First-time flyer? Getting the nervous jitters?
The ‘first flight’ is one of the big moments for many people. You may not be that nervous about the actual flight but the entire arrival and departure process can be easily daunting. From preparing your documents required at the airport, boarding your flight to clearing immigration at departures, flying from one place to another is a complete process. Familiarising yourself with the process can make your first-time flying experience smoother and stress-free.
Tips for first-time flyers: In order to plan your first trip, you need to book cheap flights online in advance and students should especially seek out student flight discounts early (the earlier, the better) to avail the best airfares.. Many countries have adopted online visa application processing so in case of your first international trip, you have an option to apply for the visa online.
Confused about procedures at airport for domestic flight or first-time flying internationally? Here is a beginner’s guide to airports to calm your nerves before you embark on your first-time flying experience about what to expect at the airport.
Pre-Flight Requisites (Travel Essentials)
- Make sure you have packed all your travel essentials properly.
- Check out the baggage rules and comply with them in terms of weight and cabin/carry-on bag size.
- Do not carry any restricted or prohibited items in your baggage while packing.
- It is wise to carry your essential travel documents in your carry-on bag itself, to avoid hassle at security.
Keep these things in check before even leaving for the airport:
- ID Document (Passport, Aadhaar, Driving licence, PAN, Voter ID, etc.)
- Flight Tickets (either hard or soft copy)
- Boarding Pass (optional)
- Other Travel Essentials (Mobile Phone, Charger, Headphones, Neck Pillow, etc.)
Arriving at the Airport
- Firstly, take any sort of public transport to reach the airport. This way you can reach faster without much hassle of parking. Make sure your drop-off address has the correct terminal details.
- Ensure you reach the airport on time for your scheduled flight. If it’s your first international flight make sure to reach the airport at least 3-4 hours before your departure time and for domestic flights, the window is 2-3 hours.
- Make sure you have ample time to navigate through the airport, check in and collect your boarding pass, check in your baggage, go through the security screening, and be at the departure gate in time for your flight. International flyers will also have to go through immigration.
Read More: How early to arrive at the airport for a flight?
Boarding Pass/ Airport Check-in
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- First arriving at the airport head straight for the airport, check-in at your respective airline’s counter.
- At the counter, show them a copy of your ticket along with the necessary travel documents. They will also weigh and check in your baggage before handing you your boarding pass.
- With facilities like DigiYatra, you can simply check-in online before reaching the airport or at a self check-in kiosk at the airport to avoid long queues.
- If your bags are over the prescribed weight limit for the specific airline, you will have to pay extra for your luggage.
- At this point, you can ask the crew for any special requirements or upgrades.
Security Check
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- If you are flying for the first time, the security check process alone can be more daunting than the entire flying process.
- At the security check, place your carry-on bag, all electronics and any metal objects in the tray provided.
- You might also be asked to remove your footwear or extra jackets, coats, etc. at the personal checking booth, so dress accordingly.
- Ensure not to carry more than 3 bags of liquid; each bag should not exceed 3 ounces.
- Collect your belongings and keep your documents like boarding pass in hand, so the security personnel can stamp them.
Read More: Can You Bring Alcohol On A Plane? – Know Everything Here
For international travellers, move to the Immigration and Customs checks. Get your Passport and VISA checked here. The officials here will ask you to declare any contraband items and questions regarding your visit.
Finding your Gate
Image Credit: Jaromir Chalabala
- After clearing security, go and check the flight monitors to find out at which gate your plane is leaving and at what time.
- Once confirmed, you can head to the waiting lounge to grab a bite or drink and relax to prepare for your first flight.
- Whether it is your first international flight or domestic flight, make sure to pay attention to the announcements and boarding calls.
Boarding the Plane
- International flights usually start boarding one hour before departure and domestic flights start half an hour prior.
- Keep an ear out for your boarding zone announcement. Once boarding starts, the airline crew will scan and verify your boarding pass and security stamps before letting you board the flight.
With this first-time flying guide, now that you have boarded the plane, find your designated seat, put away your carry-on items and be seated as quickly as possible.
Reaching your Destination
As you arrive at your destination airport on a domestic flight, you can head straight to the baggage carousel and exit. However, in the case of an international flight, you will have to go through the immigration procedure. The first-time flying international experience with several Immigration and Customs checks can be quite daunting keep in mind the below steps and you’re good to go:
- First, get in the designated line as per your visa type.
- An immigration officer will check all your travel documents and the filled customs form.
- In maximum cases, they will ask you questions regarding your trip. One of the tips for travelling abroad first time is to not fumble here and appear confident to avoid raising any suspicion.
- Once the immigration official is satisfied with your answers, they will stamp your passport with the stay period date.
- You can then head to the baggage carousel to pick up their checked-in baggage.
With all these tips for first-time flyers, you can prepare yourself mentally and become a pro traveller in a few flights only. Rather than being scared and confused, make sure you enjoy your first-time flying experience.
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