13 SECRET AIRPORT HACKS That Work in 2026 (NOBODY talks about these!)

One thing I do to avoid with my boarding pass on my phone is to take a screen shot of it. So, even if you can't access Wi-Fi you always have it!

I was a customer service agent for American a few years back. And had a young lady came back to me in a panic after checking her bag. She dropped her phone before getting to TSA lines and it broke completely. So her mobile boarding pass could not show at all. So a paper boarding pass is a great backup.

When I traveled in August 2023, in Boston Southwest Airlines did not let you have a sling, a backpack and a carryon, you had to pack the sling. Two items only

For long flights I prefer to sit in the aisle seat, because I am amazed at how quickly people fall asleep and some sleep most of the flight. As a long haul trucker for my working life I've trained myself not to fall asleep sitting up. Flying from Canada to Thailand is brutal for me and sitting in the aisle seat allows me to get up and stretch without climbing over my seat partners.

Megan, I like the hack about setting an alarm an hour in advance…..but I would recommend setting it for an hour before the posted “boarding time,” rather than departure time. Well, at least in larger or unfamiliar airports, anyway.

Booked a flight from Toronto to Helsinki with Icelandair and took advantage of their 7 day layover in Iceland. On my return flight from Helsinki to Iceland the airline changed my departure time later by 7 hours. Basically lost a whole day of my trip. I contacted Icelandair to complain as NO notice was given and I only found out when I confirmed my flight (they never contacted passengers). I had to cancel my airport pickup, afternoon tour, etc. As compensation I received $900 Canadian - more than my whole flight cost. Good compensation rates with European airlines. Horrible with Air Canada.

Hi Megan I'm from Australia I went to Vegas had 2 large suit cases so full I new coming home my cases were going to be over the limit . As I had been to Vegas previously I knew there was a curb side check in. As soon as the shuttle bus dropped my mum and I at the United airlines I went straight to curbside gave him a nice smile and a $10 note and spoke politely he put my bags threw gave us our tickets with a smile I said thank you and have a lovely day. I think he knew they were over the limit but put them threw. I was so happy as I knew it would have cost me at the counter. God bless that gentlemen. Thank you Megan for your great videos.🇦🇺💞💞

I spent a week in the Amazon jungle. Our return was delayed and and there was no time to shower before going to the airport. The longe shower was a life saver and I'm certain my fellow passangers appreciated it too.

As for personal wear, consider using a Scotty vest, jacket or vest. They provide mini pockets in some of their models that can take many items. Then you just take the jacket off and have it scanned

I fly AA regularly, and they're pretty strict about the one carry-on and one personal item rule. The only thing I notice is people who are carrying huge bags and stuffing them into the overhead bins.

When I go I leave from home with the bare minimum of watch, keys, and wallet in my pockets. I check that all metal items, including belt, are in my carry on so I can quickly go through the scanners. I also only have clothes in the main compartment and all small items in the outside zippered compartment. Have your pocket items in your hand, five people in advance, so you can just drop it in when you get to the bins.

Excellent tips Megan! At DFW I have enjoyed the American Airlines Admirals Lounge when traveling internationally so that I can relax, eat and take a another shower before the flight, however right next to that lounge is the Capital One Lounge which I consider to have better food and is nicer aesthetically... Love your videos...!

Our youngest splurged for a lounge pass for his father and me. The three of us relaxed and had a lovely soup and salad at DFW.

Flight Aware is so useful when expecting and or just tracking a loved ones flight. And yes, for sure, check the gate again close to expected boarding time.! I almost ended up in a line to a different continent when I arrived at gate and found it had changed then had to scramble like mad to find my gate!

best advice is driving up to airport - use arriving lanes for early AM! Awesome.

Also, if you’re picking someone up, pick them up outside the Departure area…..no crowds. Avoid Arrivals!

Just came back through MIA. Arriving there we discovered that not only were many elevators closed but so were the restrooms in the baggage handling areas. A real mess, for sure! On return our flight departures changed to later twice. Then slowly the times became earlier and earlier, albeit only by 3-5 minutes each of those 3-4 times. I’d never seen that happen before and thought that if I’d been in a lounge it might have been a bit trickier too.

0:24 as a cab driver that does a lot of airport drop offs, I have to point out that certainly in most UK airports, this is not possible any more, a cab company can get banned from the airport for doing this, also, London Airpots charge a minimum of £5 for a drop off, and want to make the money

Glad to be watching your videos. I have a trip in a few months, visiting my brother. It’s been 7 years since I last got on an airplane, so any tips before my trip have been more than helpful, especially for a carry-on only flight.

Always tip curbside.