first flight tips
 

So I'm travelling on a plane for the first time and I'm pretty nervous. I would appreciate any tips that you could give :)

Welcome to Flyertalk sykotykz.

As this is a general travel question, we'll move this to TravelBuzz.

~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk

arrive early to get through security since you will be unfamiliar with the process, review the procedure online so you are prepared

Enjoy the airport atmosphere after security, the shops, restaurants etc relax and people watch, have a drink but limit alcohol (a relaxing glass or two will benefit you but no more) and caffeine to 1 cup, otherwise it will make nerves worse.

A good app is flightradar24 to see your flight path and see how your route travels in the days before your flight, great for us geeks.

Check seatguru for your aircraft features like toilets, entertainment and good/bad seats.

Your carry on should be packed from bottom to top with the following: a warm item of clothing eg hoodie and warm socks, Charger, small snacks in case inflight food isn't to your liking, alternative entertainment like a kindle or iPad, your liquids bag with lip balm, eye drops, face wipes, moisturiser on top for easy access. Keep passport and boarding pass in a small pocket if possible to avoid the dreaded search under pressure �� and they have migrated to the bottom of the bag.
Whatever you pack you have to carry.

Once onboard relax in your seat and if boarded early enough get to know the controls and features like recline, tray table, window sash. If possible stow your carry on under the seat in front to avoid disturbing other passengers and for easy access. If not possible put your entertainment in the seat pocket just in case.

When taking off there will be an initial burst of speed which will feel like you are being pushed into your seat, this is scary for first timers but is exhilarating for frequent flyers, expect this and marvel at the feat of engineering of flight ���� don't hold your breath as your ears won't pop, if you suffer from any ear ailment then suck a hard sweet or mint and you will be fine. The plane will climb fast before levelling off, savour the experience as it will never feel the same again.

As a general rule how something affects you on the ground will double/triple in the air, this includes alcohol and prescription mess like Xanax so be careful and start low.

Flying is a marvel and enjoy your first flight.

Get to the airport 2 hours before for a domestic flight or 3 hours before for an international. That way you have plenty of time to get through security and checkin without rushing, and you can just sit at a cafe and enjoy a coffee or light meal. Get to the gate 45 minutes before your flight.

Flying is awesome!! I wouldn't trade the chances I've had to see new places for anything.

One thing I hate not to have when I travel are my noise canceling headphones. Invaluable since there's no guarantees how neighbors might be on a flight.

Have a great trip!! :)

first flight tips
 

Get a window seat, but away from the wing section so you can enjoy the view without obstruction.

sykotykz, welcome to FlyerTalk. To help our community to help you, please share the concerns you have about your upcoming flight. Thanks, Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator.

Hi sykotykz,
I'm glad you joined us here at FT.

As Ocn VW 1K asked, it would be good to know if anything in particular is on your mind. Otherwise, here are my tips:

1) As others said, get to the airport very early. It can be intimidating to find the counters, gates, get through security, etc. Heck, sometimes even finding the parking lot can be tough.
2) Find your airline and check in. Use the kiosks if you can, it will save time.
3) Don't lose your boarding pass or ID, you'll need both. Keep them handy.
4) Pack light, then lighter yet. Seriously, this is my best tip. (And, a reminder to self!)
5) Know the TSA rules for getting through security- laptops, liquids, nothing sharp, etc.
6) The departure LED boards are organized alphabetically (destination city) or by departure time.
7) Airports can be huge, especially international airports in large cities. Be prepared for shuttles, escalators, long hikes, etc.
The knowledge base here on FT is incredible. If you told us your airline/flight, departure city and destination, people might have some very specific tips for your itinerary.
8) Enjoy your trip!

I'll add - don't be afraid to ask any airport or airline employee for directions or if you just have a question. They are there to help, and the vast majority are very nice, especially to first time flyers.

Enjoy your trip!

Dress comfortably, don't load up on jewelry etc...keep it simple.
Relax, it isn't as stressful as you are worried it will be.
Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to get on and take off.
Keep your travel documents handy (I.D and boarding pass etc).
Bring a sweater/sweatshirt/cardigan or a lap blanket. It can be a little chilly on flights.
The vast majority of people will happily help you so don't be afraid to ask where to go or what to do next.
Check out the airport map so you have an idea where you are and where you are going.
Last, RELAX! Flying can be fun, and a good time to unwind and enjoy the simple things away from chaos on the ground.

(yes I said relax twice...but it's important...you only get one first flight!)

Others have said get a window seat...I agree! My first flight ever was one month after 9/11, I would have been slightly scared to fly normally but with all the extra fear at that time I was pretty scared. I had one drink at the bar and then got on the plane, and my luck kept going, my seat mate was a 5 year old! Most might think that was bad, for me it was great! We kept looking out the window "Look, they all look like tiny ants down there!" and we joked around the whole flight (with her mom's permission of course). Best flight I have ever had.

Post back after your flight and let us know how it goes! Where are you going to and when?

One thing I do when I fly, is as I am going to where my seat is, I find the nearest emergency exit, and upon seating myself, and buckle up; I read the emergency information card. Also, play attention to the safety demo. I chew gum to pop my ears during takeoff and landing. Other than that, enjoy the flight.

Great advice above.

I would just emphasize one thing that others have said: Head out to the airport early enough. This will greatly reduce stress from potential traffic delays to the airport and from potential long lines at check-in and at security.

Agree with most of the recommendations (arrive early, arrive earlier than that because it's your first time, don't sweat the small stuff, flying is actually quite easy).

One point of disagreement. Window Seat. What on Earth for? Want to see the view? After the first 2 1/2 minutes you discover that the view never changes. Want to see what it's like? Go to Google Earth and set the view level at about 35,000 feet then tilt your head at an angle (because you can't look straight down from a plane) and then stare at it for 5 minutes.

Downside to a window? You're pinned there. If you need to get up for the restroom, you have to get others out of your way. If people are asleep you have to wake them. If it's meal time and their trays are down, you have to "hold it". Want to get at your bag in the overhead? Tough. Time to get off the plane you have to wait for them to decide to move.

Don't order the fish.

I think that Ask the Pilot by Patrick Smith is a great resource. As an aside, he posts on FT with the handle Gatehold. One piece of valuable information was not to think of turbulence as an aircraft problem but a service issue. Makes so much sense.

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 :cool:

Don't forget to use the footrest on the seat in front of you. If the occupant of that seat has an elbow on your footrest, they will happily share the space. Bare feet are perfectly acceptable.