Why you should turn left at the airport – travel expert on how to skip the queues

As we approach the peak of the holiday season, a travel expert shared his best hacks on how to avoid unnecessary delays this summer. From the secret psychology behind airport queues to harnessing the power of technology, Eurocamp travel expert Lewis Martin offers his advice.

He said: “As we start preparing for the summer holidays, the recent problems with electronic gates are an understandable concern among keen holidaymakers. While some delays are simply unavoidable, they shouldn’t dampen spirits too much as savvy travelers can take steps to overcome them with simple and straightforward hacks.

“In the event of delays, passengers should always remember to keep in touch with their holiday suppliers and check their travel insurance policies to keep any worries at bay.”

Lewis’ tricks for beating delays this summer

Embrace your inner “airport dad”.

While a travel wallet may not be the most stylish of travel accessories, it may just be the secret to success.

Be more of an “airport dad” and make sure the documents needed by the whole family (passports, visas, tickets) are easily accessible and in one place, like a handy travel wallet.

This will help you avoid delays at security checkpoints and, most importantly, avoid the stress of rummaging through your bags so you can transition smoothly to the start of your vacation.

Keep out of reach of children

Children and travel documents are not a good combination. The slightest damage to the biometric chip or personal information pages on your passport can spell e-gate disaster. So as tempting as it may be, it’s always safer to avoid giving your little ones passports to carry.

“Appy days

There’s a reason they say “there’s an app for that”! Be tech savvy and use apps and technology to your advantage.

Most airlines have their own apps that can give you up-to-date information about your trip. Airports also often have up-to-the-minute details on their websites, which can keep you informed of any delays.

Download weather apps to track the forecast and find the app or website for local transport network providers if your journey to and from the airport relies on public transport.

Secret psychology

In the event of long queues at security checks or e-gates, you may be faced with multiple streams of passengers to choose from. However, you can gain a hidden advantage by leveraging a simple psychological hack.

Studies show that since the majority of the population is right-handed, most people will turn right when given the choice, which means that left-hand queues often tend to be slightly faster. So remember, when in doubt – and in the wise words of Beyonce – “left, left”!

Have a backup plan

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail! Be prepared for any twists and turns in your journey and make sure you have backup plans for each leg of your journey.

This includes backup options for your airport transportation, whether it’s by public transportation or taxi. Checking your regular route to the airport for roadworks the day before is a great way to avoid any surprises.

The early bird catches the worm

It may seem obvious, but making sure you arrive at the airport on time is crucial to combating the impact of any delays you may encounter.

While for shorter journeys tourists may allow a little less time at the airport, we advise that regardless of where you are travelling, passengers should arrive at least two hours before their flight time.