Planning your Trip to Stansted Airport

• Always allow plenty of time to reach the airport so that you will be there two hours prior to take-off for international flights and one hour prior to take-off for domestic flights.
• Plan your transport and, if necessary, the route you will be taking to the airport.
• If you are driving to the airport, ensure that you have booked airport parking in advance.
• If you are being driven by a friend who wants to see you off at the airport, ensure that he/she knows where the short-stay parking is located.
• If taking a taxi, ensure that the firm you intend to use has taxis available for the time you wish to travel; ask them how long they expect the journey to take at that time of day.
• If taking a train or coach, ensure that you have the necessary tickets (if advance booking is necessary) and that there are no major engineering or road works that could lengthen the journey.
• If you have hired a car and need to drop it at the airport, check with your car hire company that they have a branch at the airport and allow one-way drop-offs.

You're right, there's nothing more annoying than a flight delay or cancellation when you're travelling. The process for applying for, and successfully receiving, compensation can be a pain and take longer than it really needs to.

But that's where Colibra are trying to make a difference.

If you're delayed by more than an hour or have your flight cancelled, they will arrange a compensation payment to be made to you within 24 hours of (eventually) landing.

All you have to do is download the app and add your boarding pass prior to your flight. If you end up being delayed, or worse, cancelled, Colibra will issue you a compensation payment.

In the Air

• Try to relax and, if possible, sleep.
• If on a long haul flight, move your feet around, or get up and walk around regularly if you can.
• Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water and other non-alcoholic beverages.
• Don't eat too heavily before or during a long flight as this will help avoid indigestion and hypertension.
• To reduce jetlag, have some extra sleep before the trip, get some sleep during the flight and try to synchronise mealtimes with the time it is at your destination.
• Wearing flight socks, taking a low dose of aspirin or moving about every so often during the flight can help prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

• Make a list of everything you will need. New security measures mean that you can only carry a limited amount of baby food and drink onto the plane in a clear plastic bag; the bag must be no larger than 20cm by 20cm. Make sure you prepare for this to avoid any problems at security.
• Pack extra snacks, drinks, colouring books, crayons and (if they're young) their favourite cuddly toy.
• Many airports have special children's facilities. Have a look at the airport's website or phone their information number.
• Ensure all of the children's passports are valid and that you have a safe, yet easily accessible, belt or pouch to carry them in. It is not advisable to let young children carry their own passports.
• Invest in one or two large, sturdy carry on bags with multiple sections instead of using lots of small bags. This will allow you to focus on keeping your children safe and happy without having to worry about lost luggage.

There is one Stasher Location (Premier Inn) and many separate businesses within the local area where you can store luggage for as little as £6 per day if you were wishing to explore the wider areas of London without extra bags. Simply browse their maps for the best place suited to you and drop your bags off at a registered and trusted organisation/location with an average rating of 4.7/5 from 12,000 reviews!