Here is a great list of tips for trouble-free air travel. An air trip can easily be ruined from just one small thing going wrong. Use these tips as a useful checklist whether you fly frequently or just occasionally.

Be sure that your passport is not about to expire. The expiry date needs to be at least six months beyond your return date of travel. Some countries may refuse entry unless the passport has at least six months validity still remaining.

Decide well in advance what you will be taking with you as hand luggage and what you will be sending separately. The luggage restrictions are much tougher for accompanied bags. Do this several days before you plan to travel as it may affect your luggage plans and other travel arrangements.

Check and confirm flight times and dates for all sections of your trip to make sure that it matches up with your travel plans. If the trip involves several modes of transport, prepare a separate itinerary.

Make a copy of your air travel itinerary and your passport photo page, and leave copies with your key contacts (workplace, family, travel agent or friend). This can be useful in case you suffer a mishap or in case you need to be contacted urgently. Remember to include telephone numbers and addresses of where you can be contacted during your trip.

When traveling internationally make sure that you have any visas that may be required. Verify if there are business or tourist visas and which one best suits the purpose of your travel.

Make a master copy of your critical documents (passport, visas, travel itinerary, hotel bookings, etc). Pack this copy in your luggage as a contingency just in case the original information is lost, stolen, or misplaced.

Bring a copy of your medical history with you. This could simply involve listing any medical conditions, blood type, etc. If you are allergic to any medications, include this information. When traveling internationally try to have these items listed in the local language (if possible).

If you are traveling internationally try to have key phrases written in the local language such as please, thank you, where is, help, and so on. You just need a small slip of paper with a dozen or so key phrases.

Theft is always a concern at airports, but also on flights. Never leave valuables on or near your airline seat – take them with you if you leave your seat.

Constantly be aware of your surroundings while in the airport. Many thieves go to airport specifically to steal.

For the latest tips relating to the air trip itself, see Air Travel Safety Secrets (see contact details below). This free ebook reveals air travel information that airlines don’t tell you. Anybody traveling by air should see this ebook.