TRAVELLING through an airport is by far the least enjoyable part of going on holiday.
But there are a number of secret tips that can make the journey a whole lot easier.
FlightsFinder, a flight comparison search engine, has created a tool that works out just how stressful an airport will be ahead of a flight.
The Flight Stress Calculator analyses the three most common sources of stress for passengers, including how busy the airport is at the time of your flight, airline baggage restrictions, and any potential airport delays.
These factors are combined together, and a total stress level is then produced.
If an airport is busy, it's much more likely to be a cause of stress for all passengers.
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This is because there will be longer queues and fewer seating options available in the main departure lounge.
While you can't singlehandedly reduce the number of passengers in an airport, there is a way to navigate larger crowds.
Travel expert Katy Maclure, who is the editor of The Detour, a weekly newsletter from Jack's Flight Club, recommends using the MiFlight app to keep an eye on security queues before you even arrive at the airport.
The app isn't available at smaller airports, but it can help passengers avoid lengthy queues at larger ones.
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You can always try to find seating at an airport lounge, which may save both time and money.
Airline baggage restrictions are another factor that stresses out holidaymakers, with passengers worried about fees for overweight luggage.
In the last year, Sun Online Travel have become experts in the art of packing light.
Back in February, I spent five days in Vienna with just an underseat bag to pack my things.
Inside the tiny black gym bag, I managed to pack two dresses, two pairs of tights, three t-shirts, a pair of trousers, underwear, socks, a pair of pyjamas, a liquids bag, a curling wand, straighteners, a makeup bag, and a book.
And there are also a lot of other TikTokers who have flown with just an underseat bag to avoid costly hand luggage fees too.
Airport delays are the final factor that the Flight Stress Calculator analyses.
While avoiding airport delays can sometimes be impossible, one travel expert has revealed the flights people should book to increase their chances of taking off on time.
Scott Keyes, the founder of Going.com told Travel + Leisure: "While there's no way to control thunderstorms or predict meltdowns, that doesn't mean travelers are completely helpless
"There are two types of flights that have the best on-time performance: early morning flights and/or nonstop flights."
Booking early morning flights increases the chances of a plane taking off on time by 20 per cent, according to Keyes.
Data published by Going claims that 86 percent of 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. flights arrived on time.
Meanwhile, only 66 percent of 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. flights landed as scheduled.
Sun Online Travel recently put the Flight Stress Calculator to the test.
To use the tool passengers need to input their departure airport, airline, and rough departure time into the calculator.
Those passengers flying Ryanair from London Stansted Airport between 8am and 12pm, on any given day, can expect their stress levels to be at around 83 per cent.
But those stress levels drop to 63 per cent for passengers travelling with British Airways from London Heathrow Airport.
And, Ryanair passengers departing from Edinburgh Airport between 8am to 12pm will be 87 per cent stressed by the experience.
While these stress levels may seem very high, they drop off during the early evening.
And there are other ways Brit holidaymakers can navigate stressful situations at an airport.
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Head of Sun Travel, Lisa Minot, recently revealed the six ways Brits can have a stress-free holiday amid strikes and flight cancellations.
And a recent study found that Brits spend as long as 13 days a year planning their holiday – but that the planning is half the fun of the trip itself.
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