For us, and for you, preparation is an important factor in ensuring a successful journey. To help you be prepared, we would like to offer some suggestions on how you can 'travel smart' on your next trip.
Click on a topic below for more details and suggestions for each stage of your journey:

• Before you fly
• At the airport
• On board

Before you fly

Plan ahead. Pre-arrange transfers, hotel accommodation, and other elements of your journey with your travel agent.

Know your options. Many travellers find it's important to pay as much attention to options for returning home as options for getting there. This way, should your plans change for any reason during your journey, you'll already be somewhat familiar with all the alternatives.

Make copies of your passport, traveller's cheques, credit cards, itinerary, and airline tickets. Carry one copy with you and leave one copy and your overseas contact details with a person you designate as your emergency contact.

Bring with you the address and phone number of your country's embassy, High Commission or consulate for each country you plan to visit.

Pack any regular medication in your hand luggage, and ensure you have an adequate supply for the duration of your trip (please note: needles cannot be carried in hand luggage unless medical documentation can be provided).

Make sure you check your home is secure before you go on holiday. Almost half of all burglaries happen when a flat or house is empty.

At the airport

Heightened security measures have increased the time needed at the airport and the variety of security measures you may encounter. The following tips may help smooth the process.

Allow extra time:
We suggest you arrive at the airport in plenty of time to catch your flight:
At least one hour before your flight's scheduled departure for domestic destinations.
At least two hours before your flight's scheduled departure for international destinations.
Please allow extra time if you are travelling with young children, infants, or persons with disabilities.

Pack carefully:
Avoid packing your carry-on bags tightly so that it is easier for security personnel to check them.
Check your standard checked baggage allowance and ensure that you have included your name and contact details on tags outside and inside your baggage.
When travelling to and from North America, the Transportation Safety Administration recommends you do not lock your checked baggage, as security may need to open your luggage to complete security checks.
Pay attention to what you're bringing with you. Please note that you cannot carry sharp items in your carry-on bags.
Certain items should not be carried on an aircraft because of the danger they represent. Many of these items are commonly used at work or home, but may become a hazard in flight due to changes in temperature and pressure. Check what are considered restricted baggage items.

Ensure your personal information is accurate and complete:
Be sure to have a valid passport and any required Visas. You may be asked to provide your passport and boarding card at subsequent points, such as at the gate or security checkpoints.

Be prepared for security checkpoints:
Only ticketed passengers are allowed beyond the security checkpoints, except for those with specific medical or parental needs.
All electronic items, such as laptops and mobile phones, will be subjected to additional screening. Be sure to remove your laptop from its travel case so that both can be X-rayed separately.
Keep your ticket, boarding pass, and ID within easy reach.
Wear shoes that can be taken off and put back on relatively easily.
Limit the amount of jewellery or other metal objects that you wear, and remove all metal objects prior to passing through the metal detectors in order to facilitate the screening process.
Allow plenty of time to get to your gate.

On board

Try not to sit still for too long. When convenient, get up and move about the cabin and stretch your arms and legs every so often.
Go for the light bite. Eat a light meal and drink plenty of water. Go easy on alcohol, coffee and tea.
Sleep it off. Help your body cope better when travelling to new time zones by taking every opportunity to sleep en route. Every little nap will help. And don't forget to remove your contact lenses before you sleep.

We hope these tips will be of assistance on your next journey.