How to Never Miss a Flight: Smart Travel Tips

BEST AIRPORTS
Top-Ranked Airports for 2025: Best and Worst Worldwide Revealed

AirHelp ranked the world’s best and worst airports based on on-time performance, customer service, and food options, surveying 13,500 travelers from June 2024 to May 2025. Cape Town Airport topped the list with high scores in punctuality, service, and amenities. Doha’s Hamad Airport and Bergen Flesland Airport in Norway also ranked highly. Conversely, Tunis Carthage Airport ranked worst, followed by Rhodes Diagoras and Ho Chi Minh airports, mainly due to poor punctuality and customer experience. This ranking helps travelers choose airports for smoother journeys and better experiences.

The world’s best airports in 2025

1. Cape Town Airport, Cape Town, South Africa
2. Doha Hamad Airport, Doha, Qatar
3. Riyadh King Khaled Airport, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 
4. Brasília–Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek Airport, Brasilia, Brazil 
5. Muscat Airport, Muscat, Oman
6. Panama City Tocumen Airport, Panama City, Panama
7. Durban King Shaka Airport, Durban, South Africa 
8. Salt Lake City Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah, US
9. Bergen Flesland Airport, Bergen, Norway
10. Dammam King Fahd Airport, Dammam, Saudi Arabia 

The world’s worst airports in 2025

1. Tunis Carthage Airport, Tunis, Tunisia
2. Rhodes Diagoras Airport, Rhodes, Greece 
3. Ho Chi Minh Airport, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
4. Heraklion Airport, Heraklion, Greece
5. Hurghada Airport, Hurghada, Egypt
6. Antalya Airport, Antalya, Turkey
7. Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon, Portugal
8. Dalaman Airport, Dalaman, Turkey
9. Hanoi Nội Bài Airport, Hanoi, Vietnam
10. Sharm el-Sheikh Airport, Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt 

IN FLIGHT TIP
The Best Time to Use the Airplane Bathroom

Timing your trip to the airplane bathroom can make a big difference. Flight attendants recommend going right after the first meal service is cleared or during the quiet mid-flight period when most passengers are sleeping or watching movies.

Avoid going right after meals or just before landing—those are the busiest times, with long lines and crowded aisles.

Seasoned traveler Rani Cheema suggests using the restroom before boarding and choosing rear lavatories for more privacy. She also stays hydrated during the flight, not before, to avoid early trips to the bathroom.

With about one lavatory for every 60 passengers, a little planning goes a long way. Skip the stress and take advantage of quieter moments.

FLIGHT ADVISE
🛫How to Never Miss a Flight: Smart Travel Tips

Nobody wants to miss a flight—but with record airport crowds and tight schedules, it’s happening more often. Whether it’s long security lines, traffic, or gate mix-ups, the consequences can be costly and stressful. Here’s how to avoid the most common pitfalls and keep your trip on track.

📅 Before You Travel

• Arrive 3 hours early for domestic, 4 hours for international flights.

• Allow extra time during peak seasons (e.g. summer, holidays).

• Avoid tight connections—plan at least an hour between flights.

📲 Use Tech to Your Advantage

• Download your airline’s app for gate updates and delay alerts.

• Always verify gate info through the app, not just departure boards.

• Pack a portable charger—a dead phone = no boarding pass or rebooking help.

🧳 At the Airport

• Know your airline’s baggage cutoff times—miss it, lose the flight.

• Consider TSA PreCheck or CLEAR to skip long security lines.

🆘 If You Miss Your Flight

• Ask about the "flat tire rule"—airlines may rebook at no charge.

• Contact your travel agent or insurance provider for support.

👉 Plan ahead, stay flexible, and be early. Missing a flight is preventable.

RIVER CRUISE
Sailing the Douro River: The Best Way to Discover Portugal

A Douro River cruise offers a unique way to explore Portugal’s stunning landscapes, from emerald vineyards to ancient hilltop villages. The 620-mile route follows the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley, featuring terraced hillsides, traditional rabelo boats, and historic sights like Mateus Palace and Castelo Rodrigo.

Starting in Porto, a city famed for its baroque architecture and UNESCO-listed old town, travelers board the elegant Viking Helgrim, a boutique river ship with just 106 guests. The ship offers luxurious amenities including river-view suites, gourmet Portuguese cuisine, and complimentary drinks.

The cruise combines relaxing onboard experiences with guided tours. Highlights include visits to renowned vineyards like Quinta do Seixo and Quinta das Carvalhas, where guests taste some of Portugal’s finest Port wines.

Stops include charming towns such as Lamego with its baroque Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, and medieval villages like Castelo Rodrigo, rich in history and local culture. The journey also crosses into Spain, with an excursion to Salamanca’s stunning historic center.

Throughout the cruise, guests enjoy cultural activities, cooking demos, and expert talks, all while drifting through breathtaking scenery.

This slow-paced river voyage blends comfort, history, wine, and natural beauty, making it the best way to experience the heart of Portugal.

WONDERING!
Why Regenerative Farming Is Revolutionizing Wellness Travel

Regenerative farming is emerging as a major wellness travel trend, blending farm hospitality with land stewardship, design, and meaningful experiences. Travelers seek real, grounding escapes away from digital overload, with farm stays offering immersion in nature and authentic connections. The modern agritourism market is booming, growing 12% annually and expected to hit $14.5 billion by 2029. Wellness travelers prioritize outdoor immersion, healthy food, and tranquility, driving demand for nature-based escapes.

Luxury farm hotels like Babylonstoren (South Africa), Heckfield Place (UK), and Le Doyenné (France) combine biodynamic farming with Michelin-starred dining and elegant design. These destinations emphasize slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and experiencing purposeful beauty. Scientific studies confirm time outdoors reduces stress and boosts well-being, making farm stays a restorative wellness choice.

From Portugal’s São Lourenço do Barrocal to Italy’s Reschio and Tennessee’s Blackberry Farm, properties blend sustainable agriculture with luxury and culture. Guests savor fresh farm-to-table meals, partake in workshops, and find spiritual grounding in natural rhythms. This new wave of farm hospitality redefines luxury through environmental awareness, connection, and wellness.