Things to Know Before you Fly in 2024 (BIG flight updates... that suck)

3 TRAVEL TIPS for flying in 2024 (what's new + how to avoid problems)
Big changes airlines have made that you need to know before you head to the airport for your next flight. Here are some major flight updates for you that you won't want to miss! Picture this: you're at the airport, ready to embark on your exciting journey, only to find out that there's no space left in the overhead bins. Cue the panic, right? But fear not, my friends, because I've got some insider tips to save the day!
In this video, I'll reveal three essential travel tips for flying in 2024 that will make your life a whole lot easier. From dealing with limited carry-on space to navigating contactless payments onboard, we've got you covered. Plus, I'll spill the beans on a must-have apps that'll keep you informed about flight changes, delays, and even allow you to switch seats or rebook your flight hassle-free.
I'll cover quick and easy tips that help you prepare and avoid problems on your next trip. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly travel tips and hacks. Happy travels!
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00:00 Major airline updates
00:12 No overhead bin space
00:37 Carry-on suitcase will be checked
00:51 In-flight essentials
01:02 Delayed luggage
01:24 MAJOR airline update
01:39 Contactless payments only
01:55 United airlines update
02:11 Airlines apps
02:23 Download THIS before flight
02:35 Important notifications for travel
02:45 Change seats for free
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Actualizaciones de viaje que necesita saber antes de volar.
Tres actualizaciones de viaje y consejos que necesita saber antes de tomar un vuelo este año. ¡Las cosas han cambiado!
// ABOUT
Hey there, I'm Megan and I've spent 5+ years living and working from over 50 countries around the world. I'm on a mission to prove that anyone (even you!) can do it too.
Portable Professional is a youtube channel full of actionable tips and guides to travel, live and work from anywhere in the world. Serving seasoned digital nomads and first-time travelers alike, it's the ultimate resource to hack the travel lifestyle.
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www.megangougeon.com/
/ megan.gougeon

[@christybolagner8712]

Just got back from Barcelona and AA forgot our luggage in NY. It showed up at my front door 2 days later. It has never happened before and upset was an understatement.

[@PortableProfessional]

So frustrating! Good to hear you got it back!

[@labtechsuperstar]

I don't like that contactless payment thing. Especially when you hear of data breaches at companies. I also find it ageist. I'm not a senior, but my parents are. My mom doesn't have a smartphone (and she doesn't want one either!). So making it that people absolutely MUST have a phone is excluding seniors like my mom from society - not fair. I never check my carry on bag at the gate either. Only twice was I ever forced.

[@wisecoconut5]

I don't like this in restaurants either. We ate in one restauraunt where you accessed the menu and placed your order on your phone. We didn't even see a live body until someone brought our drinks. A different person brought our food and if you needed anything, yup, back to the phone. No one ever checked back with us. Of course pay the bill from your phone too!

[@daylightdaylight6612]

I am travelling with a simple phone, if this is lost or stolen it is not a big issue. Why forcing people to switch to things what seems to look easy but zt the end they are complicated

[@chrisdemnianyk4357]

I really think that KZbin videos like these are important for people to see! The reality is, travel is a nightmare!! I work in the industry and I'm still perplexed at all the delays and cancelations and lost bags and empty airline counters where there is no one to talk to for problems. I am OK with having to use the airlines app because it has kept me up to date with flight information and relevant info. What I really dislike is the coldness and lack of personal attention of most airlines when you need help at the airport. For the high prices we pay for airline tickets, bags, and "extras", the least we should get is personal service and not a text telling us to use their app for help!!😢

[@mamanothing9506]

What drives me insane are people who put their coats in the overhead bins!!!

[@Grazilla52]

Or their “personal items” along w/their carryons.

[@seadragon1456]

What would happen if one took someone else’s personal item out and set it on the ground so there would be room for their carry on bag?

[@cocostrayer6667]

@@seadragon1456 I did that, although I handed it to the a__hat instead of setting his PI on the floor. He first attracted my attention when he stuffed his carry-on roller in the bin across from me (2nd row of Main Cabin), then proceeded to his seat six rows aft. Even though bin space was still available (early in boarding process) in his vicinity, he also deposited his Personal Item in an overhead bin three rows *ahead* of his seat. I had been traveling for 24+ hours so was crabbier than usual. ;-) I rose from my seat, grabbed his Personal Item, and handed it to him. I told him to put it under the seat in front since his roller bag was already using (someone else's) bin space. Fortunately he said nothing. He knew that he was wrong taking up space during boarding that another passenger needed for their carry-on bag. After everyone is boarded and all large carry-on bags are stowed, I see no issue with shifting a PI to an overhead bin **if** there is space. This flight was full and most passengers in Boarding Groups 5 and above were highly encouraged to gate check their carry-on bags. Even with that, several bags had to be moved out of the cabin for gate checking. I should add that I did this for other passengers, not for my own bag. The single 20" spinner bag shared by my hubby & myself was already stowed in a bin when Mr. Entitled boarded. We also had Personal Items (tote for me, small backpack for hubby) properly stowed at our feet.

[@redhatbear1135]

If I take my change of clothes, my medicines, and a few of the other things you mention out of my carry on my carry on will be empty and I’ll have no place to put the things I took out!

[@morethanmeetstheeye1355]

Rx medications fly free of charge and don’t qualify as a carry on. I have 17 medications (boring story). I’ve been told by my local airport services that if my bottles are labeled by the pharmacy then you’re fine.

[@redhatbear1135]

@@morethanmeetstheeye1355 The reason for our extra bag is in part because medical equipment flies free, but it can’t be interspersed in luggage. Also, you need to check your destinations rules for banned medications, some countries can be quite strict about what they allow you to bring into their country. For what it is worth, Paris once question an eye drop prescription even though it had a pharmacy label: they wanted a letter! Eventually I was allowed to carry it on board.

[@donwarrington4916]

Airlines should ask people with already checked luggage to check carry ons . I was traveling to Mexico with just a carry on and they forced me to check it because overhead bins were full . It added over an hour at the airport in Mexico to collect bag and line up at customs , which is what I was trying to avoid

[@marsgirly]

Or actually check the space before telling people there is no more room. My mom recently had to check her bag because the agent said there is no more room, but when we go on the plane, half the bins were still empty. It was really frustrating waiting for one single bag at baggage claim when it could have been easily avoided.

[@redhatbear1135]

At least one of our carry ons can never be checked! It’s illegal to place certain lithium batteries in checked luggage!

[@chrismarcus3058]

great stuff lispy!!

[@josephinecronin1195]

Thank you for these. Very helpful

[@letterbox203]

Oh gosh, with rampant cancellations and FAA shutdowns in U.S., Canada, and even Philippines, I wouldn't let my carry-on get far from me.

[@Grazilla52]

Timely information as always, thanks! I learned years ago to keep any valuables/medications/electronics in my personal item bag-& limiting those items whenever possible. Leaving them in a carryon is flirting with disaster! I’m also a big fan of the airline apps & find them invaluable.

[@evadeanu1]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@CO84trucker]

Also for those flying to Europe in 2023, all the airlines in the Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss etc) since 2021 have shifted to buy-on-board food and beverage for those in economy on short/medium haul. The only freebies depending on flight duration are bottled water and airline branded chocolate.

[@m.scotty7199]

Thanks for the updated info. Keep up the great work, i love watching your videos.

[@ricardo68]

Thank you! Had no idea about this new contactless payment method. 😮

[@PlutoEmc2]

Really appreciate the info

[@PortableProfessional]

Woot woot, I love to hear it! 🙏

[@JohnSmith-bz9be]

Cheers!!!

[@Anshikavolg]

Nice information

[@clifb.3521]

Good to know ! Thank you so much for the update All reasons I still love riding the train 😂

[@powdermuaythai]

thanks for the heads up; flying to Chiangmai thailand next week from canada! gonna be a long one!

[@davidjewood]

Top advice using the airline app. I use them all the time for up-to-date flight information.

[@morethanmeetstheeye1355]

I’ll be using this info for upcoming trips. I’m a technological challenged person and worrier. I am definitely use those app. Thank you for the advice.

[@davidjewood]

@@morethanmeetstheeye1355 I fly to Spain alot. The official Aena app is fantastic. All you have to do is enter your boarding pass number and it keeps you updated. It's so good it will often give out the gate number before the flight info screens.

[@itsnotme07]

The contactless payment thing is huge if you don't already know. There have been times I wasn't all that hungry pre-flight and figured I'd just get a snack box onboard. Not sure I like having the airlines know a cc number. Remember that some airline credit cards offer discounts for onboard purchases. JetBlue gives 50% off all onboard purchases of food with their branded credit card.

[@chickenfryer]

Sounds like shady business! I usually avoid dealing with companies offering points and other incentives when forced to use their gimmicks.

[@carlsmith5545]

Dont forget about the holidays and bad weather when all those people stranded at airports due to cancellations and delays...

[@3WordsTV]

Just nominated you on TubeBuddy as KZbin Creator of the Year. You’re a consummate pro, Megan. I’ve watched a ton of your videos and there’s never been a moment that wasn’t pure excellence. Cheers!

[@CarolgTX]

Can you do a video explaining what, if any, rules changed for bringing food on board for 2023? Thanks so much😊

[@todayeatingshow9989]

Nice one ❤️👈

[@digitalnomad4844]

Helloooooo , I am living in Da Nang for 3 months and like here , Thank you for your all information about Da Nang ! =)

[@leohoward7282]

Another great set of Tips Megan I love your accent and your hair was particularly cute in this video I also love personality too its what keeps me coming back.

[@PortableProfessional]

Lucky to have you here, Leo!

[@leohoward7282]

@@PortableProfessional thank you Megan

[@DLFH]

Good to know about the contactless payment issue. Thank you for the update.

[@PortableProfessional]

Any time! Thanks for letting me know 🥰

[@Bonstergirl]

Thank you so much for all the information in your videos. I have watched a gazillion of your videos, and learned a ton from you. I haven't traveled internationally for about 20 years, but I'm going to Costa Rica next month. I can't get a non-stop flight, so will be switching planes in DFW. But I have only an hour from the time my plane lands until the flight to CR takes off. When I initially booked the flight, there was a 4-hour layover, but the airline has changed it a few times. I'm worried an hour isn't enough time. What do you think?

[@megnuggets83]

I have never flown on a plane or gone to California/Los Angeles so I’m needing tips lol I’m also nervous to fly and my sister doesn’t want to go all because of crash stories she’s heard. I think we’ll be fine and that she’ll be fine once we’re in the air

[@R0swell5104]

Just about not being able to use debit cards onboard an aircraft. I think this just applies to US issued cards as virtually all European debit cards have contactless facility. If in doubt check if you have the contactless symbol on your card. It looks like the series of curved lines and very much like the wifi symbol. If so you are good to go.

[@wassupmypeeps69]

megan, when the airline people see you coming do they just automatically just give you everything??...lol

[@morethanmeetstheeye1355]

🛩️💺☕️🫖👀

[@deandecoursey3061]

Thanks for the tips, Megan. I see the start of a part time job. Put the card in your personal information on the airline’s P.O. and act as a middle man for making purchases for customers that for whatever reason can’t make purchases. For a small mark up fee.

[@claudiamiller7730]

Funny - thought the same thing!

[@tammypearson4500]

Great tips! The airline apps are where I am able to watch something interesting, since sometimes the IFE doesn't work at my seat.

[@PortableProfessional]

Yes a great backup to have the app downloaded for content! 👏

[@u_t_d_s_h-1_a]

Seek out airline's direct line ---it should enable grasp of exact boarding times.

[@morethanmeetstheeye1355]

How do I do that action?

[@karenvonbargen4472]

Mandatory bag check: I wonder how this applies for medical necessities? I always pack mine in a personal item sized bag but they’d better not try to separate me from it, yikes!

[@ChosenOne6666]

That's my girl.

[@DigitalDezinesCEO]

What if my personal item is my camera bag and its too big to fit under the seat?

[@PortableProfessional]

Yikes, it might count as your carry on then, but I highly doubt they would make you check a camera bag. It really depends on the airline and how strict they are.

[@alwaysforevercurious8607]

I am confused by your terminology. You stated that payment in flight would be contactless only. Then you stated that the card information would have to be given to the airline before boarding. I searched for a definition for contactless payment and the only definition that I found was the RFID chip in debit and credit cards. It sounds like the airlines are not allowing contactless payment. But you are having to register a different form of payment before boarding the flight. Perhaps the airlines are miss using the term contactless payment if we cannot use contactless payment with a card. This can be very confusing to passengers when they are going by the common definition of contactless payment. Thank you for your videos they have been a big help to me since I have not flown since 2000.

[@The.Coin.Guy23]

So someone from Air Canada told me yesterday you cannot be compensated for weather issues ie. having to stay in a hotel overnight because of a cancelled flight due to freezing rain. Is this new or has it always been like that?

[@MsMorganGirls]

I finally broke down and bought travel insurance just for this reason.

[@morethanmeetstheeye1355]

I will also be buying trip insurance. I’m a detail oriented person and to have information in hand will be wonderful .

[@lannifincoris6482]

I am confused, so the airline app would be the only way to pay up in the clouds?

[@karenvonbargen4472]

Apparently on some airlines, yes.

[@Nathansmithphotography]

So you're saying the airlines don't allow even contactless payments with Apple or Google Pay? You must use their app? I have most of my credit cards on my Apple Watch.

[@morethanmeetstheeye1355]

Great question!

[@carlsmith5545]

Travel tip is America needs highspeed rail...

[@morethanmeetstheeye1355]

Yes. We have none. The railway companies have preferential right to hold up your train while their branded trains go through! Resulting in hours. long delays. It is more expedient and less expensive flights -my 9 hour drive, became 24 hours one way. Airfare is less than half the cost at 259$ round trip.

[@carlsmith5545]

@@morethanmeetstheeye1355 yep, and all those people stranded at airports due to cancellations and delays during the holidays. Never will forget the old woman who was on the news and said, " I wish America had those fast trains like they have in Japan. " So do i but America rather spend 500 billion dollars to put some fool on mars.

[@IAmWithinEverything]

We would have speed rails but our mafia run state (California) pockets every dime they can and waste’s the rest. More important to pretend to care about our Vets and Homeless.

[@ewmism861]

Lol No thanks I won't agree to the beast cashless system

[@morethanmeetstheeye1355]

Please share with me you’re thoughts? I will be a first time (in decades ) flyer and welcome all tips

[@Inkling777]

Yet another move to cram a corporate app down our throats. I'm growing tired of that. Almost all demand personal information they have no business knowing. Also, you might as well say it. Full planes this summer mean the airlines will care little about good customer service.