What To Expect At The Airport If You've Never Flown Before

Many of us have flown multiple times, and know the drill when arriving at the airport. But, for first-time fliers, an airport can be a scary place, daunting for its regulations, procedures, stark lighting, stringent security, and officials laden with an apparent lack of mirth. From the moment a traveler steps into a terminal, the time leading up to the point of boarding the plane can be nerve-racking, making them feel constantly on edge, and not knowing what to expect. Unlike taking a train or a bus, flying is a much more controlled method of travel, with strict rules and protocols to ensure the safety of passengers and airline staff. 

After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, airport security came under the microscope, and the changes implemented ever since — only passengers allowed past security checkpoints, limits on the liquids that could be put in a carry-on bag, more thorough screening on personal items — seemed draconian at the time, even if it's commonly accepted now. For frequent travelers, the airport journey is almost done on automatic, a cruise-control of sorts of handing over documentation, placing items in plastic bins and then retrieving them, scanning screens and signs to see where to go, and killing time before finally shuffling onto the aircraft. For newbies, however, a few simple pointers will help them forge a smooth ride all the way to the gate.

Taking a flight is an exciting adventure — and the first flight is doubly so — and the build-up and anticipation are something that you will feel in your stomach for days beforehand. Don't derail that sense of wonder by doing something as simple as not having your paperwork in order. It's important to triple-check all your documentation a few days before the flight, perhaps even put everything aside in a folder so that it's all together. For domestic flights, a state ID is fine, but for international trips, travelers will need a passport, so make sure you have a valid passport, one that has at least six months of validity past the date that you plan to return from your trip. 

In addition, you should have a copy of your boarding pass, and it's worth also carrying a copy of your booking/reservation information together with any luggage purchased to show the check-in agent in case of a dispute. You might also need to show visas for entry to a country, depending on where you are traveling, and proof of vaccinations if you are visiting a country that requires them (when going to Brazil, for instance, the CDC recommends travelers have a yellow fever vaccination).

For smaller regional airports, and even some international airports for small destinations, like some islands in the Caribbean, the airport is usually separated simply into Departures and Arrivals. Bigger airports deviate from that model for obvious reasons and have multiple terminals, some of which can be quite some distance from each other. At London's Heathrow Airport, for instance, Terminals 4 and 5 sit miles away from Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Wherever you are flying, and from whatever airport, it's key to know which terminal your flight will depart from. This information is sometimes listed on the reservation information in your booking (you can locate the details of your booking on a tab of the airline's website that is usually listed as "Manage Booking" or something similar). 

Some airlines also have their own terminals at airports, where all their flights depart from (or arrive), especially for legacy carriers like American Airlines and Delta. But, this isn't always the case, and sometimes one airline might use different terminals within an airport depending on the destination flown. If you can't find the information easily, the best option is to call the airline reservations number and speak with an agent — provide them with the date of the flight and flight number/information and they will be able to advise the relevant airport terminal. Do this well in advance of the flight. Note that at large airports, departure halls are typically located above street level, while arrivals are at ground level.

A bit like a botanic garden conservatory, or the freezer section of a supermarket, airports are their own ecosystems, immune to the vagaries and whims of the weather outside. They can be frigid cold in the height of summer, and toasty warm when there is four feet of snow outside, so it's important to wear layers that you can easily remove and replace. (As an aside, the interior of planes seem to share the same sense of independent conditions, they can be sweltering and freezing, all within the span of minutes). The key to making it through the travel travails is to dress comfortably, wearing something that is easy to move around in and doesn't pinch or bunch or snag when sitting for expected periods of time. 

This is why many travelers opt for sweatpants and a sweatshirt when flying, as these are flexible, roomy, soft, and cushioning, all attributes that will help make the trip a little less taxing. While some passengers might think of an airport as a place packed with scores of people that need to be impressed, or a great realm to show off the latest fashionable look, we suggest that you resist the urge to dress as if you are attending a special event or putting on a catwalk show. It's just not worth the discomfort. Casual wear, jeans, and a T-shirt with a hoodie are all standard, dependable combinations.

Flying, which once might have been the domain of those with money, is now an assuredly democratic way to travel, especially since the advent of budget or low-cost airlines like Spirit in the United States, and Ryanair and EasyJet in Europe. What this means is that everyone can, and does, fly, and this translates to airports being busy a lot of the time. Around large public holidays (July 4, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, etc.), expect airports to be extra packed. During those peak periods, airports might employ extra staff to help process everyone quicker, but the reality is that the infrastructure at airports can't handle thousands of people all at the same time. So prepare for plenty of lines, from the check-in counter to the airport security screening to boarding at the gate. Also, you might even find lines at restrooms or duty-free shops. 

While there is nothing specific you can do to get ready for this, it's worth bearing it in mind before you head to the airport for the first time, just so you aren't shocked when you do see bored people lining up all over the place. If you are lucky and don't encounter any such queues, then mark it up as a good omen for the rest of your trip.

Unlike airports like Changi in Singapore — a frequent winner of the best airport in the world — where most gates have their own security screening, U.S. airports have one main screening for all flights, and this blesses passengers with that endless joy known as long lines. And while it seems like the lines are never likely to move, they do, slowly but surely. One way to help them along is to always listen to directions from the TSA staff, so you know where to go and what to do at screening time. Also, look out for signage that might explain the specific procedures you will be expected to abide by. As mentioned earlier, liquids need to be in a quart bag, and laptops will need to be removed. 

Many airports also insist that passengers remove their shoes at the security screening, and have them scanned (a response to Richard Reid, the shoe bomber of 2001), so wear shoes that are easy to take off and put on — remember, function over form, so no high boots with long laces. You will also be asked to remove jackets or heavy, bulky tops, like sweatshirts or hoodies. Always try to remain calm and patient during the process. Yes, it's frustrating to have to wait, but bear in mind that the TSA crew is doing a vital job in keeping the skies safe, and isn't that reassurance worth a few extra minutes of your waiting time?

Back in the halcyon days of air travel, airlines would happily ply passengers with food and drink for free, anything to keep them happy and hopefully coming back on another flight for some more of the same. Those days, sob sob, are gone, and now some airlines will charge for any food or drink purchased onboard, even for small snacks, and since these tend to be heavily marked up, munching on nibbles on a flight can seriously add up to the overall cost of the flight (this depends on the airline and class of seat purchased). 

If you haven't bought things to eat while onboard prior to arriving at the airport, stock up at the stores in the terminal (yes, the prices here are also inflated, but typically less so than on the aircraft itself), or even consider having a meal beforehand. Most airports have outlets of fast-food chains, good for travelers that are on a budget, and other more mid-range restaurants. It's no fun sitting on a flight with a growling stomach that demands to be filled, so don't fall into that trap, and plug that gap beforehand.

Gates usually close about 20 minutes before the flight time, and this is so that the passengers can all put away their belongings and sit down inside the aircraft, the crew can carry out safety checks, and everything can be completed by the time of departure. That's an important distinction to note — that the departure time is when the flight is supposed to leave the gate, not the time when the gate for entry to passengers to get on onboard closes. This is a strictly enforced rule, and if you arrive at the boarding gate later than that, you will probably be denied boarding. 

Yes, you can complain about the terrible traffic en route to the airport, the snaking lines at check-in and security, and that the gate was right at the end of the terminal, but those protests are likely to fall on deaf ears, and, ultimately, you will only have yourself to blame. What we recommend is, after security, head straight to your gate, and then, if you have plenty of time to kill, peruse the shops in the immediate vicinity (and use the restrooms in that area, too).