First Time Flying: Tips & What to Expect

First-time flying tips from an ex-flight attendant.

I’ve been giving advice and tips to friends, family, and acquaintances lately so it made sense to put it all together.

So here are my first time flyers tips.

First time flying tips (quick list)

• Arrive 2–3 hours early

• Keep your documents ready

• Check in online

• Follow liquid rules for carry-on

• Pack your essentials in a carry-on bag

• Follow airport signs

• Have your boarding pass ready

• Don’t stress about security checks

Some of these first time flying tips might get mentioned another time somewhere else in the article, but I’ll put them here as well, for good measure.

Arrive 2–3 hours early

The rule of thumb is 2 or 3 hours before the flight depending on whether it’s an international flight, if you need passport control or not, if you have checked baggage, and what time of day it is.

The airline, actually, will probably send an email before your flight with all the info you need. The time to arrive might be there as well.

Check in online

The best idea is to check in online at home. There are airlines that charge you for checking in at the airport! If you can, print or at least save the ticket somewhere besides the app – just for safety.

If you can, print or at least save your boarding pass somewhere besides the app.

If you don’t want to or can’t print it, take a screenshot so it’s saved on your phone.

Get travel insurance

It’s important to have insurance when travelling, no matter how you travel. But when flying, make sure your insurance covers flight delays and cancellations, lost luggage, etc.

If you’re travelling in Europe you may be protected by the EU rules (EC261), but getting the compensation can be hassle.

Check your passport or ID

And check it before your flight, not the night before. If the validity is running out or there might not be a place for a visa stamp, make sure to get a new ID. And be aware that some countries require at least 6 months’ validity after the END of your trip.

Join a loyalty program

Join a loyalty program. It’s the most useful if you’re flying frequently, of course, but why not join just in case?

Many airlines have their individual programs, but some alliances have common, such as Star Alliance.

At the airport: tips for first-time flyers

Follow the signs

Usually, the airports are well-marked and the signs are in multiple languages.

If you don’t have checked-in luggage and have your boarding pass already, head straight for the security.

Keep your luggage with you

In the airports, unattended luggage will be removed – possibly by a bomb squad. Security is taken very seriously.

Security checks are normal

The people there are just trying to keep everyone safe.

Even if you’re selected for a random check, it’s nothing bad. You might get swiped by a wand or a little paper strip that detects the remains of narcotics or explosives.

Wait for your boarding call

When everything is ready, your boarding will be announced and then you can form a line. If there is business and priority available, those will be called on first.

Sometimes, the boarding happens in zones – check your zone on the ticket and then wait for it to be announced. You’ll not be able to board before your zone, but you can board after.

Have your boarding pass and ID ready

Have your boarding pass and ID ready when boarding.

Packing tips for your first flight

Types of luggage, what you can and can’t take, how to pack, and more first time flying tips about packing.

Understand luggage types

Personal item

It’s a small bag, such as a backpack, purse, laptop bag, or even a duty-free bag. A personal item is taken with you in the cabin. It’s convenient to pack things such as your passport or wallet.

Be aware that some airlines, such as Ryanair or Wizzair, allow only a personal item for free.

Cabin baggage – carry-on

A small suitcase or a bigger backpack. Generally, the cabin baggage can weigh up to 10kg, sometimes it’s 8kg – so make sure to check your airline’s restrictions. There are size restrictions as well, but those are too diverse to put in a single article.

Checked-in baggage

These are bigger bags that you leave at a check-in desk and that are placed in the aircraft’s hold. These bags are not accessible during the flight and sometimes can go missing, so make sure to pack them accordingly.

Special items and sport’s equipment

Skis, hockey equipment, scuba gear, and other things are considered sports equipment. There are size and weight limitations, as well as restrictions on what can actually be taken with you.

Kid’s equipment

Many airlines, even Ryanair, allow you to take things such as strollers, travel cribs, and other kid’s items for free when you purchase an infant or child’s ticket.

Pack the night before

Don’t leave packing for just before leaving for your first flight. Even now, after having flown many, many times, I tend to forget things when I pack at the last moment, haha.

I have many packing lists available, with the most important being the essential things to pack with you, that you might find helpful. I still use them every time I pack.

Check import restrictions

For example, the USA doesn’t allow any fresh food items. There are customs agents with dogs waiting when you exit the plane.

For Chile and Argentina, you’re not allowed to carry any food items or fuel over the border.

And Japan, for example, has very strong rules for any drugs or medicine. Some drugs that are perfectly legal in places such as the USA are very much illegal in Japan!

Follow liquid rules for carry-on

Many countries, or rather airports, now are cancelling the restrictions for liquids, but many still allow only one litre of liquids, where one container cannot be larger than 100ml.

For example, if your shampoo bottle has 500ml written on it, but there’s only like 10ml left, it doesn’t matter, it will be thrown out.

Wear heavier clothes on the plane

It’s actually quite a good idea to wear pants and layers on the plane – always. I’ll forever remember the island hopping we did in Hawaii where we were freezing on the plane because the air-conditioning was so strong.

How to make your flight more comfortable

Flying can get quite uncomfortable. The difference in pressure, the dry air, the small and narrow seats, and so many other things make it hard. Especially if the flight is long!

So here are some tips to make your first flight more comfortable.

Stay hydrated

Of course, it might mean that you have to go to the lavatory (wear your shoes!), but it’s better than feeling ill.

Bring a water bottle

Many airports now have water fountains or water-filling stations.

Be careful with alcohol

Because of the pressure differences in the airplane, you’ll get intoxicated much sooner. And if you were drunk the night before, the hangover is much worse.

Consider compression socks

Compression socks help prevent thrombosis, which is an even bigger concern for pregnant people. However, the pressure differences and sitting for longer periods make it riskier for everyone.

Bring snacks

Yes, it is allowed to take food with you on board. It might not be allowed to be imported into the destination country (check the rules!), but on board, food can be taken. Of course, if it’s not liquids, so don’t take soup.

So even if there’s going to be food served during the flight, it might be not tasty or there might not be enough food.

Check what’s included in your ticket

On that note, check on your ticket what’s included. Mostly now, on short-haul flights, food is not included and if it is, it might just be cookies.

Organize your things before sitting down

Before you sit down for the flight after boarding, put your things away.

I usually take one bag with me, which has my food, drinks, entertainment, and medicine. If the seat next to me ends up being empty, I’ll leave my clothes and everything so that it’s easier to pack everything before disembarking.

Bring entertainment

Even if there should be in-flight entertainment (IFE) on board, it doesn’t mean that it will work or there will be something interesting on it.

You can download movies for offline watching on most of the streaming services, including Netflix and Youtube Premium.

Bring headphones

It’s always a good idea to have headphones. Again, there might be IFE, but no headphones. You will probably need ones with a headphone jack!

Choose the right seat

Isle seats are better if you like to walk around or are anxious to ask people to move if you need to go to the toilet. It’s better if you’re tall, too, as you can stretch your legs in the aisle – when no one’s moving there.

The window seat is better for that view and if you’d like to sleep during the flight – you have the wall to lean against and, well, the window.

Then there’s the dreaded middle seat. It’s not so bad if you’re sitting in-between friends, family, or even acquaintances. It’s quite uncomfortable if you need to sit with a stranger.

Keep your shoes on

The carpets on the plane are not clean – they don’t get washed after every flight, and even if they did, you have no idea what people have stepped into before going to the airplane.

And no, that wet stuff that’s on the floor in the lavatory (toilet)? That is not water.

What can go wrong (and how to handle it)

A delayed flight? Or even cancelled?

Maybe you were denied boarding?

Or your baggage was damaged?

There are things that can be done for this, even at the time that you’re buying your flight.

Get travel insurance

Yes, in most cases, the airline is responsible for any problems and will try to fix them. But it’s definitely safer to have insurance as well that covers things like broken suitcases. It’s just safer.

For comfort, it’s nice to have lounge access in case of a delay.

Book connecting flights carefully

When buying your connecting flights, it’s always a good idea to have them on one reservation with one reservation number. If you must buy separate flights, have enough layover time to account for any possible delays.

Some things to keep in mind are:

• Disembarking and taxiing might take even half an hour – that means that if your flight’s planned arrival time is, let’s say, 12 o’clock and it lands on time, it might be that you’re out of the plane at 12:30.
• You might need to go through security again which takes more time again.
• Boarding generally starts some 45 minutes before the planned departure time. And the gate closes 15 minutes before – you might be denied boarding if you’re at the gate later than that.
• So if you’re buying connecting flights, buy them on one reservation (doesn’t mean it has to be one airline). As that means that the airline will protect you in case of a delay and will help you get to your destination.

There are many factors that the compensation depends on. Those are the departure/destination country, the reason for the delay, as well as how long the delay was.

Know when compensation applies

So, weather conditions, airport staff strikes, and other unforeseen circumstances? Sorry, nothing.

But if the plane is broken down or the airline’s crew strikes? You can get compensation.

Flight delays: what to expect

Usually, you get some food coupons and free communication, such as calls, fax, and similar. If the delay is long, especially overnight, you can get a hotel and transfers as well. Save the receipts! And generally, airlines will cover only reasonable costs.

If you arrive at your destination more than 3h later than planned, in Europe or with a European airline, you can get up to 600 euros in compensation.

And yes, even Ryanair has to pay. And it’s actually one of the better low-cost airlines in this regard. I’ve heard many horror stories from people having to fight other airlines. I’ve never had a problem with Ryanair – and I’ve gotten many compensations from them.

In Brazil, you can get compensation up to 1300$ if your flight was delayed at least 4 hours. The timeframe for requesting compensation is 2 years for international and 5 years for domestic flights. In case of a shorter delay, the airline must take care of you – with access to communication and meals appropriate for the time of day. In case the delay is long and overnight, accommodation must be provided as well.

The US, unfortunately, doesn’t protect passengers’ rights in case of general delays so extensively. You can read up, though, on your rights in case of tarmac delays.

Flight cancellations

In the EU, if your flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before the date, you are most probably going to be covered by the EC261 regulation. That means, in addition to the airline needs to offer you an alternate way of getting to your destination or reimbursing the flight cost, you are entitled to up to 600 euros in compensation. Of course, that is, if the cancellation happened not because of extraordinary circumstances.

Unfortunately, the USA, just like with delayed flights, doesn’t have such rules.

Brazil, though, is quite close to the EU in protecting the rights of its airline passengers. If the flight is cancelled, you are entitled to compensation of up to 1800$ per passenger per flight. And the airline must offer you the 3 choices – a ticket for another flight, an alternative means of getting to your destination, or a refund of what you paid for the ticket. And it must be offered for free.

Denied boarding (overbooking)

Airlines in the EU are less likely to overbook flights than in the, let’s say, US, but still, it happens.

Usually, volunteers are asked who, in exchange for compensation, surrender their tickets. If you surrender your seat voluntarily when the gate attendant asks for volunteers, you don’t get compensation!

In the US, the compensation for a denied boarding can be up to 1350$ depending on the one-way ticket fare, if it was an international or domestic flight, delay in reaching the destination, and other factors.

In the EU, if you are bumped off a flight through no fault of your own, you get compensation immediately.

In Brazil, if you’re denied boarding, you get a compensation of 345$ for domestic and 690$ for international flights.

Lost or damaged luggage

In case your luggage is damaged:

• Hold on to your ticket and luggage tag
• Report the damage as soon as possible – it’s best to do this at the airport so that the bags can be inspected by an employee. It’s possible to do it at home as well (generally up to 7 days after the flight), but it’s better in the airport.
• Fill out the forms – you’ll need to state the approximate age and purchase price of the suitcase, as well as some other things. You might be able to negotiate compensation, repair of the suitcase, or even a completely new suitcase.
• If things in your bag were damaged, file a claim for those, as well. It might not do anything, but sometimes, you might get compensated.

If your bag doesn’t arrive:

• Keep your boarding pass and luggage tag
• Go to lost and found and fill out the forms
• Keep receipts for essential items

If your bag doesn’t show up (or is delayed more than 21 days in the EU), file a claim with the airline for compensation. Make a list of items that were in the bag and the expenses for replacing them. There are things that the airline will not cover, of course, but you should get reimbursed for at least most of them. And any receipts for things that you had in the bag are always helpful.

How to get compensation

Usually, the airline has a page where you can make a compensation claim. The information about what you’re entitled to has to be given to you as well, either in a paper form or in an email.

If you’ve written to the airline and they deny your claim, try again!

If they’re still not budging and you’re sure you’re entitled to compensation for the disrupted flight, you can try making the claim through companies such as AirHelp.

First time flying anxiety tips

Distract yourself

Movie, music, book – prepare a lot of entertainment so that the time… ekhm.. flies.

Ask the crew for help

Flight attendants are there to help – don’t hesitate to ask if you feel uncomfortable.

Avoid alcohol

It might seem like a good idea but be aware that alcohol acts differently on a plane – you get intoxicated much faster.

Consider calming medication

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist, and they might be able to suggest something that might help you with flight anxiety.

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