Mistakes Travelers Make On Short Flights

Travelers understandably spend more time preparing for long-haul air travel than they do for one- or two-hour flights. But that doesn’t mean they’ve got it all figured out when it comes to those shorter plane voyages.

With that in mind, HuffPost asked travel experts to share the common mistakes travelers make on short flights, as well as their advice for avoiding these errors. From forgetting crucial supplies to being unprepared for an often-smaller aircraft, here are some issues to keep in mind.

“Certain smaller aircraft that operate shorter flights also might not have all the charging options ― USB ports, power plugs ― that you might expect on larger, longer-haul planes, so be sure your devices are charged ahead of boarding to make sure you don’t run out of juice mid-flight,” said Eric Rosen, director of travel content at The Points Guy.

In addition to charging your devices before the flight, consider traveling with a portable power bank as backup.

“One common mistake I see travelers make on short flights is getting too comfortable ― taking off shoes, sleeping too deeply,” said Gabby Beckford, founder of the travel site Packs Light.

She emphasized that what’s expected on a long overnight flight might be a disservice on a short-haul journey.

“It’s a short flight!” Beckford said. “You’ll just end up scrambling when it’s time to deplane.”

“These days, it’s not uncommon to be stuck on the tarmac longer than expected or to experience a cancellation or delay,” noted Jessica van Dop DeJesus, founder and editor at The Dining Traveler. “Make sure to pack snacks and water.”

Short flights don’t always offer full beverage or snack service, especially if there’s a lot of turbulence, so don’t depend on that cart for sustenance.

“I cannot count the number of times I’ve said ‘It’s a short trip, I’ll eat later,’” said travel blogger Sean Lau. “Unfortunately, in-flight food often tastes bad and costs an arm and a leg, and there’s no guarantee of service on shorter routes. My advice is to take the time to eat before your flight or bring your own snacks. Better yet, sign up for services like Priority Pass and take advantage of the food and drinks in airport lounges before departure!”

“Always…