Flying for the first time- what to expect
- FancifulRoamer
- May 10
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 2
Welcome to the second part of my guide on flying for the first time. You can find the first part HERE. The previous guide is about preparing for the trip. Now we get ready to fly and find out what to expect from this trip.
Get yourself ready
Prepare the outfit you'll wear on your first time flying. It should be comfortable, but not too relaxed. You can go with jeans or pants, and a simple top, without any offensive/ controversial prints.
You can also dress up a bit with a casual shirt or jacket. If they will upgrade someone, you have more chances if you look put together.
Showering is always a good idea before flying, but don't wear strong fragrances.
Wear shoes that allow a bit of room. The altitude and salt in airplane food can make your feet swell. If you take your shoes off, it could be difficult to put them back on. Plus, taking your shoes off on a plane is not sanitary.
The day before the flight, charge all your devices, your ebook, power bank, and earbuds. One great travel tip is to download shows or ebooks to use during your flight. This is more common in some countries in Europe, but it's best to only have legitimate downloads, like from your Netflix account. Bootleg movies might be frowned upon.
I like to bring a travel puzzle book or download fun games on my phone. I love to have books with me, too. If you visit Project Gutenberg, you'll find thousands of free ebooks, for which the copyright has expired. So you can download them and set them on your ebook reader, or just read them online.
It's a good idea to pack a few packaged and sealed snacks in your carry-on. I like to have protein bars, chocolate, and something savory like goldfish. Don't bring anything smelly. The same goes for peanuts, people can be allergic, and it's worse with recycled air in close quarters.
Depending on when you arrive at your destination, you will need to plan your meals. If you arrive during the day, pick the restaurant where you will eat. When you arrive at the hotel, you can drop off your bags and go. Otherwise, you'll be too hungry and tired to think. If you arrive at night, make sure you eat on the way. Keep protein bars in your bag to eat at the destination, in case you're hungry.
What to do at the airport
Before you go out the door, have your passport, phone, medication, and wallet handy.
Note what terminal and airline you have, to let the driver know. Use a reliable taxi service.
It's recommended to arrive at the airport 2 hours early before a national flight, and 3 hours before for an international one.
The departure time is the time the gates are closed and the plane starts to move. The boarding time is about 40 minutes before the departure time. You need to be at your gate at boarding time.
I prefer to arrive 3 hours before. For the transportation there, I leave double the time necessary. One time, the Uber driver missed a turn by the airport and added 30 minutes to our trip. Another time, I forgot my phone at the hotel, so we had to go back, which took extra time.
Once at the airport, look up for departure flights screens. To recognize your flight, check the flight number, destination, and time of departure. The last row should tell you which check-in counter to go to. Then go to the corresponding check-in counter.
When you're not sure about something, ask an employee, they're there to help.
Some airports have machines for check-in, but you can let them know you need assistance checking in. The crew will check your passport, visa, and destination. For the USA, you need to provide the address you'll stay at, so have that prepared.
At this time, you would pay for luggage if needed. Also, the luggage pieces will be weighed, and they will take the checked luggage. If you're flying to Canada, make sure you know if the luggage will go through all the way. Otherwise, you need to pick up your luggage after the flight, go through customs, and then place the luggage back for the next flight segment. This is done inside the airport, you're not going to exit or to the check-in counter.
Once the crew is done with the check-in, you receive the boarding passes. The boarding pass has the gate, seat number, boarding time, and zone.
Now it's time to follow the directions and signs towards security. If you have water with you, it's time to drink it and throw the bottle. A reusable bottle may be refilled after security, at a water station. Not all airports have water stations, and if they do, they might not be so clean. It's safer to buy a bottle of water, but prepare yourself for huge prices.
The security check will require you to take out your liquids bag, belt, devices, and sometimes shoes, and place them in bins. Have them easily accessible. Empty your pockets. You may be randomly chosen for extra screening, which is normal.
Once you're done with security, go to your gate. Keep an eye on the screens to make sure the gate does not change. Keep your ears open in case the crew calls your name at the gate. Or something that barely resembles your name.
About 10 minutes before they start boarding is a good time to use the restroom. You won't be able to use it on the plane until you're in the air.
What to do on the plane
Boarding the plane is usually done by group or zone. Passengers like to queue for a long time. I don't know why they like to do that, or maybe they enjoy being in the way.
Your passport and boarding pass will be checked again. Then you will board the plane and find your seat. In Europe, it's common to have a long walk to the plane and go up and down the stairs.
Once you find your seat, you have to lift your hand luggage into the compartment over the seats. The personal item is stored at your feet. Avoid stuffing your jacket in the overhead compartment, as other passengers need to put their luggage there. A good place for your jacket is inside the luggage or rolled up as lumbar support on your seat.
Set your devices on airplane mode. Some planes have free Wi-Fi and entertainment which you can still use in airplane mode.
It's good to use sanitizing wipes on the armrests, on the tray, and on the TV.
Above your seat, you have the AC, seatbelt sign, a light, and a crew call button with a person on it. Pay attention to the emergency information from the crew.
Once you're in the air, you can get up when the seatbelt sign is off. The restrooms are in the front and back of a small plane. First class has the restrooms in the front, while economy goes to the back. On large planes, there are extra restrooms in the middle. You know if the restroom is empty when the green light is on. The door to the restroom folds, so there's some kind of arrow and sliding lock on it. Once inside, lock it. When you're done, put the seat down before flushing. There may be an ashtray inside, but you cannot smoke on an airplane.
During your flight, avoid alcohol and hydrate. You may need eye drops, chapstick, and hand cream. I always have these in my personal item/ backpack.
Keep your body within your seat, don't spray perfume/cologne, and use earbuds with your devices.
It's best to keep your shoes on, as the feet swell, and it could be difficult to put them back on.
About 20-30 minutes before landing, you will need to be seated. So, try to use the restroom before that.
After you land, wait for the seatbelt light to turn off before you get up. Make sure you have everything, especially your passport and phone, and check the seat pocket in front of you. The passengers exit by rows, so don't rush and don't walk over other people.
If you have a connecting flight, follow the signs and screens outside the plane. The screens will show your flight and gate. Or you need to go through security again, in that case, there's usually only one path.
After the flight
Once you land, you might need to go through immigration. Then you can go pick up your checked luggage. Check the screens in the luggage pick-up area to find out which luggage carousel is used by your flight.
Make sure you have the correct time, and confirm with the screens in the airport.
This is the time to buy a SIM card if you need one.
Follow the signs to the taxi, hotel shuttle, car rental, or whatever you're looking for.
If you like to post on social media or leave reviews, always post a few days after you leave the restaurant or hotel.
All airports and flights are different, so we cannot predict everything. But I know being informed helps plan better. I hope my guide is helpful for your first flight.
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