Recently I've had a bunch of friends flying for the first time, and they've been asking me what they should know. Hopefully this post will be helpful for any first time flyers :)
If you have not yet booked your flight, here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Layover times - When booking a flight with a layover, make sure your layover is at least an hour long. If you are booking with an airline that is notorious for delays (*cough cough* US Airways), having a 3, 4, or even 5 hour layover could be beneficial (I've had experiences where my 5 hour layover turned into 1 hour after a delay).
2. Carry-on restrictions - I have a suitcase that meets the carry-on size requirements for most airlines, so I was surprised on our trip to Iceland when my suitcase would not fit in the "test" bin at the counter. Luckily, IcelandAir allows one free checked bag per customer, so it wasn't a big deal, but most airlines charge for checked bags. Check the size limits for your airline ahead of time!
If you already have your flight booked, here are some things to know about being airport savvy:
1. Arrive early - Especially if you are unfamiliar with airports, it can take a while to get through the check-in line and security, as well as get to your gate. The general rule that my mother taught me (and has never failed me) is to get to the airport 2 hours before your flight leaves.
2. Remember your parking spot - Where I fly out of Dulles, we generally park in economy parking. That's a lot of spots in several different lots, making it easy to forget where you parked. After parking, you stand at a small shelter to wait for a bus. If they don't have little cards inside the station that say "I parked near station X in lot Y", take a picture of: a) your parking spot, and b) your bus shelter. This will help you remember where you parked.
3. Keep your ID/passport and boarding pass on hand - Until you get to your gate, anyway. The first thing you do when you get to the airport is go to your airline's check in counter where they will ask to see your ID. After that, you usually need to show your ticket to get into the terminal, and you will need to present your ticket and ID at security. Once through security, you can put them away until you board.
4. Gates can change - If you can, sign up for text alerts (I always sign up when I book my flights through Orbitz). This will let you know if your flight has a delay or if the gate has changed. Some airports are notorious for changing the departure gate, so keep an eye on the TV screens located all over the airport. Once you get to the gate, make sure it has your destination on the screen there.
5. Know the TSA rules - Especially the obvious ones: no knives, guns, weapons, or flammable things. Usually you have to take off your belt, jacket, and shoes (jewelry is fine). If you have a laptop in your carry-on, that needs to be taken out. No aerosols (like hairspray) are allowed in your carry-on. All liquids need to be in 3 oz. bottles or less, and they all have to be in a quart size bag. So don't try to bring your water bottle or Starbucks drink through security with you! Be careful about tweezers and nail files/clippers. Just to be safe, if you want to transport any of these things, they are better in your checked bag.
*Note: If you are checking a bag and put everything in it, you still might want to bring a small overnight bag with you as a carry-on. In case your checked bag gets lost, you should pack your necessary medications, toothbrush and toothpaste, and an extra set of clothes (along with any other super-essential items) into a small bag.
6. Know your boarding time - Although your boarding pass says "Departure time 4:30 PM", you do NOT want to arrive at the gate at 4:30. This is the time the plane is leaving. On your ticket, it should say somewhere "Boarding time". This is usually half an hour or so before the departure time; make sure to be at your gate at this time.
7. Take motion sickness medicine - For $1.50 at Walmart you can buy a pack of motion sickness medicine. I know a couple people who have a hard time adjusting to the pressure differences in the airplane, so taking medicine 30 minutes before take-off really helps. It's also good to have during your travels.
8. Have fun! - There's no need for your first time flying to be a stressful experience. If you pay attention to your surroundings, airports are very easy to navigate -- they have signs everywhere that explain everything you need to know. Signage around security explains what you need to do, and overhead signs easily direct you to your gate. So, put down your phone and pay attention! Now, go have an adventure :)
If you are interested in planning vacations on a budget, check out Seeing the World On a Budget!
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