Are you flying for the first time?
Yes! Then I am sure you might have some questions revolving in your head related to your journey, where you might be a bit embarrassed to ask queries from your vacationist friends. No worries. Flying for the first time isn’t a hard nut to crack, one merely needs to know the elementary information to avoid any inconvenience during the travel.
As per my personal experiences, I will be sharing a list with all the mandatory items that you should take with you on a long flight.
Let’s start with the booking as it is the first step which may get you crazy if don’t choose an appropriate vendor. Thus, narrow your search for flight booking and visit Faremart.com, a travel booking platform that serves the travelers by providing satisfactory Air Travel services, having access to 450+ airlines.
It provides you with valuable information regarding the do’s and don’ts of your chosen method of travel like the best and cheapest flight, food, holiday packages as well as destination advice.
Once you’ve booked your flight and hotel accommodations, you’re ready to start your adventure. I’m sure this will help you have a much better journey than ever before. Down below, I am sharing some of the best tips that will help you to get over the initial hurdles.
Just go through these points on how to prepare for your flight travel as well as what to do to minimize any discomfort on your way.
Follow these below-mentioned steps and enjoy your first time flying experience
1. Online Ticket Booking
Online ticket booking is an easy task if you know how to book online as there are a huge number of option (websites) available for ticket booking.
Due to heavy competition in this field, everyone (such as online websites, travel agents, airlines, etc.) wants to win the game by convincing you for taking their services where the whole process goes puzzling and you might get confused to select the right one.
So, to make your first flight enjoyable and reasonable go for checking out the official sites of the airline you wish to travel in and check for its offers and deals for your travel destination. The airlines you choose must be comfortable to make your trip memorable, and also make sure that the cost of your trip comes under your budget.
However, if you wish to buy tickets from a website, make sure you check its ratings, reviews, services, policies, and popularity so that you leave no chances to suffer in your first try.
It is recommended to do some research on all online ticket booking sites, compare their costs, duration, timing and flight type(like unstoppable, stoppable), discounts and offers, flexibility, and most importantly the flyer’s reviews of that airline that will help you decide the best one to proceed with the flight booking.
2. Complete Homework for Your Necessary Travel Documents
The primary and most important thing is your passport so firstly gather your passport if you are traveling internationally then your TSA document. Your boarding passes, the hotel booking confirmations or the tour confirmations.
Most of the flyers worry about arriving without the necessary documents, and it mostly happens with the first time flyers due to nervousness. So, take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy your journey without any tension as you have already made the checklist of documents you needed.
- Passport
- Tickets/e-tickets
- Visa
- Onward tickets
- TSA documents
- Travel Insurance
3. Baggage Allowance and Packing Strategy
It’s always advisable to read the baggage policy properly while booking the tickets as you have to pack your luggage according to your airline’s baggage allowance policy.
Also, make sure not to carry those things which are prohibited in your booked airline. You should plan and pack your luggage according to the policy as the luggage weight to the dimensions all matters while you are traveling via air.
Always pack the needed stuff or right one with lightweight. For this make a checklist of the necessary stuff you required at your destination means – weather wise – place wise and the days you are going to spend there.
It always right to do your homework correctly on the airlines you are going to travel. As all airlines have their different rules for different routes(like domestic, international), so always check your airline’s policies and the baggage limitations before traveling to avoid any hassle situation.
Read all the instructions properly and also check the carry on luggage restrictions on a flight as many airlines allow limited things in your hand baggage and some of the stuff in your check-in baggage.
Also, they provide a list which you can’t bring in your hand baggage so to avoid any mishappening you need to be careful with all these things.
Keep in mind how much weight you are willing to haul around with you. As a general rule, pack as light as possible and keep a little bit of room for souvenirs or purchases when abroad.
4. Reach the Airport Early
Don’t Be Late! The habit of being punctual is an essential quality. As I have already told that every airline has its own rule and own set of policies so we can’t compare between them. So whenever you booked your ticket always check their check-in timings and according to that you should reach at least one hour before.
So, you need to reach there before two hours to hassle-free check-in. You arrived early so you can complete your check-in on time and there is no need to be in a hurry which is a most relaxing feeling.
Generally, when you see in airport maximum people are running here and there to catch their flight as they are late so to avoid those type of situation you should arrive early to the airport.
Sometimes due to the confusion of terminal, gate number, the flight scheduled or depart time, etc. people miss their flights, so it’s better to check twice all these details as you are traveling the first time, so it’s obvious that you are not familiar with these processes and the places.
The best way to relax is not to think too much and enjoy every moment, Or you can explore the airport which is a very interesting place, with multiple shops, variety of people and lots of food. Also, you can relax on their lounges and tank up before your flight.
5. Be Patient
Maybe you are nervous as you are flying for the first time. Sometimes you feel a bit confusing on the Airport but don’t worry; at that moment you can take the help of airline’s employees or the security staff. Airports are busy places, and often, you will experience different types of travelers here.
6. Check-in and Document Verification
The check-in desk will be the first stop for your document verification. It’s just a formality to make sure you have all of your documentation in order.
Here are the steps that will help you to find your way at the airport:
- Keep your ticket nearby– to avoid any delay and to get the terminal quickly
- Use a trolley to carry your luggage, and you can get the trolleys stacked near the entrance.
- Bring your I-card with you, as you will need to show it whenever anyone asks.
- Once you arrive in, then head to your airline queue with your ticket and id proof.
- Need to go through security and get your baggage scanned.
- After security check-in collects your boarding pass.
- If you have already checked in online and choose the seat of your choice, then it’s good otherwise try your luck at the counter.
- Check your boarding pass, collect your baggage that you are carrying to the cabin and proceed to the given terminal.
(One can even get an e-boarding pass on his/her mobile device, especially when you travel with popular airlines. Air Canada boarding pass, American Airlines e-boarding pass, Etihad boarding pass, etc. can be downloaded on the device and can be scanned at the security check and while boarding)
- To get to your terminal, you have to cross security, and here the security staff scanned your body and checked if you are carrying any prohibited things.
- Once you are crossed the security check-ins, collect all your items from there and proceed to the gate where your flight will come.
7. Proceed to Your Gate
Here the gate number is mentioned in your ticket where you need to move and take the flight. But sometimes due to traffic or weather issues, the gate number has changed so keep your eyes on the airport monitor and ears on airport speaker so that whenever any changes happened, it should be known to you.
So no need to be panic, relax and enjoy the experience of your first journey. Also seat nearby your assigned gate so that whenever the airline staff announced for the boarding, you can easily reach to the gate.
8. Board the Airplane
Now the time has come for which you are eagerly waiting; the boarding. When the gate agent or the airline staff called for the boarding then make sure that you have carried your all belongings as sometimes people forgot their things in the airport.
So be comfortable and don’t be in a hurry, checked your belongings properly, and then left your seat. When you proceed to the plane, check your row printed on your boarding pass and according to that, take your place and set your luggage or handbag you have carried in the cabin.
Remember, airplanes aren’t as comfortable as your living room. SO you need to adjust a bit and keep your belongings in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
9. During the Flight
Now your journey has started and the plane takeoff to your destination. Here most of the time the flight attendants come and offer you some beverages like coffee, breakfast, dinner, soup, etc.
Sometimes these things are complementary, and its cost is added to your tickets only, but sometimes it is chargeable. They are generally accepting the card payment but if you have cash then also manageable. But try to keep cards with you for any payment and enjoy your journey to the fullest.
Also, don’t do overeating while traveling.
I suggest you go through these tips and boost your confidence in enjoying your full journey. See everything needs a plan so before traveling, do your proper homework with the airlines and prepare yourself for air travel, which makes your first journey remarkable and stress-free.
At this point, you should be Up, Up, and Away! Enjoy Your Flight!
