Flying!

Here’s the thing: Flying is a hassle. Lines, terminals that make no sense, delays for reasons you could never have anticipated — airports are not always the most tranquil places. But what if you could whiz through security, score great deals and actually enjoy your time before setting sail? The good news is that people who spend a lot of time in the air, as well as airport workers, have figured out some clever work-arounds to turn your passage from hellish to heavenly.

These insider tips aren’t lurking in some secret travel club, either. These are practical tips that anybody can rely upon, whether you’re a nervous first-time flyer or someone who spends half of your life racking up air miles. From when to arrive to knowing which airport apps can help — and the under-the-radar ones that will get you into an airline’s lounge if you’ve got a long layover (and even if you don’t) — these suggestions will save time, money and aggravation. So here we go: The secrets that will change the way you see airport travel forever.

For most of us divine mortals, we book flights without pondering what day of the week to fly. That’s a mistake. If you’re looking for cheaper, less-crowded flights, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are good days to fly. Why? Business travelers fly Monday through Friday, jamming up those routes. Families frequently come on weekends, so Fridays and Sundays are crowded.

Flying in the middle of the week, you’ll see shorter security lines, empty gate areas and staffers with a more laissez-faire attitude. There is also usually less congestion in the air on these days because of fewer flights in general, so airlines also experience less delay. If you can be flexible in when you travel, the difference of a day can mean huge savings.