I disagree with your disagreement! It depends on where you are flying and luck with the weather of course but I have had fantastic views flying across the US, amazing views of Greenland on TATL, Heathrow approach over London, etc. You can get blase about it but some of these are not to be missed on a first flight.

I fly out of SIN, which means all planes usually do a sharp turn to avoid leaving allowed airspace as it pushes for height. I choose the seat as close to the centre of the plane as possible. This is because when you're by the windows, the range of up and down motion within the plane is the greatest.

I was so excited on my first flight (as an adult without parents) that I booked a window seat. Man, worse feeling ever. But then, I really dislike roller coasters.

I'd also say to arrive at the airport early, dress comfortably but not sloppily. When on the plane and it feels uncomfortable, look to the other flyers for reassurance because they would know if something is off.

Definitely a good point, you have to know what you like - which is hard for a first flight!

It would be helpful to know what route OP plans to fly and what aircraft type - don't worry about the barking dogs in the hold of the A320 series for example.

There were a couple of great threads of advice for a first timer a while back but it would take someone with better search skills to find them.

You will find that most everyone is ignoring the safety briefing. Pay attention--it's not that we don't care, we are ignoring it because we've heard it many times before and about all that changes is the location of the exit doors and whether you have a life vest (any flight with appreciable overwater flight) or only the seat cushion to use for flotation (on planes that stay over dry land).

The seat belt does not work like the one in your car! Also, it's the old style type that isn't loose until you need it--the mechanism that makes that work wouldn't work on a plane.

There should be a barf bag in the pocket in front of your seat. It's unlikely you'll need it but if you run into bad turbulence it could be quite convenient. Pilots try to stay away from turbulence but they don't always know it's there and if the turbulence is by the airport they don't have a choice. While turbulence is unpleasant it's almost never dangerous--the pilots will know about anything that bad and will not fly into it even if that means you end up in a city other than what you expected. (If that happens the airline will get you where you're going.)

You didn't say where you are going, if you're going into cold areas don't be surprised if the schedule gets pretty badly messed up. Things go slower when there's snow on the ground or even just icing conditions. In some areas fog can play havoc with the schedule also. (San Francisco is notorious for this--they have two runways that are a little too close together. When the fog rolls in--and it often does--the rules about how far apart the planes must stay from each other changes and their capacity gets cut in half because of this.)


A few more things that just look scary:

1) During takeoff and landing the edges of the wings separate from the wing. On some planes you can see between the separated part and the main wing. This is by design, it trades fuel economy for the ability to fly slower.

2) On landing the captain may use his thrust reversers. If this happens parts of the outside of the front of the engines pop open and the engine really roars. While it may look like the engine is coming apart this is by design.

3) Some Airbus planes have a hydraulic pump that some people say sounds like a barking dog but to me it always sounds like someone is taking a great big hand saw to the plane.

4) Again, on landing the pilot may use speed brakes. Big plates pop up on the tops of the wings, if you're sitting behind the wings you can see the machinery inside. Again, normal. While in theory these can be used in flight it's very unlikely.

That's a sad point of view

i haven't flown commercial in almost 20 years (AND pre-TSA), so as a born-again virgin flyer, i feel your pain. but with 7 flights in the next month, i'll either get over it or die of a heart attack. j/k.

but i'm actually looking forward to it. and they're all window seats.

Bring your drivers license. Be prepared to possible take off your shoes/belt.

Don't be alarmed when...

• The engines change power suddenly in flight. Pilots use engine power changes to adjust the plane's altitude, which is often necessary. It's normal for the pilots to drop engine power to a very low setting when they want to lose altitude.
• You hear (and sometimes feel) loud mechanical noises. Grinds and thumps accompany deploying and retracting the flaps and landing gear.
• You feel bumps, sways, rises or drops. Air is often a little turbulent, and the plane feels it.

If something scary happens, look at the flight attendants. You'll probably notice they are completely unperturbed.

I would like to point out that there is a lot of good info here, but the OP has not returned.

Hopefully the OP will check back with us. (It is odd, though, when someone requests advice or information, then does not return.) Anyway, others will benefit, and surely already have benefitted, from the tips and advice given here. So our efforts are not in vain.

24 hours before the flight, check in on the web and print your boarding pass (if you cannot print, you can reprint at a kiosk at the airport).

If you cannot check in on the web, arrive extra early, since there may be special problems with your reservation that require checking in with the agent (and the line can move slowly, since everyone else in the line will have special problems -- those without will have checked in on the web or at the kiosk).

Sit at a window seat. Do not pull the window shade down. Enjoy the spectacular view out your window! Fascinating from pushback to arrival at the gate. All these years later I still spend a lot of time looking out of the window.

What I really like is night flights--looking down at the arrival/departure city.

As this is a forum for (mostly) frequent flyers I've waited in vain for the smart advice to a new flyer. Some would call it black humour.

Here goes:
- after takeoff fully test the reclining mechanism on your seat by pushing sharply backwards. If you get a yelp of pain from the guy behind, it works properly
- the approved method to get the attention of a flight attendant is to snap your fingers and holler ' Hey, Miss. Yes, you!'
- take your time stowing bags by standing right in the aisle and carefully fold all outdoor clothing. Protests from passengers you delay are regarded as humorous joshing
- wear a large backpack and occasionally swivel round looking for your seat number. Those already seated in aisle seats regard the smack in the head that ensues as just part of the boarding ritual

Seriously - relax and enjoy 😀

I disagree with the prior poster who said to dress comfortably. I suggest dressing in a nice suit and tie so you can get upgraded to first class. It also helps if you flirt with the gate agent, they always appreciate the attention, and will show their appreciation by upgrading you.

If for some weird reason you don't get the upgrade feel free to just sit in any empty first class seat you find. If somebody asks to see your boarding pass, just reply "Don't you know who I am?" and then settle back into your seat. That phrase is something of a passcode in the airline industry. Then settle back in your seat and enjoy the flight