First Flight: Tips for First Time Flyers
Congratulations on booking your first flight! It's an exciting time, but it can also be terrifying. For some, flying is incredibly enjoyable, but it triggers fear and anxiety for others. Hopefully, this checklist will help you be one of those who enjoy flying for the engineering marvel. To ensure that this is a relaxing experience, preparation is critical. Remember that even when things are stressful, as Superman told us, flying is still the safest way to travel.
This article will walk you through the entire process from checking in for your first flight to landing at your destination. Throughout the article are tips for first time flyers and seasoned travelers.
Carry On Bag Essentials
Before you get into packing there are a few items you need to have in your carry on bag or personal item:
Identification Documents (Passport, Real ID, Visas, Covid Vaccination, Covid Test Results)
Scanned copies of IDs
Emergency Cash
Hand Sanitizer
Extra Masks
Extra set of clothes
Snacks
Electronics
Empty Water Bottle
Checking In
Getting to your destination begins 24 to 48 hours before your flight. For most airlines, early check-in is available, and I highly encourage you to use it. If you booked through an online travel agency, they will have access to your boarding passes and let you know of any flight changes. In the unlikely event of changes, they should be your first call.
Frequent Flyer Programs
If you are flying for the first time, joining a frequent flyer program even when you don't have plans for future flights is the right move. Frequent flyer miles can be used to upgrade out of a cramped airplane seat, get free checked baggage, or get a free meal during your flight. The app will provide you with a digital boarding pass and update you on airport security procedures. If you are not checking any baggage, you can use your phone to go through security.
Window or Aisle
When checking in online, pick great seats based on what you think will make you feel more comfortable. I highly encourage early fliers to choose a window seat, which gives you control over the window shade, but it gives you a place to rest your head if you feel nauseous. Websites like Seat Guru are a great starting point when choosing a seat. This lets you see which are the worst seats on the plane and which ones are pretty much the same. Avoid any seats that are marked yellow or red.
Checked Baggage
Another part of check-in is determining how many bags you plan on checking. If avoidable, I suggest not checking any bags. This will save you money on a domestic flight and make the landing process way less stressful. If you need to bring a checked bag, buy the bags in advance during the check-in process. On most international flights leaving the United States, checked luggage will be included in the price, excluding budget airlines.
Note: If you are flying Southwest, they do not provide a seat number. They have cattle call seating. Set the alarm for 24 hours before your flight to check in. You will see a letter and a number on your boarding pass when you check in. Their boarding process can be a lot to handle for first-time flyers. Please speak with a flight attendant when you reach the check in counter or the gate for instructions.
Security
TSA Precheck, Clear and Global Entry
If this will be the first of many flights for you, I also suggest enrolling in either TSA pre-check or clear. All services allow for an expedited experience going through airport security all around the United States. Global Entry will expedite your process of coming back into the United States for those on international flights. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and only costs about $25 more. Both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are valid for five years. If you choose to get TSA Precheck, you can enter your membership number during the check-in process on your cell phone. There should be a TSA Pre-Check stamp on your boarding pass, both digital and paper ticket.
Boarding Pass
Those who choose to download their flight ahead of time can get their ticket on the airline's app. Apple Wallet also supports digital boarding passes and will allow you to pull up your ticket on your phone without internet access and your Apple watch. Having the airline app on your phone can also be helpful since some Airlines will allow you to stream their in-house media services via their app.
Carry On Bag
Regarding your carry-on, check the baggage website to see if there are any weight limits. It is rare for United States domestic travel to see a carry-on weight limit imposed. Still, it is widespread for major airlines to have a weight limit for carry-on baggage for those on international flights. TSA also has very stringent guidelines on what liquids can be brought onto the plane. Storing your liquids in a quart sized ziplock bag will save time when going through security checkpoints. Check their website to make sure that you have the most updated information.
Get There Early!
Most major airlines will advise you to arrive at least two hours early or three hours because of additional COVID procedures. If you have checked luggage, proceed to the check in counter, regardless of whether you have a digital boarding pass. The check in desk flight attendant can also change your seat. I encourage you to change from a middle seat to an aisle seat or window seat.
COVID Procedure Changes
International travel means varying covid testing and vaccination requirements. Extra measures may be necessary for those with connecting flights in a different country than your destination. Print out all COVID test results and have printed copies of vaccinations, as you may need them for your next flight. Calculate when to get tested, including when flying to your layover, as some airports require you to go through their security after landing. Each international flight is different, so check with the airline to confirm what is needed.
Head to Your Gate
Once you have made it through security, it's safest to head straight to your gate if it is your first time at the airport. Many airports have trains and buses that will take you to your correct terminal, taking up to 20 minutes. Once at the gate, if you're still feeling anxious, don't be afraid to tell the flight attendant, but this is your first time flying. They are usually very understanding and will walk you through the process.
Explore the Terminal
If you have some time, you can check out one of the restaurants and get something to eat. If you're interested in something a little more luxurious, many lounges have walk-in access for a fee. These lounges will provide unlimited food and beverages ( including alcohol) and private Wi-Fi. Lounges are great for those who don't want to be overwhelmed in the terminal and those with children who want to keep a close eye on them while ensuring they are well fed before takeoff.
First and Business Class Perks
If you are flying first class as a first time flyer, I salute you! International flights usually allow all first and business class into their lounge free of charge. Those with premium credit cards will also have access. Should you leave your personal item or cabin bag in the airport, at no time. Airport security is always on the lookout for unattended bags.
Boarding
The plane starts boarding between 25 to 60 minutes before departure. Your departure time is not the time the gate closes. If you wait too long and try to board 5 minutes before the flight departs, the attendant will tell you that the gate has been closed and that the doors to the aircraft are also closed. They will not allow for any exceptions. I suggest arriving at the gate 5 minutes before boarding time begins. This is also just in case the gate changes can happen last minute. Those flying first class arrive 15 minutes before boarding starts since you are the first to board. Once boarding begins, you may notice a line forming in front of the gate doors. Usually, people stand in line regardless of their boarding zone. Unless you're flying Southwest, you'll have 7 to 10 boarding zones. Getting in line one to two zones before your designated Zone (which will be above your seat number on your boarding pass) is standard.
Losing Carry On Luggage
It is common for overhead baggage space to be full before domestic flights' last few boarding zones. If you are comfortable checking your carry-on luggage, the airline will do this. Honestly, sometimes you do not get a choice, and your carry one luggage is checked to the destination gate. Usually, the cheapest seats have the last zones and should expect to check their carry on luggage. A few items are not allowed in checked baggage, such as lithium batteries, because of the pressure change at the cruise altitude. Place batteries in your personal item if your carry on luggage is chosen to be checked. Do not risk if there is anything in your carry-on that you are not comfortable losing or being separated from for more than 24 hours.
Note: US domestic airlines have become sticklers about one personal item and one carry on luggage. If you have a third bag or "personal item,” such as a purse and a laptop bag, they will ask you to consolidate your items. Please do not take your anger out on the attendant. The company constantly monitors them to enforce these guidelines.
In-flight
Once at your seat, you're almost ready to go. The cabin crew will assist you in finding your seat and putting your overhead baggage away. First time flyers should read the safety packet in the back of the seat. In the unlikely event of a crash landing, the flight attendants will act under the assumption that you read the pamphlet.
In-flight entertainment
Each flight has its own set of in flight entertainment options. In this day and age, it's very common to have an entertainment system in the headrest. If you do not see one, do not fret. It doesn't necessarily mean that there aren't any in flight entertainment options provided by the airline. Luckily since you downloaded the app earlier to have your boarding pass, you still have access to all of their entertainment. Just ask one of the flight attendants to explain it to you, and they will connect you correctly. If you have connecting flights, the in flight entertainment should be the same on the next flight.
In-flight comfort
Bringing your own entertainment and a neck pillow for those with a long flight will help the time go by. Most seats have very little space. Hence the person sitting next to you may be a little close for comfort. Dramamine works just as well on a plane for those who suffer from motion sickness. It's essential to drink a lot of water on the plane since the recycled air is very dehydrating. International flights usually provide complimentary beer and wine. Due to the change in air pressure, you will be more sensitive to alcohol. Please contact the flight attendants if you run out of water. It is also very safe to use the bathroom on the plane, so drink up. Although it may sound like you're going to get sucked through the toilet and thrown out of the plane, I promise you it has never happened before, and I doubt you'll be the first. Just be ready to grab onto the railings if necessary, just in case of turbulence.
Dealing with Turbulence
Turbulence is a natural part of flying due to particular pockets of rough air that are unavoidable in the flight plan, so keep your seat belt fastened and listen to the cabin crew. Just breathe through it since this can be a scary experience for new travelers. Listening to your own entertainment like familiar music or watching one of your favorite movies can help until the turbulence concludes.
Landing
You're almost through your first flying experience time to land the plane! The pilot will announce about 30 minutes before the plane lands that landing is about to occur. During this time, pack up all of your devices and make sure that you have not left anything in the seatback pocket or dropped anything in between the seats if you were lying down. When the plane lands and taxis to the gate, other passengers stand up. Feel free to join them but be aware that it'll still take a few minutes before you'll be allowed to exit the plane. I suggest turning on your cell phone, seeing missed messages, and letting loved ones know that you survived your first airplane flight. Long flight participants may be landing in a different time zone. Depending on your phone settings, it will update your time zone automatically. If you have a connecting flight, the airline app will have the updated gate that you need to head to. If this is your final destination, you can follow the signs for baggage claim. If you make it to baggage claim in your bag isn't there, you should see a station nearby for missing baggage.
Getting to your destination
Congratulations, you survived your first flight! Wasn't it easy? If you don't have someone pick you up from the airport, there should be clear signage on getting a taxi or using public transportation. Please have a plan for this in advance since the area right outside of the baggage claim is what I like to call the scam zone. This is where many people get pickpocketed, end up in unreliable taxis, or get scammed on currency conversion. Depending on the country or city you flew to, it may be safer to arrange travel ahead of time.
Conclusion
Regardless of how you get to your accommodation, you should still pat yourself on the back. You have completed what so many people have been too afraid to do, and that is to fly. I hope this article made that experience more enjoyable and less stressful. Feel free to contact us and tell us about your first flying experience and how your entire trip went. We know you'll have a very smooth flight home. After all, at this point, you're a flying expert! Happy travels!
