Tips for executive travel: how to make the airport process easier when travelling on business
When travelling on business, avoiding stressful situations and getting work done on the move can be tough.
Catching a flight involves getting to and navigating busy airports, sitting in noisy terminals and even long waits once you’ve landed.
But ahead of any business trip, there are several ways you can minimise airport stress and prepare for working in transit.
This guide offers practical tips for staying efficient while traveling for work, and how you can streamline the airport process so you can focus your attention on the things that matter.
Getting to the airport when travelling for business
Your journey to the airport can set the tone for your entire business trip, so it’s important to set yourself up for success from the off.
Stressful public transport, unexpected delays and parking hassles can be mentally taxing, and particularly frustrating when you’re juggling tight schedules.
Many business travellers choose to use chauffeur services for a more refined, reliable method of transport to the airport. Public transport can be noisy and busy, leaving you flustered, while ride-hailing apps can be unpredictable and offer no guarantees.
Airport chauffeur services allow you to travel in comfort and provide somewhere quiet you can take calls, catch up on emails or simply collect your thoughts before a flight.
Driving to the airport is another suitable option for business travellers, but you can streamline this by taking advantage of airport valet services. Avoid wasting time looking for a parking space and having to endure a lengthy walk or shuttle bus to the terminal. Simply drop your car off outside the terminal entrance and a member of staff will park up for you.
Tips to make airports easier when on business
The airport itself can be particularly tiresome, with long queues at check-in, immigration and security compounding to leave you exhausted – which isn’t ideal on an important work trip.
The first queue you’ll typically encounter at the airport is at the check-in desks, but this can be avoided. If it’s available for your flight and you only have cabin bags with you, use online check-in. This means you’ll have your boarding pass before you get to the airport and can head straight through to security and immigration, granting you more time to catch up on work.
If you’re bringing checked baggage with you, consider using home check-in and baggage services. This is ideal for business travellers flying from Dubai Airport. A representative will come to your home to weigh your bags before delivering them to the airport and loading them onto your flight for you.
This not only means you can completely dodge the check-in counter queues but also avoid having to carry heavy luggage around with you. This can be hot, sweaty work, which isn’t ideal if you’re heading straight to a meeting after your flight.
The next phase of the airport process will involve navigating immigration and security, but waiting times here can also be minimised. Most airports, including Dubai Airport, offer fast-track services which can be booked in advance. This will allow you to join an exclusive, shorter queuing lane and get to your gate much quicker – meaning you’ll have more time to get your laptop out for some work.
While services like fast-track, home check-in and chauffeurs can be booked individually, a concierge service can provide you with all these perks and more – making it the ultimate choice for travelling on business,
High-end meet & greet services cover your journey to the airport in a luxury car, porters to assist with your luggage from kerbside to your boarding gate, fast-track and exclusive lounge access. Dedicated one-to-one services like these guarantee a smooth, stress-free journey for your business trip.
How to get work done in an airport
Once you’re through security, you’ll usually have plenty of time before your flight is ready to board.
Airports aren’t typically suited for deep focus, but with a bit of planning, they can become surprisingly productive environments for work.
If you’re looking to make the most of your downtime before a flight, preparing in advance is key to staying efficient.
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Choose the right spot – book an airport lounge to guarantee yourself a quiet place to work, or find a quiet spot elsewhere (you can usually find these next to a gate that isn’t in use)
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Noise-cancelling headphones – these can significantly reduce distracting background noise even if you can’t find a quiet place to work
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Portable chargers – these are essential if you decide against booking a lounge, as you’re not guaranteed to find a power socket
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Mobile hotspots or travel sim cards – make sure you have a contingency plan in place if the airport WiFi isn’t up to scratch, or you could be left struggling to load important documents
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Set a boarding alarm – it’s easy to get lost in your work, so set a reminder for that will give plenty of time to walk to your gate and board on schedule
Tips for working in Dubai Airport
When it comes to Dubai Airport, there are several provisions for those who are travelling for work.
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Make use of airport lounges – there are several stylish lounges throughout the departure terminals, including exclusive marhaba lounges which all have complimentary high-speed WiFi
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Use the co-working space – if you have an important meeting ahead of your flight and want some privacy, the Their Patio co-working space has several specialist booths and board rooms
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Find a quiet seating area – there are comfortable reclined chairs scattered around the terminals at Dubai Airport, with charging stations including USB sockets. These provide a viable, cheaper alternative to working in a lounge, but you won’t be guaranteed peace and quiet
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Connect to the airport Wi-Fi – Dubai Airport provides complimentary Wi-Fi access to all passengers, but some features may be restricted. It’s best to book an airport lounge if you need to make a call
Tips for working when travelling
Working when travelling poses additional challenges compared to working at an office or at home. Intermittent WiFi access can be a nightmare, so preparation is key.
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Make sure you have offline access – download any key documents, emails or presentations in advance in case you encounter poor connection on your trip
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Laptop privacy screen – you'll be working in public spaces, so install this simple but effective piece of kit to keep sensitive information hidden from prying eyes. These screens limit the viewing angle of your laptop display, making it difficult for people beside or behind you to see what's on your screen
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Update apps – there's nothing more infuriating than an unexpected update preventing access to an app, or features failing to work properly. Checking that all your apps are updated in advance can mitigate the chances of this happening on your trip
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Get WiFi access on your flight – many airlines offer onboard WiFi connectivity, so double check this is possible on your flight. You’ll likely get complimentary, unrestricted connection if you fly in business class
How to improve the airport arrival process when travelling on business
Once you've touched down at your destination airport, the first thing on your mind will be checking into your hotel or getting to a meeting.
To speed up this process and make it as smooth as possible, there are a few things you can do:
Book a front-row seat - Front-row seats usually mean you’re one of the first people to disembark the plane, giving you a head start on immigration and baggage reclaim.
Use fast-track immigration lane - You can book fast-track lanes at immigration and passport control at many airports, allowing you to skip the lines and leave quicker.
Travel with only carry-on bags - this means you can skip the baggage reclaim process, where there are sometimes delays.
However, if you need to take checked luggage with you on your trip, there’s still the potential to get held up at the baggage carousel. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if your business trip involves a tight schedule.
You can eradicate this irritating final step of the airport process when you land at Dubai Airport by using a land and leave service. This means you can leave the airport and head straight to your accommodation or meeting in Dubai while a representative waits for your luggage. They'll collect your bags from the carousel and deliver them to a location of your choosing, whether that's a hotel or office building.
You can also make use of chauffeur services on this end of your journey too, which will allow you to arrive at your meeting refreshed, composed and in style.
Final thoughts: make executive travel a joy
Travelling for business can be mentally exhausting, and getting work done on the move isn’t straightforward.
However, by planning ahead and making use of expert airport services, you can make sure your journey is smooth, and you can get things done even on the fly.
Bringing the right equipment and setting yourself up for the potential of working offline is key before catching a flight.
Chauffeur services bookend your journey with comfortable, refined transportation, so you’ll get to your business appointment cool and composed.
Navigating the airport can be a breeze with meet & greet services, allowing you to fast-track long queues, while booking lounge access means you’ll have the perfect environment for working before your flight.
Home check-in and land and leave services also significantly reduce waiting times at the airport so you can get on with your work and stick to your agenda.
Use the tips in this guide and hands-on help from airport experts to make your business trip a walk in the park.
Frequently Asked Questions: travelling on business
As peaceful, stylish and exclusive areas in airports, marhaba lounges are ideal for business travellers.
You’ll have a quiet space to work away from the noise of the terminal, complimentary high-speed WiFi – instead of the unreliable, public airport connections - and several others benefits.
You can enjoy international cuisine, hot and cold beverages, and even shower facilities you can use to freshen up during a business trip.
The lounges can be booked for several hours, giving you plenty of time to catch up on work and emails.
Yes, you can comfortably work on a plane, but it’s important to plan ahead.
Many airlines provide WiFi access, but this may be a paid upgrade in some cases. Usually, booking business class flights will mean you get WiFi connectivity included.
Business class seats will also have more space for you to work – in addition to several other benefits like complimentary drinks and food.
If you check with your airline and WiFi connection isn’t available on your flight, you should update your apps and download any important files and emails before you travel.
Airlines will typically ask you to turn larger electronic devices, like laptops, off during take-off and landing, but you’ll be free to use them for the majority of the flight.