Air travel, whether domestic or international, is the quickest and most convenient way to get to your destination. However, first-time travellers frequently spend a significant amount of time at the airport (before boarding and after deboarding). If you’re a first-time traveller, here are some helpful tips to help you breeze through the airport counters without stress.
Tips for first-time flyers
- Check the airline’s luggage requirements.
It’s easy for one to overpack, but doing so might be costly. Visit your airline’s website before your trip to learn about luggage size and weight restrictions, as well as baggage costs. While they vary depending on the airline and fare paid, here’s what you can usually bring on a regular flight on a major airline:
Two free carry-on items: one carry-on suitcase the size of a compact rolling suitcase or smaller, plus one small personal item such as a purse or backpack.
You may have to pay to check your carry-on bag if it is too large. Similarly, if your checked bag exceeds a specific size, you may be charged a higher-than-usual price. Avoid these surprises if at all possible. Remember that if you pack light enough, you may be able to avoid paying any baggage fees.
- Pack essentials in your carry-on.
Put anything that is difficult to replace in your carry-on bags, such as prescription medicine, contacts or glasses, or important papers. In the unlikely event that your checked bag is lost, you won’t be without that item. In addition to your laptop, headphones, and a book or magazine, you’ll want to pack some in-flight entertainment.
- Arrive at the airport early.
Taking a plane is not like taking a bus; it takes much longer. In reality, it is advised to arrive two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours for foreign flights. Finally, you must allow enough time to obtain your boarding card, check your bags, and pass through security before your airline departs. This can take up to ten minutes. It can take significantly longer at other times, especially during high travel times.
It’s also worth remembering that boarding the plane isn’t a free-for-all. Passengers are normally boarded in groups 30 minutes before takeoff. A boarding time will usually be displayed on your ticket.
- Take a photo of the boarding pass.
The boarding pass is one of the most important documents to have with you when checking in at the airport. A boarding pass should always be kept in a pocket or bag that is easily accessible. You can also take a picture of your boarding pass and save it so you don’t have to rely on an internet connection to show it to authorities if it arrives in the mail.
- Keep your IDs handy.
Have your ID card, driver’s license, or passport ready as soon as you enter the airport to save time. You’ll need it when checking luggage and going through security, and you don’t want to waste time looking through your wallet.
- Wear easy-to-remove shoes.
The most stressful part of flying is going through airport security, but if you know what to expect, the whole ordeal can feel a lot less draining. To perform a security check, you must:
- Empty your pockets and remove your hat, belt, jacket, wallet, and heavy jewellery.
- Remove your laptop and liquids from your suitcase.
- Send these items—plus your carry-on bag—through an X-ray machine.
- Make your way through a metal detector or a body scanner (or opt for a pat-down).
To make the process go faster, wear shoes that are easy to slide on and off, and make sure the goods in your carry-on are easily accessible.
- Mark your bags.
According to a recent poll, 3% of every 1000 passengers lose their luggage while flying domestically, and the statistics are significantly higher for foreign passengers. The solution to lowering the chances of losing your luggage is fairly simple: simply label your suitcase with a name tag or colourful ribbons that will help you identify it amid other bags.
- Carry spare zip lock bags with you.
When it comes to packing important items and keeping them apart from the rest of the belongings, zip lock bags come in handy. Always have a few backup Ziploc bags on hand to store your electronics and other equipment such as charging cables, universal adaptors, and power banks. Additionally, choosing high-quality Ziploc bags over traditional plastic pouches will help you safeguard your valuables from dampness.
- Try skipping the queues.
Another difficulty encountered while boarding a flight from the airport is the struggle of waiting in long queues. There are countless continuous lines to deal with before departure, from the baggage counter to the boarding gate. Choose ‘web check-in,’ for which you will receive an email or text message from the airline, allowing you to select seats and print an online copy of your flight ticket. All you have to do now is ignore the lines and wait for the airport authorities to call your name once you have successfully entered the airport and surrendered your bags at the baggage counter. Meanwhile, you can relax in the lounge with a hot cup of coffee.
- Avoid last-minute chaos by staying near or in an airport hotel.
If you plan to stay near the airport at the beginning or end of your vacation, you may be able to park your car at the hotel and take the hotel’s shuttle to the airport for less than the cost of terminal parking.
Always inquire about the possibility of leaving your car for free. Many hotels offer “park and fly” packages, which may or may not be approved. While they are normally more expensive than the lowest hotel room rate, the additional fee is usually small. You can check the Delhi airport car parking charges online to know which option to go for.
- Know the rules and regulations.
One of the most important things to do when arranging a trip is conduct research. Before arriving at the airport, or even while packing your belongings, you must obtain all the relevant information on security procedures and baggage policies. Knowing all of the airport laws and regulations will help you stay ahead of the game and limit the chance of bringing unwanted products into the country. On flights, carrying a knife, lighter, combustible substances, explosives, and other similar items is absolutely prohibited. However, different airlines have varied restrictions on transporting alcohol and medicines.
- Evaluate your flying credits.
Frequent flying credits are a terrific way to get a substantial discount on plane tickets. Most credit cards provide free lounge access and/or gratis discounts that may be used at the airport, which is something that many travellers overlook. So, check with your credit card company and take advantage of any freebies available.
- Respect the space of other passengers.
Flights are usually heavily booked these days, and most seats have minimal legroom. Be aware that this may cause anxiety among your fellow passengers. You must be extremely cautious if any of your belongings or body parts enter an area that is not yours. Irritating behaviours can also include wearing perfume or cologne, eating odorous meals, or listening to loud music. Of course, you can’t plan for everything, such as travelling with an irate child, but do your best to avoid an in-flight gaffe.
- Be well-mannered and polite at the immigration counter.
At the airport, immigration officers guarantee that everyone entering or exiting their country is legally entitled to do so and has all of the proper documentation. And how you interact with officials has a direct bearing on the type of treatment you will receive. So, if you treat the immigration authorities with respect, you can be rewarded with a warm welcome. It goes without saying that good behaviour frequently results in gratis services.
So, the next time you’re planning a trip, use the above mentioned tips to ensure a smooth and swift journey through the airport.
