First-time flyer? Planning for your first flight, no doubt, you have a few questions. Some of which you may be too embarrassed to ask. Here are some of our tips for first-time flyers, and we hope that with these, you will be able to breeze through your first flight confidently and excitedly.
1. Download The Airline App
First, download the airline's app before leaving home. Log in and ensure the itinerary and correct personal information are added. The app may come in handy in case no paper tickets are issued or in case there is trouble with the flight. Make sure to toggle on any optional notifications to update you about delays or changes in the flights.
2. Book A Seat
If you're more of an aisle or window person and not a middle-seat type, make sure to book your seat quickly. You can do this when you book your ticket or simply log on to the airline's website in advance. Many airlines include information about the airplane model on their ticketing page. You can also use a third-party site like SeatGuru to see seat maps. For more information read ‘The Best Days to Book a Flight and When to Fly’.
3. Skip Long Airport Lines
Check in via your airline's app, grab your boarding pass, and then head straight to security. You may also want to check on the status of your flight, delays, cancellations, or gate changes in real-time. Most airlines let passengers get in-flight entertainment right on their app, so download it in advance if you want to watch movies on your device.
4. Make Sure to Know the Airline's Luggage Requirements
Keep in mind any luggage restrictions from partner airlines or connecting carriers since policies may differ. The vast majority of carry-on guidelines state each passenger is allowed one carry-on item and one personal item. The latter generally is a smaller backpack or purse. If you are wearing a small cross-body bag and have a backpack and carry-on luggage, that is three pieces. Pro tip: Save time at the gate by putting the cross-body into one of the other two bags before boarding.
5. Get To the Airport Two Hours Early
Catching a plane isn't like catching a bus; it's a much longer process. Ultimately, you want to allow enough time to get your boarding pass, check your bags, and make your way through security before your plane starts boarding. Sometimes that takes 10 minutes. It's also not first-come, first-served when it comes to getting on the plane. Most airlines start boarding passengers 30 minutes before the aircraft is due to depart in groups. In most cases, a boarding time will be printed on your ticket.
6. Onboard
Once you have navigated the airport and made it successfully onto your flight, you are almost ready to take to the sky. Nervous? All that remains to be done on the airplane is to sit back, relax, and enjoy a couple of hours of downtime.
First, you need to find your seat and make sure all your cabin luggage is safely stowed away. All flights have assigned seating, so you'll notice something on your boarding pass like this: '11D'. The number would tell which line you sit in, while the letter refers to whether it's an aisle, window, or middle seat. The cabin crew who will be attired in everything from glamorous hats and heels to baggy T-shirts in airline colors, will show you to your seat and help you stow your luggage in a safe place, either above you in an overhead locker or under your seat.
7. In-Flight Etiquette
Depending on the airline and length of flight, this can include one or more meals, plus drinks including a limited amount of alcohol. Along with snacks during the flight. You will already know if refreshments are included because you would have been asked for dietary requirements when booking your flight. Unless you've been specifically invited, food and drink will usually be offered to you, but you will have to pay for it. If you then forgot to bring cash with you, don't sweat; most airplanes these days are cashless.
If you fly on a budget, you might find the entertainment lacking. Think of a coach trip, just at 30,000 feet. For this reason, we recommend that you bring your books, music, and anything else allowed on board that will help to pass the time.
8. Buy an eSIM
Before boarding a plane make sure you purchase an esim. Tired of data roaming charges that crush your travel zen? You can buy your esims from esimmer. We have super speedy and super reliable roaming data without sim swaps.
Get ready for the next adventure with a travel eSIM that meets your data requirements and the trip's duration. Choose from pre-paid travel eSIMs for Europe & UK, the USA, Canada, Japan, Asia, New Zealand, South America, and even in the Middle East & Africa.
9. Don't Freak Out When Things Go Wrong
The most important thing a traveler needs to remember is: Don't Panic. Anything can happen both at home and on the road and while missed connections, lost train tickets, or disappearing hotel reservations can be incredibly frustrating, panicking helps with nothing. Keep yourself in hand, and above all, stay organized. At the end of your trip, you will probably be left with a good story to share.
10. Prepare To Take Off
Boarding the plane, place carry-on items in an overhead compartment. You can store any personal articles like a purse or backpack under the seat in front of you. Buckle up and watch the safety presentation. Once it's time for departure, the plane will taxi across the ground to the runway and subsequently take off.
You're good to go for your maiden flight! Do not forget to buy an esimmer eSIM card while traveling abroad so you'll stay connected everywhere you go.
