The rise of low cost airlines has revolutionised the aviation industry. Indeed, having opened up a whole new world of travel for people who couldnt previously afford to fly, the availability of low cost flights has continued to attract increasing numbers. As a result, figures estimate that global air travel is growing at an annual rate of around five percent.

The first low cost airline was launched in America in 1971. It took another 21 years, though, and the passing of the European Open-Skies Treaty, to pave the way for airlines to fly wherever they wanted to within the EU, without having to seek prior government approval.

When it comes to air travel, many travelers are more concerned with their carryon luggage than they are with their bags that will be handed over to airport staff. These bags, commonly referred to as checked baggage, are just as important, if not more important, than your carryon luggage. For this reason, there are a number of different factors that you should take into consideration, when packing your bags for your next flight.

One of the worst parts of air travel is handling jet lag. Jet lag is basically your body’s inability to adjust to the destination’s time as it passes through multiple time zones. For the inexperienced traveler (and some experienced ones) it can put a cramp in your business or holiday plans especially if your trip is only a few days.

The main symptoms of jet lag are fatigue and tiredness. This can be accompanied by headaches, dizziness, muscle soreness, a feeling of sickness and odd eating patterns. Being tired while on your holiday, especially if you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing or physical activity can make if difficult to have an enjoyable time.

There is no need to have recurring nightmares for a month before you travel anywhere about this admittedly worrying condition. Take the time when traveling to do some appropriate exercises and there should not be the remotest problem.

Deep Vein Thrombosis is exactly what it says, the clotting of blood in the deep vein. Contrary to opinion, the condition is rare in travelers. Considering the scale of air travel the small incidence of fatalities through DVT do not constitute an epidemic by any means. That is not to say, however, that it would not be quite nice to eradicate the risks as far as possible though.

Pregnant ladies, smokers and overweight passengers are more at risk than others. If you fall into any of these categories, ask your doctor about precautions to take against risk of DVT.

New security measures in force throughout most of the world’s international airports necessitate a new take on what to take, as it were. For a start, the good old days when you turned up 20 minutes before your flight was due to board are well and truly over and just as well considering the risks involved boarding last minute passengers.

Now, you must say goodbye to just about everything you are carrying at the check-in desk, it all has to go in the hold. One small bag, and it really must be a small bag, is allowed in the aircraft cabin and there is a comprehensive list of things it cannot contain, among which are; any sharp object including a knife of any description such as fruit knives, penknives and scissors. Forget being able to take your razor with you for a quick shave before landing, it is out of the question. Knitting needles are also banned, also any type of hand tool or sporting bat.

Unfortunately, flying can be a turbulent experience - and that’s before you even get into the air. With the crowds, the queues and security checks that take longer than ever before, airports can be stressful places, especially if you’re not familiar with the way things work.

The most important thing you can do to make your flying experience as pleasant as possible is to allow yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. This means arriving at least two hours before your plane is scheduled to leave or, if possible, even earlier.

Traveling by commercial airline is fast, but there is a downside. With all the rules and regulations air travel is becoming more uncomfortable and inconvenient. Take for instance being crammed into confining seats, or being fed artificial tasting meals, or even experiencing the annoying and frustrating delays and lost luggage which is quickly becoming more the rule than the exception.

There was a time when traveling used to be a joy, but nowadays it feels like a necessary evil, especially if you travel frequently for business, for pleasure or for work. Nevertheless, the good news is that there are things that you can do to make travel as comfortable and as pleasant as possible. Unless you can afford the luxuries of private jet travel, you’ll have to find ways to cope with the inconveniences of commercial flights.