Life

7 Apps To Help You Have A Better Flight

by Megan Grant

What happens when you board your flight, only to realize you're sitting right next to the potty? A new free app called Seateroo allows you to buy a seat from, or sell yours to, your fellow passengers, making it the latest in apps that help you have a better flight. It sounds pretty simple: You search for your flight, and any seats for sale will pop up. You can also put your seat up for sale, if you're in the mood to make some fast, easy money. You can set your own price, but it must be at least $5; and the app takes 15 percent of whatever you make.

Seateroo is not associated with any airline; you're dealing with other passengers only. And remember that you're not selling your ticket or officially changing your seating assignment. But with how uncomfortable and stuffy and smelly and cramped flights can get, I think it's a cool idea. After discovering Seateroo, I found myself curious about what other apps are out there geared toward helping us have a smoother flight. I personally am not the biggest fan of flying, so I could certainly use the extra help. Here's what I found in my search.

1. GateGuru

If I get to my gate early and have some time to spare, my mind starts to wander: Where's the Starbucks? Where can I get a croissant? Who has a snack for me? GateGuru gives you the skinny on all the shops and restaurants in your airport. Now you don't have to go searching for that latte.

2. Entrain

If you're anything like me, switching time zones really messes with your mind and body. This free app uses your body's circadian rhythm to map out your sleep schedule. Input your current time zone, the time zone of wherever you're going, and the brightest light your can tolerate while you're traveling, and Entrain will help minimize jetlag so that your flight and your trip are way more enjoyable.

3. LoungeBuddy

Maybe you've got some time to kill before your flight. Maybe you have a wicked nasty layover. LoungeBuddy will tell you where the closest lounge is, so you can relax in one of the good chairs.

4. Pocket

It's always during a long flight that you start to think of all the things you could catch up on — laundry, dishes, scrubbing the molding in the kitchen. Here's something you can do midair: Revisit alllllll the pages you've bookmarked and saved because, "Oh, I'm totally going to read this later." Now you can, and Pocket makes it easy! This free app lets you save all those pages in one location, and the user interface is super clean and easy to navigate.

5. Radarcast

This one's a must pre-, mid-, and post-flight. Heck, it's good all the time. Radarcast gives incredibly detailed tracking of storms, hurricanes, and even wildfires. It can tell you specific times precipitation will start and stop; it tells you which direction weather is traveling in; and it'll warn you of upcoming severe weather.

6. Tripit

This app combines all information regarding your flight, hotel, and car rental into one single itinerary. A fantastic way to reduce airport stress and relax a little more during your flight!

Images: Pixabay; Megan Grant/Bustle (6)