I'm planning on travelling to the US at the end of the year but I've never been on a plane before...?

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Cat

Here's some tips - long winded I know but ALL very very relevant and useful if you've not done this before:

Have an envelope to keep with you during your journey, containing Passports, Tickets or Flight Details, Hotel Address and Telephone number, Insurance Details

(1) Leave early and with extra time for possible delays
(2) Check in asap (ensure all liquids over 100ml are in your case before you check it in and that you've got a clear plastic bag for any liquids under 100ml that you need to take on board with you in your hand luggage)
(3) Go to Departures asap as it can take some time to get through security (be ready at Security with your liquids bag out, shoes, belt and jacket off, keys, money and phone out of your pockets)
(4) When you've not got a direct flight and have to change at different airports, there's a good chance when you arrive at your changeover airport, that they'll disembark you through to arrivals, and this means you'll have to check-in again, go through Security again and through to Departures. If this happens, you might (depending on that particular country's/airport's policies), have to leave behind any liquids over 100ml - therefore, remember that if at your first airport when you get into the Departure Lounge, that if you buy any Duty Free (ie Bottle of Vodka for example) that you might not be able to take it to your end destination (and you wont get a chance in between to put it in your suitcase as you wont see this from your first check-in until you arrive at your end destination)
(5) When you've gone through Security and into Departures, remember your gate might be far from where you are (some airports it can be a 15min walk and sometimes a connecting train!!), so find out how far it is incase you decide to stop for something to eat for example
(6) Unless you haven't been allocated seat numbers and want to sit in a particular seat, there's no point in queuing - you can save your energy (and save your feet) by sitting until there are only one or two left in the queue when boarding
(7) On the aircraft, just listen to the PA's made by the Cabin Crew as they'll keep you right with flight times, temperature at your destination, they'll give you a Visa Waiver Form* (if the check-in staff haven't already given it to you), they'll tell you what film you'll be watching, they'll sell you headsets etc. Just have money out ready to buy things like drinks and snacks and try and take lots of change for this as a lot of people try and handover large notes so they dont have a lot of change!
(8) Drink lots of water!!, try and avoid alcohol, wear layers of clothing so that if you're too hot you can remove clothing or too cold you can put more on, and walk around every now and then
(9) *Dont make any mistakes on your Visa Waiver Form as they wont accept something with a line through it - so read over it first. You'll need your Hotel Details and Passport out to fill this in

Other useful tips:

You might need to have 1 year (this might have changed to 6 months) validity left your passport to travel to the US - I would check this!

Buy American Express Traveller's Cheques and only carry about 100$ in notes - that way if you lose the Traveller's Cheques or (hate to even think of this but it's possible), get mugged, you can cancel the cheques and get your money back. You can cash these traveller's cheques with your passport for ID at most, it not all banks in the US (worth remembering that you'll get a better rate at a bank than in your Hotel)

If you're buying Travel Insurance I have always found insureandgo.com to be the cheapest (remember if anyone tells you an EHIC Card, formerly an E111 Certificate, covers you for Healthcare if you have an accident over there, it doesn't!! That's only for Europe - you need to take out insurance or they wont treat you)

If you're travelling to South America during your trip remember you might need the Yellow Fever vaccination and certificate (and if you do need any vaccinations, they can be a HUGE bit cheaper getting your own Doctor to give you a prescription for them and administering them for you, rather than going to your nearest Travel Clinic, but check this as some Doc's Surgeries aren't permitted to have certain drugs on the premises)

Listen to Airport Announcements and read the screens - sounds silly but they can get things like your Departure Gate wrong or anything!

Take a US Adapter for things like your Phone Charger and remember if you're calling anyone from the States it not only costs you but it costs the person you're calling too (texts are much cheaper!!!) I think calls are about Â£1.49 a minute outgoing and about 99p incoming (ie if somone calls you while you're over there)

Anyways, that's all I can think of right now. Hope I haven't scared you!! It's not that bad honestly, just a little bit of preparation and you'll be fine. It's actually quite exciting! Where in the US are you thinking of going? If you can, you must see New York!!!!

Good luck and dont listen to anyone who says just stay here - you only get one life so make the most of it - I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time!!

RO--X

Go! deffinately go.
america is amazing.
i want to move there when im a tad older.
so what if you'ved nevr been on a plane.
try going somewhere like paris, spain - short trip to get used to it.
you'll be a bit tired cause your going far but you get used to it.
when i went to america i didn't feel the jet lag theat much when i was there.
as they're ahead.. but when you get back home boy will you be tired.
But enjoy&i hope i helped.

njss

I have only been on a few trips and even took my mother once (she was disabled as I am now--wheel chair) it is really organised and the attendants are really helpful so please go as it is just so wonderful. Just make sure you are at the airport early and pack your luggage early and don't carry too much as you can always buy anything you need. Good luck !

wave

You will have plenty of time when you get to the airport in the U.S. Sometimes up to 9 hours. So just chill. First off you need to look at the monitors and find when you flight number departs and from which gate, however they usually only display such information a couple of hours before flight. If you really get lost just ask an information desk. I can't remember if you need to check in for the flight when transfering at your half way airport, you probably do. If so just ask (when you check in at your airlines check in desk) what time and at what gate you flight is going from.

Ska!

I would go!!

Its not hard to change flights all you do when you get off the 1st plane is find the departure board and look for the gate your next flight is in..

and if you need any help just ask airport securiy or employee i am sure they won't say no to helping somone in need

Away With The Fairies

Simply follow the signs for 'transfer passengers'. If you don't speak the language, ask one of the airport staff for assistance.

ddesertdamsel

Definitely go/come to the USA. Understand that there are always possibilities for mix ups so do not dawdle until you know exactly where your gates are. Read signs, keep your ears open, and watch the world swirl around you! It can be great hassles and great fun.

Enjoy,
dD

"isitme"

When you check in for the first leg of your journey, confirm with the staff that you're catching a connecting flight and your luggage will be transfered automatically, it usually is and negates the need for you to go to baggage claim at the end of the first leg.

When you land you will have to pass through immigration and through the connecting flights channel, which are normally well signed, once through, look at the flight info screens to find your onward flight and at which gate it's departing from.

If you get into any difficulty, there are always lots of help desks around the airport, they'll look after you.

Don't worry, it's actually very straight forward, have a good trip.

Rowan

If you're worrying about it already, I'd just stay here if I was you.

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