There is very little that fascinates in the world of travel like flying from one place to another. Being in an airplane, especially for the first time, is a surreal experience that leaves you wanting more, even though it can be a little stressful sometimes. In all honesty, it's not just a little, the whole concept of flying is quite stressful as there are so many rules and things you need to know, unlike when you just drive from one place to another. It is because of this, that we have put together this article so that every first-time flyer can be well-informed and can travel with the confidence of a seasoned veteran. So without wasting time, dive right in and have your fill of flight knowledge.
Always Check The Airline's Luggage Requirements
Unlike when you drive on the road, airplanes can only take so much luggage and they are quite particular about it. Every airline has weight restrictions that need to be obeyed and you need to know them so you understand how to pack your bags. Violating these weight restrictions will result in you paying hefty fines for excess luggage and that can sometimes be a bummer. So, always make sure you understand the weight requirements to save yourself some cash. Oh and don’t worry, just reading the airline's website will give you this information; it’s not really a secret.
Pack All Your Essentials In Your Hand Luggage
On that topic of luggage, you have what is called hand luggage which is a small bag that you are allowed to have on you at all times. This bag is the one that you’d want to fill with your crucial items. This includes things like prescription medicine, contacts, spectacles, or important paperwork. If it’s essential or if you need to use it frequently, this is the place to put it. Depending on your flight as well, you might have lots of layover time, which is time in between your connecting flights. If you do, be sure to pack your entertainment stuff in your hand luggage as well. This includes books, gadgets, or whatever it is you are entertained by. Trust me, you’ll be grateful that you followed this tip. Just like in our first tip though, be sure to follow the airline's website so you know the restrictions of what’s allowed in your carry-on luggage.
Arrive At The Airport Very Early
When most people fly for the first time, their greatest worry is the stories they hear of people who missed their flights. They are always such daunting stories, scary too. Unfortunately, missing flights happens a lot more than you think. To not find yourself in that group, be sure to arrive at the airport at least two hours early when traveling locally and three hours if your flight is international. These are the time gaps recommended by the TSA. That will ensure that you have enough time to get your boarding pass, check your bags, and go through security before your plane starts boarding. Sure these times might seem like overkill but, do you really want to risk it?
Keep Your Identity Documents At Hand
When traveling around the airport, you must always keep your identification documents at hand. You’ll need to provide them at almost every turn, from checking bags to going through security, which is why you must have them at hand. You’ll soon see that at every queue there is always one person that holds up the line while going through their bags, rapidly looking for these documents. Trust us, you don’t want to be that guy.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
Do you know what can be super annoying when you fly? Hanging in the airport or being on a long flight with tight clothes and cramped shoes. When boxed in a small airplane space, mild discomfort turns into a lot of discomfort. For this reason, try to dress comfortably with as minimal metal as you can so you don’t keep taking items off on X-ray machines. This might seem insignificant but trust us, you’ll be thanking us for this.
Respect Other Passengers' Space
One thing that you must keep in mind is that unless you’re in first class or business class, you’re not likely to get as much space as you think. Economy seats are not the most spacious of places and that is something that you must remember. With that being said, try and keep your belongings and your body within your confined spaces. The theme here is just respect for other passengers. You wouldn’t want to fight for your space because someone else is intruding onto it and the same goes for everyone else. Besides your flight is probably too long for you to start making enemies and fighting it off midair.
Always Have A Contingency Plan
This is a section that you don’t want to hear about but it’s necessary to go over it, perhaps more important than everything else here. Listen, you must always have contingency plans for if things don’t go your way. How you react if you miss your flight or if your flight gets delayed is a concept that you ought to keep in mind. So, if you miss your plane due to random circumstances, the first thing is to not panic. Most airlines will often put you on standby for the next flight without charging extra. Just make sure that you inform the airline if you miss the flight as they are not mental wizards. If the flight is delayed for some reason, don’t worry, just be sure to follow the instructions that you’re given and you’ll be okay. In most situations, you’ll even get some free meals or hotel vouchers to compensate for the hustle.