First time flying.?

Show all answers

NOLA guy

Join the frequent flier program for the airline you will use. Joining is free and you can do it online.

Call the airline before your flight date if you want to request a seat. You should request a window seat since it is your first-ever flight. It is OK to tell the reservations agent it is your first-ever flight. Some airlines donâ€™t do advance seat selection and others charge a fee. The reservations agent will tell you if there are restrictions. Go to www.seatguru.com for info on seating arrangements in airlines.

Call the airline the day before your flight and the morning before your flight to make sure there are no schedule changes. You can also check flight status online.

Pack almost everything in a suitcase that you will give to the airline to "check". The suitcase has to weigh 50 pounds or less.

All liquids & gels in containers over 3 ounces and anything that might even LOOK like a weapon (nail file, scissors, etc.) should go in your checked bag. Go to www.tsa.gov for more info on prohibited items.

Mark or tag all checked luggage with something that makes the bags more distinctive. An example would be to attach a strip of colored tape to each side of the bag. It reduces the chance someone might pick up your bag by mistake at baggage claim (there are millions of black suitcases). Also clearly tag ALL bags >>> inside and outside <<< with your name and a good phone number + e-mail address (but not your home address). The free tags from the check-in counter are OK.

You are allowed two carryon bags, but they have to be not larger than a small backpack. One carryon is better.

Pack basic toiletries and one change of clothing in the carryon bag. You are allowed to pack "travel size" liquids & gels in your carryon bag, but the items have to go in their own clear plastic bag and scanned separately when you get to security.

Dress in shoes & clothing that are comfortable and not tight, but also not overly casual. Avoid clothing with metal attached (ex. jeans with studs).

Make sure you have your Passport/ID, frequent flier number, and ticket (or flight information if it's an e-ticket) on you before leaving home.

Get to the airport two hours before your flight. Really. It is MUCH better to have an hour to wait than to arrive later and have a problem.

Go to the airline counter and give the agent your Passport/ID, FF number, and flight info or ticket. Tell them how many bags you want to "check". You can request a window seat at check-in if you didn't already do so. The agent will put destination tags on your checked luggage and give you a Boarding Pass. They will then either take your checked bag(s) or tell you to carry it/them to the big x-ray machine.

The "Gate" for your flight will be on the boarding pass (example E-17). Follow the signs toward your gate. Ask an airline or airport employee for directions if you are not sure.

At some point you will have to go through security. There will be a stack of plastic bins - place your shoes, carryon bag, the clear plastic bag containing any liquids or gels, sweater/jacket, and anything metal (including cellphone) in the bin. Keep your ID and boarding pass in your hand. Follow the instructions of the security personnel - they will have you place the bin on the X-ray conveyer belt and you will walk through the metal detector. Once through you collect the bin and put everything back where it belongs.

Then go to the gate. Check to make sure there has not been a gate change - most airports have TV-type monitors with the info. If not sure, ask an airline or airport employee.

Try to wait near your gate. If you want to wander off, be back 30 minutes before your flight is scheduled to depart. Follow the instructions of the ground staff when boarding starts. Your seat number will be on your boarding pass; The numbers increase toward the back of the airplane and the letters go from left to right >> as you face the front of the plane << (Seat 1A is at the front on the left and seat 22 F would be towards the rear + probably on the right). .

Once you find your seat, take out whatever you want for entertainment (book, etc.) and put your carryon bag either in the overhead storage compartment or under the seat in front of you.

Follow the instructions of the flight crew.

The aircraft is a machine and has a lot of moving parts that make noise. There will be sounds like "Thunk" when taking off and landing as the landing gear is retracted (after take-off) and lowered (for landing). The pilots also adjust parts of the wings during the flight and that sometimes causes noise.

The flight attendants will serve drinks and snacks once the plane is at "cruising altitude". Meals are served on long distance flights (more than 5 hours). Long distance flights also usually offer entertainment, like movies.

There are restrooms on airplanes. Be sure to latch the door to let others know itâ€™s occupied, and latching the door also turns on the light.

When the flight is almost over, the crew will instruct the passengers to put everything away and fasten seatbelts. Follow their instructions.

Once the plane has landed it will taxi to the airport terminal. Stay in your seat with the seatbelt fastened until the crew tells you it is OK to exit the aircraft. It will be obvious when you can do so.

Make sure you collect everything you brought with you. CHECK the pocket in back of the seat in front of you to make sure you aren't leaving something you put there.

You may have to change planes somewhere. If so, you will get a boarding pass for the connecting flight when you check-in at your home airport. Once off the plane just follow the signs to the gate for the next flight. You may have to go through security again. Your checked bags will be automatically transferred to the connecting flight by the airline.

At your final destination, exit the aircraft and follow the signs to Arrivals/Baggage Claim once you are off the plane. If it is an international flight you will have to go through passport control. Most airports have multiple baggage carousels (conveyer belts) and there is usually a sign or TV-type monitor that indicates which carousel your flight's bags will go on. Ask an airline or airport employee if you are not sure.

Collect your bag(s) and leave the arrivals area (usually by going out the doors marked "Nothing to Declare". Then look for signs that say "Ground Transportation" to exit the terminal.

Long flight tips:

Check www.seatguru.com for seat suggestions. I usually try to get a window seat on really long flights and gather some extra pillows & blankets to make a "bed" to lean against. Call the airline and request a seat as early as allowed. Also ask if the aircraft has power ports that you can use for i-Pod, etc.

Consider getting a sleep mask (ex. www.mindfold.com) and some earplugs, which may help you sleep (they work for me). Luggage stores and airport shops also sell sleep masks.

I-Pods and portable game devices are great on planes, but the batteries won't last more than a few hours. Pack one or more books that you have started, or that are from an author you know. It's really annoying to realize - too late - the book you brought for the flight isn't a good read. Other options are crossword puzzles and similar. A laptop is practical IF the aircraft is equipped with power ports (which can also re-charge an i-Pod or game device).

Dress in comfortable clothes and shoes that are not too tight (or overly casual). Your feet will swell during a long flight and tight clothes can make it harder to sleep.

I try to shower just before leaving to go to the airport. It reduces the grungy feeling you get by the end of a long flight. Use conditioner to reduce hair frizziness.

You can take something to help you sleep on the flight, but try it first. Many meds can leave you groggy long after you need to be awake. I just use aspirin.

Chewing gum MAY help with relieving the pressure in your ears.

Drink lots of water and juice: The air in the cabin is very dry and causes dehydration. Avoid too many drinks with caffeine (including colas) or alcohol as they can increase the dehydration.

Get up and stretch every few hours.

Try to awaken about an hour before arrival and use the bathroom to wash up. You will feel a lot better.

The time change can be a problem, and a long flight will produce a lot of "jet-lag". At your destination, try very hard to eat meals at local times and stay awake until local bedtime. If you MUST take a nap then sleep for no more than 3 hours. Falling asleep at 3:00pm may result in you waking up at Midnight - wide awake and unable to go back to sleep.

Hope you have a great trip!

YA Sucks

Simply swallowing will cause your ears to maintain the pressure in the cabin. Consciously swallowing your saliva I mean. You can also hold your nose and "blow" the pressure out if it gets too much. Chewing gum doesn't do anything plus you should be conscious of the people around you. Nothing worse than watching and listening to someone chew gum next to you or behind you for 7 hours.

Bring your ipod, and some headphones to watch the movies. bring fresh veggies to eat, or at least chips/crackers, and a sandwich. Otherwise you have to pay for the food unless it's international then sometimes it's free, but I don't know about US to Canada, probably they'll try to get out of giving that meal too.

Buy a bottle of water in the airport, past security so you can bring it on the plane. It's a ripoff what they charge but on the plane you can't count on the flight attendants to bring you anything. Some airlines are better than others, but most US carriers suck.

Laurie B

If you haven't had problems w/ ears popping when driving in hills you should be okay. Chewing gum is good to have, you can get drink service so don't bring anything like that. they are very restrictive of what you can have as carry on. They usually will have snacks and/or a meal offered but you can bring individually wrapped snack bars. Nothing packed yourself, they may not allow you to keep it.

Iha teu

eat sleep watch movies (if possible with a mini dvd player) and listen to music

LvCaCty

Tips:
Be calm, patient, and relaxed.

Things to bring:
-ipod
-book
-magazine
-deck of cards
-mini airplane games
-ect..

Entertain yourself using those. Also.. talk to the people around you. I chew gum and it works for me. Don't bring food!! Only food you get in the airplane terminal. If you bring it from home you might have to throw it out. Have fun and be safe!!! =]

Kevin M

If you're on an international flight, only take whatever food you will be consuming on the flight.

Customs might confiscate some food in order to prevent the possible entry of insects, pests or diseases. This is particularly likely with fruits, vegetables, grain products, meat, etc.

LeeLee

I would also bring some Dramamine in case there is turbulence and it bothers you. Bring snacks. Last time I flew we had to pay for small snacks. Ridiculous. Have a safe trip!

Britt

alright...i had a 9 hour flight this summer so here are some tips.
-yes. do take gum, it sometimes helps with your ears popping.
- sleeping is hard on planes, but i waited to fall asleep until after we took off. this is kind of weird, but i took benadryl to help me sleep better on the plane and it really helped.
- try taking magazines, or a book something to keep you occupied.
-also you can take an ipod/mp3
-during the ride they will play a few movies and they are normally pretty decent.
-as far as snacks go, most likely the airline will provide drinks and maybe something small like pretzels. i would have a good meal before you board and then just take snacks on your carry on

* i hope this helps!

Live.For Love United

Chewing gum sometimes work. So does humming and listening to the music on the airplane. Yawning works best for me.
Being on an airplane is super fun. Airport is even funner.
There should be some movies, music, special programs airing on the airplane. You could ask for a deck of cards and play a single player game like solataire, or play speed with the other person your traveling with.
All in all, enjoy your flight and trip.

Timmy

lock yourself in bathroom so no else can use it

Mary Alice P

U Have A Baby Butt

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: