- I travel once a month for both work and pleasure and have taken over 47 flights on my own.
- Flying alone used to make me nervous, but I've developed a system to ensure my travels go smoothly.
I was 18 the first time I flew alone on an international flight from New York City to Dublin.
Since then, I've flown alone at least 47 times, preferring solo travel over traveling with a companion. In fact, I tend to fly somewhere new and exciting at least once a month for both work and pleasure.
When I first started flying alone, I was definitely a hot mess. I was anxious about everything from getting lost in the airport to wondering which strangers I'd sit next to.
Now, I have a system that works for me to ensure a smooth solo-flight experience every time. Here are my nine best tips for flying alone.
Sign up for loyalty programs
Many airlines offer independent loyalty programs, most of which are free to join. Throughout my travels, I've gotten free upgrades on oversold flights, complimentary lounge passes and checked bags, and priority boarding.
JetBlue's TrueBlue program is fantastic, and I've even earned a few free flights through my solo trips with them.
Lufthansa also has a great loyalty program for international trips, which allows you to earn points with partner airlines.
Don't forget to purchase Global Entry
Global Entry is a program that allows for expedited entry into the US. It allows me to breeze through the immigration line when returning to the US and helps me to get out the door within 20 to 30 minutes of deplaning.
Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck, which means shorter, quicker security lines and reduced TSA requirements. With PreCheck, I can keep liquids in my bag and usually don't have to take my shoes off when going through security.
Because I travel frequently, the $100 fee pays for itself. Even if you're not a frequent traveler, it's a solid investment since the membership lasts five years.
Opt for just a carry-on instead of checked luggage
Unless you need to check your bag for a specific reason, everything you need can usually fit in a carry-on and a personal item. In fact, I've even done monthlong trips without checked luggage.
Carry-ons are way more efficient and save me a lot of time and money at the airport. I never pay baggage fees, don't have to worry about my luggage getting lost, and avoid long check-in lines when arriving at the airport.
Splurge on a more comfortable seat
When I'm traveling alone, and my flight is longer than two hours, I'll pay extra for a specific seat to ensure I won't be cramped or uncomfortable for the duration of my trip.
Find a quiet corner to decompress near your gate
Flying on my own means I have more freedom to manage my time at the airport. Before my flight, I like to find a quiet area to decompress, catch up on work, or do some mindfulness exercises.
I keep my headphones off to listen for gate announcements and set a timer for 20 minutes before the gate closes to ensure I don't miss my flight.
Ask about upgrade options at the gate
It never hurts to ask for an upgrade, depending on which airline you're flying with. I like to ask at the gate because agents know which seats are empty and are aware of any potential upgrades that may be available.
Single seats are more likely to be available, which gives me an advantage as a solo traveler. I can't always get away with a business-class upgrade, but sometimes, I can score a seat with extra legroom.
Board the plane last
I always try to board the plane last so that I can be on the lookout for any open seats. I use sites like ExpertFlyer to preview seat maps and get a sense of how full the plane is before boarding.
I've gotten entire rows to myself on international flights this way, which is a huge help if I want to get some extra rest.
If I find an unassigned seat, I politely ask flight attendants if I can move there once the seatbelt sign has been turned off. Sometimes, these are reserved for crew members, so it's always good to check before plopping myself down.
Pack your personal item with anything you may need during the flight
Because my personal item has a ton of space, I pack three separate kits with everything I will need during the flight.
The first is for electronics such as charging cords, external batteries, wireless headphones, a Bluetooth receiver, and a phone clip (which makes watching movies much easier if in-flight entertainment isn't available).
Another contains toiletries like chapstick, moisturizer, concealer, and a sheet mask.
Finally, I always keep a third kit containing essential medical items like my prescriptions, nasal spray, antacids, ibuprofen, and anti-diarrheal drugs (one of my biggest fears is being violently ill on a long-haul flight).
I also bring a reusable water bottle, foldable slippers, an eye mask, and a scarf that can act as a blanket in case I get cold.
Skip the in-flight meal
I always sleep much better on a plane if I skip the in-flight meal. These are usually loaded with sodium, making me dehydrated, bloated, and just plain uncomfortable.
Instead, I'll pack snacks like pretzels, candy, nuts, and sliced fruits and veggies to avoid getting hungry mid-flight.