Love the safety of air travel? Someone else is handling the transportation while you just sit back and relax. Or maybe flying fills you with dread. Sure, you understand the physics of flight, but when you're taxiing at takeoff, Newton's Third Law seems awfully flimsy. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, you've got to acknowledge that there are some really weird situations you can encounter when flying. From making your reservations to landing safely, you want the whole process to go smoothly. And it usually does.

There are surprising hacks that'll make flying easier before you even set foot on the plane. You know you should book in advance, but 47 days before your flight is the optimum time to get the best seats at the best price. Did you know that some airlines board their plans by check-in times? Don't be dead last, or you'll be searching every single overhead compartment for room to fit your bag.

And speaking of bags... Check out the infographic below to learn about the best ways to get through security and more!

weird things that happen while flying

Ever wonder what's happening around you while you fly? How about some fascinating flight facts? For instance, turbulence isn't dangerous. Good to know, but it does leave some travelers feeling queasy. At the very least, you might spill your coffee. For the steadiest ride, pick a morning flight. They're typically less bumpy because the ground hasn't heated up yet. (More physics!) Book early enough so you can choose your seat, because the ones near wings offer the calmest ride.

Does the flight actually affect your body? The graphic below will tell you all you need to know about what flying at 39,000 feet does to everything from your body to your electronics!

cold formed parts for airplanes and the aerospace industry