you should stay away from is skirts. I have worn skirts over yoga pants and leggings through TSA, and both times I was patted down by an agent. Skirts may add a layer of cuteness, but it's not worth it to be patted down.
3. Tops
Like the pants I'm wearing, the shirt is also fleece lined, and I have a hoodie to be put on later. Fleece lined clothing feels nice against the skin and adds extra warmth when traveling in cold weather. It may work best in the wintertime, but in the summer, wearing a longer sleeved top or light jacket over a tee shirt is a more sensible choice.
Hoodies and/or sweatshirts can be hit or miss depending on the type you're wearing. There are perfectly nice hoodies that you can wear so that you don't look like a slob, and these normally are one solid color, sometimes with a recognizable logo or brand and without any holes. If you would rather choose a different option, try a light jacket with interior pockets, or a nice cardigan.
Another thing to take into consideration is underwear. I've found that sports bras with cups are the comfiest option or wearing a t-shirt bra with no wires. Underwire bras are an absolute no-no! Those will be ridiculously uncomfortable after wearing them for several hours and can set off the metal detector going through TSA. The last thing you need is to have those agents wave that metal-detecting wand in that area.
4. Hair
We've already covered the importance of neck pillows, but what about your hair? You'll notice that in the two pictures I posted of myself that my hair is in different lengths. In the selfie with the neck pillow, my hair is short and worn loosely; in the picture (taken over a year later) with the clothing items, my hair is long and pulled into pigtails.
Hair that is shoulder length or shorter is usually fine worn without being pulled back, but when it's past the shoulders, it can start to get in the way. Pulling longer hair back into a ponytail seems the most logical option but depending on where you tie off your hair it can create a bump in the back of your head, and usually causes that part of your head to ache after a few hours. If you'd rather do a ponytail, try to bring it closer to the top of your head so that the rubber band isn't pressing directly against your skull.
The best types of hairstyles to wear are either pigtails, as displayed in my picture, or a French braid. This way, your hair is pulled out of the way of your face, neck pillow, and clothing. These styles also work if you don't want to wear a hoodie and opt for a beanie or other headwear instead.
The Benefits of Looking Nice
Short answer: the probability of being upgraded goes up. This is a rare event, but from what I've been told from other travelers, and from personal experience, if you try to make yourself a little bit more than simply presentable, you'll look more like you belong in first or business class seats. Now you will undoubtedly find some slobs in first class, but they're the ones that could afford it. If you dress it up a little, and first class has too many open seats, your seat has been sold out from under you (YES, that happens!), you haven't been assigned a seat, or even if you charm a flight attendant, you could find yourself being upgraded.
I did mention that wearing skirts is a no-no. Well, while that may be true, it was also what I was wearing the one time I got bumped up to business class.
On this flight, this is what I was wearing: black yoga pants, a short gray skirt, a black, long-sleeved top, and a light blue cardigan (the cardigan later was removed because it was frickin' humid at my layover in Atlanta!). This was my third of four flights, and I hadn't been assigned a seat for my last leg of the trip. So, after I landed, I met up with the friend who would be joining me to our final destination, and she told me which seat she was in. I went to the gate where we would be leaving and asked the attendant if it were possible to be seated with my friend. He said that he couldn't because the seats near her were already taken.
Then he printed me out a ticket for business class!
Ta-da!!!!
I will return to this story later as another point of it pertains to an upcoming subject of this post.
Snacktime!
In my last post about my experience of flying in this new Covid era, I posted this picture of the snack packages that airlines are handing out to the passengers during the flight.
Here's a reminder in case you forgot, or if you haven't read it
While this is a nice snack pack, if you're going to be flying over a period of several hours, or even a few days, you're going to need something more substantial. Hopefully once this pandemic ends more food options will be served again, but until then, be ready to bring your own food. Try to bring a sandwich that doesn't have any sauces or spreads added but have them in the individual packets to add later so that they don't soak the bread, or bring a single serving pizza, or anything else that you can eat with your hands, or maybe even chop sticks. Whatever you do, do not bring any utensils, whether plastic or metal! You can find yourself banned for life for trying to bring those with you through TSA.
If bringing your own food is too cumbersome, check the airport website to see what restaurants are open and plan accordingly. Once again referring to my previous post, the first airport I left from only had two options to choose from, a natural food restaurant and the basic shop that just had simple (and overpriced) food options (which also closed after I left it), but sometimes even the websites won't be entirely up to date. The choice is ultimately yours if you want to take the initiative or take a chance on the terminal options.
For more information on the approved foods you can bring through TSA, please check out their official website here.
Once you land, if it's been several hours since you left, the first thing you should do is try to find some fruit, or better, all-fruit smoothies. Since you will have been sitting for so long and will likely experience some cramping, the best thing to do is to find some high-potassium fruit, such as bananas. In my opinion, the best thing to do is to find a restaurant that sells smoothies and buy one that has bananas and pineapple with no milk products. Certain fruits may be allowed by TSA, but they sadly don't travel well, so although they are overpriced as all get-out in the airports, they're still usually a better option.
Check out this blog on some ideas of snacks pre- and post-flight here. And whatever you do, do not eat any foods like beans or broccoli before your flight!
Cancellations and Delays
At some point, you will find yourself being delayed, having your flight canceled, or even finding that the airline has overbooked their flight. This supremely sucks. But sometimes you can turn this to your advantage.
The last time I went to Ireland, I had a flight with one layover at JFK, but the layover would only be 2 hours before my connecting flight to Dublin left. This being JFK, a 2-hour layover would be cutting it close. Sure enough, while I chatted with another solo traveler heading for Zambia, we were informed that the flight would be delayed by at least 90 minutes. One woman took this opportunity to throw a fit and go off on how that airline did this continually, while the other solo traveler and I went to the airline phones to try and reschedule.
I spoke with a representative and after explaining my situation, he took the time to try to find me a different flight. Unfortunately, most of the options he found wouldn't get me to Dublin in time to meet with my group, or my luggage wouldn't make it to the plane in time. Anxiety began to rear its ugly head, but then the agent put me on hold for several minutes, then came back with a different option: if I wanted, I could take a 13-hour flight to Amsterdam, have a 2 1/2-hour layover, and then take a 1 hour 45-minute flight to Dublin. That flight wouldn't leave for over an hour, giving me enough time to transfer my luggage and run back to the KLM desk to retrieve my new ticket. I did have to go through TSA again, but I was going to HOLLAND for no extra charge!
Delays are annoying, but the airlines will do everything in their power to make sure you reach your destination if their delay will prevent you from your connecting flight. Cancellations work similarly, in that the airline will find a way somehow. It may be frustrating and annoying, but they won't leave you high and dry.
Another likely event is if your plane is overbooked. And guess what? If you're a solo traveler, you'll probably be approached to give up your seat because hey, that's how the world works. If you aren't traveling with family or a significant other, the most logical choice to ask the single fliers to give up their seat. And here's where you can put yourself in a far better position than before.
If you volunteer to take a different flight, their airline will be very apt to allowing you to do so. But you can also make demands.
You can tell the airline agents that you will willingly give up your seat, but when they book you on your alternate flight, you want a first-class seat. With you giving up voluntarily, they will often honor your request for no extra charge. Or, if the first available flight to your destination won't leave until the next day, ask if they will include free admission to their VIP lounges, or if they will put you up in a hotel for the night. They may not agree to all your requests, but at the very least you should be able to score a free seat upgrade on your rescheduled flight.
And with that, let's segue into the next topic....
Be Nice to the Staff!
Just because you're inconvenienced doesn't mean you have the right to be nasty. If you find yourself in a situation like voluntarily giving up your seat, trying to find an alternate flight, or even trying to secure a seat near a friend, always remember, these agents will respond much better when you are nice. Everything depends on how kind you are to the staff. If you are making demands or requests, make sure you maintain a nice, polite, and respectful demeanor. The more respect you show, the more likely you are to score the best deals for no extra charge.
Let's go back to my story about being upgraded for free to business class as I mentioned earlier. I was dressed up cute, which helped, but I was also polite to the agent. He was clearly not having a good day, so I made it a point to be a little extra nice. When he told me he couldn't seat me near my friend, I did express disappointment with a simple, "aw, bummer." And even though his attitude didn't change much, he still upgraded me for free. I was shocked and overjoyed and thanked him vigorously, and again, his attitude still didn't change much. When I boarded my flight, I made sure to thank him again. I hope that did brighten his day just a little.
If I had responded rudely, he probably would have seated me in the very back of the plane where there were most likely seats still available. By being polite, even though he wasn't in a good mood, he still upgraded me.
Now let's return to when my flight to Dublin was delayed. Before the agent put me on hold, I was becoming a little frustrated, and, dear readers, that is a perfectly understandable reaction. As I've said in my previous post about cancellations, it's okay to be upset, but it's never okay to lash out at the employees. Though I was beginning to freak out, I took a moment to calm myself and explained to him what it was I needed, which was to be in Dublin before 3pm at the latest. Now that he understood my needs, he found me that connecting flight through Amsterdam. I was ecstatic and thanked him emphatically before allowing the next passenger to reschedule. The other solo traveler going to Zambia, she asked me how it turned out since I went from slightly agitated to excited, and I explained my new flight plan. She thought that was cool and explained how she too was rescheduled for a better flight. We parted ways from there with better flights than before. And KLM turned out to be an amazing airline!
Shameless plug, y'all
And now for a story I haven't brought up yet. I flew one-way from Manchester, England, back to San Francisco. It was a long flight, and I was flying Thomas Cooke, which is sadly no longer in operation. The flight attendant in my area was a gentleman, and I made some small talk with him and even tried to tip him when he brought snacks around, which he politely refused. The next time he came around I told him I would like to pay the £5 to use the entertainment system for movies and TV. He said that was all right and he would just allow me to access it for free.
Another example of being nice to the flight staff is from my most recent trip back in December. On my third and final flight, I boarded the plane like normal and made certain to greet the staff as I went to my seat. This flight wasn't very full and I had an entire row to myself, which was awesome, but I also passed out shortly after the plane left the tarmac. When I awoke, we were readying to land, and I found another bag of snacks on the empty seat next to mine! I hadn't expected the attendants to do that since I was sleeping, so I was pleasantly surprised and made sure to thank the attendant when he came by to pick up the trash.
Working in the airline industry can be a very taxing job, and in this era of "the customer is always right," these positions tend to be thankless as well. Your flight attendants will greet you as you board the plane, so always greet them back and show them some respect. They have the ability to go above and beyond for the guests they like, so if you are nice, you could on the receiving end of those perks.
Remember though, that sometimes being nice won't get you anything, and that's ok. The odds of incurring good favor go higher when you are kind and respectful, but it's not a guarantee. The best way of going about this is simply by being genuinely nice and polite without expecting anything back. Believe me, if you're fake nice, they'll know, and you'll likely get nothing. It's when you're nice without expecting anything in return that you have the best chances of landing some sweet extras.
And, in this day and age, it's better to be kind. Everyone can use a little kindness these days!
Get Ready to Fly!
Hopefully we'll be able to start booking these trips we want to take without them being rescheduled soon. If this will be your first solo trip or flight, I hope you can take it feeling more secure! Flying for the first time, whether with other people or by yourself, can be intimidating, so if you are to take only a few pointers from this blog, focus on these: dress comfortably but not like a slob, and be nice without expecting anything in return.
There's an amazing world out there, and getting there can be an enjoyable experience!
Coming up next, I'll be going over my favorite things about Ireland. I've spent the most amount of time there and love so much about it that I feel it's appropriate to go over my reasons for loving it.
Be ready to start booking those trips!
Images Courtesy of Giphy
