Heading on holiday is always an exciting time, and anticipation always builds when we get to the airport. Yet, there’s one frustrating mistake I always see travellers make at the airport, and it’s easily avoided.

There are a few essentials I always pack before I head on holiday, and to me, I’d be lost without them. I’m not just talking about my passport and phone charger, but my blackout eye mask, noise-cancelling headphones, anti-bac wet wipes, bag hook, toothbrush, and skincare, which make any plane journey that much more comfortable.

But the one item I really can’t go without is my reusable water bottle, and it baffles me how many holidaymakers don’t think about taking one to the airport. Of course, it’s easy to think, ‘I’ll just buy a bottle of water at the airport’, but who really wants to spend £5 on a small plastic bottle of water when you can refill your reusable 1L bottle for free?

I will always ensure my reusable bottle is empty when I go through airport security, and then, on the other side, I’ll find a water station to refill it so I have it ready for the flight ahead. It’s a crucial step in my airport experience, particularly before a long-haul flight, as those tiny cups of water on board don’t quite cut it for quenching my thirst.

Plus, there are free water stations scattered throughout UK airports, often near the toilets, so it’s easy to fill up your reusable bottle before your flight. During my latest visit to Gatwick Airport, I struggled to find the refillable water station before a staff member kindly pointed me in the right direction, phew!

After you’ve gone through airport security, your liquid allowance will not be checked again before your flight, meaning you’re free to take on board that refilled bottle of water. Once on board, you can even ask a member of the cabin crew to refill it for you if needed, which I did during a recent long-haul flight.

Not only will taking a reusable bottle help you save money on buying water for the whole family, which could easily cost up to £20, but it also ensures you have a drink to hand during the flight. While complimentary drinks are served on some flights, they can be small and limited, so having your own bottle of water will help you stay hydrated, particularly as the low humidity and air pressure on the plane can make us feel extra thirsty.

Just be sure not to overfill your water, as I did once. As we took off vertically, my bottle started to leak because I had filled it too high; thankfully, the passenger next to me kindly pointed it out, and I rescued my crucial flying water.

While it’s a simple hack to pack a reusable water bottle, it’s one that will undoubtedly be handy on any trip. Aside from using it for your flight, you can easily take advantage of it while you’re away, perhaps refilling it for a day exploring a new city, or simply so you have water to hand while basking in the sunshine on the beach or by a pool.

You can even get bottles with a nifty hook so you can attach them to your bag for easy access. Or there are foldable and reusable bottles on the market that take up even less space!

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