Now that the holiday season has already begun, more and more people are booking their flights in advance. The peak season can make traveling a little stressful with the possibility of overcrowded plane, long lines, hectic check-in counters and not to mention the surprising types of people you’ll meet inside the plane. So if you want to make sure that you’ll have a hassle-free travel time, here are 22 dos and don’ts before, during and after a flight.

Air travel has become very accessible today. You can now book cheap flights online and even get amazing deals for your travel. In order to have a stress-free flight, here are a few things to remember:

Make sure your passport is up to date before you book a flight. Most countries require at least six (6) months validity before the date of your departure. Get or renew your passport months before the flight to avoid delays on your scheduled international trip. If the country you are visiting requires a visa, you need to apply for one before buying your ticket. You will need both passport and visa to board your flight.

It’s actually fast and convenient to check your flight status nowadays - from websites you can visit to apps you can install on your smartphone. Checking your flight information beforehand will let you know if there have been major changes on your trip such as cancellations.

Your baggage should be within the weight limit so you don’t have to pay extra. Check the information regarding weight limits even before you start packing. Make sure to leave some extra space for souvenirs.

Bring a check-in bag that’s big enough to include important documents such as your passport, plane ticket, and valid IDs as well as personal items like wallet, phone, laptop, headphones, charger, and medicines to name a few. Putting them in your carry-on bag is more convenient since you’ll constantly need these items throughout your flight.

For a hassle-free departure, be at the airport three hours before an international flight and an hour before a domestic flight.

Don’t bring any prohibited items with you so you can get through the screening process quickly. To help you pack easily, check out the banned and restricted items chart below or this new list of prohibited items released by the Philippine Office for Transportation Security.

Before you enter the x-ray machine, ensure that your pockets are empty. Put your wallet, keys, mobile phones, etc. in your check-in bag instead. Hold your boarding pass and ID so you are ready to hand them as you approach the airport security.Be quick when picking up your items at the security check to avoid delaying anybody.

Don’t forget to advise your airline if you have food allergy or special medical condition that they need to know. Communicate your needs to the travel agent or the airline’s customer service at the time of booking. You can also tell the check-in desk personnel or flight attendees to make sure that your request is fully understood.

Booking your hotel in advance not only allows you to ensure you have a place to stay in your destination but also helps you save money. You can check online booking sites like Traveloka for best deals. Make sure that you know how to go to your hotel or inn from the airport for added security in case you need to find your own way.

Getting a travel insurance, especially on international flights, is necessary. It will protect you against accidents or other unexpected situations when traveling by air like your flight getting canceled due to severe weather, lost baggage, or medical emergency.

Don’t forget to bring some money in the currency of the country you are visiting. You’ll definitely need it to pay for transportation and other necessities.Exchange rate may not be favorable when you buy at the airport or in your destination country so it’s better to prepare some money in the same currency beforehand. Bringing a couple of credit or bank cards is highly recommended so you can have reserve budget in case of emergency.

Proper etiquette is much more needed during flights because you are traveling along with other people. Be aware of the following dos and don’ts during flight.

Don’t take for granted the safety briefing. Some airlines have a pre-taped video while other airlines have some of their crew members demonstrating the safety procedures during flight.Pay attention to the instructions because they highlight where the nearest exit doors are, how to correctly fasten your seatbelt, what are the necessary safety measures inside the plane, how to use the water safety jacket and more.

Whether you are sitting in the middle row or not, it’s just fair to let your seatmate’s arms to also rest. Don’t hog the armrests since these are for sharing and not just yours to claim.

Don’t grab the back of the seats for support while walking along the aisle to avoid disturbing the person sitting in it. You can grab the luggage compartments above to keep your balance walking to either the bathroom or the flight attendants’ area.

Smile and to say, “Thank you”, whenever a cabin crew helps you or provides you a service. Flight attendants are there to make sure that you will have a pleasant flight. They work hard to keep you safe and comfortable on board so it would be nice to show respect to them during flight.

Avoid conversing with your companion loudly or singing in high volume so you don’t disturb the other passengers. Some travelers want peace and quiet especially if it’s a long flight.

Don’t recline your seat without giving a quick look behind you. This is to see whether the person behind you is tall, has a child on their lap, or is using the tray table for their laptop before you lie back.Also, this is also to avoid accidents like bumping someone’s head or knocking over the passenger’s belongings. Ask politely if you can recline your seat so the person behind you knows what to do too. And please recline slowly. Make sure that you return to upright position when meals or drinks are being served.

Practice proper bathroom etiquette such as waiting patiently for your turn, keeping it clean and minding fellow passengers when using the aircraft lavatory.If you’re the type who needs to go to the toilet every so often, better to book an aisle seat instead. There’s nothing more annoying than being woken up every five minutes just because your seatmate needs to get up and use the bathroom. Minimize your liquid intake especially water and alcoholic beverages to avoid frequent trips to the bathroom.

Don’t be surprised when you board a plane together with small children and no one seems to be happy. Traveling on a plane with children onboard can be stressful for all passengers especially if they are not behaving well.Make sure that you have in your carry-on bag something to entertain your kids. Talk to your child in a slow and convincing way that running down the aisle is prohibited. Tablet and other electronic gadgets should keep them in their seats throughout the flight.

Don’t let yourself sleep on the shoulder of the stranger next to you. Get yourself a neck pillow instead. This will not only provide you comfort, but also keep your head in place during a long and tiring flight.

Don’t panic on the little things and avoid causing fright to other passengers. Bomb jokes are a criminal offense and not funny at all. Try to relax by listening to music, reading a good book or watching a movie on your phone.

Getting out of the plane can be chaotic especially if you are onboard with people who seem oblivious to the proper way of alighting a plane. To get off the plane smoothly, here are a few reminders.

Don’t push your way out especially if it is still not your turn. Those near the exit must get out of the plane first. If you are exiting, try to move quickly as possible for other passengers, especially those with connecting flights.

Don’t grab your baggage as soon as the wheels touch ground. Pay attention to your seat belt sign to know if you can now stand up and get your things. Carefully get your baggage and ask for help if you are having difficulty. You don’t want your stuff to be scattered accidentally.

Following these few reminders before, during, and after flight will ensure that you and the rest of the passengers will have a pleasant and enjoyable experience while traveling. Remember that a little consideration goes a long way. To summarize, here's an overview of all the dos and donts before, during, and after your flight:

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