From selecting a seat to understanding airplane etiquette, here’s the best advice for first-time fliers.
Everything they experienced, from takeoff to touchdown, was uncharted territory.
Fortunately, if youre flying for the first time, weve got you covered.
A passenger taking a photo of a plane from the airport gate.Credit:Oleh_Slobodeniuk/Getty Images
For those with million-miler status, its like muscle memory.
Still, like you, they had to start somewhere.
Book early.
A passenger checking their ticket for their airplane seat.Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure
Airlines offer cheaper prices when flights are first released, saysSkyscanners director of communications Laura Lindsay.
And generally speaking, the earlier in the day, the better.
It also pays to fly earlier in the day.
A plane passenger using their iPad.Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure
Book directly through the airline.
You may find cheaper fares on third-party sites like Booking.com, Expedia, and Orbitz.
Youll have to call Expedia, who booked your original flight, to see if they can help.
A empty airport gate.Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure
Its a real hassle and often not worth the price difference when things go wrong.
Take advantage of your airlines app.
Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure
Select your seat before check-in.
An overhead bin filled with luggage.Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure
When youre booking your flight, youll have the option to select your seat in advance.
Review your airlines luggage rules.
When it comes to luggage, theres not a one-size-fits-all rule.
A passenger wearing bluetooth headphones.Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure
Plus, within airlines, there can be different policies depending on which aircraft youre on.
in your checked luggage.
Dont pack electronics or valuables in checked luggage.
Some airlines will even ask you at the check-in counter if there are electronics in your checked luggage.
If you say yes, theyll advise you to remove it.
Pack a reusable water bottle and snacks if youre on a budget.
When it comes to food and beverages, airports have amusement park prices.
More airports are starting to add water bottle refill stations.
Some even offer complimentary hot water taps for snacks like Cup O Noodles.
That said, the healthier the snacks, the better.
One JetBlue crew member told T+L they have a go at avoid sugar and salt to combat dehydration.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Generally speaking, youre going to want to dress as comfortably as possible for your flight.
If you insist on looking your best, opt for aflight attendant-approved pair of shoes.
Power up your mobile devices or pack a power bank.
Every savvy traveler considers their power bank their BFF.
Thats because often airport outlets are few and far between.
Plus, you have to share them with thousands of other passengers.
Show up early.
Generally speaking, planes dont wait for anyone (except the pilot and cabin crew).
And often you have to be on board at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
take a stab at arrive at the airport two hours before your flight departs if youre flying domestically.
If youre flying internationally, have a go at arrive at least three hours early.
Dont be afraid to ask for help.
People who work at airports are used to being asked for help, so dont hesitate.
That said, take a stab at start with the airport information desk.
And if you think youll need help going through security, take advantage of TSA Cares.
Board as early as you’re free to if youre bringing a carry-on bag.
Watch the safety demonstration.
Frequent fliers have the safety talk and demonstration memorized.
Fortunately, the safety talk and demonstration usually only takes around four minutes.
Thats also where youll find a paper bag in case you get nauseous.
Have a credit card handy if you want to make in-flight purchases.
However, theyll often have more options available for purchase.
Some airlines even sell jewelry, perfume, and other items on board.
Have something warm on your person, even if its hot out.
Even if you tend to run hot, airplane cabins are notoriously cold.
To understand why, simply check out this article onhow a planes air pressurization system works.
Note: You wont be able to keep these.
Also, you wont want to keep these.
Instead, wear a warm layer or bring aversatile travel blanketthat packs down and doesnt take up much space.
Bring an adapter if you want to use your Bluetooth headphones with the in-flight entertainment.
If airplanes have in-seat entertainment, flight attendants usually come around with complimentary headsets that plug into the screens.
That said, these headsets often have poor audio quality and can even be uncomfortable.
If you want to use your own wireless headphones or earbuds, just double-check theyre Bluetooth compatible.
Youll also need to invest in aBluetooth audio transmitter.
Drink lots of water.
Because airplanes circulate air from high altitudes, the humidity level in airplane cabins is usually quite low.
To combat dehydration, have a go at drink more in the air than you would on the ground.
which helps your body absorb water faster and more efficiently.
Of course, the more you drink, the more youll have to use the lavatory.
For that reason, attempt to book an aisle seat.
Be mindful of jet lag.
Human bodies arent designed to travel through multiple time zones in the same day.
For that reason, one side effect of flying is jet lag.
So dont expect to be up and running like usual when you reach your destination.
Look at the flight attendants during rough air.
This means you should stay in your seat with your seatbelt fastened.
Notice how they remain calm, cool, and collected because most of the time, nothing bad happens.
You have a better chance of winning the lottery!
