A Jetsetter’s Guide to Smart Business Travel: Air Travel Edition
Strap in, frequent fliers and retailers of travel-sized essentials, because we’re about to uncork the fine champagne of advice for the business traveler par excellence. Mastering the art of business air travel is not just about checking in your luggage and rewarding yourself with an in-flight beverage with a miniature umbrella—it’s about perfecting your knack for the game and refining your strategies until you’re the undisputed champ of the airport layover.
Booking Like a Pro
Your business trip starts with booking your ticket, and here, timing is everything. Sign up for fare alert emails or download an app like Hopper to monitor ticket prices and make your move when prices drop. Business air travel needn’t be synonymous with exorbitant prices!
Additionally, try favoring red-eye or mid-afternoon flights. They might not fall at opportune moments, but your wallet will thank you, and, hey, what are naps for, right?
Airport Time: Less Queue, More You
Skipping the check-in line by printing your boarding pass at home is Pre-K level advice. Now, we’re breaking out the graduate-level stuff. Enroll in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry to fast-track through security. If you’re a frequent international traveler, that Global Entry can cut down cumulative hours in line into just minutes!
Carry-On: Surviving in Style
Ernest Hemingway could pack so light he could fit his luggage in a matchbox (probably). As a suave business traveller, you too should subscribe to the policy of packing light. Swap out that bulky carry-on for a sleek laptop case. You’ll save on baggage fees, zip through security, and have space for that essential hardcover copy of Sun Tzu’s ‘The Art of War’.
Frequent Flyer Programs: Rewards in the Sky
Not yet part of a frequent flyer program? You’re leaving free money on the tarmac. Airlines reward you for loyalty. Miles may be exchanged for free upgrades, companion fares, hotel stays, rentals, merchandise, even cash. Loyalty will literally catapult you into the high life. Look for a program that suits your travel style and watch as the perks pour in.
Keeping Up With Connectivity
While the idea of being disconnected from the world might sound somewhat refreshing, it could also mean unattended clients, missed opportunities, and piled up emails. To avoid these perils, pre-book your in-flight Wi-Fi. Many airlines offer this at a discounted rate if purchased in advance, so you can stay connected even while cruising at 37,000 feet.
Layovers: From Lament to Love
Layovers can be a tiresome interruption or, with a change of perspective, a brief vacation. Instead of resigning yourself to uncomfortable airport seats, consider a temporary airline lounge membership. They provide comfy seating, free food, Wi-Fi, and sometimes even showers. Sure, it can be an added expense, but consider it an investment for rejuvenation and productivity.
As the modern adage goes, business air travel doesn’t have to be all about the destination. It can also be about the journey. So here’s to you, ye road (or rather, air) warriors, may your flights be swift, your Wi-Fi strong, and your frequent flyer rewards ever fruitful.
