Finding savvy travel hacks online can make your holiday planning seamless and stressfree – but there is one hack experts urge people never to follow as it could spoil your trip
Social media is full of quirky travel hacks – but there is one trend experts are urging people not to follow.
The ‘last to board’ hack comes with the logic that by hanging back means you will be able to spot the free seats and hopefully bag some extra leg room. It also claims you can avoid the hassle of standing in the aisle while everyone else finds their place.
The internet is full of clever hacks that can make your holiday preparations a breeze such as packing tricks and how to skip long airport queues, and while the last to board trend may seem tempting, it could backfire in ways that may ruin your trip according to an expert.
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Travel expert Silvena Nonev from Scandinavia Private Tours said a lot of people think waiting until the end is a “clever move” but it’s actually a “far less glamorous” reality. “One of the biggest issues is luggage space. By the time you get on board, most passengers will have already filled the overhead bins.
“That leaves latecomers scrambling to find room wherever they can, which often means their bag ends up several rows away from them,” she said.
But it doesn’t stop there, as if there is no space left at all, passengers risk being told to check in their cabin bag at the gate. “That’s when things really become inconvenient,” she continued. “You lose access to your essentials during the flight and you’ll have to wait at baggage claim once you land. It’s hardly the relaxing start people have in mind when they’re heading off on holiday.”
She also said many travellers don’t consider until it’s too late. Airlines have the right to reassign seats if needed, and boarding late makes you a prime candidate for being moved around.
Silvena warned: “You might find yourself asked to swap so families can sit together or so that airline staff can balance the cabin. If you’ve paid extra for a particular seat, or you were hoping for peace and quiet, losing it can be very frustrating.”
Instead, Silvena said preparation is key. “Many airlines offer priority boarding for free if you’re a member of their loyalty programme, and even some credit card companies provide perks like early boarding. Making use of these options gives you the advantage without the chaos of last-minute boarding.”
She also recommends using booking tools wisely. “You can often select your preferred seat in advance, whether that’s extra legroom in the exit row or a quiet spot at the front. There are even websites that review seat layouts for different aircraft, so you can make the best choice depending on your flight length.”
And for those worried about overhead luggage space, she has a simple solution. “If you pack a smaller bag that can slide under the seat in front, you’ll never be forced to check it in. It’s worth thinking carefully about what you really need for the flight.”
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