One of the frustrating things about boarding a flight is the frantic huddle around the gate before boarding. The gate lice (as they’re affectionately known in travel circles) might be annoying and subject to a whole bunch of bad feelings, these people are actually onto something. In the modern era of air travel, boarding early is key for having a better flight. Here is why…
Bin Space is Finite
The most stressful part of flying today isn’t the turbulence; it’s the sight of a flight attendant closing overhead bins while you’re still five rows away. Having your carry-on directly over your head means you can keep an eye on it and access it easily if you forgot your headphones or a charger. Also, if the bins near your seat are full, you might have to stow your bag several rows behind you. When the plane lands, you’ll be forced to wait for the entire aircraft to deplane before you can move backward to retrieve your luggage. This will only delay your departure.
Guarding Your Gear
When you board early, you control how your bag is handled. Late boarders are often forced to shove their bags into awkward gaps, which can lead to damaged items like fragile souvenirs or crushed laptops. If the bins hit capacity, the airline will force you to gate-check your bag. This means waiting at the carousel at your destination, risking lost luggage, and losing the very convenience a carry-on is supposed to provide.
Settling the Travel Anxiety
Boarding early allows you to claim your space mentally and physically. You have time to sanitize your tray table, organize your seatback pocket, and get your seatbelt fastened before the aisle becomes a high-traffic zone of elbows and backpacks. You can also get your overhead air vent adjusted and your jacket stowed before the cabin gets stuffy during the boarding process.
Direct Line of Sight
There is a subtle security benefit to having your bag directly above you. While rare, overhead bin theft does happen. Being able to see who is opening the bin above your head provides a layer of protection that having your bag 10 rows away simply doesn’t offer.
My recommendation is if you have a carry-on that you need to stow in the overhead compartment, it pays to try to board as early as possible even if you annoy other passengers. The benefits of having you bag over your seat outweighs all the dirty looks that you may receive.