“The Upgrade” is a series from By The Way that gives guest writers a platform to share their travel tips and hot takes. Each time, illustrator Min Ho animates the advice. Below are some of the most popular entries. Some may seem basic, but ask yourself: Are you optimizing your travel routine?
Want to write your own upgrade? Find out how to submit it here.
David Coggins is nostalgic for the Cary Grant era of airlines and wishes more passengers would make an effort to bring class and glamour to their in-flight experience. The Men and Style author argues that being thoughtful about how you dress shows respect for gate agents, uniformed flight attendants, and fellow passengers.
“I know this is a losing battle, but it's a good battle nonetheless,” Coggins wrote. “If sweatsuits are your truth, then there's nothing else I can say other than that no one in the history of the world has ever looked good in a sweatsuit.”
We're not sure if wearing a plaid blazer will actually get you an upgrade to first class, but it sure can't hurt.
Visit Europe's “Second City”
Rick Steves is our favorite pétanque-loving philanthropist and respected travel expert. In his beloved Europe, he recommends spending the last day of every visit to a capital city in a “second city”—think Porto and Lisbon, Glasgow and Edinburgh, Marseille and Paris.
“While they may not be popular or bucket list destinations, Europe's second largest cities tend to enjoy creativity, strong civic spirit, Rust Belt resilience, fun eateries with cutting-edge menus, and enjoyable street art. They also tend to have far fewer tourists, which means cheaper prices, a more authentic welcome, and a more sincere cultural experience,” Steeves writes.
Like Steve Jobs and many who practice quiet luxury, travel writer Jessica Poitevian is committed to eliminating decision fatigue. Standardizing her outfit only for when she's flying doesn't just streamline her packing routine: “I never have to worry about forgetting something important, because I have two of everything: one for home and one in my backpack for my next trip. All I need to add is my passport, my laptop, and the book I'm reading, and I'm good to go.”
What does her uniform look like?
“My tops are always loose fitting T-shirts or sweaters that cover me when I'm carrying or lifting luggage or going through security,” Poitvien wrote. “I layer up with a jean jacket to stay warm on the freezing plane, and I keep my phone, passport and boarding pass in the inside pockets for easy access.”
dangerously cutting short one's airport arrival
It might not be for the faint of heart, but travel writer Brad Jafe wants to spend as little time as possible in airports.
“I live about five miles from LAX,” Jaffe wrote. “For example, if my domestic flight leaves at 9am, I can take an Uber up until 8:32am.”
It takes a lot of courage to make this happen, but it requires using PreCheck or Clear, among other conditions.
Food and travel writer David Farley thinks we should ditch the chicken-versus-pasta dilemma and opt for spicy, plant-based meals. Book a Hindu meal on your next long-haul flight and you could be feasting on dal makhani and naan, or bhindi masala and raita. Airlines say as long as you book your meal at least 24 hours before your flight, you won't be taking away anyone else's special meal.
Life is short, so follow in your dad's footsteps and get up early to make the most of your vacation. For Associate Editor Amanda Finnegan, waking up with the sun means hours of quiet before her travel companions join her, and by 10am, she's ready for her first nap.
Show off your fashion sense with black and blue
Rachel Tashjian has a cooler job than yours. As a fashion writer, her job flies her to Europe three or four times a year, where she spends weeks staring at flashy clothes on the catwalks. It's the dream, but it also means pressure to look great every day. That's where the black-and-blue hack comes in. By mixing a bit of navy into your collection of dark pieces, you're making a bold choice that breaks one of the cardinal rules of fashion:
2 skirts: one loose and one fitted. 3 jackets: a classic blazer, one unusual, an open-front wool jacket. 1 pair of trousers. 1 black dress. 3 t-shirts. Black shoes.
Noah Garten is a heroic husband: a Los Angeles-based chef and author whose simple act of making his wife a sandwich to take to the airport inspired him to ditch pre-cooked egg patties for good.
Sure, you could make do with overpriced coffee, a Dunkin' Donuts wrap, or a disappointing Caesar from some weird brand of bar and grill you've never heard of. Or you could revolutionize your home by whipping up a breakfast burrito or English muffin sandwich. Or you could just buy better sandwiches in advance in the real world (see: Emily's Pork Store in Brooklyn).
The secret to a happy relationship is compromise and giving your partner time to travel alone, especially if they have kids at home. It's a philosophy preached by Austin Graff, an extroverted author who has come to understand the benefits of venturing out alone: ​​You'll have easier access to fine restaurants, you'll have more time to explore, and you'll feel more thoughtful and in the moment when you return home to your family.
While the Weekend Warrior routine is geared towards people in their 20s, Rachel Orr writes that once you're in your 30s, it's time to ease into it and carve out an extra day to relax before rushing back to work. “Think of it as a mini-staycation at the end of your vacation,” she suggests.
