5 Simple Travel Tips for First-Time Flyers
Congratulations! You have finally realized your dream to fly off to your dream destination. Are
you all set and raring to go? Travel Tips
Before you do, make sure you have prepared the necessary documents or items that you will
need before you go traipsing around the globe. Consider whether you should get a travel
insurance plan, where to book a hotel, or what paperwork you need so you can fly with no
hassles.
Ready to Fly
According to Statista, there were about 39 million flights conducted around the world in 2019
alone. That number is projected to grow to 40.3 million this 2020. These numbers have
overtaken the predicted volume made a decade ago by more than 50 percent. This upward
spike may be attributed to factors such as improving standards of living. Air travel costs were
also observed to be decreasing, influenced in part by budget aircraft that offer no-frills flights.
With the global air travel landscape making it more accessible for travelers, flying off to
different destinations will be more attractive. However, if you haven’t flown before, flying
might cause a little anxiety as you may not know what to expect, how to go about airline
procedures and other details that can make a difference when you’re miles up in the air.
Read on and cast your worries aside as we have compiled a very simple guide that will make
your first time flight an enjoyable one. Here are some tips and tricks for first-time flyers:
1. Prepare Ahead of Your Flight
Aside from booking accommodations early to take advantage of the best hotel offers, you
should also pay attention to preparing for the flight itself.
First of all, you should check if you will need a passport or visa to be able to enter the place
that you want to fly to. As soon as you have decided on where to go, do your research about
the place and the travel documents you need. Do this way ahead of your planned trip so you
won’t cram or risk not getting your documents in time. Some visas may take a month or two to
process to keep that in mind. tour
You should also highly consider getting travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen
incidents like losing your luggage or figuring in an accident. You can easily see which travel
insurance suits your needs best by using an online insurance comparison site. With its side-by-
side comparison and easy-click features, you can get a travel insurance plan in a breeze.
Your research will also tell you what to expect when you get to your destination. You should
check about the climate, customs and local laws, and attractions. This will help you pack the
right items so you can have a comfortable stay. Travel Tips
2. Check Airline Regulations
Different airlines will have different regulations especially when it comes to baggage allowance.
Make sure to check their rules and regulations when you book your ticket and before you pack
your bags to avoid any inconvenience.
There’s usually a weight limit and size restrictions for both check-in and carry-on luggage.
3. Make Sure To Arrive Early
Typically, airlines will encourage you to do a website check-in, so you have a better chance of
skipping long lines at the check-in counter. When you’ve checked yourself in online and have
luggage, then you can just drop off your bag at the counter. Usually, bag-drop lines are shorter.
Regardless if you have checked-in online or not, it is still recommended that you arrive at least
two hours before your flight. This is so you can still have enough time to drop off your luggage,
go through immigration clearing, and look for your boarding gate number. Travel Tips
4. Be Ready For Checkpoints
Depending on where your destination will be, expect that there will be a number of checkpoints
before you can actually fly.
You’ll go through airport security first so you and your luggage will be scanned for any
prohibited items that you may be inadvertently bringing with you. In some countries, you may
have to go and pay for the travel tax first before you can check in. Travel Tips
After the check-in or bag-drop counters where your airline tickets will be verified and your
luggage endorsed to your airline, you will need to go through immigration. This is usually done
when you are flying to international destinations. There will be another round of X-ray scanners
and security checks before you get to talk to the immigration officer who will check if your
travel documents are valid.
5. Practice Airline Etiquette
After going through immigration, then you should pay careful attention to where your
boarding gate is. Sometimes, the letters and numbers in your boarding pass may confuse you
so read it carefully. Large airports may require you to board a bus or a train going to your
terminal. This may take some time, so come to the airport early.
While waiting for your plane, make sure to observe proper courtesy toward other travelers. If
you’re using your phone or tablet to watch videos or listen to music, make sure to use
earphones so as not to disturb others. If you have company, try to tone down your voices as
others may take this time to catch up on sleep (especially on red-eye flights).
Aboard the plane, do not loiter along the aisle so other passengers can board smoothly.
Quickly find your seat, stow your luggage either in the overhead compartment or under the
seat in front of you, and get settled.
During the flight, be mindful of your behavior so as not to disturb or inconvenience others.
Follow the instructions of the flight personnel, keep your elbows and other body parts within
your space, and be polite to other in-flight guests.
Enjoy Your Flight
Heeding the above-mentioned tips can significantly help in making your trip as smooth and
carefree as possible. Your adventure starts from the very moment you book that ticket so
ensure that every moment counts. After you have done your part in ensuring that all boxes are
ticked, all you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight. Travel Tips
AUTHOR BIO
Erin Daniyel is the VP for Revenue Operations at Rubicon Project and spokesperson for
Compare Dubai, an online comparison portal which provides customers with a one-stop
platform to compare insurance quotes offered within the UAE. CompareDubai delivers
quotations from a number of insurance providers covering a range of products, from Car
Insurance to Motorbike, Yacht and Boat, Medical, Life, Business and Home Insurance.
