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Traveling by plane requires a lot of preparation. In addition to preparing enough clothing and making sure you have all the essentials such as identification (a valid passport if traveling internationally), credit cards, cash, and a cell phone, you should also consider your schedule, budget, You want to make sure you book the flight that is most convenient for you based on other factors.
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Of course, depending on availability, you may not always be able to choose the most time-efficient flight configuration and may find yourself with plenty of waiting time between the next leg of your trip. If you’re departing on a long-haul flight, especially an international one, there’s a good chance you’ll also be offered a long layover. If the delay does not require you to leave the airport and stay at a hotel, we recommend that you be prepared to wait as comfortably as possible at your designated boarding gate.
A great way to do this is to equip yourself with the essential equipment that will allow you to fully enjoy yourself without causing too much of a nuisance to other travelers.. In addition to the usual electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops, here are some other gadgets you may want to bring on your next flight, which may involve a long wait at the airport.
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A power bank that lets you charge your devices on the go
Airports are notorious for having very few electrical outlets available for public use. If seats at stations or boarding gates have dedicated slots for charging countless gadgets, they may only be available for a fee or may already be occupied by someone else. It’s a good idea to have a power bank on hand in case you can’t find an outlet to connect your cell phone or similar device..
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There are many tried-and-tested power bank brands for situations such as long stays at the airport. Depending on the type of gadget you want to charge, you may need to pay attention to the battery capacity of your mobile battery. For example, if you’re only charging your phone or tablet on the go, something as compact as 10,000 mAh might be sufficient. Popular among online consumers is the Anker 313 power bank (PowerCore 10K). Currently selling for $23.99 on Amazon, this power bank is the thinnest and lightest power bank ever available, and is enough to fully charge an iPhone 15 twice and a Samsung Galaxy S23. It is almost the same in the case of
If you need backup power for your laptop, you may need a larger capacity power bank. The Anker Prime Power Bank is expensive at $179.99 on Amazon, but it has a recorded capacity of 27,650 mAh, more than double the Anker 313. With a maximum output of 140W, charging a machine like the 16-inch MacBook Pro (M2 Pro) should restore about 50% of battery life in about 30 minutes.
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Universal power adapter for international travel
Of course, you should also be prepared for the possibility of having an electrical outlet near your boarding gate or wherever you need it so you can receive timely updates about your trip. It’s probably best to use the charging head that comes with your mobile device, but you want to make sure you can actually connect no matter where you are in the world. Not all countries and regions use the same socket format, so travelers around the world should keep a universal travel adapter in their carry-on luggage..
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A highly rated power adapter suitable for international destinations is this 28W Universal Travel Adapter from Epicka, currently on sale for $25.99 on Amazon. It has AC sockets that are compatible with 4 different plugs in over 150 countries including Canada, Japan, UK, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, China, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and the US. Additionally, it also comes with one USB-C port and four USB-A ports, allowing you to charge up to six mobile devices simultaneously.
Although it is equipped with an 8A fuse for safe use while traveling, this universal power adapter is not designed to convert voltages, so it cannot be used to power high voltage items such as hair dryers, curlers, etc. Please note that there is Irons, electric shavers, toothbrushes and other similar equipment. Make sure whatever you connect is labeled to indicate it supports dual voltages, such as “100-240V, 50/60Hz.”
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Longer charger cord for hard-to-reach outlets
If there are outlets available at the airport, but they are located in inconvenient or uncomfortable locations, a long enough charging cable can make them easier to access. Mobile phone users should have at least three things in their carry-on bag: a power bank, a charger head, and a charger cord.
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Regarding the latter, We highly recommend using a cable that is at least 3 feet long, longer than the standard cable that comes with your device.. You may also need code with multiple port types. For example, Minlu’s 4-in1 charging cable has micro USB, USB-C, and Lightning connector types to cover a wide range of devices, including older Apple devices. For just $12.99 on Amazon, you can get a pack of two retractable cords that extend up to 4 feet in length.
If most of your gadgets have USB-C ports, you can buy an Anker-branded two-pack of USB-C cables for $13.99 on Amazon instead. Both can expand to a total length of 6 feet. Very convenient for using the airport.
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Enjoy reading with Kindle
Long layovers are the perfect time to read. If you’re a bookworm, one of the many essential technology gadgets you’ll need for your trip is an e-book reader like Amazon’s Kindle (2022). You can store thousands of books in e-book format, so you can easily switch between titles and genres. It also has a pretty long battery life, lasting up to six weeks on a single charge, depending on your personal usage, which is more than enough to cover your time waiting at the airport.
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The 2022 version of the Kindle is currently the cheapest and most compact device ever., You may need to buy used or refurbished products on Amazon. Otherwise, you may want to consider purchasing the lock screen ad-supported version of the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite instead for $149.99. It holds up to 16 GB worth of e-books and can be purchased directly from Amazon (or redeemed with Kindle Points) or through a Kindle Unlimited subscription. You can also use the Libby app to download e-books on loan at your local library for free. Please note that these e-books have corresponding expiration dates, after which they may disappear from your Kindle.
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Block out the chaos with noise-canceling headphones, earbuds, and earplugs
Airports are probably one of the busiest (and noisiest) places in the world.. The prospect of having to stay in the same room for an extended period of time can be extremely stressful for adults and children alike. To reduce overstimulation, consider wearing noise-cancelling headphones. You can choose headband style headphones like the Anker Soundcore Space Q45. It costs $149.99 on Amazon, and the product listing states that it can last up to 50 hours with ANC enabled. Either way, you can get up to 4 hours of playtime with just 5 minutes of quick charging.
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If noise-cancelling earphones are more your thing, the Beats Fit Pro are a great pair to consider, scoring 9 out of 10 from SlashGear. The listed capacity is only up to 6 hours with noise cancellation enabled, but you can recover up to 24 hours with the handy charging case. These earphones feature a very unique wingtip design that ensures a proper seal in your ear canal, allowing you to block out all the airport noises more effectively. Beats Fit Pro usually sells for $199 on Amazon.
If you don’t need an audio listening accessory per se, but just want something to reduce ambient sounds in the airport, consider purchasing earplugs. A step up from the foam earplugs you can buy at a convenience store, they’re great for use in places where you might be exposed to higher sound levels, such as concerts or enclosed spaces full of people who might be talking at the same time (aka airports). Earplugs designed to reduce noise. ). Loop makes excellent quality earplugs that can be used in public as well as to get a deeper sleep. The Experience 2 Plus earplugs, which come with a removable mute accessory to further reduce noise if needed, normally sell for $45 on Amazon, but are often on sale. Meanwhile, the $35 Loop Engage Kids 2 earplugs are suitable for children ages 6 to 12.
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Stay connected using Wi-Fi hotspots
Most airports offer Wi-Fi connectivity for free or for a small fee. However, there is still room for improvement in internet speed due to the large number of potential users in your neighborhood. Rather than surfing the web or slowly navigating your go-to apps, it’s better to find other ways to get online. If using your phone as a hotspot isn’t enough for you, a portable hotspot or internet device may come in handy, especially if you travel frequently.
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Simo Solis Lite Hotspot — Normally priced at $160 on Amazon — When combined with one of our available global or national data plans, it provides a stable internet connection in different regions of over 135 countries around the world.. Every Solis hotspot device purchased comes with 1 GB worth of global data each month for free initially. Once you use it up completely, it activates the data plan you purchased in addition to the device itself.
It is important to note that most portable Internet devices will only work in areas with good cellular reception or Internet connectivity, including most airports. However, once you’re on the plane, you won’t be able to use your mobile hotspot to go online.
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