00:00So, you're running through the airport, waiting in endless security lines, dealing
00:08with your baggage, rushing yet again to the gate.
00:11If only you'd arrived 2 hours early, right?
00:14Not necessarily.
00:16And airports know that, along with lots of other secrets they're not telling you.
00:21But hey, I will!
00:231.
00:24Airport agents might be watching you all the way from the security check to your gate.
00:29Some hubs have facial recognition scanners that can easily track you.
00:33They're equipped with special software that compares passengers' faces with their IDs.
00:392.
00:41Airports make lounges look like something luxurious and unavailable for regular travelers.
00:46And so many people fall for this image.
00:49In reality, one of your credit cards is likely to provide you with the convenience of resting
00:54in an airport lounge.
00:56Just pop in and ask.
00:57Who knows?
00:58You might find yourself waiting for your flight in a calm place with free food and drinks.
01:043.
01:06Beware of airport taxis.
01:08They can charge you twice the actual price of the ride.
01:12If the situation allows, use online taxi apps to order a car.
01:16If you can't, then make sure to find out the rate in advance.
01:20By the way, if you pre-order a taxi, always ask about the charging policy on delays.
01:26Otherwise, you might be in for a very unpleasant surprise.
01:304.
01:32Buying bottled water at the airport can easily make you bankrupt.
01:36There's one thing every traveler should know – there is free water at most hubs.
01:42Just bring an empty water bottle through the security check and find a water refill station.
01:46They're usually near the restrooms.
01:49If you can't find one, there must be at least a water fountain.
01:535.
01:55You'll find the most comfortable seats next to the airport's shopping area.
01:59And that's for a reason.
02:01This is how retailers lure you into their stores.
02:04Imagine sitting there looking at shop windows.
02:07You're bound to notice something you really, really need.
02:116.
02:13You may have the opportunity to check your carry-on luggage for free at the gate.
02:18Be attentive and listen for messages announcing that a full flight is expected.
02:23That usually means there will be a shortage of overhead bin space, and the airline will
02:27offer complimentary check bags.
02:317.
02:32The cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays and Thursdays.
02:37And if for some reason you want to buy the most expensive ticket, opt for a Friday, Saturday,
02:42or Sunday.
02:44And no wonder with everyone moving around on the weekend.
02:47If you can afford flexible dates, look for mid-week options.
02:518.
02:52If you're sneaky enough and understand the airport logistics, you can be the first one
02:57to get your checked bag upon arrival.
03:00All you need to do is to check it later than the other passengers.
03:03Bags that are loaded last usually appear first on the baggage carousel.
03:099.
03:10Even though duty-free shops have a reputation for being cheaper than stores in the city,
03:15it's not always true.
03:17For example, sweets, beverages, and perfumes are likely to cost more at the airport.
03:23And be careful with what you buy in a duty-free shop if you have a connecting flight.
03:27Some airports don't allow you to carry liquids over 3.4 ounces through your layover destination,
03:33even if they're from duty-free and in sealed bags.
03:3710.
03:39Even if your flight doesn't offer a hot meal or snacks, it might still be cheaper to eat
03:44on board than at the airport, especially if you have the airline's credit card.
03:49In this case, you can get up to a 25% discount on drinks and food you buy in the air.
03:5511.
03:57Airports and airlines manipulate estimated arrival times.
04:01When your pilot announces the total flying time, it often differs from the arrival time
04:06you saw when you were booking the flight.
04:08It's easy to explain – the arrival time includes some wiggle room for potential small
04:13delays, taxiing from the runway, and so on.
04:1712.
04:19Arriving at the airport 2 hours before your flight isn't really necessary.
04:23Of course, there are ginormous, hectic transportation hubs where even 2 hours might not be enough.
04:29But in most cases, this airport recommendation is just an ingenious plan to make you spend
04:35more money on shopping, eating, and drinking.
04:38If you pass all the security checks and passport control, you have the golden hour ahead.
04:44That's 60 minutes during which you're most likely to open your wallet to buy a coffee
04:48and sandwich, get a book to read, or even spend a hefty sum on a new perfume.
04:5513.
04:56A celebrity chef restaurant at the airport might not be as good as it would be if you
05:01visited the real thing.
05:03Not chefs themselves, but special restaurant companies are responsible for airport outlets.
05:09One of the reasons is extremely strict security that surrounds airport deliveries, including
05:13food.
05:14You may still have a nice meal, but it won't be the same.
05:1914.
05:20A nice conversation with a security agent might not be what it seems.
05:25It's not that they don't find you fascinating, but getting all chatty could be a special
05:30technique that checks your behavior.
05:32It's their way to make sure you aren't a suspicious character.
05:3715.
05:39Airports could be selling your lost luggage right now.
05:41Wait, I'm not saying there's no chance for you to get back your suitcase that ended
05:46up in a different destination.
05:48But just as likely, you might not see it again.
05:51Then an airport has all the rights to sell your misplaced belongings at an auction.
05:57Most hubs hold an annual lost luggage sale.
06:00After paying an entry fee, you can bid on electronics, clothes, bags, and whatnot.
06:05Some auctions are blind – you pay for a bag without knowing what's inside.
06:1116.
06:12If you have an opportunity, don't exchange cash at the airport.
06:16You'll never get a good rate there.
06:18Anyone who's forgotten to buy some currency beforehand can instead order it online and
06:23collect it at the airport.
06:25Some services only need several hours' notice for such an order.
06:29Or it might be even better to use an ATM to withdraw some cash at your final destination.
06:3517.
06:37Some airports have shortcuts, but few people know about them.
06:41It's a good idea to research the airport map before your flight and look for all available
06:46routes.
06:47It'll come in handy when you're rushing to the furthest terminal.
06:50By the way, in the biggest airports, the distance from check-in to departure can be more than
06:55half a mile long.
06:5718.
06:58A medical study found the connection between living near an airport and an increased risk
07:04of heart problems.
07:05Surprisingly, it's the result of noise pollution.
07:08Apparently, if you're exposed to high noise levels, especially at night, you're more
07:12likely to have high blood pressure.
07:1519.
07:17Another problem with airports is bad air quality.
07:21All those road machines and heavy air traffic result in all kinds of nasty chemicals getting
07:26into the air you breathe.
07:28For example, the air over the busiest airports regularly breaches the limits for nitrogen
07:33dioxide pollutants.
07:3620.
07:37If you have a long layover but are unwilling to spend it shuffling from one store to another,
07:43you could have a better option.
07:45Many airports have places for a quiet retreat, for example, yoga studios, or even gyms with
07:51swimming pools.
07:52But they're typically hidden away, otherwise, they'll get packed with travelers.
07:57Look for such places away from busy terminals, where most passengers won't find them.
08:02Usually, only frequent flyers take advantage of these spots.
08:05If you're lucky, you might even find a private bedroom at a reasonable price.
08:10Hey, if you learned something new today, then give the video a like and share it with a
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