How to go through an airport for the first time

From the first time I can remember flying as a kid, my parents would have me “lead” them around the airport and ask me to figure out what we had to do next. Even still, I was a nervous wreck on my first solo trip as an 18-year-old! But the trip went smoothly, and I quickly realized how EASY it can be to fly, especially if you follow this first time flyer guide and checklist.

Flying for the first time is not nearly as scary as it feels like it will be!

Did you know that air transportation is actually the SAFEST form of travel?

My best piece of advice for first time flyers is to be prepared for their flight (just follow this guide!) and know what to expect because the most stressful part of flying for the first time is getting through the airport. Once you are on the plane it’s just a matter of relaxing until you land!

The actual experience of being on an airplane, I think, can be quite fun. Take off and landing will feel a bit like being on an elevator or a very calm rollercoaster. The airplane will begin to “taxi”, which is where they drive around the airfield to get into the proper position on the runway. Then, the plane will speed up and lift off.

When you get close to landing, there will be an announcement letting you know to prepare for landing. Landing is much quieter than take-off, the only thing you might feel is a small jolt when you touch down.

There may be some turbulence during your flight, this is normal! Turbulence happens when the airplane goes through a patch of irregular air. The captain may warn you first if there is a big patch of turbulence, but for the most part, it will just feel like light bumps and is nothing to worry about.

It is normal for people to feel anxious about their first flight. If you or someone you are traveling with is on their first airplane, the best way to calm them is to prepare them. Become familiar with the process of going through the airport and what to expect during the actual flight.

Something that helps me is reminding myself that air travel is the safest form of travel, it’s FAR safer than driving even, which we do all the time.

If you want to know the statistics: There is 1 fatal accident per 16 MILLION flights. With fatal car crashes, the odds are 1 in 144. Insanely higher! So just remember that you are much much safer on an airplane.

Anxiety is normal for many people who travel by air. Even I can get a bit anxious on a plane, and I have been on more planes than I could even begin to count in my life. Here are a few helpful tips for a first time flyer’s guide to experiencing anxiety:

Yes, you can use your phone on a plane if it’s in airplane mode. Some airlines and flights may ask that you turn your phone off completely during take-off and landing, especially if there is a bout of bad weather or the airport is busy.

For the most part, you are able to use your phone throughout the flight so long as airplane mode is turned on. This means you will not be able to use data but will have all other phone functions. Most airlines nowadays offer WiFi onboard the plane, but almost always for a fee.

This first-time flyer guide will outline what to expect for flying and exactly what to do at the airport step by step. Some airports are big and confusing, others are small and straightforward. Either way, once you know what to do at the airport it will be easy to navigate any airport, as they all follow the same structure.

Enjoy being at the airport! Maybe I’m just an oddball travel junkie, but I think airports are so much fun. There is great people watching and seeing the destinations on the boards makes me think about all the possibilities of places to visit and how big the world is.

If you don’t already have a destination in mind, but know you want to take a trip, there are a few things to keep in mind:

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As a first time flyer guide, it will be easier to pick somewhere domestic. However, first time flyers shouldn’t be afraid of going international! There are so many amazing places to see, don’t limit yourself to staying local. For your first time going international, try to pick somewhere with familiar culture and/or a language you speak.

💡 Browse through some of my destination guides for inspiration, and take a look through my travel resources page for the best tools that I use for both domestic and international trips.

Once you know where you want to go, the next step is keeping an eye on flight prices. If you have an airline you have been recommended or have researched and would prefer to use, it’s best to just keep an eye on their website directly.

Otherwise, do some initial searches on flight prices to see if they are in your budget. If they are a little high, or you are far enough out you have the flexibility to see if the price will drop, then set up a ‘flight alert’ on Skyskanner to get notified when the ticket price goes down.

Generally, you want to book plane tickets well in advance of your trip. Occasionally you can find great fare drops right before the flight, but that is a pretty risky gamble as they usually actually spike in price the last few. days before a flight.

For domestic flights, roughly 3 weeks to 3 months is a good time to buy tickets.

For international flights, give yourself even more time. Book at least one month out, but the best times to book range from three to five months out.

Keep in mind the time of year you will be flying in too. If you are flying during popular travel times such as the holidays or the summer, you probably want to look at flights even further out.

Another tip: I book most of my flights on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Flight prices tend to drop by a little bit during the week.

There are quite a few flight search engines that claim to find the best prices. Buying affordable plane tickets is an art of finding the right timing, staying patient, and researching across platforms.

The best way to buy plane tickets is to buy directly from the airline if they have a decent price for the flight. Otherwise, these are the flight search engines that I use and recommend:

This is a FREE email list that sends you flight deals and fare drops from your home airport. I highly recommend everyone to sign up for this free service, you never know when they will send a deal for somewhere you are looking to go.

This list is perfect for the spontaneous traveler that doesn’t have a destination in mind. I have found many great deals through Scott’s Cheap Flights, and my friend once found a roundtrip ticket to Australia from Los Angeles for under $500!

This is my favorite flight comparison tool for finding the best deals on flights. Skyskanner searches across airlines to find the cheapest flights. Plus, I love that you can search “everywhere” and “anytime” to find the cheapest flights. If you are flexible on the days you can fly, while searching you can see what days have the lowest prices.

This is another favorite tool of mine to check for cheap flights across airlines. Google Flights is easy to use and reliably provides great deals.

Of course, buying plane tickets is never as straightforward as it should be. Airlines will upcharge for just about everything nowadays. While buying your ticket you will have plenty of places where the airline tries to add on features (i.e. extra legroom, meal service, baggage options). You can look through each option and decide what you want to add to your flight, or simply skip through and stay with the base rate.

Pretty much every airline nowadays will charge you a fee for checking a bag. Most airlines will allow you one carry-on (a small suitcase size and has to fit in the overhead bins) and a personal item (either a purse or as large as a standard backpack). The budget airlines might not even allow you a carry-on without an extra fee.

Usually while buying your ticket the airline will give you the option to choose how much baggage you will be bringing. Otherwise, check the airline’s website for their policy on baggage and what they allow to be carried on board. You will also be able to check online for the restrictions on dimension and weight that each individual airline allows.

You can pay at the airport to have a bag checked, but it will be cheaper if you add it on while booking your plane ticket.

Some flights will have a randomized seating selection, meaning it is first available seating when you get on the plane. Most airlines let their passengers pick their seats ahead of time but may charge you to pick a seat and will certainly charge extra for better seats. If you are traveling alone or are comfortable having your seat pre-assigned by the airline you might be able to save some money on not choosing a seat.

To fly within the U.S. you will need a valid form of identification. As of May 3rd, 2023 every passenger over the age of 18 will need to have a “Real I.D.” or a passport.

Depending on your destination and vaccination status, you may also need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination.

Any time you travel you should always have travel insurance to cover you in case of an emergency. This is different from your normal health insurance and covers emergency travel situations such as delays, lost baggage, natural disasters, etc.

I use and recommend SafetyWing for medical and travel insurance. It is affordable, reliable, and flexible insurance that is specifically designed for digital nomads who will be traveling long-term, though it mostly covers emergency situations which is perfect for short-term travelers and first time flyers as well.

For an idea of how much insurance will cost you, use the tool below. Or, to purchase insurance directly from SafetyWing, CLICK HERE.

The standard recommendation for domestic flights is to arrive 2 hours before your flight.

This is to give you plenty of time to check-in, check your bag, make it through security, and arrive at your gate before boarding starts.

As a first time flyer’s guide, I do recommend sticking to this recommendation to give you plenty of time to make your way around the airport without worrying about being late. However, if you are not checking a bag and you are at a smaller airport, you might have more wiggle room and could probably arrive an hour and a half to one hour before your flight, depending on your comfort level.

The standard recommendation for international flyers is to arrive 3 hours before your flight.

If you aren’t familiar with where your airport is, research how long it will take you to get there and how you plan on getting there. If you need to park your car at the airport, you should know where to park it and how much it will cost.

Same thing on the arrival side, make sure you know how you will be getting from the airport to your accommodation at your destination.

❗Do you need to rent a car for your first time flying? I recommend DiscoverCars for finding the best deals on rental cars during your trip.

Beyond in-flight entertainment and bringing your own reading material (i.e. books, magazines), I recommend doing the following before your first time flying:

Download Apps:

If you want games (especially if you’re traveling with kids) or other apps that you can access without WiFi, make sure to download them ahead of time.

Download Books, Movies, Podcasts etc.:

I always make sure to download entertainment for myself onto my phone so I can use it on airplane mode. You can download shows on your Netflix app, or Podcasts and Books off of various apps.

Airport WiFi:

Almost all airports should have free WiFi available. If you have a smartphone, I recommend downloading the app (where applicable) for your airline. Often you will be able to use the app to be alerted to any flight or gate changes.

7. Pack Snacks

If you want to save some money on airport food, pack snacks! Most food should be fine to go through security, they may just ask you to take it out.

8. Prepare Your Foreign Currency

If you are traveling internationally, you might want to exchange some money ahead of time. Your local bank should be able to exchange foreign currencies. Using ATMs at the airport upon arrival can be overpriced, but you will want to have some cash available for transportation to your accommodation.

FIRST TIME FLYER’S GUIDE TO CHECKING IN FOR YOUR FLIGHT

1. Checking in Online

You can either check-in ahead of time or do it in person when you arrive at the airport. Most airlines will send you a link to check in to your flight 24 hours in advance.

You can typically confirm your seating and verify flight details or any add-ons at this time. If you check-in online or through the app, you will receive a mobile boarding pass. Simply show this pass on your phone at security and at the gate or print it out in advance.

Personally, I always check-in online ahead of time if I have the option. Not only does it save time and the hassle of waiting in more lines at the airport, but I also like knowing that I am set for my flight in advance.

2. In-Person Flight Check-in

If you choose to check in when you arrive at the airport you will be looking for your airline’s check-in counter that lists your flight destination. You will be walked through the check-in process and able to check your bags at this point.

3. Checking a Bag vs. Only Carry-Ons

If you need to check a bag you will look for your airline’s bag drop-off or check-in counter. Most airlines have a designated bag drop area now for online check-ins. Though you still might have to wait in the check-in line, so give yourself plenty of time on arrival.

If you only have carry-ons and have already checked in online, you can continue straight past your airline’s counter and on to security.

4. What to Do After Checking in

After you check in, your next step is to head through security. Usually, at this point, you are just following the signs to get in the right line for security.

5. Asking for Guidance at the Airport

Don’t be afraid to ask for help at the airport! There are plenty of workers between those at the check-in counter, security, professionals with badges walking around the airport, etc. They know the airport very well and will gladly guide first time flyers in the right direction if you get confused.

FIRST TIME FLYER’S GUIDE TO AIRPORT SECURITY

Airport security may seem like a daunting and complicated process, but you will get the hang of it quickly after the first time or two. Here is a first time flyer’s guide to making airport security a breeze:

1. Make Sure All the Liquids in Your Carry-on Are Under 3.4 Ounces

You would be surprised how many liquids you might accidentally try to pack without thinking about it being a liquid. A few items to remember to watch the size on are: shampoo, conditioner, soap, sunscreen, any alcohol you are gifting or bringing with you, anything you are currently drinking, nail polish remover, some makeup, perfume, gel or spray deodorant, etc.

2. Don’t Pack Aerosol Cans (Bug Spray!)

Aerosol cans are not allowed through TSA. Though I have (accidentally) gotten away with it a few times, this includes even simple things like bug spray.

3. Double Check the TSA’s List of Prohibited Items While Packing

Take a look at the TSA list of prohibited items while you are packing your carry-on. Familiarizing yourself with the list may save you some time and money from having to throw items away at security.

4. Have Your I.D. And Boarding Pass Out

You will have your I.D. and boarding pass checked before entering security. Have it out and ready to hand off as the line for security sometimes moves quickly.

5. Be Prepared to Take Your Shoes Off

In the U.S., most passengers need to remove their shoes for security. Those with TSA PreCheck, older than 75, or kids 12 and younger will not need to remove shoes.

6. Jewelry and Security

Small jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, and rings can stay on through the scanner, but remove anything big and metal that might set off the sensor.

7. Take Any Personal Electronics Out of Your Bag (i.e. Laptop, iPad)

Remove any electronics and place them in the bins. If you have your laptop in a computer bag or case it will need to be fully taken out.

8. Take Off Your Belt

9. Take Off Your Jacket

10. Put Your Phone in the Bin

11. Double-Check Your Pockets

12. Make Sure to Drink or Dump the Water From Your Bottle

13. Listen to Security Personnel, They Will Help With What to Do

14. Moving Through the Scanner

Once all your belongings are moving through the security conveyor belt, you will be asked to step through a full-body scanner. Usually, you will spread your feet out and lift your hands above your head.

Next, you will be directed out of the scanner. Pause for a bit upon exiting until the security personnel clear you. to pick up your belongings.

15. Pat Downs

On occasion, the scanner may pick something up, even if there is nothing there, or perhaps you forgot to remove something metal. The security personnel may use a handheld scanner or will lightly pat you down (following specific guidelines and boundaries so as to not be inappropriate).

It is a passenger’s right to refuse to be pat-down, but you will not be allowed to fly if you don’t comply with TSA security checks.

16. What to Do if Your Bag Is Flagged

Having your bag flagged is not usually a big deal either. Little things might get picked up in the scanner that security wants to double-check, or perhaps you forgot a liquid that is too big.

Security personnel will ask you to step aside and ask to inspect your bag. You may have to pull some of your things out to let them search for what set off the alarms. Usually, this happens very quickly and you are on your way.

17. Duty-Free at the Airport

If you are questioning whether you can bring something on the plane or not, it is always a safer bet to just leave it at home and buy it at one of the many shops that are past security and what is known as “duty-free.” Duty-free refers to items that you do not have to pay import, sales, value-added, or other taxes on.

FIRST TIME FLYER’S GUIDE TO BOARDING AND THE FLIGHT

1. Reading Your Boarding Pass

Once you exit security, your next step will be to head to your gate. Your boarding pass (the printed version, not so much when it’s on your phone) usually lists your gate, the time that boarding starts, and your seat number.

2. Checking Airport Boards and Signs

There will be big electronic boards throughout the airport that list which flights are at which gate and if they are on time or delayed. I always cross-check my boarding pass with the electronic signs, because your gate might change.

Follow the signs around the airport that direct you to your gate. Again, when I arrive at the gate I check to see that my flight is indeed listed at the gate. If you get there especially early, your gate might still be showing the flight before yours, in which case you will have to wait and keep an eye on the large boards to make sure nothing changes.

3. At Your Gate and Waiting

Once you reach your gate you are waiting until boarding starts. Find a seat and relax! Or, wander through the shops, find something to eat, or take a light walk to stretch your legs before your first flight.

4. Boarding Your Flight

Boarding Zones:

When your flight is ready to start boarding, the airport personnel will make announcements over the speaker or from the desk. Flights (especially larger ones) typically board by zone. Watch and listen for your zone to be called before getting in line to board. Your boarding pass will note what zone you are in.

Boarding Pass and I.D. Out:

Most flights at this point just check your boarding pass (since your I.D. was already checked at security), but I always keep my I.D. handy just in case.

5. Checking Carry-on Bags

If the flight is full, your flight might ask for volunteers to check their carry-on bags or will require some people to check bags if they don’t get enough volunteers. If they ask you to check your carry-on they won’t charge you (unless it is oversized and won’t fit in the cabin) and it’s not a big deal.

You will simply pick up the bag upon arrival as if you checked it like normal. Just don’t forget to take anything out of the bag that you might need during the flight!

6. Getting on the Plane

When you get on the plane, there is usually a flight attendant at the front that will guide first time flyers to their seat or answer any questions. Otherwise, just walk to your seat and make sure to check above the seat for the letter that corresponds to the window, middle, or aisle seat. There is a figure of a person on the diagram to show you where the aisle is.

Storing Baggage:

If you have a carry-on, put it in the bin above your seat. Make sure that it is rotated the proper way so it fits and the door will close over it. Put your personal item under the seat in front of you.

7. Put Your Phone on Airplane Mode

All electronics should be put on airplane mode before take-off, this is to ensure there is no interference with the airplane’s signals. Unless told by your flight attendant, you don’t have to turn your electronics all the way off.

Airplane WiFi:

Airplanes nowadays typically have WiFi available for passengers for purchase. You can ask your flight attendant what options they have available.

8. Listening to Airplane Emergency Measures

Flight attendants will either display or play a video about the emergency and safety measures of the aircraft. As a first time flyer, you should pay attention to this guide in the very slim chance there is an emergency situation. Don’t be alarmed by the message, they are required to go over safety but airplanes hardly ever encounter any issues.

9. In-Flight Service, Snacks, and Meals

Depending on your airline and the length of the flight, you might be served a snack and beverage or even a meal or two. All airlines have paid food options available that you can browse. Budget airlines, especially on shorter flights, have started not giving anything out for free – this is why I recommend packing your own snacks! If you aren’t sure, just ask your flight attendant what their options are.

10. Stay Hydrated

Flying always dehydrates you, so make sure to drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to help prevent jet lag.

11. Relax and Enjoy!

LANDING AND WHAT TO DO AFTER YOUR FLIGHT

After landing, you may have to wait in your seat for a bit as the plane makes its way to the proper gate. The plane will deboard row by row from the front, just sit tight and wait your turn to exit.

1. Following Signs to Exit

When you exit the plane, you will want to follow the signs to the baggage claim and exit. If you didn’t check a bag, just head straight to the exit.

2. Understanding Baggage Claim

Once you reach baggage claim, there will be a few conveyor belts. Look for the one marked with your flight’s information, or look for an electronic board that has information. Depending on how fast you reach baggage claim, you may have to wait a bit.

3. Pick-up, Taxis, and Rideshares

Most airports now (especially bigger ones) have separate areas for passenger pick-up and for Taxis and rideshares (Uber, Lyft, etc.). Follow the signs for what you need. Some airports (such as Los Angeles) may even have you take a shuttle to get to the rideshares, in which case you shouldn’t call your ride until you make it to the designated area and know where to wait.

4. Layovers and Connecting Flights

If you have a layover or connecting flight, there will be separate signs pointing you in the right direction back towards the gates. Some airports will have you pass through security again, but some will not.

When you are checking your bag, make sure to ask if your bag will be checked through to your final destination. If you are on the same airline for both flights, this is pretty standard practice. It gets a bit trickier when you switch airlines. If you need to pick up your bag, you will have to head to baggage claim and then back to the ticketing counter to check it for your next flight.

Being prepared for your first time flying is extremely helpful, but no two flights are ever the same so don’t stress the little details too much either! Each airport has its own quirks and layouts, so follow signs, ask for help if you need it, and reference this first time flyers guide.

For travel junkies like me, airports are fun to find interesting restaurants, fun souvenirs, or to people watch and dream about your next vacation. Plus, it opens up a world for you to explore if you can get comfortable flying (especially now that remote jobs are changing the way we travel). Enjoy your first flight!

Looking for resources to use for your next trip or move abroad?
CLICK HERE for my favorite travel and expat tools!

FIRST TIME FLYERS’ CHECKLIST

1. Pick your destination and buy a flight using Skyskanner2. Choose your add-ons, baggage needs, and seats3. Have the proper identification (Real I.D. or Passport)

4. Buy Travel Insurance from SafetyWing

17. Or, follow the signs to your connecting flight, picking up and re-checking baggage if necessary