The rule airline boss always follows when flying long haul
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As an airline boss, Mark Mulville flies often. But his top piece of advice is a bit of a surprise coming from a travel expert.
Rushing at an airport is never a good thing. iStock
The general manager for Etihad Airways in Australia tells Aussies not to plan their journey “too tightly”.
Because while it’s tempting to get those flights to connect as fast as possible he reckons having some breathing room can actually make your holiday less stressful.
“Whether it’s allowing more time at the airport or choosing a slightly longer connection, having that breathing room means there’s less pressure if there are longer queues or your inbound flight is delayed,” he told nine.com.au.
And with airports, especially in the Middle East and Asia, increasingly adding more ways to while away the hours, there’s often plenty to do if you do have a layover.
Etihad is planning to give passengers free medical insurance. Supplied
His airline even has the Etihad Spa by Be Relax at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. And you don’t have to be flying first or business to book in for a treatment.
Meanwhile, while travel insurance is as essential as making sure your passport and any visas needed are sorted, he also said to check what other benefits are being offered by the airline.
There could be freebies you don’t know about. One Middle Eastern airline even offers free food.
Etihad offers free stopover hotels in Abu Dhabi with some flights, which is a good option to break up the long journey to Europe, adjust to the time difference, and see a new place.
“It’s a great way to turn one holiday into two,” he said.
“There’s often a temptation to focus on getting to your final destination as quickly as possible, but sometimes taking a little longer can make the overall travel experience far more enjoyable.”
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is a unique sight. Getty Images
Etihad has free medical travel insurance in place right now for visits to the emirate, with Smartraveller advice now downgraded amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Highlights of the city emirate include seeing the dazzling Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the biggest in the UAE.
Other basics such as downloading the airline’s app which can give you live travel updates are a must, he said.
As for the one thing he never gets on a plane without?
“A good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They make a world of difference when you’re trying to switch off or get some rest,” he said.
