Tips for First-Time Flyers

Choose Your Airline And Seat Wisely

When you travel to different cities or countries, make sure that you always pre-book your flight tickets online to save time and money. But while choosing the flight, you should remember to consider some factors, such as

• Flight time,
• Availability of the meal
• Choice of seat
• Flight Class (Economic / Business class)
• Prices of the tickets on different websites
• Prices of the tickets on different days (If case you have flexible trip dates)

Read Airport Luggage Rules

It is essential to read the luggage rules of the airline you chose for a first-time flight experience because one must follow the prescribed airline luggage rule to save themselves from unnecessary actions at the time of check-in at the airport.

You must check the rules of checked baggage or holding baggage, carry-on or hand baggage. Also, you should check what type of personal items you are allowed to take with you. For instance, the airport prohibits liquid, batteries, sharp objects, etc. So, carrying them will lead to confiscation of those things and can also get you in trouble with security personnel.

Use Smart Approaches To Pack Your Luggage

Carrying everything is not possible, so it is always advisable to pack your luggage smartly. So what can you do to pack your luggage for the flight? Here are some points you can consider, such as

• Check your airline's weight and size allowance for each type of baggage.
• Pack the things according to your itinerary and the time of your stay. Ensure you can reuse the things if possible.
• Weigh your baggage at home to avoid any of the check-in delays and to save yourself from paying extra fees for extra luggage.
• Pack personal items and expensive items in your hand luggage.

After packing your luggage, you may try to make your bags easily identifiable. For this, you can use any coloured ribbon or sticker on your bags and suitcases.

Reach The Airport Early

You should ideally reach 2-3 hours before your flight time as it will be your first time in the airport. So, it will be better to give yourself plenty of time for check-in by going through the security and finding your gate.

Keep All Documents Handy

Keeping all your documents and necessary cards handy is also an important thing to consider to avoid any hassles and retain your peace of mind. Because when you enter the airport, many things are checked for security purposes in a speedy manner. Some of these documents are:

• ID card: Identification card, such as an Aadhaar card, driving licence etc.
• Passport and Visa: The most important documents for overseas travel.
• Tickets: Hard copy / soft copy of your booked flight ticket.
• Mobile phones: With all the necessary travel apps.

Follow Proper Etiquette

When boarding a flight, you should follow proper etiquette and maintain the decorum of the flight by considering all of these.

• Respect your co-passengers’ space by ensuring all your stuff and body parts are not entering their space.
• Try to be polite while communicating.
• Try to take less time in washrooms.
• Use earphones or headphones while playing games or music on your electronic device.
• Refrain from disturbing your co-passengers by repeatedly standing from your seat, especially when seated on the window seat.
• Do not buzz unnecessarily and disturb the cabin crew.

Follow Cabin Crew Instructions

When you board for the first time on a flight, you should pay attention to the instructions of the cabin crew. These instructions will help you understand how to respond in case of aircraft emergencies and ensure your safety in case of any unexpected event.

Carry Stuffs For You Comfort And Entertainment

Bring some cosy and entertaining stuff along with you on a flight. For instance, for comfort, you can carry a pillow blanket, earplugs or more, and for your entertainment sources, you can carry a mobile or tablet with downloaded music, movies or TV shows. You can also carry magazines and books so your time will pass comfortably, and you will not get bored throughout the journey.

Be Mindful Of Air Pressure Changes

When you go in height, the changes in air pressure can cause discomfort to ears and more, especially during takeoff and landing. To tackle this, you can use cotton for your ears or chew gum or suck on hard candy to encourage swallowing, which can help equalise the pressure in your ears.

Buy Travel Insurance

Whether it is your first time on a flight or not, investing in a travel insurance plan whenever you travel is always a good idea. For example, if you are going overseas, you must take overseas travel insurance to save yourself from any unexpected flight delays or cancellations. In addition, a travel insurance policy also helps you to get coverage against lost or stolen baggage, emergency medical expenses, and personal liability, which further helps you to remove or minimise the risk of various unexpected events.

When you travel to different cities or countries, make sure that you always pre-book your flight tickets online to save time and money. But while choosing the flight, you should remember to consider some factors, such as

• Flight time,
• Availability of the meal
• Choice of seat
• Flight Class (Economic / Business class)
• Prices of the tickets on different websites
• Prices of the tickets on different days (If case you have flexible trip dates)

Read Airport Luggage Rules

It is essential to read the luggage rules of the airline you chose for a first-time flight experience because one must follow the prescribed airline luggage rule to save themselves from unnecessary actions at the time of check-in at the airport.

You must check the rules of checked baggage or holding baggage, carry-on or hand baggage. Also, you should check what type of personal items you are allowed to take with you. For instance, the airport prohibits liquid, batteries, sharp objects, etc. So, carrying them will lead to confiscation of those things and can also get you in trouble with security personnel.

Use Smart Approaches To Pack Your Luggage

Carrying everything is not possible, so it is always advisable to pack your luggage smartly. So what can you do to pack your luggage for the flight? Here are some points you can consider, such as

• Check your airline's weight and size allowance for each type of baggage.
• Pack the things according to your itinerary and the time of your stay. Ensure you can reuse the things if possible.
• Weigh your baggage at home to avoid any of the check-in delays and to save yourself from paying extra fees for extra luggage.
• Pack personal items and expensive items in your hand luggage.
• After packing your luggage, you may try to make your bags easily identifiable. For this, you can use any coloured ribbon or sticker on your bags and suitcases.

Reach The Airport Early

You should ideally reach 2-3 hours before your flight time as it will be your first time in the airport. So, it will be better to give yourself plenty of time for check-in by going through the security and finding your gate.

Keep All Documents Handy

Keeping all your documents and necessary cards handy is also an important thing to consider to avoid any hassles and retain your peace of mind. Because when you enter the airport, many things are checked for security purposes in a speedy manner. Some of these documents are:

• ID card: Identification card, such as an Aadhaar card, driving licence etc.
• Passport and Visa: The most important documents for overseas travel.
• Tickets: Hard copy / soft copy of your booked flight ticket.
• Mobile phones: With all the necessary travel apps.

Follow Proper Etiquette

When boarding a flight, you should follow proper etiquette and maintain the decorum of the flight by considering all of these.

• Respect your co-passengers’ space by ensuring all your stuff and body parts are not entering their space.
• Try to be polite while communicating.
• Try to take less time in washrooms.
• Use earphones or headphones while playing games or music on your electronic device.
• Refrain from disturbing your co-passengers by repeatedly standing from your seat, especially when seated on the window seat.
• Do not buzz unnecessarily and disturb the cabin crew.

Follow Cabin Crew Instructions

When you board for the first time on a flight, you should pay attention to the instructions of the cabin crew. These instructions will help you understand how to respond in case of aircraft emergencies and ensure your safety in case of any unexpected event.

Carry Stuffs For You Comfort And Entertainment

Bring some cosy and entertaining stuff along with you on a flight. For instance, for comfort, you can carry a pillow blanket, earplugs or more, and for your entertainment sources, you can carry a mobile or tablet with downloaded music, movies or TV shows. You can also carry magazines and books so your time will pass comfortably, and you will not get bored throughout the journey.

Be Mindful Of Air Pressure Changes

When you go in height, the changes in air pressure can cause discomfort to ears and more, especially during takeoff and landing. To tackle this, you can use cotton for your ears or chew gum or suck on hard candy to encourage swallowing, which can help equalise the pressure in your ears.

Buy Travel Insurance

Whether it is your first time on a flight or not, investing in a travel insurance plan whenever you travel is always a good idea. For example, if you are going overseas, you must take overseas travel insurance to save yourself from any unexpected flight delays or cancellations. In addition, a travel insurance policy also helps you to get coverage against lost or stolen baggage, emergency medical expenses, and personal liability, which further helps you to remove or minimise the risk of various unexpected events.

The first air travel becomes memorable for many people, and you must not do anything to ruin it for yourself. And most importantly, for all your travels — domestic or international — buy travel insurance to secure your journey. Choose Tata AIG, a prominent insurance company in India. With Tata AIG you can easily claim your travel insurance policy if you ever need to.