First Time Flight Rules: Flying for the First Time? No More Worries, Learn All the Airport Rules!

First Time Flight Rules: Are you traveling by plane for the first time? A mixed feeling of excitement and anxiety is natural. But with the right information, your first air journey can be very easy and pleasant. In this post, we will discuss each step of your journey from beginning to end in detail.

Things to Do Before Travel (Pre-Travel Preparations)

Your preparations begin a few days before your journey starts.

Web Check-in: Web check-in is now mandatory for most airlines. Typically, you can complete your web check-in on the airline’s website starting 48 hours before your flight’s departure using your PNR number. Through this, you will receive your boarding pass and can often choose your preferred seat.

Packing Luggage: Remember, there are two types of luggage – the cabin bag (which you carry with you onto the plane) and the check-in luggage (which goes into the aircraft’s cargo hold). Generally, the weight of a cabin bag should not exceed 7 kg, and check-in luggage should not be more than 15 kg. Exceeding this limit may result in additional charges. Always keep power banks, laptops, or other electronic gadgets in your cabin bag, not in your check-in luggage. Carrying scissors, blades, knives, or any kind of chemical substance is strictly prohibited.

Necessary Documents: Keep your e-ticket and a valid photo ID card handy. Remember, you must show the original ID or a digital copy from the DigiLocker app; photos or PDFs of the documents are not acceptable.

After Arriving at the Airport (At the Airport)

You should arrive at the airport at least 2-3 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time.

Gate Entry and Document Verification: At the airport entrance, you must show your e-ticket and identity card to the security personnel. The list of acceptable identity cards is as follows:

• Passport
• Voter Photo Identity card issued by the Election Commission
• Aadhaar or m-Aadhaar
• PAN Card issued by the Income Tax Department
• Driving License issued by the RTO
• Service Photo Identity Card issued by Central/State Government or Public Limited Companies
• Student Photo Identity Cards issued by Government Institutions or Government-recognized educational institutions
• Nationalized Bank Passbook with an attested photograph
• Pension card or pension documents with a photograph
• Disability Photo ID Card or medical certificate issued by the State/UT Government

Boarding Pass and Baggage Drop: After entering, check the display boards to find your airline’s counter. If you have check-in luggage, go to the counter and deposit it. Here, you will receive a token for your luggage and, if needed, you can also collect a physical copy of your boarding pass.

Security Check Rules

This is a crucial step. Here, you and your bags will be inspected. Place your mobile phone, wallet, belt, watch, power bank, and laptop in a separate tray for scanning. You will then have to walk through a metal detector. After the security check is complete, collect your items from the tray.

Waiting at the Boarding Gate

After the security check, find the gate number written on your boarding pass and wait there. Keep an eye on the display boards, as the gate number can sometimes change or the flight might be delayed. When the boarding announcement is made, get in line and show your boarding pass to enter the aircraft.

What to Do Inside the Aircraft

Find your seat number, sit down, and carefully place your cabin bag in the overhead compartment. Listen carefully to all instructions from the cabin crew or air hostesses and follow them. During takeoff and landing, keep your mobile phone in flight mode. Smoking inside the aircraft is a punishable offense. Avoid any behavior that may inconvenience fellow passengers. Refrain from taking pictures or videos of the air hostesses.

After Reaching the Destination

After the plane lands, proceed towards the baggage claim belt as announced. The belt number will be displayed next to your flight number on the display boards. Carefully identify and collect your luggage. If for any reason you cannot find your luggage, contact the concerned airline authorities immediately. After collecting your luggage, you can exit the airport.