TIPS FOR FIRST TIME FLYERS

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TIPS FOR FIRST TIME FLYERS

Is it your first time flying? If you’re a plane virgin looking ahead to your maiden flight, you’re sure to have a few questions, some of which you may be too embarrassed to ask your jet-setter friends. If your first flight is long-haul, you’ll want to read our tips for long haul flights and advice for sleeping on a plane. Read on for our tips for first time flyers, which we hope will help you to breeze through your first flight with confidence and excitement.

Prepare Your Paperwork

Many first time flyers worry about arriving without the necessary paperwork to board their flight, and this can make for a nervy first trip to the airport. The main point to remember here is that the most important document is your passport: make sure it’s up to date and ideally has at least three months to go before its expiry whenever you travel internationally.

Be sure to book your travel insurance before you leave for your holiday. Print out your policy documents and bring them with you – make sure you have the emergency number for medical assistance and a rundown on what your chosen policy covers.

Most airlines now issue e-tickets that can be shown on your tablet or smartphone. So if you booked online and were expecting a paper ticket to arrive in the post: don’t panic – you will usually be issued with all the information you need to show staff at the airport in your confirmation email, which can come from the airline you’re flying with or from a third-party.

Once you’ve shown this at the check-in desk, staff will issue you with a physical boarding pass: this shows information like your flight number, the time it’s scheduled to take off and your seat number. It’s also what will grant you access to the aeroplane, so try not to drop it in the excitement in your first trip ‘airside’! Check out our tips for getting through airport security fast and our comprehensive airport tips page for additional advice.

Know your luggage

Even the most seasoned travellers sometimes get confused by airline rules about baggage allowance but as a flying newbie, the first thing to get your head around is the difference between cabin and hold luggage, then to look into whether or not you need to take both: usually, if you’re travelling long-haul (that’s a flight that lasts six hours or more), you will want to ‘check in’ at least one piece of hold luggage which you’ll need to leave at the check-in desk before boarding. It’ll then be returned to you at the other side, where you’ll need to identify it on a luggage carousel.

On many short-haul flights, carriers will allow you to take a bag or case that’s big enough to take most of what you’ll need for a long weekend or city break. This allows you to keep all your belongings with you for the duration of the flight, and means a quicker getaway at your destination. You’re also more likely to be charged extra for storing baggage in the hold, so it’s good to travel light, particularly when flying with budget airlines. Check out our guide to flying budget airlines for more specific advice on what you can expect.

All airlines have restrictions on the sizes of bags you can take on board, both for hold luggage and cabin bags. Be sure to check these details with your airline, as there is no universal rule.

On the flight

Once you’ve navigated the airport and made it successfully on to your flight (we hope!), you’re almost ready to take to the sky. Nervous? Read our advice for fear of flying ahead of time, but all you need to do on the airplane is sit back, relax and enjoy having a few hours downtime.

First you need to find your seat, and ensure all your cabin luggage is stowed away correctly. Most flights, particularly longer ones have assigned seating, so look for a number followed by a letter on your boarding pass such as ’11 D’. The number relates to the row you’ll be sitting in, while the letter refers to whether it’s an aisle, window or middle seat. The cabin crew – who will be wearing anything from glamorous hats and heels to baggy tees in airline colours – will be happy to help you find your seat and put your luggage in a safe place, which may be in an overhead locker or under your seat.

Prepare for take-off…

Before your plane takes off, there are some procedures to go through that may be alarming if this is your first time flying, but all of these are completely routine and contribute to safety on board. You’ll be shown how to buckle your seat belt, what the different lights on the seat ahead of you mean, and what to do in an emergency. Remember, every flight has to go through this process, partly due to the existence of first-time flyers like yourself!

You may be worried about the sensation of taking off, as the thought of a heavy metal object suddenly taking to the sky can seem unnatural. While you may rationally understand the laws of physics behind the event, it’s worth preparing yourself for the feeling, which is a bit like being in a car when someone accelerates very quickly, pushing you into the back of your seat.

After about 25 seconds you will feel the plane start to lift, and if it’s daytime, you’ll see the ground getting further away – you may find it fascinating to see your town from the air for the first time! It’s normal to feel some bumps while the plane is still climbing, so don’t worry – see our article on airplane turbulence to find out more about the facts behind those common bumps.

After a certain point, the plan reaches cruise altitude which is usually the highest it will get. Generally speaking the higher you go the smoother the ride, so this is when the captain will tend to turn off the seat-belt signs and you can get up and stretch your legs or visit the loo.

In-flight etiquette

You’ve made it up to 30,000 feet! But what about interaction with your fellow travellers? We’ve already covered the most annoying things that people do on flights, so you’ll be off to a ‘flying’ start if you can avoid being that person.

Food and Entertainment

Depending on your airline and duration of the flight, you may be served one or more meals on the plane, as well as drinks (including a limited amount of alcohol) and snacks. You’ll already know if these refreshments are included, as you’ll have been asked about your dietary requirements when you booked the flight. If you weren’t asked, food and drink will normally be served but you will have to pay extra for it. Don’t worry if you forgot to bring cash: most planes are now equipped with electronic card readers.

If you’re flying budget, don’t be too disappointed if the entertainment is limited to a single, tiny TV screen and some scratch cards – for this reason we recommend you bring your own books, music and anything else allowed on board that will help you to pass the time.

Check with your airline or airport

If you’re still feeling unsure about the finer details of your trip, most airlines and airports will have guides written specifically for their first time flying customers, which should help you to familiarise yourself with the specific situations you’re likely to encounter while travelling.

Most airlines also offer great customer service either online or over the phone, and will be geared up to answer any reasonable question you might want to throw at them. So if you’re in need a of a quick response, check for contact details on their site. Many will offer live chat sessions, which can be a good way to resolve queries quickly.

Face your fear

If your lack of experience in the aviation department is due to a serious fear of flying, you’ll already be familiar with the various methods of overcoming your anxiety that are available to help you become a confident flyer. There’s no one size fits all approach, and what helps one fearful flyer may do nothing for the next. But one element common to most flying phobias is a fear of the unknown, which is why flying courses have such high success rates.

By taking one of these courses, which are run by airlines such as British Airways and Virgin, you’ll no longer be a first time flyer by the time your trip rolls around, and you’ll have a thorough grounding in every noise, movement and piece of jargon that you might encounter while airborne. By taking away that element of the unknown, you’ll already be well on the way to reaching all those once-inaccessible destinations you’ve always dreamed of visiting.

 

WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VACATION

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WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VACATION

From pretrip planning to arriving at your destination, checking into your accommodations, and making sure you start the day fresh, these tips will help you switch off and transition to vacation mode before you even realize.

A Fresh Approach

  1. Right Now Plan     Almost one in three travelers worry about what could go wrong in the first 24 hours of a vacation. Take inspiration from frequent travelers, who know that delays happen and luggage gets lost, but most travel bothers have a solution. Having confidence in your ability to come up with a “Right Now Plan” (a plan that focuses on being flexible to adapt to your surroundings in order to get to the outcome you wish to achieve) to combat any issues that come your way is key to reducing stress.
  2. Eat a Snack        Keeping your tummy happy reduces fatigue after a long journey. Eating something sweet stimulates the release of feel-good chemicals, providing a soothing feeling and boosting your mood, while a small protein snack can keep your energy levels up long enough to get you to your accommodations without feeling tired. When eating, focus your mind on the food, taste, texture and feel.
  3. Line Up         No one likes waiting in lines, but they’re a part of traveling. The majority of travelers are right-handed, so head to the counter that’s furthest to the left from the entrance. Fewer people choose that line since people gravitate to right-hand counters to match their dominant writing hand. You’ll soon be the first to make it through to baggage claim, securing a handy front-row spot.
  4. Enjoy the Journey      Rushing around distorts the perception of time. Slow down. Take the time to talk to your driver, host or concierge, creating a connection from the moment you leave the airport or station. Almost one in four travelers like a welcoming host, so pave the way by striking up the first conversation, asking for tips of what to see or do.

TECHNOLOGY TIPS

  1. While You Wait      After a long flight, it’s easy to get impatient while waiting for your baggage, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to text your loved ones that you’ve arrived safely. While you have your phone out, take a selfie and save it as your lock screen, that way if you misplace your phone you can easily prove it’s yours no matter the language barrier or situation.
  2. Digital Download      Apps can make exploring a new country less stressful, whether it’s a travel app, language translator, money converter, or a health app. Use your accommodations’ Wi-Fi to download what you might need, including your destination guide, and remind yourself of your itinerary and where you’re staying.
  3. Theme Tune Therapy      Unpack while dancing around to uplifting music. Pull out your iPhone and speakers and take out your belongings like no one’s watching. Let go of your ego, break any unhelpful patterns of taking things too seriously and rid yourself of negativity. You’ll be organized in no time and surrounded by your own possessions, which one in 10 travelers say helps shift them to vacation mode faster.to the day’s most important news
  4. Turn Off Technology      Turn off your phone and focus on the country you’re in. Allow your brain to catch up to your new surroundings. As you put your phone away, promote calm by lightly running one or two fingers over your lips which starts the “rest and digest” response that calms the body down and acts like brakes to anxiety loops, promoting a more relaxed and peaceful mindset.

CALM YOUR MIND

  1. Activate the Feel-Good Factor     After traveling it’s important to boost your feel-good chemicals and get yourself moving. If you’re the active type and your accommodations have a gym then go for a workout, or if you’re in a resort or villa take a stroll around the grounds. In a city apartment? Take a refreshing walk to get a feel for your local area. Take pictures of your accommodations (selfies allowed!) and share with those you care about back home.
  2. Sunshine Sense     Sunshine can boost your mood, raise vitamin D levels, and increase your energy – but underestimating the strength of the sun can result in a sunburn on day one (even on typically colder vacations like skiing!). Remember to apply that sunscreen on arrival. For those who’ve had a little too much exposure, soak a T-shirt in cool black tea or make your own aloe vera gel ice cubes.
  3. Home Away From Home     Whether you’re staying in an apartment, hostel, boat, or even a treehouse, many travelers feel more relaxed when they make their accommodations like home, with 14% saying a restful night’s sleep flips their switch to vacation mode. Bring comforting items with you like your favorite mascot, nighttime hot drink, personalized mug, pillowcase, bedtime journal, or a family photo.
  4. Instant Calm     If you need a shot of “instant calm” then pressure points are the answer. There are many trigger points to choose from. An easy one to locate is the space between the knuckles of your second and third finger right by the joints. Locate your preferred trigger point and apply firm pressure. This creates an instant feeling of calm.

START FRESH

  1. Be a Superhero     Hold a “Superhero pose” to clear your mind for the day ahead. Find a relaxing view, place your hands on your hips, stick your chest out, and hold your head high. Hold for 90 seconds and take three deep breaths. Get lost in the beautiful scenery, whether you’re in a sky-high apartment, a majestic riad, or a beautiful villa. Embrace the new and leave the past behind. Remind yourself that you can achieve your heart’s desires.
  2. Avoid Arguments     The key to switching off and arriving in a relaxed state is to leave any arguments or annoyances at home. Understand that traveling can be stressful and agree with your travel partner that you get a free pass for any minor snaps or miscommunications during your journey. When faced with a conflict, ask yourself if enjoying your vacation is more important than being right.
  3. Explore Your Surroundings      Become an explorer and overcome your fears. Almost 1 in 5 of 18 to 34-year-olds worry they haven’t planned enough of their vacation. Use the destination guide to find and list six things you want to do and pick one at random. Spontaneity adds a little more fun, and means you can live the vacation just for you and make sure you aren’t just doing what others think you should do.
  4. Live Like a Local     Living life walking in someone else’s shoes is a great way to leave your old patterns behind. Immerse yourself in the local culture and try a local cuisine or experience. Leave your comfort zone, chat with the locals, and find out where to go that’s off the beaten path.