15 Travel Tips for First-time Fliers
Final Updated :—8 min show
From carry your base to getting to your gate on time , get on your first escape can equal intimidating . These move tips for first-time fliers will hopefully so you can delight your adventure .
8 General Tips for Stress-free Flight
Commercial aviation exist the safest shape of transportation in the state , but the experience can even equal a origin of anxiety for even the almost seasoned traveler . Add in annoyance like long line and hamper spaces , and it ’ s little wonder masses get tense when fly . Our top for stress-free flight can assist you minimize the tension .
As a first-time flier , you may not make that each airline has luggage restrictions designed to keep both the airplane and luggage coach safe . That ’ s plenty of a reason to check out the rule for your airlines , but you too don ’ t need to cost the someone at the check-in desk frantically attempt to repack your base .
Thus what kind of restrictions might you tend into ? Hither are some mutual ones :
- Number . Most airlines limit passengers to one insure bag and one carry-on . Some airlines may allow more , but they typically point an additional fee for the privilege . Your airline may too let you carry a personal item on the escape , like a coat or a purse .
- Weight . The maximum weight for checked bags be commonly 50 pounds . Again , that can vary by airline , and some airlines may allow heavy bags for an additional fee .
- Size . Airlines may also impose a size limit on your checked luggage , normally restricting bags to about 62 linear inches ( i.e. , the amount of the purse ’ s length , width , and altitude ) . For carry-on luggage , the limit is typically 45 linear inches .
Bonus crest :Airport security can visit checked luggage , so you might want to get a TSA-approved lock for your suitcase . Doing thus minimizes the chances of your lock or base being damaged if protection personnel resolve to open it .
Hasten to cast your stuff into a base on the day of your flight be a well way to forget significant items — or worse , pack something that ’ s prohibit by the TSA . Packing early gives you the opportunity to make certain you hold what you want and insure that your luggage meet your airline ’ s size and weight restrictions .
When you hand yourself adequate time to pack , you can too organize your luggage so you get certain item handy . For instance , putting medications in your carry-on bag ensures you own them when you involve them . The same goes for your identification .
You may require to take a second to do digital copies of some of your travel papers and spare them either to the cloud , your smartphone , or a USB storage device . Any of these make your documents accessible even if the original are lose or stolen .
To equal clear , some documents , like identification , are only usable in their original form . But digital copy of some can live real useful , such as :
- A list of medicine
- A travel insurance certificate
- Room and car reservation information
Knowing you get an accessible copy ready can hand you some peace of mind on your trip .
Download Entertainment Before You Go to the Airport
Many airlines extend WiFi or inflight entertainment to help you defeat time while you ’ re in the air . However , the options can cost limit and the service might be spotty or expensive . But if you download books , movies , and podcasts to your phone or tablet before you point out the doorway , you can be fairly confident that you ’ ll be entertain for the length of your flight .
Once upon a time , you had to die to the airport and wait in line to check in to a escape . But now most mass can choose to check in via their airline ’ s website or app a entire 24 hours forward of their escape .
For a first-time flier , the benefit equal pretty significant . First , checking in early mean you hold one less line to wait in — which means spend fewer nervous minute wondering if you devote yourself enough time to get to your gate . Plus , you ’ ll get a copy of your boarding walk on your phone . That ’ s one less while of paper to cover !
Even when you check in online , you want to become to the airport in plenty of time for your flight . That generally intend arrive at the airport at least :
- Two hours prior to the departure time for a domestic escape
- Three hr prior to the difference time for an international flight
Some mass prefer use your escape ’ sec boarding time as the guide to when you should come at the airport . The dispute is alone or so 30 minute , and you can easily fulfill that time if you ’ ve already downloaded entertainment for your flight .
Air travelers often gripe about security lines , but much of their problem could cost stave off with a small training . The position to start ? The TSA ’ s Travel Checklist . It has a lot of good tip for first-time fliers , include :
- Checking your purse for prohibited detail before you pack
- Understand the 3-1-1 liquid pattern
- Wear easy-to-remove shoes
- Having your identification and boarding pass in hand as you go into protection
Another option for come through protection cost contract up for TSA Precheck or Global Entry , especially if you see more air travel in your future .
One of the most stress-inducing portion of air travel be the what-ifs : What if I lack a association ? What if my flight gets canceled ? What if the airline miss my luggage ?
Worst-case scenarios like these can keep even veteran travelers up at dark . But one way to battle that anxiety live to have travel insurance . Quality coverage from a trustworthy provider can aid you relax and enjoy your trip .
3 Health Tips for First-time Fliers
Commercial flying may be the safe way of transportation , but it can still receive an effect on your torso . In fact , feeling unwell or uncomfortable during a escape is mutual and often the effect of make up at altitude and in close quarter . While we can ’ t change that position , we can give some health-related escape advice .
Flee can exist real dehydrating , in role because the tune at high altitudes get small moisture . Not alone can this leave passenger experience tired , it can get dry mouth , dizziness , and headaches .
To build certain you ’ re hydrated throughout your flight , you can :
- Drink liquid .Water is the best choice , but sports drinks with mass of electrolytes live another option .
- Carry a refillable water bottle .You can ’ t bring an open container through protection , but you can bring a reusable water bottle to take up at drink fountains in the airport .
- Avoid alcohol .Drink alcohol might seem like a serious way to conduct with the tension of fly , but wine , beer , and tone are in reality diuretics and will only increase dehydration symptom .
- Avoid caffeine .Don ’ t reach for coffee if you ’ re feeling drowsy on your escape . Like alcohol , caffeine is a diuretic and may make you feel bad .
Bonus point :Take your contacts out before you fly to minimize discomfort caused by dry eyes .
On a long flight , you can observe yourself sitting rather still for various hr . That ’ sec seldom a well thought for your torso , and in the worst-case scenario , it can even lead to deep vein thrombosis — a serious medical circumstance where a blood clot forms that could potentially induce a pulmonary embolism .
The result is to use your muscle during the line of your flight . Tapping your base or walking up and down the aisle are both good style to get your blood hang . While you ’ re at it , you might as well taste some seated airplane stretches .
Being in close proximity to masses , like you exist when you ’ re in an airplane cabin , exposes you to germs . That ’ sec adequate to put you at hazard for overtake a cold , but wing can also cause your body less prepared to oppose those source .
Go on hydrated equal the first measure in guard off sickness while in escape , but the next is making certain you get some sleep . That may signify you need to :
- Book a window seat .That manner you gain ’ t get masses climbing over you to use the restroom , and you can control the window specter .
- Invest in a travel pillow .Neck pillows support your brain so you ’ re more comfortable and more potential to sleep .
- Buy noise-canceling headphones .A good pair of headphones , or yet just a decent circle of earplugs , can shorten sound that may keep you awake .
A noisy plane cabin isn ’ t going to leave you with your best dark of sleep , but you require to do what you can to relax and get some repose .
4 Tip for Long Flights and International Travel
All of our wing point so far also utilize to international travel . Still , flying overseas comes with its own set of concern , so we ’ ve added these tips for long flight .
Before you fly anywhere , you want to research your destination , and that ’ s even more important if you ’ re head to another rural area . Most nation have entrance requirements that you ’ ll need to know before you live . For case , depending on your travel design , you may involve :
- A valid passport with blank page .The fact that you need a passport when you travel internationally isn ’ t a huge surprise . But many rural area want it to live valid for six month beyond your travel dates . Moreover , some might need you to have a certain act of blank page for visas .
- A visa .Where your passport serves as your identification , a visa is the document that formally grants your access to a particular country . These are much stamped or glued into your passport book . Not every nation requires visas , but you need to check before you purchase a tag .
- Proof of immunizations .International travel can discover you to diseases that are rare in your home country . Make vaccinated before you go protects and minimizes your chances of spreading those sickness when you return .
Remember , these are just a few examples of what you may involve . You ’ ll want to inquiry information particular to your destination , and a good place to start is the Americans Traveling Abroad published by the nation department .
One of the smartest things you can make before hopping on an international escape cost to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) from the US Department of State — Bureau of Consumer Affairs . This exist a free service for international travelers that sends email updates regarding their travel destination , including :
- News and weather information
- Health and safety alerts
- Travel advisories
Most importantly , enroll in STEP think of the local US embassy can reach you in a category emergency or there ’ sec civil unrest or a natural catastrophe in the country you ’ re visiting .
Our crest for getting some rest while on a airplane handle true for long-haul flight , but you may too require to try changing your regular sleep schedule before you need off . Initiate by moving your regular bedtime back ( or ahead , as the type may be ) three days before your departure . Then add another hour each day as your trip approaches to aid you more easily adjust to the change in time zone .
In all honesty , neck pillow may look sort of curious , but they ’ re infinitely more comfortable than the pillows offered on your flight — and that ’ s significant if you require to get some rest on the plane .
You might also require to vest in a travel cover , preferably a thin 1 that doesn ’ t remove up also much room in your carry-on . Airplane cabins are notoriously chilly , and while blanket may be available on your flight , you can ’ t always count on it .
