Airports aren’t usually known as bastions of fine dining, but there are plenty of exceptions. Amid all the fast food, snacks brought from home, and convenience-store sandwiches, you’ll find a number of excellent eateries at airports all across the country. These sit-down restaurants require more of your time than simply grabbing a snack from Hudson News, of course, but they can be worth your time if you have a couple of hours to spare at the airport. Wondering which restaurants to seek out on your next layover? Here are the 10 best airport restaurants in the country, according to a new survey.

Best of the Best

Eating in airports is an inherently strange experience — between jet lag and time-zone changes, they’re perhaps the only place where you won’t feel weird about eating “dinner” when your body thinks it’s 4 a.m. In some places, though, it can also be strangely comforting. 

To find the best of the best, we turned to USA Today’s ongoing 10 Best series, which recently published a list of the crème de la crème of airport restaurants in the U.S. Nominated by a panel of experts and voted on by readers, the entrants are as far-flung in cuisine as they are geographically.

Topping the list is Landry’s, a Gulf Coast seafood restaurant with locations across the country — including an airport location at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, a major hub for United Airlines. 

The menu includes traditional fare like calamari, fish and chips, and lobster bisque, as well as more interesting offerings such as fried alligator, blackened redfish etouffée, and snow crab. There’s also gumbo, pasta (with and without seafood), and in-house toppings. The Melissa topping comes with sautéed shrimp, scallops, crab, and mushrooms, while the Pontchartrain includes crab, mushrooms, and white wine cream sauce. While you don’t have to be a seafood lover to enjoy Landry’s — especially since they also have cocktails, wine, and beer — it certainly helps.

Landry’s first opened in Lafayette, Louisiana, in 1947 and has been in business ever since. It has more than a dozen locations, most of them in Texas and Louisiana, as well as a few in Missouri, South Carolina, and Florida.

Top 10 Airport Restaurants in the U.S.

From a Creole-Vietnamese crossover in New Orleans to honey chili chicken wings in Northern California, the rest of the top 10 restaurants on this list represent a culinary cross-section that may have you considering a layover next time you fly just to eat a meal. Here’s the full top 10:

• Landry’s Seafood (George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Texas)
• Woody’s at the Airport (Monterey Regional Airport, California)
• Commanders Burgundy & Gold Club (Washington Dulles International Airport, D.C; this location has since permanently closed)
• Cask & Larder (Orlando International Airport, Florida)
• Cigar City Brewing (Tampa International Airport, Florida)
• Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar (George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Texas)
• Osteria (Will Rogers International Airport, Oklahoma)
• MoPho (Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Louisiana)
• Chickie’s & Pete’s (Philadelphia International Airport, Pennsylvania)
• Cat Cora’s Kitchen (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia)

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We’re all looking for ways to make travel days smoother, from packing the latest gear and gadgets to time-saving shortcuts in the security line. But there’s one simple thing travelers can do before even leaving home to reduce stress at the airport: check TSA wait times. Security lines can change dramatically depending on the airport, terminal, season, weather, time of day, and staffing. Here’s how to check current wait times so you can smartly time your airport arrival.

Is the Two-Hour Rule Outdated?

For years, travelers have followed the standard advice to arrive two hours before a domestic flight. This remains good general guidance, but it doesn’t always reflect modern travel realities — particularly in light of the recent government shutdown and TSA staffing issues. At major hubs, two hours may not be enough time these days, but on the flip side, it may be excessive at smaller airports with fewer passengers.

Post-pandemic travel demand has also changed the airport landscape, with record daily passenger traffic. The TSA is busier than ever and consistently sees record numbers of travelers during holidays and other peak travel seasons. Larger crowds, along with disruptions such as construction, staffing shortages, and weather delays, contribute to longer — and more unpredictable — TSA wait times. Rather than relying solely on the traditional two-hour rule, travelers are often better off checking wait times for the specific airport they’re using that day.

How To Check TSA Wait Times

There are several ways to check airport wait times, including the My TSA App, airport websites, airline websites and apps, and third-party websites. Each offers different benefits, along with some limitations. 

My TSA App

One of the most reliable ways to check estimated TSA wait times and travel delays is through the My TSA App, available for mobile devices. Not only can you quickly search for any airport that uses TSA, but you can also see current air traffic control delays for that airport. The app uses historical data based on the specific day of the week and time of travel, and it also tells passengers where to find TSA PreCheck lines.

Users can even create a list of favorite airports for quick access to wait times on their dashboard. Other features include details on prohibited items and security procedures, as well as a live chat feature to speak with a TSA representative. 

One limitation of the My TSA App is that it doesn’t break down wait times by checkpoint or terminal, which may vary greatly at larger or international airports. In this case, passengers may want to check elsewhere, such as airport websites, for more detailed updates.

Airport Websites 

To find TSA wait times for specific terminals, especially at larger airports, head to the airport’s website. For example, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport lists wait times on its home page. Both the regular and TSA PreCheck wait times for each of its five terminals are updated in real time, along with the estimated wait time to clear customs. Similarly, the Miami International Airport website lists wait times for general, priority, TSA PreCheck, and CLEAR lines at all of its checkpoints.

Though not serviced by the TSA, many international airports also list security wait times. London’s Heathrow Airport, for instance, updates wait times every 15 minutes for all four of its terminals. The website also lists customs wait times based on the citizenship or passport type you hold. Similarly, Toronto Pearson International Airport provides live wait times organized by domestic, international, and U.S.-bound terminals. 

Airline Websites and Apps

If you’re having trouble finding wait times for your airport of departure, or simply want a second set of data as confirmation, try checking with an airline. For example, Delta’s website lists wait times broken down by checkpoint for its nine key hubs, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, and Los Angeles International Airport. This information is also available in Delta’s mobile app.

Other carriers provide similar services. In April 2026, United Airlines rolled out a new feature in its app that lets users view TSA security wait times at the airline’s major hubs in seven U.S. cities, including Chicago, Denver, Newark, and San Francisco.

Even if you’re not flying with a specific airline, these tools can still be useful because many carriers typically share the same TSA checkpoints. However, not every airline offers this feature; some, including American Airlines, instead direct travelers to use the MyTSA App.

Other Tracking Sites

Several independent websites also track airport security lines, including Airline Airport and Qsensor, both of which offer detailed information on security wait times, delays, and checkpoint closures. Qsensor offers the most comprehensive monitoring, covering 146 airports worldwide.

Ultimately, when choosing between a third-party site, the TSA app, or an airline website, there is no “best” source. The right choice depends on which airport or airline you’re using and how much detail you want before heading out the door.

Featured image credit: © Ivan Pantic—E+/Getty Images 

Unless you’ve splurged for a lie-flat seat up front, it can be difficult to get proper sleep on a long-haul flight. With tight legroom, limited recline, and bright cabin lights, the best that most passengers achieve is a few hours of fitful rest. But that could soon change. Later this year, one airline is introducing a revolutionary new concept — bunk beds in economy class. Here are all the details.

Introducing Air New Zealand’s Skynest

Air New Zealand currently operates one of the world’s longest flights, a nearly 18-hour route from the airline’s home base in Auckland to New York’s JFK Airport. To make that grueling trek more palatable, starting in late December, the airline will introduce a new upgrade option for economy-class passengers: the Skynest, which Air New Zealand touts as the “world’s first sleep pods in the sky.”

The Skynest will be available as an add-on for economy and premium economy passengers, who can book a four-hour session to leave their regular seat and enjoy an actual bed to sleep in. Located between the economy and premium economy cabins, the Skynest is a cluster of six individual bunk bed pods — three on each side, with a ladder in the center. Each pod measures 6 feet, 8 inches long and up to 25 inches wide. 

The pods will feature privacy curtains, ambient mood lighting, USB charging outlets, and fresh linens refreshed between each passenger’s session. Those who book the Skynest will also receive an amenity kit with an eye mask, earplugs, socks, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and hand cream. Once your session is up, mood lighting will slowly brighten your pod to nudge you awake, but if the lights don’t wake you up, a flight attendant will come tap you on the feet. 

Though the pods have privacy curtains, you’ll still be sharing relatively close quarters with up to five other passengers, so you may want to bring along noise-canceling headphones just in case. There are a few rules to be aware of, too, such as no eating, no playing audio without headphones, and no wearing shoes. Passengers must be 15 or older, and the beds may not be suitable for those with mobility concerns, particularly as the upper-level bunks may require you to climb, bend, or crawl into the pods. 

Cost and Availability

Air New Zealand’s Skynest went on sale in May 2026 for flights beginning in late December. Initially, the product will be available only on flights between Auckland and New York JFK.

The cost to book a four-hour session is currently $495 USD as an add-on to your regular fare. Passengers are allowed to book only one four-hour session per flight. The Skynest is available when booking both economy and premium economy (though not for business class, which already features lie-flat seats). 

According to the airline, the Skynests will be installed on two Boeing 787s to start, with plans to roll out the product to other aircraft and routes in the future. 

Sky Couches Are Another Option

Air New Zealand’s bunk beds in the sky are the first of their kind (at least for passengers — crew members have their own secret bunks hidden away from the rest of the cabin). But if you’re looking for extra comfort to hopefully get a little shut-eye, it’s not your only option.

In 2011, Air New Zealand was also the first airline to introduce economy-class seats that convert into a couch. The Economy Skycouch is a row of economy-class seats that have leg rests that can be raised to a 90-degree angle to create a lie-flat lounging and sleeping area, ideal for couples or families with young children. Like the Skynest, the Skycouch is available as an add-on to your economy fare, though pricing depends on the route.

Other airlines offer a similar option, including United Airlines, which recently became the first U.S. carrier to announce economy seats that turn into couches. Called the Relax Row, the concept will be available on select Boeing 787 and 777 long-haul aircraft beginning in 2027.  

In the meantime, there are a few other helpful hacks, products, and gadgets, from comfortable earplugs to foot hammocks, travel pillows, and even calming pillow spray, that you can pack to help you sleep better on a long-haul flight and arrive at your destination feeling refreshed. 

Riding the rails is one of the best ways to take in the breathtaking views this country has to offer, and Amtrak has long led the charge when it comes to long-haul train journeys in the U.S. But as beautiful as the surrounding scenery may be, the interior of a typical passenger railcar doesn’t scream “luxury.” However, a new company is looking to redefine luxury train travel in the U.S. Here’s a look at this new service, set to hit the tracks later this month.

Private Railcars Make a Comeback

Booking a private train car may seem like a concept straight out of the Gilded Age. Now, though, you don’t have to be a 19th-century industrialist to experience it, thanks to a company called Halloway. The company describes itself as “the first search and booking platform exclusively dedicated to private railcar charters and excursions.” 

Riders can either reserve a spot on a preplanned route, or contact Halloway to charter a private railcar. Halloway doesn’t operate its own train routes; rather, it partners with Amtrak and other rail networks to utilize existing routes. Halloway’s private railcars are tacked on to the back of those trains, but booking a spot on one of these railcars promises a far different experience. Not only will you be isolated from the rest of the riders, but you’ll also be treated to a private, luxurious ride.

Inside the Train Cars

Halloway currently manages a fleet of five private railcars, two of which will operate in tandem on several planned routes in June 2026. The remaining three are available for charter. The cars contain comfortable bedrooms, private lounges, dedicated observation areas, and staff members who will cater to your every need during your journey.

The two train cars planned to operate this month are the Evelyn Henry and the Warren R. Henry. The Evelyn Henry was originally built in 1954 for the Union Pacific Railroad Company, and it features five double bedrooms that can also be configured into four spacious suites. Guests are treated to morning coffee, curated wine tastings, 24-hour laundry, and nightly turndowns. 

The Warren R. Henry railcar, built in 1955 for Union Pacific, serves as the perfect complement. Connected to the Evelyn Henry, it contains a spacious lounge featuring a flat-screen TV and wine bar, a dedicated dining area and private kitchen, plus a second-level observation deck with a glass-dome, swivel chairs, and comfortable couches.

Other railcars that are part of the fleet and available for charter include the Pacific Home, which was built in 1949 and includes 15 bedrooms, and the 1950s-era Blue Ridge Club railcar, which features three bedrooms, a suite, a lounge area for eight guests, and a dining area that can fit 20 people. Lastly, the Santa Fe, built in 1956, sleeps up to eight guests.

Past and Future Routes

Halloway began operations in January 2026. The company’s first trip took passengers from Los Angeles to San Francisco on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight route — a 12-hour journey filled with stunning Pacific views and chef-prepared meals throughout the day. Halloway also operated a train from San Francisco to Denver along Amtrak’s California Zephyr route, taking riders on a scenic trip through the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains.

While it’s been several months since Halloway provided service, there are three planned routes scheduled for June aboard the Evelyn Henry and Warren R. Henry railcars. The first leg departs Chicago, Illinois, on June 16 and arrives in Emeryville, California, on June 18. The second journey leaves Denver, Colorado, on June 24 and returns to Emeryville on June 25. The third option leaves Emeryville on June 27 and arrives in Denver on June 28. Riders on this last trip are welcome to stay aboard and continue on to Chicago the next day for an additional cost.

How Much Does It Cost?

Unfortunately, riding with Halloway doesn’t come cheap. Think of the experience as more like booking a private jet or a suite aboard a luxury cruiseliner.

As for Halloway’s upcoming offerings in June, the first leg from Chicago to Emeryville is already sold out. For the remaining options, prices start at $37,375 and go up to $51,750 based on the length of your journey. This flat cost covers a travel party of up to six guests and allows for exclusive use of both train cars.

As noted above, these private railcars are operated in partnership with Amtrak and other rail providers, so the trains will depart and arrive from Amtrak terminals, and will be subject to the same schedule (and potential delays) as other Amtrak services.

A lot of carry-on rules seem arbitrary. For instance, why can you bring only 3.4 ounces of certain liquids rather than, say, 3.6? But at least one carry-on rule is in place for a reason. For proof, look no further than an Alaska Airlines flight from Wichita to Seattle in February 2026 that had to return to the airport when a passenger’s power bank overheated and caught fire at cruising altitude. As a result of this and a string of similar incidents, many airlines are implementing new policies related to lithium-ion batteries in general and power banks in particular. Here’s what travelers should know.

Power to the Passenger (Within Reason)

Federal Aviation Administration statistics note a total of 724 incidents between March 3, 2006, and May 15, 2026, involving lithium-ion batteries, which are used to power phones, laptops, battery packs, portable chargers, and other electronic devices that countless passengers bring on board every day.

Because of this, as of May 1, 2026, anyone flying on American Airlines has to keep their power banks out of the overhead compartments. The banks must be rated at 100 watt-hours or less and be “within reach and visible while in use,” according to the American Airlines website — which is to say in the seatback compartment or the carry-on bag stowed under the seat in front of them. The reasoning has mostly to do with visibility: Power banks stored in overhead compartments are harder to monitor and easier to forget about, which can slow response times if and when they catch fire.

That’s also why lithium-ion batteries can no longer be placed in checked baggage at all. “All lithium-ion batteries are capable of overheating and undergoing a process called thermal runaway,” the FAA states on its website. “Thermal runaway can occur without warning as a result of various factors, including if the battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged, or improperly packed. Thermal runaway can also occur on its own due to manufacturing defects.”

Other airlines have similar rules in place. As of April 20, 2026, Southwest allows only one lithium-ion power bank not exceeding 100 watt-hours, while United and Delta both allow two lithium batteries up to 160 watt-hours. All three airlines state that batteries, including portable chargers, are not allowed in the overhead bin. These restrictions were put in place following a 2025 FAA alert stating that there had already been 50 incidents involving power banks stored in overhead compartments that year alone. 

Read the Fine Print

The TSA restricts nearly 500 items from commercial aircraft, some of which are banned altogether and some of which can be brought aboard in either checked or carry-on luggage, but not both. 

The extensive list includes, but is not limited to, bear spray (banned altogether), box cutters (checked luggage only), turpentine (banned), spray paint (banned), nunchucks (checked luggage only), and live fish (carry-on luggage only), among hundreds of other items. Most of these are eminently reasonable, even if they make you wonder who the first person was to try (and fail) to bring English Christmas crackers on their flight.

Before traveling, it’s always a good idea to check the TSA’s helpful “What Can I Bring?” webpage to make sure you follow the latest guidelines. 

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Checking in or lining up to board a flight may feel like the start of a traveler’s time with an airline. But in reality, airline staff already have a surprisingly detailed snapshot of every passenger before they even set foot on the jetway. Cabin crew and gate agents often use technology that shows much more than just the name of the person who’s ticketed for the flight. Here are six things airlines usually know about you before you board the plane.

Your Behavior

By the time boarding begins, airline staff may already have a sense of a passenger’s behavior — not just from that specific flight, but from previous flights, too. Incidents such as disruptive behavior or noticeable intoxication can be logged and attached to a passenger’s reservation profile, giving crew useful context if similar issues should arise again. That might mean someone is monitored more closely during a flight, or it may simply influence how quickly an issue is escalated if something does happen. 

Airlines deal with thousands of disruptive passenger incidents each year. While rates have dropped significantly from the peak in 2021, there were more than 1,600 reported in 2025 alone, according to the FAA. Staff are trained to watch for signs of agitation or distress at the gate before anyone even steps onto the plane.

If You’re Celebrating

Airlines already have basic passenger details as part of each booking, including, of course, a person’s date of birth. In some cases, that information is displayed on the flight attendants’ tablet or smartphone on board. Airlines such as JetBlue even use a birthday cake icon on their seat map to indicate someone who is travelling on their big day.

But although airline staff may know it’s your birthday, milestones aren’t always automatically acted on. United Airlines, for instance, leaves it to the discretion of flight attendants to decide whether a passenger might appreciate that kind of acknowledgment or prefer to remain anonymous. If they do choose to acknowledge a passenger’s birthday, United flight crews have been known to offer passengers a complimentary snack and drink and even a note or card. 

Your Value as a Passenger

When you’re a member of an airline’s loyalty program, you often get to enjoy perks such as airport lounge access, preferred seat selection, free checked bags, and priority boarding. Your frequent flyer status, how often you fly, and whether you hold a co-branded credit card are all also visible to staff. 

This data may influence how any potential issues get handled for the passenger. When flights are delayed or canceled, for example, loyalty members may get quicker direct contact with customer service to get rebooked first or priority for limited seats. Sometimes loyalty passengers will receive extra attention on board, too. This could include a simple thank you for your patronage or an acknowledgment of your many miles flown.

If You Need Additional Support

When you book a flight, you can usually indicate any requests for assistance or notes about your specific needs. That information should be visible to the airline staff on the ground and in the air, so it shouldn’t take more than a quick check-in with staff for information or reassurance once you’re at the gate.

These notes may include requests for mobility support, medical considerations, food allergies, or traveling with a service animal. Those details are flagged in the booking system, so staff can see them at a glance and prepare ahead of time. Just make sure they’re noted in advance — some airlines ask that these requests be made from 72 hours to a minimum of 24 hours ahead of your flight.

How Your Travel Day Has Been

Your boarding pass might show a single flight, but airlines are often looking at the full trajectory of your travel day. If you’ve already dealt with delays, missed connections, or last-minute rebookings, that information tends to follow you through the system. In some cases, gate agents and cabin crew are aware when a passenger has had a grueling journey before arriving on board.

This knowledge doesn’t guarantee anything specific, but it may influence how situations are handled — for instance, prioritizing a seat change, offering extra time during boarding, or trying to make the rest of the trip a little smoother by easily accommodating any requests a passenger might have.

What You Like To Order

Airlines are increasingly using loyalty data to build a sense of passenger preferences over time. Depending on the carrier, this can include things like onboard purchases or repeated service choices — what you tend to drink, whether you usually order food, or even if you consistently decline it. This might mean a frequent passenger could have their usuals offered to them more quickly. Or for premium cabin customers, they may have services such as their correctly sized in-flight pajamas ready to go as soon as they board.

While some countries still prefer cash, cashless purchases are becoming increasingly common around the globe. Both customers and merchants are relying more than ever on credit cards and digital wallets. But despite the added convenience and security, there’s one potential downside to paying by credit card that international travelers should be aware of. Here’s how to avoid paying more than necessary when tapping a card overseas.

The Important Currency Question

When you pay by credit card in a foreign country, you’ll typically be asked on the payment terminal or by the employee helping you which  currency you prefer to use. You’ll have two choices: paying in your home currency (e.g., U.S. dollars if you live in the U.S.) or paying with the local currency of the country in which you’re making the purchase.

Many travelers opt to pay using their home currency, and while that may make sense from a convenience perspective, they actually end up paying more than they would have paid if they’d chosen the local currency. Many merchants use a technology called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) to convert transactions from local currency to the currency of the customer’s home country.

The issue is that the exchange rates for DCC are set by either a third-party service or a foreign bank, and are typically marked up several percentage points higher than the fair going exchange rate. Ostensibly, this is so the merchant can cover the cost of any transaction fees, but merchants often set a higher rate to increase their profit on each transaction. Travel expert Rick Steves warns that paying in home currency may end up costing you up to a 20% markup.

The same goes for withdrawing money from a foreign ATM with your debit card: While it may be tempting to withdraw money in USD (since it gives you a precise total for how much cash you’re withdrawing), this process is also subject to the same inflated fees and exchange rates.

Always Pay in Local Currency

Paying in local currency is highly recommended no matter where you travel, as the exchange rates for making a purchase in local currency are less predatory. That’s because the exchange rates are set by your bank and credit card company back home, meaning they’re more in line with the market exchange rate. The same goes for using an ATM — always withdraw money using local currency.

One potential downside with paying in local currency is that you may have a vague idea of how much you’ve spent, but you won’t know the precise amount until you examine your credit card statement later on. But for most travelers, the cost savings are worth this mild inconvenience. You’ll end up saving a few percentage points on each transaction, which can total a good chunk of cash by the end of your trip. 

Pro tip: When traveling overseas, always use a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, if possible. These fees average around 3% per transaction, but many credit cards waive such fees. (Though you’ll typically pay an annual fee with such cards, there are usually other perks and benefits to offset the cost.) 

Lastly, if you’re not explicitly asked what type of currency you’d like to pay in, you can rest easy, as the default in such situations is to process transactions in local currency.

Featured image credit: © Oscar Wong—Moment/Getty Images

For some travelers, the moment a plane starts descending, ears begin to feel blocked, uncomfortable, or painful. This is a common issue, and it’s a result of how the body responds to changes in air pressure. The good news is that there are plenty of simple tips to help unclog your ears on a plane — or better yet, prevent it from happening in the first place.

Why Do Ears Get Clogged on Planes?

First, let’s take a look at the science behind why ears get clogged or blocked on flights. Inside each of your ears is a small passageway called the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of your throat. Its job is to equalize pressure on both sides of each eardrum. 

During a flight, especially during takeoff and landing, cabin pressure changes quickly. If the Eustachian tubes don’t open fast enough to balance the pressure, ears can feel clogged or blocked. The experience of a clogged ear can range from a mild sensation to a sharp pain to muffled hearing. Everyone’s ears equalize during a flight, but those who have recently had a cold, a sinus infection, an ear infection, or allergies, or who naturally have narrow Eustachian tubes, are more prone to discomfort. 

Tips To Prevent Clogged Ears on a Plane

Preventing ear pain is all about helping your ears adjust to pressure changes more easily during altitude shifts. There are a few simple and natural ways to help your ears equalize, according to Dr. Ana Kim, associate professor of otolaryngology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. On your next flight, try:

• Swallowing frequently or sipping water slowly during ascent and descent
• Chewing gum or sucking on candy
• Yawning intentionally to activate the Eustachian tube
• Gently pinching your nose, closing your mouth, and blowing lightly (the Valsalva maneuver)

If all else fails, try the hot cup method: Ask your flight attendant for a cup with a hot, damp paper towel or napkin inside and hold it over your ear. The warmth could help to relax and open up the Eustachian tubes.

Useful Products

We’ve also found several helpful products you can purchase to help if you suffer from chronically clogged ears on a flight. 

• EarPlanes earplugs are specially designed with filters to slow cabin pressure changes on your inner ear and reduce pain and discomfort during flight. 
• Otovent is a medical device for which you blow up a small balloon with your nose, creating pressure in your nasal passages. This helps open the Eustachian tubes and move air through to balance the pressure.
• Saline sprays can help keep your nasal passages moist and clear. They don’t contain medication, so they’re gentle and can be used before or during a flight.

Over-the-Counter Medicines

Lastly, there are over-the-counter medications you can try to help prevent sinus pressure and blocked ears on a flight. These can be especially helpful if your ears are more prone to discomfort, but always consult a doctor before using any medicine. 

• Decongestant tablets, when taken before flying, can help reduce nasal and sinus congestion, making it easier to equalize your ears.
• Nasal decongestant sprays work more quickly than tablets and can be used right before takeoff or landing. They’re effective in the short term but shouldn’t be used for more than a few days in a row.
• Antihistamines can be helpful if allergies are the main cause of your congestion. By reducing allergic reactions, they can also help keep your nasal passages clear during the flight.

Have you ever wondered what happens to your bag after you check it at the ticket counter? Much of its journey relies on that small slip of paper the agent attaches to your bag. It contains a barcode that gives your bag its own unique number, along with details like your name, the name of the airline, and each flight that you’ll take. If all goes according to plan, as it does in the majority of cases, you’ll be reunited with your belongings on schedule. But sometimes things go awry, and bags get lost. The good news is that there’s one simple step you can easily take to reduce the chance of that happening. 

Baggage Mishandling Rates Are Falling

Around 5 billion passengers flew globally in 2025. According to a report published by SITA, a baggage handling specialist that operates in more than 2,800 airports, that’s an 8.2% rise in traffic over the prior year — but despite more bags on planes, the rate of mishandled baggage actually declined 8.7%. Since 2007, SITA reports that the proportion of lost or delayed bags has dropped by 67%. That’s good news for passengers overall, but unfortunately, millions of bags are still mishandled each year, costing travelers time, stress, and added expenses — and costing airlines around $5 billion. 

How Baggage Tags Work

So, what happens to the small percentage of bags that are mishandled each year? To start, let’s take a look at how the process is supposed to work. 

A series of conveyors, human agents, and, in some cases, even robots ensure that your bag moves correctly through the airport after you check it in. At each step of the journey, the baggage tag is scanned, and its progress is updated in the airline’s system. Along the way, this same process directs it through X-ray machines and scanners so that the contents can be screened for security purposes. 

According to Airways magazine, the reason most bags are mishandled is that they miss a scan along the way for whatever reason. This is more likely to happen during a layover — transfer mishandling is the biggest reason for delayed bags, responsible for 41% of cases, according to SITA (a good reason to book a nonstop flight if possible).

The Role of the Stubbie

After staff at check-in attach the main baggage tag to your backpack or suitcase, they will stick on another label, commonly referred to as a stubbie. Just like the main tag, the stubbie contains the details of your flight. It acts as a backup if the main tag gets accidentally detached from your bag during the transit process. 

However, the stubbie is significantly smaller and therefore far easier to overlook. You might have one on your bag from a previous trip and not notice it as you deposit your bags at the airport — particularly as increasing numbers of airlines are resorting to self check-in procedures where you tag and drop your own bag. 

Why You Should Always Remove Old Tags

As baggage tags and stubbies contain information about a specific journey, having more than one on a bag that’s making its way through the baggage handling system could be problematic. If the wrong tag or stubbie is scanned, your bag could end up at the wrong destination or, worse, lost altogether. According to SITA, 4% of mishandled bags are due to errors with tagging.

That’s not a huge number, but it’s not nothing — and it takes only a minute to make sure you remove all previous bag tags. And don’t forget about the stubbie, which is smaller and easier to miss.

Other Baggage Tips

In addition to the airline tag with the barcode, the experts at SITA told Afar magazine that you should attach a written baggage tag with your name and contact information on both the outside and inside of your luggage. Most travelers simply place a tag on the outside, but it’s a good idea to have your information inside the luggage too, in case the tag falls off.

Another useful tip is to make sure your luggage is unmistakably yours. Many bags look alike, which could make yours hard to track down in the event it’s mishandled. We’ve compiled a few ideas here on how to make your luggage stand out.

Lastly, we always recommend placing an Apple AirTag or similar Bluetooth tracking device in your checked bag, so you can keep tabs on the status of your luggage in real time throughout your trip.