First Time Flier? Here’s What to Expect

No matter your age, a person's first flight is an exhilarating experience.

First-time flyers are often either scared or excited about their big day. If you're feeling nervous about flying, you should feel secure knowing you are safer in the air than driving in a car. Pilots and flight attendants are well trained to do their jobs and prioritize your safety above anything else. But despite all this, you’ll still naturally be wondering how to prepare for your first flight.

Window seat, aisle, or middle seat? These are the questions worth asking!

If you want to ensure that flying for the first time by yourself (or with others) is an enjoyable experience, you should do a bit of preparation. Navigating airports, TSA checkpoints, and flight delays can dampen your first flight experience, but it's essential to be patient, keep a positive mindset, and give yourself ample time to go through the process.

Keep reading for a few helpful tips that even frequent flyers may never consider before preparing for a flight.

What to do at the airport step by step

It may seem a bit overwhelming when you first arrive at the airport, but it doesn’t have to be. If it’s your first time flying, here’s exactly what to expect when you get there and what to do to ensure a smooth check in. (And if you need your passport, double-check you have it with you before leaving for the airport.)

1. Arrive on Time

When flying for the first time by yourself (or really any time), you should arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. Depending on the airport, you may want to increase or decrease these timelines. (For instance, you may want to budget 4 hours for international departures at airports with notoriously bad traffic and long TSA lines.) This will ensure enough time to navigate the airport with little to no stress.

Find your airline's representatives. For example, if you're flying Delta, only look for Delta signs, and don't allow numerous people in various uniforms to overwhelm you. It helps to block out everything and only focus on the one thing you need to find, your airline carrier.

In fact, it can be helpful to look at your airport’s map online prior to leaving for the airport. There are usually signs posted outside at the departure area to help you find your airline’s check-in, but knowing where it is beforehand can speed up the process, especially if you need to inform your Lyft or taxi driver about where to drop you off.

2. Check-in/Baggage Check

Check-in lines can be long, so utilize kiosks or get there EARLY.

Wait in line to check in and check your bags. Most airlines have kiosks where you can print your boarding pass and bag tags yourself. If you're traveling with only a carry on bag, you can print your boarding pass at the kiosk and head to security. These days you can check in and have your boarding pass already on your phone before you enter the airport.

On that note, check luggage size restrictions for your airline prior to departing for the airport—or even before packing. Some airlines have various size restrictions, and you don’t want to be turned away from check-in for having a bag that’s too big for the overhead compartments.

When checking your bag, ensure it is 50 lbs or less. In some countries, the limit may be 20 kg, which is about 44 lbs. Otherwise, you will have to pay an oversized baggage fee—and these can be up to $200 depending on the airline. If you want to upgrade your seating or make a special note to the flight crew, such as allergies or wheelchair assistance, now is the time to do it if you haven't already.

3. Security

Everyone’s favorite part of flying, right? To make your TSA process quick and easy, avoid wearing belts and shoes that are difficult to take off. Wearing socks to the airport can be helpful here, so that you don’t have to walk across the airport floor barefoot.

Have your ID and boarding pass already out to be scanned, so that you’re not digging around when it’s your turn. Make sure any liquids you're traveling with (in your carry on) are less than 3.4 oz, and in the appropriately-sized clear bag. Lastly, ensure your electronics are easily accessible, as you will most likely have to take them all out of your bag to be scanned separately.

Honestly, this TikTok isn’t too far off base for American airports.

4. Find your gate

Check out your gate number on either your boarding pass or the monitors located around the terminal.

After you make it through security (whew), it’s time to locate your gate (if you, too, are one of the anxious among us). Depending on how early you checked in, your gate may not yet appear on your boarding pass. Always check the flight monitors for the most up-to-date flight information. These monitors will show you which gate your plane is leaving from, if it's boarding or delayed, and any last-minute gate changes.

Once you have eyes on your gate, feel free to get some coffee or food if time allows. International flights typically board an hour prior to scheduled departure, and domestic flights board a half hour or less before departure.

5. Listen for announcements and final boarding call

This is why it’s important to be at your gate prior to boarding. Often, the gate agent will make flight updates and boarding announcements. Make sure you're paying attention because you never know when they might call your name to confirm your meal or seating preferences, or need to check documents again if you’re flying internationally.

Too often, travelers chill out at Starbucks right up to departure, or straight up fall asleep somewhere, accidentally missing final boarding calls and ultimately their flight. Don’t be that person!

How to board a flight

When flying for the first time by yourself or in general, you may have no idea what to picture when it comes to boarding an airplane. The first thing you should remember during boarding is the time. The flight attendants are expected to have everyone boarded and seated at a specific time prior to scheduled departure.

As the boarding time approaches, you may see urgency amongst the flight crew, so do your part and be seated quickly to avoid flight delays.

1. Check your boarding pass to know your boarding position. Once the gate agent announces, " Now boarding zones...." you will line up to have your boarding pass scanned by the gate agent. Be sure to board with your assigned boarding zone as other passengers pay for their boarding priority.
2. Pro tip: In some countries, you’ll need to take a bus or similar in order to get to your airplane, and you’ll board directly from the tarmac. These busses can be a tight squeeze, so hold tightly onto your passport, boarding pass, and personal items. If you drop something now, it could cause quite a headache to find it.
3. When you step onto the flight, kindly greet the flight crew. This could be to your benefit later on during the flight. Flight crews love kind passengers and often will be more attentive to your needs during the flight.
4. Find your seat and place your carry-on bag in the overhead bin and small personal items under the seat in front of you. If there is no space in the compartment above your seat, you can put your bag in any other open space. The overhead bin space in the main cabin is not designated to any particular seat number. Just make sure you remember where you stow your bag.
5. Be seated as quickly as possible. Flight attendants get about 30 minutes to board the entire plane with passengers. It can be very stressful for the flight crew when it gets close to the departure time.

How to prepare for your first flight, solo or otherwise

If you’re feeling nervous or stressed, preparation is key!

Are you feeling more comfortable with what to expect during your first time flying? Truly, it’s a fun experience, and many travelers feel most at home and excited when waiting for the gate to open! If you’re still feeling shaky, here’s what else you can do to prepare for your first flight:

• Chewing a piece of gum will help keep your ears from experiencing that horrible clogged feeling during take-off and landing. The pressure change inside the plane will often cause your ears to pop.
• Wear a mask! Many American airlines no longer mandate this rule, but there’s arguments about how effective HEPA filters are on planes. For your best shot at avoiding covid, it’s best to mask up.
• Stay seated during take-off and landing. It can be hazardous if you stand up during these phases of flight. Always check the seat belt sign to know when it’s safe to leave your seat. And don’t be one of those people crowding the aisle with nowhere to go once you land at your destination.
• If you want to stop and drink coffee or eat a meal when you arrive at the airport, it’s best to do it after you have passed the security checkpoint. Many first-time flyers miss their flight while waiting in the security lines. There are plenty of places to shop and eat once you're in the airport terminal.
• It's always a good idea to bring a treat for the gate agents and flight crew. They work long hours and often deal with unpleasant customers. Sometimes your kind gesture is the boost they need during their work day.
• Know the difference between a regional carrier and a mainline carrier. There is a significant difference in the aircraft size and amenities offered on each carrier.
• Always check the size of the aircraft. Bigger planes have larger overhead bin space, so the "standard" carry-on suitcase depends on the overhead bin size of the plane.
• Different aircraft and airlines offer various amenities. Check to see what amenities are on your specific flight: wifi, charging outlets, in-flight entertainment, etc.
• Use the bathroom before you board! Do not use the bathroom during boarding, take-off, or landing. If you try to go during boarding, you might end up stuck in the back of the aircraft while everyone else is boarding the plane. The airplane aisle is too narrow for two people to pass at once.

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After your first flight, you'll feel like a pro

Bon voyage, globetrotter!

Are you ready for your first flight? Get ready to land at your destination with a new understanding of travel. And hopefully, you'll be inspired to take more flights! Don't forget to document that first experience and save the memory forever. Enjoy the journey and safe travels!

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