Everything you need to know before your first flight, from booking your ticket to collecting your bags at the destination. A step-by-step walkthrough of the entire airport and flying experience.
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Booking Your Flight
Compare prices across 3-4 booking sites before purchasing
Flights booked on Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be 15-20% cheaper than weekend bookings. Prices typically drop 6-8 weeks before domestic flights and 2-3 months before international ones.
Choose your seat at booking time
Window seats let you lean against the wall to sleep, while aisle seats give you legroom and bathroom access without climbing over people. Exit row seats offer 5-8 extra inches of legroom but may cost $15-50 more.
Save your booking confirmation and airline app
Download the airline's app and add your boarding pass to your phone wallet. Screenshot your confirmation code — airport WiFi can be unreliable, and you'll need that 6-character code at check-in kiosks.
Check baggage allowance and fees
Most airlines charge $30-45 per checked bag each way. Budget carriers often charge $25-40 even for carry-on bags stored in overhead bins. A personal item (backpack or small bag under the seat) is free on nearly all airlines.
Packing Your Carry-On
Pack liquids in containers under 3.4 oz (100 ml) in a clear quart-sized bag
One quart-sized zip bag per person is the limit. Travel-size toiletries fit about 8-10 items per bag. Solid alternatives like shampoo bars and toothpaste tablets skip the liquid rule entirely.
Bring a portable charger and headphones
A 10,000 mAh power bank charges most phones 2-3 times and is well within the 100 Wh airline limit. Noise-cancelling headphones reduce engine noise by 20-30 decibels, which matters on a 3+ hour flight.
Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on
Checked bags are delayed on roughly 1 in 200 flights. Having one outfit, underwear, and basic toiletries in your carry-on means you're covered for 24-48 hours if your luggage takes a detour.
Bring snacks and an empty water bottle
Airport food costs 2-3x street prices — a sandwich runs $12-18. An empty bottle can be refilled at water fountains past security. Most airports now have bottle-filling stations near gates.
Arriving at the Airport
Arrive 2 hours early for domestic, 3 hours for international flights
Check-in counters close 45 minutes before departure for domestic and 60 minutes for international flights. During peak travel periods (holidays, summer), add an extra 30-45 minutes to your buffer.
Check in online 24 hours before departure
Online check-in opens exactly 24 hours before scheduled departure on most airlines. Checking in early gives you better seat selection options and lets you skip the check-in counter entirely if you have no bags to drop.
Drop off checked luggage at the airline counter or bag drop
Weigh your bag at home — the standard limit is 50 lbs (23 kg) and overweight fees run $75-200 per bag. Many airports now have self-service bag drop kiosks that take 2-3 minutes instead of waiting in the full counter line.
Locate your terminal and gate on the departures board
Gates can change up to 30 minutes before boarding. Check the departures screen or your airline app rather than walking straight to the gate printed on your boarding pass. Large airports can take 15-20 minutes to walk between terminals.
Security Screening
Have your ID and boarding pass ready before joining the line
A passport or government-issued photo ID is required for all domestic flights in the US. Starting May 2025, a REAL ID-compliant license is mandatory — check for the star symbol in the upper corner of your card.
Remove laptop, liquids bag, and large electronics from your bag
Laptops, tablets over 12 inches, and your liquids bag go in separate bins. Wear slip-on shoes since you'll remove them at US airports. TSA PreCheck ($78 for 5 years) lets you keep shoes, belts, and laptops in your bag.
Empty pockets and remove belt, jacket, and hat
Metal detectors flag coins, keys, and phone cases with magnetic clasps. Put everything from your pockets into your carry-on bag before reaching the conveyor belt — loose items in bins sometimes go missing.
Walk through the scanner calmly and collect your belongings
Body scanners take about 5 seconds — stand still with arms raised. If you're selected for a pat-down, you can request a private screening room and a same-gender officer. Collect your items quickly to keep the line moving.
Boarding and In-Flight
Listen for your boarding group number and line up when called
Boarding typically starts 30-40 minutes before departure. Groups board in order — first class, priority, then numbered groups 1-5. Late boarders risk losing overhead bin space and having to gate-check their carry-on.
Stow your carry-on overhead and personal item under the seat
Place your bag wheels-first in the overhead bin with the handle facing out. Keep your personal item with essentials (phone, charger, snacks, headphones) under the seat in front of you for easy access during the flight.
Buckle your seatbelt and keep it visible over your blanket
The seatbelt should sit low across your hips, not your stomach. Keeping it visible while sleeping prevents flight attendants from waking you during turbulence checks. Tighten it snug — loose belts can cause bruising in rough air.
Stay hydrated and move around on flights over 3 hours
Cabin air humidity drops to 10-20%, about half of what your body prefers. Drink 8 oz of water per hour of flight time. On flights over 3 hours, walk the aisle every 90 minutes to reduce the risk of leg swelling and stiffness.
Arrival and Baggage Claim
Follow signs to baggage claim or connecting gates
International arrivals go through passport control before baggage claim — lines can take 15-60 minutes depending on the airport and time of day. The Global Entry kiosk ($100 for 5 years, includes TSA PreCheck) cuts this to under 5 minutes.
Check the carousel number on the arrivals board for your flight
Bags typically appear 15-25 minutes after landing for domestic flights, 30-45 minutes for international. Stand a few feet back from the carousel — you'll spot your bag earlier and have room to grab it without blocking others.
Report missing luggage at the airline desk before leaving the airport
File a claim within 4 hours of landing — airlines deliver 95% of delayed bags within 24 hours. Get a reference number and ask about compensation for essentials (most airlines cover $50-100/day for toiletries and clothing).
Arrange ground transportation from the airport
Rideshare pickup zones are usually on the departures level or a designated lot — follow signs for the pickup area. Airport shuttles and public transit cost $2-15 compared to $30-60 for taxis. Pre-booking a shuttle saves 20-30% over walk-up prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I avoid overpacking?
Lay out everything you think you need, then remove 30% of it. Pack items that mix and match into multiple outfits using neutral colors that work with everything. Laundry services exist almost everywhere; plan to wash clothes every 4-5 days rather than packing a fresh outfit for each day.
Should I use packing cubes?
Packing cubes compress clothing by 20-30% and keep your bag organized throughout the trip. Color-coding cubes by clothing type (tops, bottoms, underwear) eliminates rummaging through the entire bag for one item. Compression cubes with dual zippers squeeze the most air out and are worth the $5-10 premium over standard cubes.
What size luggage should I bring?
A carry-on bag (22x14x9 inches) handles trips up to 10 days if you pack strategically and plan to do laundry. Checking a bag adds 30-45 minutes per flight in wait time and carries a 1-3% chance of loss or delay. For trips under a week, a 40-liter backpack offers more mobility than a rolling suitcase on cobblestones, stairs, and public transit.
What items do travelers forget most often?
Phone chargers, adapters, prescription medications, and sunscreen are the top four forgotten items. Create a packing checklist on your phone and check items off as they go into the bag, not before. Pack a universal power adapter if traveling internationally; outlet shapes differ across regions and buying one at the airport costs 3-4x the online price.
How do I pack toiletries efficiently?
Transfer products into reusable silicone travel bottles (GoToob, 3 oz size) rather than packing full-size containers. Solid alternatives like shampoo bars and toothpaste tablets eliminate liquid restrictions entirely for carry-on travel. Hotels provide shampoo, conditioner, and soap; skip packing these unless you have specific brand requirements.