First Time Flying? Everything You Need to Know

Before You Book: What You Need to Know

Flying for the first time begins not at the airport but with the booking. You need a valid government-issued photo ID — a passport for international travel, and in the U.S., a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or passport for domestic flights. Non-REAL ID licenses are no longer accepted at TSA checkpoints for domestic travel as of May 2025. If your license does not have a gold star in the upper corner, get a passport or REAL ID before your trip.

When choosing a ticket, you'll encounter two primary types: direct flights (no stops) and connecting flights (one or more intermediate stops). For a first-time flyer, a direct flight eliminates the complexity of navigating a connecting airport, rechecking bags, and managing tight transfer windows. Pay the premium for a direct flight on your first trip if the route allows it — the simplified experience is worth the extra cost.

Booking directly through the airline's website or app gives you the most flexibility for changes and clearest access to your booking record. Third-party booking sites (Expedia, Google Flights, Kayak) aggregate fares and are useful for comparison, but manage changes and cancellations through the third party rather than the airline, which can complicate things if problems arise. For straightforward trips on a single airline, booking directly is recommended.

Choose your seat during booking. Window seats offer the view and a wall to lean against; aisle seats provide easier access to the aisle and overhead bins. Middle seats in economy are the last to fill and are generally the least comfortable for solo travelers. Exit row and bulkhead (front-of-cabin) seats have extra legroom but come with restrictions — exit rows require passengers capable of operating the emergency door, and bulkhead seats typically have immovable armrests and no underseat storage during takeoff and landing.

What to Pack and What to Leave Behind

Every passenger is allowed one carry-on bag (typically up to 22 × 14 × 9 inches / 56 × 36 × 23 cm) that fits in the overhead bin, and one personal item (a small backpack, handbag, or laptop bag) that fits under the seat. Size limits vary by airline — low-cost carriers including Spirit, Frontier, and Ryanair are particularly strict and charge fees for bags even 1–2 cm over limit.

Pack your carry-on with everything you need for the first 24 hours at your destination: a change of clothes, toiletries, medications, phone charger, and valuables. This protects you if your checked bag is delayed. Put your liquids in a clear quart-sized bag at the top of your carry-on for easy removal at security. All containers must be 100 ml (3.4 oz) or smaller.

Prohibited items in carry-on bags include liquids over 100 ml, sharp objects (knives, scissors with blades over 6 cm), sporting equipment used as bludgeons (baseball bats, golf clubs), firearms, and fireworks. Full TSA and airline-specific prohibited items lists are available on the TSA website. If in doubt, check the list — items confiscated at security checkpoints are not returned.

Checked baggage limits on most full-service airlines are 23 kg (50 lbs) per bag in economy. Weighing your bag at home before you leave is essential — overweight fees typically start at $50 per bag. Most scales designed for luggage use are accurate to within 100 grams; a hanging luggage scale (a small device that hooks to the handle) works well and costs under $15.

At the Airport: Step by Step

Arrive at the airport at least two hours before a domestic departure and three hours before international. These windows account for check-in, security screening, and reaching your gate. On your first trip, allow extra time — navigating an unfamiliar airport takes longer than expected, and the peace of mind from arriving early is worth the extra hour at the gate.

Find the check-in area for your airline by looking at the overhead signs as you enter the terminal. Airlines are grouped by letter or zone at most large airports. If you checked in online and have no bags to check, proceed directly to the security checkpoint with your boarding pass (printed or on your phone) and your ID. The boarding pass shows your airline, flight number, departure time, seat number, and gate — keep it accessible throughout the journey.

At security, remove your laptop, liquids bag, shoes, belt, and jacket before placing them in trays. Place your carry-on bag in a tray or directly on the conveyor. Walk through the scanner when directed. Collect your items after they emerge from the X-ray — do not rush; ensure you have everything before walking away. Items left at checkpoints are common, especially phone chargers, laptops, and wallets placed at the bottom of a tray.

Follow the signs to your departure gate after clearing security. Check the departure board to confirm your gate number — gates can change between when you first checked in and when you arrive at the airport. Aim to be at your gate at least 30 minutes before departure. Many airports close the gate 10 to 15 minutes before the stated departure time, and passengers who arrive after door closure are typically not permitted to board even if the plane is still present.

On the Aircraft: What to Expect

When you board, check your boarding pass for your seat row and letter (A through F on a standard narrow-body aircraft, A through K on wide-body jets). Rows are numbered from the front of the aircraft. Seat A is typically the window seat on the left side, C or D is aisle, and F is window on the right. Flight attendants at the door can direct you if you are unsure which direction to walk.

Place your carry-on bag in the overhead bin above or near your seat — it does not need to be directly above your seat, just reasonably close. Your personal item goes under the seat in front of you. Stow your bag before sitting down so you don't block other passengers boarding.

Once seated, read the safety card in the seat pocket — a laminated card showing emergency exit locations, oxygen mask usage, and brace positions. Flight attendants perform a safety demonstration before every flight; pay attention even as an experienced traveler. Locate the two exits nearest to your seat — count the number of rows to each, as in a darkened or smoky cabin, seat numbers can be felt by touch.

During takeoff, you will experience acceleration and a nose-up attitude as the aircraft climbs. Your ears may pop — swallowing or yawning equalizes the pressure. The sensation of climbing is noticeable but not alarming; most first-time flyers are surprised that takeoff feels less dramatic than expected. Turbulence — bumps and vibrations in the air — is normal and is rarely dangerous. Modern aircraft are designed to withstand turbulence far beyond what passengers ever experience in service.

After Landing: Collecting Bags and Exiting

After landing, the aircraft taxis to the gate, and you can stand and retrieve your bag from the overhead bin once the seatbelt sign is turned off. There is no need to rush — the jet bridge door takes a minute or two to open after the aircraft stops, and the queue to exit moves slowly from the front of the plane backward. Passengers in later rows may be better served waiting until the forward rows have cleared.

If you checked a bag, follow signs to "Baggage Claim" after deplaning. At large airports, baggage claim may be five to fifteen minutes away by walking or escalator. Claim carousels are organized by flight — screens above each carousel display the flight number and origin. Your bag typically arrives within 15 to 25 minutes of landing on domestic routes and 20 to 35 minutes on international routes.

If your bag does not appear within 30 minutes of your flight's bags beginning to arrive, approach the airline's baggage services desk in the baggage claim area. Bring your bag tag (the small sticker attached to your boarding pass at check-in) and your flight details. Staff will trace the bag in the system — it may have been misrouted or simply loaded last. Most delayed bags are delivered within 24 hours.

Flying is statistically the safest form of transportation. The anxiety of first-time flying is almost always resolved by the experience of the flight itself — what seemed complicated in anticipation reveals itself to be a well-organized, well-signposted process with helpful staff at every step.