Disruption has become a standard feature of modern travel rather than an exception.

“55% of South African travel intenders cited flight delays and cancellations as their biggest frustration in Flight Centre’s 2025 global PR survey, and checked baggage can often make the situation worse,” says Zay Ferguson-Nair, Flight Centre South Africa’s Customer Experience Manager.

“The financial incentives to check a bag are disappearing fast, too – airlines globally raked in $148.4 billion in ancillary revenue last year, a 26% year-on-year surge, with checked luggage fees doing a significant share of that heavy lifting. Never mind the fact that over 24 million checked bags were either lost, damaged, or delayed in 2025.”

Carry-on only used to be something backpackers did, but travel experts now agree it’s the smartest thing any traveller can do. Here’s everything you need to know to get it right.

First, the rules that changed in 2026

Here’s what’s new:

Power banks and spare batteries

You are now limited to a maximum of two spare power banks or loose lithium batteries per person. They are strictly banned in checked luggage and must be kept in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of you to prevent hidden fire risks in overhead bins. And critically, you are no longer permitted to recharge your power bank or charge a device using a power bank while on board the aircraft.

The watt-hour rules

This is where most travellers get caught out. Check the watt-hour (Wh) rating on your devices before you pack:

• Under 100Wh: No restrictions. This covers most phones, tablets, and standard laptop batteries.
• 101Wh to 160Wh: You’ll need express approval from your airline before you travel. This typically applies to larger professional camera batteries and some medical devices.
• Over 160Wh: Banned on passenger aircraft entirely. No exceptions.

How to actually pack two weeks into a carry-on

Instead of planning by day – Monday’s outfit, Tuesday’s outfit – plan by item.

“Every piece you pack should work with at least three other pieces. That single discipline eliminates more dead weight than any compression cube ever will,” advises Ferguson-Nair.

The formula that works

For a two-week trip, a carry-on capsule wardrobe looks roughly like this:

• 4–5 tops
• 2–3 bottoms
• 1 dress or smart outfit if the trip requires it
• 1 light jacket or cardigan
• 2–3 pairs of shoes maximum
• 7–10 pairs of underwear and socks
• Sleepwear, swimwear, and workout gear only if you will actually use them

The key to making this work for two weeks rather than one is a mid-trip laundry wash. Pack a few lightweight laundry detergent sheets (they weigh almost nothing and dissolve in a hotel sink) and plan to wash clothes once around day seven. You’re effectively packing for seven days and wearing everything twice.

And remember, what’s on your body doesn’t count toward your bag weight, so wear your heaviest pair of shoes on the plane, along with your bulkiest jacket and any heavy layers.

The colour palette rule

Stick to three primary colours that all work together. When every top matches every bottom, you multiply your outfit combinations without adding a single item to your bag. A navy, white, and khaki palette, for example, gives you more combinations than a suitcase full of pieces that only work with specific partners.

The gear that makes it possible

Compression packing cubes are worth every cent. They organise your bag while reducing the volume of clothing by squeezing out excess air. Keep one cube strictly for electronics, cables, and documents so you can pull it out at security without unpacking everything else.

“One thing I always tell clients is to pack your backpack or handbag as if it’s the only bag you have. Essentials, one change of clothes, your valuables, your documents. That way, if your carry-on gets gate-checked, you still have everything you need under the seat in front of you,” advises Ferguson-Nair.

Travel light. Move fast. Stay in control.

Packing light used to be a compromise, but in 2026, it truly is a competitive advantage. Thankfully, none of the above is complicated – it just requires intention rather than defaulting to the large suitcase out of habit.

The battery regulations are a five-minute read before your next trip. The capsule wardrobe takes one afternoon to build properly and works indefinitely. The airline allowance research takes ten minutes and can save you a great deal of money.

“The travellers who feel most in control at airports are the ones who made a decision before they left home to not let their luggage make decisions for them. That’s it. That’s the whole secret to stress-free travel,” Ferguson-Nair concludes.

Here are the non-negotiables for 2026 holiday travel:

1. Buy comprehensive travel insurance. Then actually read the Ts&Cs. “Honestly, it’s the best booking decision you’ll make,” says Zay Ferguson-Nair, Customer Experience Leader at Flight Centre South Africa. “Unspecified event cover is often included if you purchase cover within 24-72 hours of your trip being booked. Talk to your travel advisor about the right cover for your trip at the point of booking, and don’t leave it for later. It shouldn’t be an afterthought.”
2. Lock in your fare now, even if you’re travelling next year. “Our advice at the moment is simple: Book early, pay now, stay flexible,” says Ferguson-Nair. “You can book today’s prices for travel up to 12 months out, which means you can snap up the deals Middle Eastern carriers are offering right now and worry about packing later.”
3. Ask about an airline’s date-change policy. Change fees and flexibility can shift, and in some cases paying a once-off change fee works out cheaper than booking a fully flexible fare from the start. Always ask – and compare – before you book.
4. Always compare the total ticket cost, not the headline price. Fuel surcharges, flexibility and ancillaries can quietly pile up, so always compare apples with apples, says Ferguson-Nair. “In the current climate, we recommend paying a little more for flexibility. It can save you money in the long run.”
5. Quote and ticket on the same day. Fares are moving really quickly right now, and a quote held overnight can vanish by breakfast, so if you’re happy with the price, secure it.
6. Check your passport before you do anything else. Most destinations require at least six months’ validity (from your return date) and two blank pages, so check your passport first, then book. Ditto for visa requirements.
7. Travel “carry-on only” wherever possible. With some airlines raising checked baggage fees to offset rising fuel costs, a cabin-ready wheelie bag at your side saves money, time at the carousel, and a great deal of stress if your flight is suddenly delayed or rerouted. And if you do find yourself sprinting to a service desk to sort out a grounded flight, at least your bag is coming with you.
8. Pack light. Really light. Sudoku, packing cubes, or military rolls – pick your weapon. We all know we’ll be wearing the same two outfits on rotation, so why are we pretending otherwise?
9. Wear your bulkiest items onto the plane. Boots, puffers, and your heaviest jersey all count as free luggage when they’re on your body, and the cabin gets cold enough that you’ll thank yourself later.
10. Remember an in-flight essentials kit. A spare pair of undies, a toothbrush, contact lens solution, phone charger, a change of top, and any prescription medication should always travel on your person, not in the hold.
11. Bring an empty, refillable water bottle. Fill it past security at any refill station and you’ll skip the airport mark-up entirely, plus you’ll stay properly hydrated on the flight.
12. Download the airline app before you leave home. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, the app will keep you up to speed and in the know.
13. Better still: save your Travel Expert’s 24-hour support number to your phone. If things go awry, you want a friendly, efficient human on the other end of the line. Same goes for your travel insurance and your hotel.
14. Know the new power bank rules before you fly. Since 27 March 2026, ICAO rules limit passengers to two power banks in the cabin and ban charging them during the flight, with some carriers (Emirates among them) capping it at one. Never put a power bank in checked luggage or the overhead bin. These devices belong under the seat in front of you, where cabin crew can reach them fast if needed.
15. Ignore “airport theory” no matter how convincing the TikTok. The trend that challenges travellers to get from the airport entrance to the departure gate in 15 minutes or less is a great way to miss your flight, especially with current security wait times.

A bit of homework at the booking stage, a sense of humour at the airport, and a wheelie bag you can actually lift, and festive season travel is yours for the taking!

The move forms part of a broader effort to raise global awareness of Saint Helena’s hiking offering, while improving access to accurate, user-friendly route information for visitors.

“Our island is genuinely unlike anywhere else, offering an extraordinary combination of volcanic scenery and rich biodiversity,” says Jonathan Passaportis, Head of Tourism for St Helena. “By improving free digital access to our trails, we’re making it easier for travellers to explore confidently and discover the scenery that makes St Helena so special.”

The Post Box Walks are the island’s established trail network, covering a wide range of difficulty levels and landscapes. Some follow coastal paths with views over the South Atlantic. Others cut through National Conservation Areas where less than 700 endemic St Helena plovers call home.

“A few walks directly through the island’s history, including routes near Longwood House, where Napoleon Bonaparte spent his years of exile, and others lead to East India Company coastal fortifications,” Passaportis adds.

Although routes are clearly signposted and graded for all skill levels, he highlights how getting accurate, up-to-date route information online for St Helena’s hiking network has historically been a challenge. By listing on Outdooractive, a leading digital platform for outdoor enthusiasts, the island’s trails are now searchable, mappable, and available offline, which matters when you’re somewhere this remote.

St Helena has always been a travel-list-topping destination for intrepid travellers, but Passaportis emphasises how the island’s remote location means we are often viewed as an untouched and difficult frontier.

“By showcasing our spectacular Post Box Walks on Outdooractive, we are quite literally placing our island into the hands of global hikers. This isn’t just about mapping routes; it’s about giving travellers the confidence to immerse themselves knowing they have world-class digital guidance in their pocket,” he concludes.

The routes are live now and free to access here.

While many South Africans still book flights from A to B and dutifully return to A, a growing tribe of globetrotters are asking, “Why retrace my steps if I could leap forward to somewhere new?”

Open-jaw flights let you land in one city and depart from another, so instead of a traditional round trip, you’re suddenly on a whirlwind city-hopping escapade with maximum experiences and minimal déjà vu.

Let’s look closer at how this ticketing strategy works – and why it might just be the smartest move for your next getaway.

What is an open-jaw flight, anyway?

As mentioned, an open-jaw flight is simply a clever airline booking strategy that lets you fly into one city and out from another.

But there are different types of open-jaw journeys. Here’s how they work, with a few examples:

• Destination open-jaw: Book a ticket from Johannesburg to Rome, make your way across sunny Europe, and fly home from Paris to Johannesburg. The “jaw” is the gap between the cities, filled, conveniently, with your own overland adventuring.
• Origin open-jaw: Leave from Johannesburg but return to Cape Town instead (useful for those multi-city trips that start at grandma’s house and end near your cousin’s wedding venue).
• Double open-jaw: For the ultimate itinerary contortionists, both start and finish points are different. For example: fly Joburg to Athens, travel to Madrid, and wing it home to Durban.

If all that sounds a bit complicated, don’t worry. Most airlines and booking engines have a “multi-city” or “open-jaw” option just waiting to be ticked. In fact, booking an open-jaw is often as easy as booking a regular return – but with an infinite number of choices and more gelato stops.

“With an open-jaw ticket – which, depending on your route might be cheaper, on par, or more expensive than a round trip – you’re squeezing every drop of value from your trip. Why settle for a simple A-to-B when you could unlock the whole alphabet?” says Sue Garrett, GM Pricing, Supply & Marketing at Flight Centre South Africa.

Why open-jaw?

• Time is money: Instead of schlepping back to your original arrival city, you can use those extra hours for wine-tasting in France or canal-hopping in Amsterdam.
• Stretch your rand: Contrary to popular belief, open-jaw flights often cost the same as a regular return ticket (or sometimes even less if you rope in a travel advisor).
• Freedom to roam: No need to plan your trip in a neat little circle. You can zigzag to your heart’s content, carving out the ultimate once-off route that matches your bucket list.
• Perfect pairing with trains: Europe’s rail network reads like every road-tripper’s fantasy novel. Hopping off in new countries is practically an Olympic sport. Score even more flexibility by combining your open-jaw flight with a Eurail or BritRail pass.

And if you’re travelling for business (or a little bit of both like 77% of South Africans, according to Flight Centre’s Global PR survey), this strategy isn’t just about sightseeing cred. “Smart businesses know that time is money. Open-jaw flights help our clients land more meetings and cover more ground, while exploring bleisure opportunities,” adds Garrett.

Bottom line? The open-jaw ticks all the boxes for modern adventurers – more options, fewer compromises, and the sweet, sweet satisfaction of never walking the same road twice.

How to book like a pro (without breaking a sweat)

• Tick the multi-city button: Don’t get stuck on return or one-way flight searches. Always hunt down the “multi-city” option.
• Mix and match airports: Europe is filled with choices. Sometimes flying out of Amsterdam, rather than Paris, can save you a bundle. Or switch it up and start in Venice and end in Madrid – think of airports as puzzle pieces that can completely transform your trip.
• Don’t forget your ground game: The “gap” between cities is your playground. Build the surface sector that suits your itinerary, whether it’s trains, buses, or boats. Remember, trains in Europe aren’t just transport; they’re a golden ticket to scenic relaxation – and perhaps even a few new friendships.
• Compare before you commit: Sometimes, two one-way tickets can sneak under the radar at a better price, but most of the time, open-jaw fares win on value and convenience, especially on long-haul routes with full-service airlines like Qatar Airways or British Airways.
• Book early, stress less: The early Euro-tripper gets the best deals, particularly on popular summer routes. Flexibility can work wonders for both your budget and your trip’s potential.

And for anyone panicking about fine print? Never underestimate the power of a travel expert’s double-check. “The multi-city search tool is your friend, but it never hurts to get a second pair of eyes, especially when it comes to bag rules or small-print,” comments Garrett. “We love a good deal, but without unexpected surprises!”

Here’s to those satisfying zigzag adventures that await, and to never, ever retracing your steps… unless it’s for seconds at the breakfast buffet, of course.

According to Flight Centre’s latest global survey (which polled thousands of travellers across South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Canada, and the US), there’s overwhelming consensus that nothing kills a holiday vibe quite like being grounded before take-off.

But that’s only the beginning of the boarding gate blues. From vanishing bags to overly chatty seatmates and the dreaded no-Wi-Fi zone, Mzansi flyers have spoken. Loudly.

Here are the five biggest in-flight irritations South Africans love to hate – and, more importantly, the clever tricks Flight Centre’s General Manager, Antoinette Turner, recommends to beat each one.

1. Flight delays & cancellations (49%)

Nearly half of South African travellers ranked delays and cancellations as their number one travel gripe. Sadly, from weather-related chaos to staff shortages and runway backlogs, delays are more common than ever.

So, how do you beat them?

• Build in buffer time: Leave wiggle room if you’ve booked connecting flights (especially in less reliable hubs). That seemingly dreamy 55-minute layover is a serious gamble.
• Download your airline’s app: Airlines often update their own apps before relaying info to gate staff or email alerts. It’s the fastest way to receive push notifications on rebooking options or gate changes.
• Get smart about travel insurance: “Many South African travel insurance policies cover delays that exceed 4–6 hours,” explains Turner. “Depending on the provider, you could claim for meals, accommodation, and other expenses, but only if you can prove the delay. Keep every receipt, screenshot your boarding pass, and make that claim within the window your policy allows.”

2. Lost luggage (47%)

Second only to delays, lost luggage is another big flying frustration for South African travellers – but with the global luggage mishandling rate at approximately 6.3 bags per 1,000 passengers, the chances of it happening to you are very low (but never zero).

So, how do you beat it?

• Pack smart – cabin is king: Always keep your essentials (meds, chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes, and any valuables) in your hand luggage.
• Track it, don’t hope it: Invest in a Bluetooth luggage tracker (like an AirTag or Tile) and pop it inside your checked bag. That way, even if the airline’s lost your bag physically, you haven’t lost it digitally. Also look into Blueribbon bags, a service that helps you quickly recover lost luggage or guarantees a minimum $1,000 payment per bag if the luggage isn’t returned within four days.
• Your phone is a witness: Snap a quick photo of your bag before check-in and keep images of the contents and receipts for any valuables. If you need to submit a baggage claim, insurers and airlines will want proof. The better your documentation, the stronger your case.

“Most South African insurers offer cover for lost, stolen, delayed or damaged luggage, but conditions vary,” says Turner.

Important things to remember:

• Claims usually have time limits – e.g., report within 21 days for delayed luggage, and even sooner (often 24–72 hours) for theft or damage.
  • You’ll likely need a formal Property Irregularity Report (PIR) from the airline.
  • Valuables (phones, laptops, jewellery) are often only covered if they’re in your cabin bag.

3. Disruptive passengers (47%)

Disruptive passengers, whether they’re overly emotional, tipsy, loud, or just wildly unaware of common decency, are enough to send your blood pressure to the same altitude as the plane.

So, how do you beat this problem?

• Bring noise-cancelling headphones: They’re the single best investment in modern travel, period.
• Be strategic with your seat selection: If you’re hoping for quiet, skip the bulkhead – that’s where bassinets (and restless little ones) tend to go. A seat toward the back is often noisier, while rows just in front of the wings tend to be quieter and more stable.
• Speak up – politely and early: If someone is noticeably drunk, aggressive, or making your flight painful, discreetly alert a flight attendant sooner rather than later.

4. The dreaded middle seat (27%)

Ah, the middle seat. It’s the spot no one chooses… but someone always ends up in.

So, how do you beat it?

• Book early. Choose wisely. Pay if you must: Gone are the days of playing airplane roulette at check-in. If you want control, claim it in advance. Some airlines charge for seat selection, but ask yourself: is R500* worth avoiding 11 hours squashed between two sleepy elbow sprawlers? Yes. Yes, it is.
• Travelling in a pair? Use the sneaky aisle-window trick: Book the aisle and window seats in a set of three. Most solo travellers won’t pick the middle, and if they do, you can always offer a swap and sit next to your mate anyway.

“Strategic seat selection is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your flight experience, without actually flying business class. At Flight Centre, we always help customers check what their airline offers and when seat selection opens,” comments Turner.

5. No Wi-Fi on board (27%)

You’ve planned the perfect binge session: downloaded the first two episodes, ready to stream the rest mid-air. You’ve got emails to smash and braggy Instagram posts to queue. Then it hits you: no Wi-Fi. Or worse… Wi-Fi that connects but doesn’t actually work.

So, how do you beat it?

• Download everything: Don’t rely on onboard Wi-Fi to keep you entertained or productive. Before you fly:
  • Netflix: download your series.
  • Spotify: offline playlists.
  • Google Docs: use “Offline Mode” for working in the cloud without the cloud.
  • Gmail & Outlook: turn on offline inboxing if you’ll be emailing between time zones.
• Rediscover the beauty of Things That Don’t Need Charging™: Remember books? Magazines? Crossword puzzles? They still exist, and you’ve probably forgotten how much fun they can be.
• Reframe the moment: No Wi-Fi = the rare gift of being unreachable. Use that luxurious isolation to nap, journal, brainstorm your next trip, or plan your entire European itinerary via pen and recycled boarding pass.

“Not every bump in the journey can be avoided,” says Turner, “but being informed and prepared means you respond better – stress less, adapt faster, and enjoy the trip a whole lot more.”

Here’s to smoother skies, smarter flying… and fewer elbow wars at 10,600 meters.

*Seat selection pricing varies between airlines

We spoke to a group of seasoned South African travel advisors to uncover the most common booking blunders this can lead to, and the deceptively simple decisions that can trip you up. Before you hit “book now”, arm yourself with these expert tips to make your next trip smoother, safer, and far more memorable.

MISTAKE #1: Booking Through Third-Party Sites

Click, pay, done? Not quite. Many South African travellers use search engines to find airfare deals, not realising what happens next.

“Clients click on what seems to be the best price but get redirected to another company, which then books with the airline,” says Envoyage travel advisor Lilly Fourie. “You end up with multiple reference numbers and no idea who to contact if something goes wrong.”

This creates big problems when you need help, whether it’s a sudden change, cancellation, missed connection, or even just adding a bag. And the call centres? Often overseas or with long wait times.

So, how do you steer clear of this chaos? Book through a travel advisor. “We guide you through the booking, explain the rules, and handle any unexpected changes,” explains Fourie. “It’s always good to have someone to count on when plans go wrong.”

MISTAKE #2: Booking the Wrong Location and Blowing Your Budget 

It’s easy to get caught up in star ratings and special offers, but if you don’t pay attention to your hotel’s location, that great deal could cost you more than you think.

Take this common mistake: a traveller books a hotel thinking it’s just a short walk from the train station they’ll depart from the next day but also plans to explore the city during their stopover. The result? They end up far from the sights, spend way more than budgeted on transport, and waste valuable time commuting back and forth.

“Location for most holidays is important, but it’s not just about being central – it also affects your overall cost and convenience,” says Envoyage travel advisor Karen McCrindle.

Her advice? Don’t look at price alone. Make sure your base makes sense for what you want to do and how you want to move. “A slightly more expensive hotel in the right place can end up being the better choice,” she says.

MISTAKE #3: Waiting for Last-Minute Flight Deals

It’s a pattern travel advisors know well. Stephanie Allan from Envoyage explains that she often receives enquiries for flight quotes, but the traveller decides to wait, hoping for a last-minute deal to pop up.

The idea is appealing: hang back, watch the fares, and grab a bargain when prices drop. But more often than not, that deal never comes. “By the time they return to book, the fare has gone up – sometimes substantially,” says Allan.

Flight prices are dynamic and tend to increase as the departure date approaches, especially on popular routes. While last-minute specials may occasionally appear, they’re unpredictable and rarely align with your ideal dates or itinerary.

Allan’s advice? Don’t play the waiting game. If a fare fits your budget and your plans are firm, booking earlier often gives you better value and a far less stressful lead-up to your trip.

MISTAKE #4: Overlooking Passport Validity and Entry Requirements

You’ve booked your flights, found your dream hotel, and set your sights on Europe, but one overlooked detail could stop your entire trip before it begins: your passport.

“Most travellers don’t realise that many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return to South Africa,” says Catharina Stewart, another travel advisor at Envoyage. “If your passport doesn’t meet this criteria, you could be denied boarding at the airport.”

Another common misconception? Thinking that “visa-free” means “no entry requirements.” While South Africans can enter various countries without a visa, that doesn’t mean you can just arrive at the border without documentation. “Even in visa-free countries, you may need to show proof of accommodation, a return ticket, travel insurance, sufficient funds, or an invitation letter,” explains Stewart.

Her advice is simple: always check entry rules thoroughly before committing to travel, as passport expiry dates and entry requirements vary between countries.

MISTAKE #5: Trusting Travel Influencers Without Doing Your Own Research 

It’s easy to get swept up by travel inspiration on Instagram or TikTok – white-sand beaches, hidden towns, and “undiscovered” spots that look too perfect to be true. And often, they are.

“People forget how many shots it takes to get the perfect picture,” says Envoyage travel advisor Bernadette Terblanche. “Some influencers even edit people out of the background to make it look empty and peaceful.” The result? Travellers show up expecting serenity and find a beach packed with tourists.

Social media influencers aren’t always trained travel experts, and the content they share is designed to gain likes – not deliver practical advice. Important details like transport logistics, crowds, high season costs, and entry requirements are often completely left out.

Terblanche’s advice is to use social media for inspiration, not information. “Always do your own research or speak to a travel advisor who can give you the real picture instead of the filtered one.”

MISTAKE #6: Winging it and Hoping for the Best 

Sometimes, the mistake isn’t what you book – it’s what you don’t.

Things like choosing a middle seat in the back row, thinking it’ll magically come with extra legroom. Or assuming the airline will figure out your special meal request without properly confirming it. Even something as important as letting your hotel know about food allergies in advance can be overlooked – with serious consequences.

And once you land? Trying to grab a last-minute airport transfer or figuring out your route through an unfamiliar city after a long-haul flight can leave you stressed and overwhelmed.

Another common one: assuming you’ll “sort it out when you get there” instead of pre-booking a few key tours or activities. “A lot of people don’t realise how much time they lose trying to plan things once they’ve arrived,” says Envoyage travel advisor Anneri Papenfus. “A good guide, airport transport arranged ahead of time, and just a little structure can completely change your experience.”

About Envoyage 

Envoyage is a leader in the travel industry, dedicated to shaping the future of travel through collaboration, innovation, and excellence. With a commitment to empowering its members and partners, Envoyage offers cutting-edge solutions and unparalleled support to drive success in an ever-evolving landscape. Visit www.join.envoyage.com

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JOHANNESBURG – Remember when scoring an international business trip felt like winning the office lottery? Reality check: your body disagrees.

That five-day sprint to Tokyo – the one with back-to-back meetings and seven-hour time difference – is why you’re spending every weekend in recovery mode. And Monday? You’re back at your desk running on fumes.

Here’s what business travel experts now understand: it’s not you, it’s your itinerary.

“Most travellers blame themselves when they feel wrecked after business trips,” says Mummy Mafojane, GM at FCM. “They think they should sleep better, hydrate more, or hit the hotel gym. But they’re missing the fundamental issue – their bodies literally need more time to adjust.”

Enter the one-week rule – possibly the most straightforward travel wellness hack you’ll ever implement.

The concept is based on solid physiological research: your body requires approximately one day per time zone crossed to fully recalibrate its circadian rhythm. Cross six time zones, need six days. Seven zones, seven days. It’s that simple.

Yet most business trips still follow the outdated 3-5 day model, which guarantees you’re heading home precisely when your body has barely started adjusting to local time. And the fallout? Not good.

A Mailman School of Public Health study found that employees who travel extensively report higher stress levels and significantly worse health outcomes than their non-travelling colleagues. Meanwhile, World Travel Protection research revealed over half of frequent business travellers experience burnout symptoms directly tied to their travel patterns.

When your circadian rhythm is disrupted, your cognitive function takes a serious hit. Decision-making suffers. Creativity plummets. Immune function weakens. Your ability to read social cues – crucial in cross-cultural business settings – deteriorates. Add the pressure of high-stakes meetings in unfamiliar settings, and you’ve got the perfect storm for subpar performance.

“We’ve normalised the idea of pushing through jet lag,” says Mafojane. “But would you expect an athlete to compete at their peak while sleep-deprived and disoriented? Then why do we expect it from business professionals making million-rand decisions?”

THE ONE-WEEK RECOMMENDATION

Mafojane says travel management companies (TMCs) like FCM are increasingly recommending a wellness-forward approach.

“Companies need to have candid conversations about the hidden costs of compressed trips,” says Mafojane. “When executives understand they’re potentially operating at 60-70% capacity during these quick trips – and the business implications of that – the one-week rule suddenly makes perfect sense.”

ADAPTING YOUR TRAVEL POLICY

For organisations serious about implementing the one-week rule, Mafojane recommends a phased approach to policy updates:

“Start with your highest-value international trips – those crossing five or more time zones with significant business impact,” she advises. She suggests companies first target traveller segments most affected by jet lag: executives over 50, team members with health considerations and those making presentations or negotiations within 24 hours of arrival.

“Document the business case beyond wellness,” Mafojane emphasises. “Better preparation, stronger relationship-building, higher-quality decision-making – these are measurable advantages of properly timed trips.”

Even for organisations unable to immediately implement the full one-week policy, Mafojane recommends incremental improvements: “Add just one adaptation day to existing trips. Allow work-from-hotel mornings after overnight flights. Create space in the schedule for recovery. Even small changes yield significant benefits.”

Beyond extending your stay, these strategies can dramatically improve your travel experience she says:

Book daytime arrivals

Landing during daylight hours gives your body crucial light exposure that helps reset your internal clock faster. Mafojane recommends prioritising these arrival times over rock-bottom fares when possible.

Sleep-proof your hotel 

“Look beyond the standard hotel amenities,” says Mafojane. “Quality blackout curtains, rooms away from lifts, premium bedding – these aren’t luxuries, they’re recovery tools.” She suggests requesting these specifications when booking accommodations.

Build in buffer zones 

Schedule at least one full day before critical presentations or negotiations when crossing multiple time zones. Similarly, avoid packing your calendar the day you return home.

Log off meaningfully 

“Travellers should establish clear availability windows while abroad,” says Mafojane. “Constant connectivity to the home office disrupts your ability to adapt to local time.” She recommends setting travel communication protocols that protect adjustment periods.