Five ways to deal with airport queues to make your trip go smoothly

Travelling from Dublin Airport? Here's what you can do in advance to ease any stress after over 1,000 passengers missed flights on Sunday due to lengthy queues

Some of the crowds at Dublin Airport in recent month. Pic: Robert Mannion. Twitter: @RobertMannion11.

Overnight in Dublin

While there's a preponderance of hotels in the big smoke, people heading out of Dublin Airport might do well to bag an overnight stay in the city the night before - even making a night of it! - and avoid the drudgery of super-early starts, extra-long drives and the stress of getting in on time.

Pack smart

Every minute counts, and you don't want to be held up by anything, so be as security-savvy with your packing as possible. 

Double-check the list of prohibited items and substances in advance, avoiding clunky liquids, and unnecessary metallic objects in the process - and do a pocket check in trousers, shirts, and jackets, etc. for any items that might cause trouble before you pack.

The airport's full FAQ for security is here.

Get fast passes if possible

It might seem like a no-brainer, but Dublin Airport offers fast-pass access for €6-€12 to get through security quicker, and while it's obviously not ideal, every second counts at present.

It's worth keeping an eye on the service's website for more news for upcoming flights - and don't forget about possible advance check-ins and such offered by individual airlines.

Stressed out of Dublin? Try Cork and elsewhere

Over 1,000 passengers missed flights on Sunday due to lengthy queues at Dublin Airport, according to the Dublin Airport management body (Daa).

Issues that have plagued the airport over the past few months reached a climax over the weekend with some passengers queuing for over 11 hours for their flights.

To avoid the queues at Dublin airport completely, check if it's possible to go straight to your destination from Cork, Shannon and other airports via various airlines. 

Insure yourself

Sometimes it's unavoidable. Events conspire, circumstances play out, and a flight gets missed. 

Before setting out, shop around with travel insurers like the AA, An Post and Aviva to get the best deal possible, and be sure to check for inclusive Covid-19 cover.