Your first time flying can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking experience.
The chances are that even if you’re looking forward to your maiden flight, you’ll still have a few questions that you want to ask to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch.
Sometimes, there are things about a flight that you won’t be able to predict, but you can still prepare for almost anything. For instance, you might have your flight cancelled or delayed suddenly and need to start looking up your options for compensation while in the airport.
Here’s what you need to know about your first-time flying experience.
Make Sure You’ve Got the Right Paperwork
One of the biggest worries that first-time flyers have, has to do with arriving at the airport and discovering that they don’t have the documentation or paperwork they need to board the flight. The most important thing to remember is your passport. Without your passport, you won’t be able to get onto the plane. Make sure that your passport is up to date and has at least three months left on it before you travel internationally.
Other documentation that you need for your flight will typically be available to you in digital format. Most of today’s airlines will issue booking information and e-tickets over email, so you can simply show your ticket on your phone when you arrive at the desk. However, it’s a good idea to print your booking details anyway, just in case your phone dies for some reason, or you can’t get into your account.
Understand the Luggage Situation
Another common problem that people have on a first-time flight, is that they’re never completely sure how much luggage they can take with them. It’s easy to go over-the-top when you’re packing, particularly when you’ve got a long trip to plan for, but you can find yourself in a sticky situation if you arrive at the airport and discover that your suitcases weigh too much. Either you’ll need to leave items that you need behind, or you’ll be asked to pay extra to load your luggage onto the plane.
To make sure you’re properly prepared, check the luggage restrictions for your airline well before you start packing. If you’re worried that the restrictions are too limited for what you need to take with you, then find out how much it will cost to take an extra suitcase. Remember that you’ll also have the option to take an item of hand luggage with you, but you’ll also have weight requirements to follow with that too!
Understand the Boarding Procedure
When you arrive at the airport, you can’t simply stroll straight onto your plane. If it’s your first time flying, it’s worth noting that you’ll need to first check into your flight, and then go through the security gate to make sure that you’re safe to fly. The check-in can be simple if your airline allows for you to digitally complete everything, and you don’t have any luggage that you need to hand over to the airport staff. If you do need to check your bags, don’t rush to be the first to do this. The later the team loads on your luggage, the faster it will appear at the tail end of your trip.
When you’ve checked your luggage in, you can move onto the security section of your flight. You will need to take your shoes off at this stage, and remove anything metallic from your body, including a belt, or a coat with a metal zipper. You’ll also need to pull any liquids or electronics out of your bags before you put them through a device that checks for signs of threats. Remember to wear easy-to-remove shoes and avoid wearing too much metal.
Try to Relax on the Flight
When you safely get through security and you’re called to board your flight, make sure that you take your time getting onto the plane. Don’t rush to be one of the first people onboard, as this will make it harder for you to find your seat and get settled. Additionally, if you wait around until later, you might find that there’s a spare seat in business class that you can take advantage of.
Sit down and make sure that your hand luggage is stowed away correctly, then take some time to centre yourself and relax. Remember that flying is perfectly safe, and do your best to sleep throughout the journey if you can, as this will help you to avoid boredom and make the whole experience pass a lot quicker too.