If you have an important meeting in another city, it’s likely you’ll fly there instead of driving, as it’s much quicker and fits into your busy schedule. It’s quite common to go straight from the plane to your client’s office, which can save you hanging around a hotel room, but this means their first impression of you will be when you’ve come straight off a flight. Nobody looks their best after a long plane journey, so here are some tips to at least look smart and well-presented when you’re flying to a meeting.
- Pack your business clothes in your carry on
Never travel in the clothes you’re planning to wear to a meeting. They’ll get crumpled, sweaty, and are at risk of spilled coffee or food stains. Take a small suitcase as a carry on and pack a smart outfit, while wearing something comfortable for the plane. Airlines will let you take a suit bag instead of a bag as a carry on, as long as it’s within the airline’s carry on dimensions, so as soon as you land, you can find somewhere to freshen up and change.
- Get a shower if you can
If you have the luxury of flying on Stratos Jets, you get a private experience that often includes a shower and great bathroom facilities. This means you can have a shower just before you land, so you can step off the plane feeling great. Fly first class on long haul flights, and some cabins will have showers too, although you’ll have to share with your fellow passengers.
When it comes to shorter haul flights, or if your company will only let you fly coach, then see if your destination airport has shower facilities. It gives you a handy place to get changed and wakes you up a little after your flight, so you’re ready to tackle any challenges head-on.
- Eat on the plane
The combination of rushing around and time zone differences can mean that you turn up to your meeting feeling hungry. It’s never a good first impression to have a rumbling stomach, and it can distract you from giving a big presentation. Make sure you eat on the plane and pack some healthy snacks, so even if it’s not dinner time in your destination, you can still last a few hours.
- Do some prep on the plane
Turning up looking disorganized and flustered will leave a bad impression. When you pack your carry on, avoid taking lots of paperwork or junk, and stick to a few devices where you can do some prep work. Some airlines now have WiFi, so it’s easy to get work done, and you can find laptops with several hours of battery life, or upgrade to business class, where you’ll often get a power socket at your seat. This means you can turn up ready for anything the client wants to throw at you.
Traveling for business can be tiring and stressful, but if you’re well prepared, then you can arrive looking fresh and ready to work, which will ensure you give a professional aura.
Pinstripe Magazine Staff
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