Flying for the first time can be an experience that’s both exhilarating and daunting. For many, the experience can be overwhelming.

One common concern amongst those who’ve never taken an international flight is the unfamiliarity with airport procedures, from check-in to security clearance and boarding protocols. These stages are time-sensitive and there is little room for error. airport anxiety isn’t uncommon for a first-time flyer and can elevate stress through the roof.

Before navigating the airport, one must deal with packing. Not only must you pack and organize your belongings effectively, but also ensure you comply with the airport and airlines’ regulations. 

You may have other critical questions, including those related to selecting a flight, managing anxiety, and ensuring your in-flight comfort. 

If you are relatively new to flying internationally or are stressed by flying, this is a survival guide for you.

First-Time Flying: ‘Expert’ Ideas and Analysis

We learn through the experiences of others, so we can avoid certain mistakes, pain points, and frustrations that others have experienced. 

It’s important to address each component of flight navigation, from flight selection and packing to airport navigation and managing emotions. While each of these areas is important, we should also look at the data — the specific recommendations by other travelers for first-time flyers. Through research that analyses over 100 tips from fellow travelers on various forums, some common themes emerged.

The overwhelming majority of suggestions revolved around items to pack and bring onto a plane and airport navigation, constituting 30.4% and 22.6% of the tips respectively. The popularity of these tips is unsurprising, since first-time flyers often grapple with the logistics of packing and navigating through unfamiliar airport environments.

Category of tips	Percentage of overall tips travelers gave
Items to take on a plane	30.4%
Airport navigation (including processes regarding security clearance and boarding a flight)	22.6%
In-flight comfort	12.8%
Flight selection	12.8%
Clothing to wear onto a flight	8.8%
Managing flight anxiety and uncertainty	8.8%
Miscellaneous	3.9%

Other sources of pain that travelers have include selecting the right flight and seating preferences, desiring more in-flight comfort, and managing flight anxiety and stress. 

As such, we’ll look at all these crucial categories of flight navigation and dissect the best tips for first-time flying.

Flight Selection

Flight selection constitutes 12.8% of tips given to first-time flyers. Essentially, choosing the appropriate type of flight, involving add-ons like baggage and seat preferences, can greatly impact your travel experience. 

Timing

You should aim to buy flights early, abiding by the ‘Goldilocks Window’, where you book your flight at least 2 months before departure. This ensures you do not overspend on your flights and gives you a broad range of available options.

Indeed, beyond flying, smart planning and timing can enable you to maximize each aspect of your travel experience.

Booking method

Generally, you should book your flights directly with an airline instead of via a third-party platform or agent. This is because making flight changes or cancellations, processing refunds, or seeking specific customer support is often easier or less expensive when you book directly with an airline.

Thus, book via the airline’s website for greater control and avoid unnecessary hassles later.

Type of flight

The type of flight matters. For your first flight, opt for a direct flight to your destination. You do not want the additional stress of dealing with time-sensitive layovers and potentially complicated transfers, especially when you’re unfamiliar with navigating flights and airports.

For longer flights, consider upgrading to premium economy or business class for added comfort, if you wish.

Seat selections

Some travelers prefer window seats for better view and privacy, while others opt for aisle seats for easier access to the restroom. 

If you value legroom or simply have a taller frame, consider selecting an exit-row seat.

Travelers often have different preferences when it comes to seat selection. There’s no universally preferred choice for first-time flyers. For instance, if you get anxious sitting in an emergency exit row, you might avoid those seats despite the greater legroom. Some travelers prefer sitting near the back of the plane where the toilets and flight attendants are more accessible.

Packing: Items For Boarding a Flight

As many as 30.39% of tips for first-time flying involve suggestions of items to take on board a plane.

This is indicative of a collective awareness among travelers, who recognize how the items they take on board a plane (or exclude) can mitigate potential discomfort or inconvenience as well as enhance the overall flying experience.

Ensure you have essential documents, medications, and chargers packed in your carry-on bag. Familiarize with airline baggage policies and exclude prohibited items. In addition, include comfort-enhancing items like headphones, gadgets, and entertainment for an enjoyable flight.

In this section, we’ll focus specifically on what to pack for the plane ride itself, rather than general international travel essentials.

Let’s dive into specific items, bags, clothing, and packing tips for an international flight.

Packing list to survive a plane ride

The first place to start would be to create a packing list. While a packing list is important for all trips in general, it’s especially important for the first flight since you’re most prone to forgetting something (due to unfamiliarity).

A packing list can save you time and pain of forgetting the essentials. Create a packing list and operate from it whenever you pack.

When creating a packing list, it’s key to differentiate between the essentials (the MUST-haves) like your passport, keys, smartphone, and other travel documents and the non-essentials.

Items to Exclude

There are a lot of items you think are essential for an international trip, but aren’t — such as these 11 items to leave out of your travel bag (similarly recommended by other travelers). Many first-time flyers and beginners often make the common mistake of overpacking. This not only causes personal inconvenience but also increases the risk of exceeding the airline’s luggage weight limits.

Ensure that you do not bring any prohibited items on a plane. If found with you, such items may be taken by airport staff and you will likely never get them back.

Items to Include

Interestingly, the most commonly suggested item by travelers for a flight is a pair of noise-cancelling headphones (4.9% of all tips). Alternatively, earplugs are also frequently recommended. This suggests a need for enhancing comfort and reducing noise from sources like the airplane’s engine, turbulence, crying babies, and loud passengers. 

Noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs are tools I’d highly recommend for staying mentally protected and work-functional in all sorts of scenarios, regardless of the external environments you are in.

The second most suggested item by travelers is an empty re-fillable water bottle (3.9% of all tips). 

While you’re not allowed to bring water in any container beyond 100ml (given the liquids rule which we’ll soon cover), you can refill your water bottle before boarding the plane, right after passing through airport security. Remember to refill your bottle to avoid being dehydrated during your flight. Alternatively you can purchase water on a flight but it will be overpriced.

Next, don’t forget your entertainment devices and content. 

Before your flight, download movies, audiobooks, music, and podcasts for offline access and consumption. This ensures you’re not stuck with nothing to do on a plane when you have no WiFi. 

Don’t forget your power bank and charging cables for convenience.

You should also have a range of critical apps on your smartphone, downloaded and ready to go — ensure you’re fully prepared for any situation with such apps, before your flight and after you land in a new city:

• This includes productivity tools for document accessibility and travel-specific apps for itinerary management. 
• Make important documents like your passport, boarding tickets, and flight/hotel booking information accessible on your phone, even without an internet connection. 
• Have a bunch of navigation and communication apps ready to go when you touch down in your destination city.

If you are on a long or overnight flight, bring along items for sleep optimization. Recommended items by travelers include neck pillows, earplugs, eye masks or sunglasses, and toiletries for freshening up.

Pack medications to ensure comfort and personal well-being during the flight.

Bags

You are only allowed to bring two bags with you on board a plane: a carry-on bag and a personal item:

• The carry-on bag fits in the overhead cabin compartment of the airplane above your seat.
• The personal item is a small bag that fits under the plane seat in front of you. 

Ensure your bags do not exceed the maximum allowable dimensions and weight restrictions set by the airline. Whichever airline you are flying with, you should double check its baggage policies for size and weight restrictions.

There are different bags you can take with you on a plane, including backpacks, totes, duffels, rolling suitcases, and more. Depending on your travel style and preferences, you should choose the right bag for you to maximize convenience and minimize stress. 

For instance, while tote bags are versatile everyday bags that serve as a good travel companion, ensure that they do not have an open-top design if you are intending to utilize one as a carry-on bag. You’d need to fit it in the plane’s overhead compartment, and the last thing you want is your personal items falling out of your tote, due to its lack of zippered top and secure closures.

Packing tips

After selecting your bags, you should pack them strategically. 

Organize your belongings for easy in-flight access and quick retrieval during airport security screenings to avoid delays. 

For specifics, here’s how to prepare a backpack for a flight and ensure that you avoid flight or travel woes.

One last point to note: You should avoid checking bags whenever possible. 

Checking a bag at the airport not only incurs extra costs but also adds wait time at the carousel and the risk of loss. Traveling light means skipping the hassle of checking luggage, saving time and reducing stress, especially for your first flight.

Clothing on board a plane

What should you wear on board a plane?

Bear in mind two things: Dress comfortably, and consider airport security clearance when selecting your attire for the flight.

Recommendations for clothing focus on practicality and comfort:

• Avoid bulky or restrictive clothing that hinders movement: Many travelers suggest wearing comfortable attire that isn’t too tight including slip-on shoes, leggings, T-shirts, and cardigans, and avoid wearing excessive jewelry.

• Dress warmly (but comfortably): Layering is key for adapting to changing temperatures onboard, especially on long-haul flights where cabins often feel cooler. For instance, consider combining an undershirt or singlet with a heavy jacket, socks, and a scarf for optimal comfort.

What about dressing for passing through airport security? Some basic tips include the following:

• Avoid wearing metal. Many belts have a metal buckle, and passing through the metal detector can set off the alarm. Fret not, as you could simply remove your belt during the screening. 

• Additionally, clothing with excessive fur, volume, or unusual materials should also be avoided. You do not want to look suspicious.
  
• Avoid loose oversized clothing that makes you look suspicious, which could subject you to extra screening (i.e. a pat-down) by the officials.

Airport Navigation and Flight Logistics

What exactly should you do at the airport? Navigating complex airports and missing flights are some genuine fears that travelers have. These fears may be intensified if you are flying for the first time. I recall having these fears and making sure I was mentally prepared before heading to the airport for my first solo international trip.

For your first flight, arrive early with key travel documents for check-in. Navigate security by understanding the screening process and leaving out prohibited items. To smoothly board your plane, familiarize yourself with the airport layout and standard boarding procedures.

Importantly, at least one-fifth of the recommendations travelers gave are related to airport and flight navigation. 

This includes two components: The processes surrounding airport security clearance, and the logistics of boarding a flight. They constitute 10.8% and 11.8% of tips for first-time flying respectively.

Let’s break down each of these items and dive into the top recommendations by other travelers.

Logistics of boarding a flight

1. Gather flight details in advance

First, identify these details after purchasing a flight:

• Flight number
• Airline booking reference number (also known as flight confirmation or ticket number)
• Airport terminal
• Departure and arrival time

Note these details before going to the airport, especially your flight number, airport terminal, and departure time.

2. Check in online

Do an online check-in if this option is available for your flight. 

Checking in is a time-sensitive component of boarding a flight, since it typically closes 1 hour before a flight. Yet, online check-in typically opens 24 hours before your flight’s departure time. If you check in online, you have one less task to worry about as an inexperienced flier. You can alleviate last-minute rush and stress at the airportl.

By checking in online, it allows you to:

• Relax, since you would have successfully checked in before arriving at the airport
• Skip the check-in at airline counters at the airport, which may be swamped by long queues of tourists
• Print your boarding ticket in advance (if you do not wish to print it at the airport)
• Obtain an e-boarding ticket (as a backup in case you misplace your physical boarding pass)

To check in online, visit your airline’s website or search “[your airline] online check-in” on the web. You’ll need either your flight number or airline booking reference number to check in – this depends on the airline. These details can easily be found in your booking confirmation email and flight itinerary.

3. Save important documents in soft copy for offline access

This is very important. You should always save at least two documents in soft copy before a flight: A copy of your passport and your flight itinerary. If you have an e-boarding ticket, save it too.

Save these documents locally on your smartphone at least, and be able to access it offline. Better still, put it on Cloud (e.g. Google Drive or Dropbox) and have it synced across your devices.

You want these documents in your phone for backup. If you lose something critical, you can show the soft copy document to the airport staff and have your identity verified.

4. Arrive early at the correct airport terminal

Don’t show up at the airport an hour before your flight. For your first flight, I’d recommend that you show up at least THREE hours early to give you time to navigate and potentially make mistakes. 

Showing up early and having to kill time is much better than showing up late and panicking.

If your airport has more than one terminal, ensure you go to the right terminal. Otherwise, you’ll have to course-correct and find the right terminal. This delay could cause you to miss your flight.

5. Check in and print your boarding pass at the airline counter/kiosk

Once you arrive at your airport terminal, go to the departure hall, and proceed to locate your airline counter.

Typically, this info will be displayed on large information boards. For each flight, there will be a check-in row displayed. 

Here’s what you need to do:

• Locate your airline counter by checking your flight number and departure time (gather the details beforehand). Approach an airport information desk for assistance if you are unsure.
  
• Proceed to check-in: Present your passport to the airline staff or scan it at the check-in kiosk. 

• Print your boarding pass: Your boarding pass should contain your name, flight details, and seat assignment.
  
• If you have checked baggage, inform the airline staff of the number of bags you’re checking and any special handling requirements.

6. Complete security screening

After receiving your boarding pass, follow the signs to the security checkpoint. You’ll need to complete the security screening process before heading to your departure gate. More details on this below.

7. Proceed to the boarding gate

After security clearance, you can finally proceed to the boarding gate.

Details of your boarding gate can both be found on your flight ticket and the electronic information display boards.

Before you proceed to wait at your boarding gate, you should do a few things (see our tips in the section below) to ensure your utmost comfort and convenience on board a flight.

Time-sensitive tip: Understand that the plane usually starts loading passengers 30-45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. For an 8PM flight, you should be at your boarding gate by 7:30PM. There are travelers who miss their flights because they were buying food, using the washroom, or on their headsets whilst using their laptops.

8. Check your flight status

Check your flight status to stay informed about any updates or changes to your itinerary.

It’s not uncommon for changes to be made to your flight’s departure time, especially amongst budget airlines. 

Checking your flight status can be easily done in two ways:

• First, the electronic flight information displays located throughout the terminals will indicate any displays or cancellations to your flight, right next to your flight number.
• Second, airlines usually update flight status online in real-time via their mobile app or websites. All you need is to go to your airline’s site and enter your booking reference or ticket number to view any latest updates. You’ll need an internet connection to do so.

Checking your flight status will help you plan according to the changes. Perhaps you don’t have to be at the boarding gate too early if your flight has been delayed for an hour – that time could be spent being productive at Starbucks or shopping instead.

9. Board your plane

You will likely start boarding about 30-40 minutes ahead of the take-off time. When you arrive at your boarding gate:

• Listen for announcements regarding when the plane is ready for boarding and relevant procedures to follow. 
• Pay attention to boarding groups or zones assigned on your ticket. Wait until your zone is called before approaching the gate.
• Present your passport and boarding pass to the gate agent when boarding
• Proceed towards your seat by observing the plane’s seat numbers and layout.
• Store your bags: Place your carry-on bag in the overhead bins and your item under the plane seat in front of you.

Airport security clearance

There’s nothing to fear about passing through airport security if you are prepared. Everyone boarding a flight must be screened after going through immigration.

1. Liquids rule

For first-time flying, many travelers stressed the importance of understanding and abiding by the liquids rules/regulations, where you simply ensure that any liquids (including gels, aerosols) you take on a plane are in containers 100ml and below, fitting in a single ziploc bag. 

Depending on the airport, you may be required to pull out this bag of liquids for inspection, so be prepared to run it through security. Thus, keep your liquids somewhere easily accessible, such as a compartment within your backpack.

Repeatedly sticking with an organized and clear bathroom bag ensures that you comply with the liquids rule, while reducing complexity in your packing process.

2. Clothing

Travelers also gave advice on the clothing, highlighting that shoes, belts, and other loose outerwear may need to be removed. Thus, dressing simple is an advice that came up repeatedly, along with the tip to wear items that are easy to remove.

3. Electronics

Large electronics like laptops may have to be removed from your bags and placed in its own bin – this depends on the airport, so you should be prepared to conveniently pull out any electronics from your bags for inspection.

Once you’ve placed all your belongings into appropriate bins to be screened by passing through the X-ray, you’ll have to walk through the body scanner and metal detector that looks like a door frame. If you set off a beep, you may be subject to a pat-down or additional scanning.

Managing Emotions and Comfort During a Flight

Unsurprisingly, another large category of tips surrounds the management of emotions and comfort during a flight, entailing 21.6% of all responses to the topic of first-time flying. 

This is because after successfully overcoming the main hurdles of packing and navigating through an airport for the first time, the next challenge occurs on board the plane itself. It is about staying calm and comfortable during a flight. 12.8% of tips illuminate in-flight comfort ideas, whilst 8.8% are ideas on how to effectively manage flight anxiety and feelings of uncertainty.

Here’re some general solutions for coping on your first flight – adopt these strategies and surely some would work for you.

Stay calm on your first flight by understanding typical occurrences such as turbulence. Maximize your comfort via hydration, comfortable clothing, consuming entertainment, and blocking external stimuli with noise-canceling headphones or earplugs.

Let’s look at the two aspects above, starting with understanding in-flight occurrences.

Managing flight anxiety

Flight anxiety is managed first by understanding what goes on during the flight. You’ll realize there is little to worry about.

Know what to expect during takeoff, landing, and the experience of turbulence: 

• Takeoff is felt by a very strong lift followed by feeling of a “drop”. 
• Landing can feel turbulent and unstable. 
• When the plane goes through turbulence, you may experience sudden, irregular movements, including shaking, bumping, or dropping sensations. 

These experiences are normal; neither is the plane going down nor are you going to die.

Another way to relax travelers suggest is observing the flight crew — they will appear calm during these moments of turbulence which can help you relax.

You will hear occasional “dings” during a flight which are typically signals or notifications used by the flight crew to communicate, especially during key moments like takeoff, landing, or when the crew is preparing to serve meals or beverages. These are all routine and normal.

In-flight comfort tips

In general, travelers suggested these tips for maximum comfort during a flight:

• Bring an empty water bottle and refill it after security checkpoint before boarding. This will help manage dehydration on planes, which is more common for longer flights
• Manage hunger by eating before a flight (avoid gassy and dehydrating foods) as you might want to avoid overpriced airport food
• Manage ear pain during takeoff and landing by swallowing or yawning. Examples of what might help are chewing gum and sipping on liquid.
• Create an optimal sleeping environment. Strategies vary here but some travelers suggested consuming sleep-inducing gummies.
• Keep items accessible in your backpack. During a flight, ensure you can easily reach your headphones, glasses, books, tablet, valuables, and other essentials.
• Consume entertainment. Watch comedy or videos to distract yourself and pass time enjoyably.

Since flight discomfort can create bodily stress that may have far-reaching effects beyond the plane ride and potentially affect your trip, I’ve put together a comprehensive guide for maximizing comfort during a flight. 

It’s a more in-depth article than this short section, including ideas on how to select the most comfortable seats, ergonomics, and other logistical prep work.