To an inexperienced traveler, going through the procedures prior to boarding an airplane may seem like nine circles of hell. But this is only at first glance: there are far fewer than nine levels of control, and there is nothing frightening about them - you will understand this already during the second flight. In the meantime, to make your first air travel experience easier, English For Life is publishing a step-by-step guide to what to do at the airport.
On the way to the airport
Make sure you have all the necessary documents: a civil passport if you are traveling in Russia, an international passport if you are traveling abroad, a printout of the itinerary receipt (most airlines only require a passport to check in for a flight, but just in case it is better to have the itinerary receipt with you, at least on a smartphone), as well as documents which may be required by the rules of entry into the destination country: hotel reservations, return tickets, money in foreign currency to pay for a visa, etc. If you are traveling with children in Russia, you need to take a birth certificate and passport (if you have one). To travel abroad, a child will need a birth certificate, an international passport, as well as a notarized consent to travel if the child is traveling without parents (with a nanny, grandmother, etc.) Check the rules for entry into the destination country for minors: even if the child is traveling If accompanied by one parent, the border guard may require notarized consent from the second parent. You should always have the documents you need for pre- and post-flight security checks with you, so place them in your hand luggage (not in your checked-in suitcase).
If necessary, check in online for your flight.. For example, this is mandatory for all Ryanair passengers, otherwise a fine will be charged at the airport. You will be notified of the need to pre-register for flights with Ryanair and other low-cost carriers after purchasing your ticket.
Check the weight of your luggage. Make sure your luggage is within the weight allowance for your flight. The maximum allowable weight of luggage is indicated on the itinerary receipt. It’s easy to find out the weight of your luggage at home: step on a regular scale, first without your suitcase, and then with it.
Make sure your items comply with baggage and carry-on regulations. For example, all liquid that you take with you on board the plane must be in containers with a volume of no more than 100 ml and not exceed 1 liter in total. Read more about this so that your expensive perfume or favorite Swiss Army knife is not confiscated for the first time at the airport.
Plan your way to the airport in advance. If you use vehicles, consider the possibility of traffic jams. If possible, give preference to trains and metro, which are much more reliable than cars and run on a schedule, which gives you the opportunity to calculate your arrival time as accurately as possible. Pay attention to the terminal from which you are flying: at large airports, the terminals are often located in different buildings, the distance between which must be covered by transport. For example, one of the Heathrow terminals in England is located an hour’s drive from the main airport area. The name of the terminal should be indicated on your ticket or itinerary receipt in a format like “A12”. The departure terminal may change, so it is more prudent to check it in the list of flights on the airport website on the day of departure.
Prepare to pack your luggage if you feel necessary. Today at airports there is a baggage wrapping service, which is wrapped in a special film. This is done for two purposes: 1. to protect the suitcase from damage and dirt during transportation; 2. protect the contents of your luggage from the curiosity of unscrupulous airport employees. Experienced travelers know that it is easier to buy regular cling film and wrap your luggage yourself than to overpay for packaging. For example, in Domodedovo this service will cost you 600 rubles. Even more experienced travelers wrap their luggage with pre-purchased film already at the airport immediately before checking in for the flight: there is always a risk that the security service will ask you to open your suitcase at the airport entrance, and then your work and meters of film will go down the drain. However, whether to pack luggage or not is a personal matter for everyone.
What time should you arrive at the airport so as not to miss your flight?
It is important not to be late not so much for the flight itself as for checking in for it: passengers who do not have time to check in and check in their luggage are not allowed to board the flight. As a rule, check-in begins 2-3 hours and ends 40-60 minutes before departure time. Therefore, the optimal time of arrival at the airport is 2 hours before departure: this way you will cover the risks of unforeseen circumstances and will be in time for check-in, which will save you from having to stand in queues. If you are flying for the first time, arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight: the extra time will help you get your bearings without rush or nerves.
Please note that departures and arrivals are based on local time.
Checking visitors at the airport entrance
Entrance security is roughly the same at airports around the world: visitors are asked to place luggage and bags on an X-ray scanner conveyor and pass through a metal detector. If security representatives notice something suspicious, they may ask you to open the suitcase to ensure the safety of its contents, as well as conduct a personal search.
Check-in and baggage drop-off
When you arrive at the airport, the first thing you need to do is find out where you check in for your flight. The flight and check-in schedules are displayed on the electronic departures board (Departures). Find your flight line on it. Next, pay attention to the numbers in the “Check-in, Counter, Desk” column. If the field is empty, do not be alarmed: most likely, the counters have not yet been determined and check-in for the flight has not yet begun. Just keep an eye on the scoreboard and listen to the announcements over the public address system. If registration desks are already indicated, go to them. Even if you are flying for the first time, you will easily understand where to go: at airports there are signs literally at every turn, so you will quickly find your way.
.jpg)
To check in for your flight, present your civilian or foreign passport (depending on the country of destination). If you are flying with a group of friends and do not want to be separated, tell the airport employee about this, and he will try to find seats nearby for you. You can also express your other wishes, for example, a seat by the window. Tall people are recommended to sit near the emergency exit: the absence of a row of seats in the front provides additional space and a comfortable position for the legs.
At the same stage you check in your luggage. It is weighed, and if it does not exceed the norm, it is checked in for the flight. The maximum baggage weight allowed is indicated on your itinerary receipt. If the weight of your luggage exceeds the allowance, you will have to transfer some of your items to your hand luggage or pay for the excess.
Upon completion of check-in, you will be given a boarding pass - this is your plane ticket. It will indicate your flight number (Flight), your seat in the cabin (Seat), gate number (Gate), boarding time (Boarding time) or time of its end (Gate closes). A baggage receipt will also be attached to your boarding pass. Place the coupon in your passport and keep it handy until boarding.
Customs control (on international flights)
On all foreign flights, passengers pass through the customs control zone (Customszonecontrol). It consists of two corridors or channels: green and red.
Above the green corridor, as a rule, there is a sign “No goods subject to written declaration” (Nothing to declare). It is intended for the majority of passengers who do not have property to declare.
Above the red corridor it is usually written “Goods to declare”. You must go there if you have goods that are subject to customs duties or for any other reason require written declaration, for example, cash or traveler's checks totaling more than $10,000, alcohol over 3 liters, etc. . You can view the list of things that must be declared on the website of the Federal Customs Service.
Border control (on international flights)
Border, or passport control (Passport control, Border) is the stage at which a border service officer checks the legality of your departure from your homeland (no debts to the bank or the state, criminal records or other problems with the law) and puts an exit stamp in your passport from the country.
There are two types of counters at passport control: for citizens of the destination country (for example, UK Passports) and for everyone who has another nationality (All other passports). Get in line at the counter where the passports of foreign citizens are checked.
The check is carried out one person at a time, children are checked together with their parents. The border guard will need your passport and boarding pass. You may be asked about the purpose of your trip or whether you are traveling to your destination country for the first time. As a rule, the procedure takes no more than a minute, after which the border guard returns your passport with a stamp that contains the date and airport of departure.
Pre-flight inspection
Pre-flight inspection (Security control, Security check) is a procedure for detailed inspection of passengers and hand luggage in order to ensure the safety of the flight. Before inspection, it is necessary to remove outer clothing, belt, shoes (not always), remove gadgets, keys, small change and other metal objects and place them in a special container. You should also put your hand luggage there, if you have any. When it's your turn to be searched, place the container with your belongings on the scanner belt and walk through the metal detector frame. Make sure in advance that the things you want to take on board the plane do not violate the rules for carrying hand luggage in the aircraft cabin.
.jpg)
After passing through pre-flight security, you enter the departure area where you can have a snack, drink coffee and visit Duty Free shops.
Boarding the flight
If this is your first time at the airport, don’t rush to go shopping. Even if boarding has not yet begun, first find the exit or gate you need. Its number is indicated on your boarding pass. There you will also find the Boarding time or Gate closes time. If there is a delay, you can also track your boarding on the board or by listening to announcements over the public address system.
When boarding, you will need your passport and boarding pass. The long part of the ticket will be torn off, and the short part, with the luggage tag, will be returned to you. Place them in your passport and keep them until you collect your luggage.
At the arrival airport
Upon arrival, you will need to go through all the same procedures as after checking in for a flight, only in reverse order and without pre-flight inspection.
At passport control Your passport will be checked for a visa (if required) and an arrival stamp will be issued. Don't be alarmed if the border guard asks you a couple of routine questions - this is a simple formality. They may ask, for example, about the length of stay in the destination country. In addition, you may be asked to provide additional documents, such as a hotel reservation for the period of your stay or return tickets. Check the rules for entry into the destination country in advance and put all the necessary documents in your hand luggage.
Baggage claim, as a rule, does not take much time. You just need to find the baggage hall and the conveyor, above which there will be a board with your flight.
customs control proceed by analogy with departure control: if there is nothing to declare, go through the green corridor, if there are goods to declare, through the red one.
%20(1).jpg)
So, to summarize the above, we list the main actions that must be performed before departure, upon arrival, and also before going to the airport:
Before going to the airport:
- take all necessary documents in your hand luggage (including documents of children and those that may be needed to enter the destination country)
- Check if online registration is required and complete it if necessary
- print or download the itinerary receipt (just in case)
- make sure your luggage passes the weight
- read the baggage and hand luggage rules
- determine the time of arrival at the airport (2-3 hours before departure)
- plan your way to the airport
At the departure airport:
- find your flight and check-in counters on the board
- check in, check in your luggage and receive a boarding pass with baggage receipt
- go through customs control
- go through passport control
- go through pre-flight security
- find the gate you need and wait to board your flight
At the arrival airport:
- go through passport control
- pick up your luggage
- go through customs control
Of course, now the procedures for preparing for a flight seem even more complicated than before reading this article. But even when you find yourself at the airport for the first time, you will quickly understand the principle and sequence of control stages. Look for the signs you need, listen carefully to announcements, and if necessary, seek help from employees or other passengers. We wish you summer weather!
Firstly, rejoice and look forward to a pleasant flight and a change of scenery. Secondly, be careful and catch your flight.
And now more details.
BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT
1) Calculate the time of arrival
The best way to find out is to read their recommendations on the airport website. But if this is not possible, then you can calculate the time of arrival, knowing some facts.
Most airports recommend arriving at the airport no later than two hours before departure. At some particularly large (or particularly poorly optimized) airports, you should arrive three hours in advance. For example, Domodedovo in Moscow. If you are new to flying, and the airport from which you need to fly is rather large, feel free to arrive three hours in advance - you will have time for everything and will be less nervous. If there are no borders between the points of departure and arrival, and therefore no border control, you can reduce the time by half an hour. If you check in online for your flight and fly only with hand luggage, in this case you save another 10-30 minutes (depending on whether you need to present a visa at the check-in counter or not, more on that later).
2) Find out which terminal the departure is from
There are airports where the terminals are very close to each other (for example, in Boryspil (Kyiv)), and there are where you need to travel 20-30 minutes (for example, in Delhi). In the latter case, a terminal error could cost you an airline ticket or an astronomically valuable taxi. As a rule, on your boarding pass (if you checked in online) or on your booking information sheet, the terminal number is indicated next to the name or as the last individual number/letter in the name. If you can’t find it, look on the Internet - perhaps this airport only has 1 terminal or it is clearly clear where all international flights depart from.
IN AN AEROPORT
1) Look at the departures board and look for your flight
It is convenient to search, since all departures are sorted by time. You need to check the flight number to make sure you have found yours. Also see the airline name. This is necessary to get to the right landing - at large airports, especially during the holiday season, flights to the same city can depart at almost the same time.
So, we found the right line with our flight. We look at the far right cell - if it is empty, it means that check-in for the flight has not yet begun, and you can relax. 2 or 2.5 hours before departure, numbers will appear here - these are the numbers of check-in counters where you need to go to get your boarding pass, drop off your luggage, or, if you already have the boarding pass in your hands (in cases with low-cost airlines), for the so-called visa- check - visa checks. Also in the flight status it will be written - check in - this means that check-in has already begun.
By the way, let’s talk about the inscriptions on the scoreboard. There you are super short dictionary:
check in- check-in
delay- Flight delay
cancel- flight cancellation. In case of cancellation, find your airline representatives at the airport and ask them what to do. If you can’t find them, show your reservation and nod expressively at the board to any airport employee - he will direct you.
last call- “last call” - registration is about to end, run as fast as you can to the counter if you haven’t already.
go to gate- go to the gate - the inscription is shown approximately 2-3 minutes before boarding the plane
boarding— boarding the plane, at this time you must strictly be at the desired gate.
2) Go to the reception desk
When you see the counter numbers (even if the check in sign itself has not yet appeared) - immediately head to them, do not hesitate, because you may end up at the end of the queue, and as a beginner, it is better for you to be closer to the beginning.
On the stand:
— show your passport and ticket reservation,
- we ask for a seat by the window if you want
— we check in luggage,
— we receive a boarding pass (if you do not have a low-cost airline),
— put a mark on the boarding pass (stamp) that everything is in order with your visa (if you are flying to Europe on a low-cost airline)
- we’ll find out where to go next (even if you don’t know the language at all, after all the procedures at the counter are over, just make a questioning face and hum, turning your head: “aaaaaaaaaah??” - believe me, they won’t send you away, but they’ll direct you to the right place))).
We look at the boarding pass and see that a different time has appeared there - as a rule, 20-30 minutes earlier than the departure time - this is the boarding time and it is at this time that you will need to approach the gate, the number of which is also on your boarding pass. Before this time, you need to have time to undergo inspection for prohibited items and pass border control, if it exists between countries.
3) Let's go for inspection
Again, without delay, we go to the security check - this is where you will be shown the way at the registration desk. At the inspection, hand luggage, as well as everything metal and computer (belts, keys, coins, laptop, tablet, phone, etc.) will need to be placed in a special box, and at this time you yourself will need to go through a metal detector. These procedures are quite quick, but there is always a chance that someone will take longer and the line will be delayed.
4) Passport control, duty-free and gate area
After passing the security check, you find yourself in the gate area, hurray! Check your watches and look at the schedule board in this part of the airport - sometimes it happens that an hour before takeoff the gate number is moved - first of all, believe what is written on the board. As a last resort, you can always show your boarding pass to the airport employee - he will help you.
If you need to go through passport control, get in line - this is a rather long procedure, especially if there are already a lot of people in front of you.
Alena Baltseva 08/18/2015 1412
So, you are about to take your first air trip in your life. Take note of this reminder so as not to get confused at the airport.
Let's say you carefully checked your tickets, passport and all the documents necessary for your trip before leaving for the airport. What's next?
1. When should I arrive at the airport?
Of course, if we are talking about a small airport, 1-1.5 hours will be enough to go through all the necessary procedures, drink a cup of coffee, buy new perfume at duty free and calmly board the plane. But since this is your first time flying, we advise you to arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance.
It is also worth considering that large international airports or airports with enhanced security screening cannot cope with passenger traffic so quickly and advise passengers to arrive 2.5 or even 3-4 hours before flight departure. We recommend visiting the airport website and familiarizing yourself with the latest information.
And, of course, leave home with plenty of time in case you get stuck in traffic. With a 90% probability, the plane will not wait for you even 5-10 minutes.
2. Reception
You arrived at the airport and went into the departure terminal (do not confuse it with the arrival terminal!). Find the departure and arrival board. The display will indicate the flight number, arrival city and departure time. Next to your flight you will see a counter number and information about whether check-in is open and until what time it will continue.
Departures and arrivals board
Go to your counter, hand your passport to the airline employee, and check your luggage if necessary.
Before you check your suitcases as checked baggage, make sure that the bag you plan to bring on board meets your airline's carry-on baggage requirements. It must not exceed the permissible dimensions (depending on the specific airline, but usually 55x40x20 cm) and contain prohibited items and substances, including liquid in containers of more than 100 ml with a total volume of more than a liter.
Reseption
Liquids also include liquid cosmetics and care products (creams, toothpastes, etc.), as well as liquid products (including soft cheese). Please note that some airports have increased security measures and liquids cannot be brought on board at all. Again, all information can be found on the website.
You will receive a boarding pass, without which you will not only be able to board the plane, but also go through security control.
Boarding pass
The ticket will indicate your seat in the cabin, as well as the flight gate number and closing time. This means that before the specified time you must already be standing near the exit.
3. Pre-flight inspection
We received a ticket - forward to aviation security control. Once again, make sure that there are no prohibited items in your carry-on luggage.
During security, you will be asked to place your bag on the conveyor belt, place your boarding pass and passport in a separate container, all equipment (laptops, cameras, mobile phones, etc.), and also remove your belt, metal jewelry, accessories and outerwear ( including cardigans, scarves and jackets) and remove coins, keys, etc. from pockets.
Once you are greeted by one of the security staff, go through the metal detector. If the red light turns on and you hear a characteristic sound, you will be searched personally (contact and using a hand-held metal detector). You may have to remove the shoes and put them on the conveyor and go through the frame again. Don’t worry, if you are not trying to bring anything prohibited, they will let you through.
Security control
If you have a pacemaker installed, you cannot pass through the frame. This must be indicated in the supporting document that you need to have with you. Alert the security staff and they will inspect you manually.
4. Customs and border inspection
If you're flying internationally, you'll go through customs and border control after security. The procedure is no different from that carried out when crossing the border by land transport.
5. Departure area
After all procedures have been completed, you find yourself in the departure area. Check the flight opening time from the board. If you have enough time before the gate closes, you can go shopping or eat in a cafe.
Please note that at the duty free checkout you will be asked to show your boarding pass. If you purchase liquids (perfume, alcohol, food), the purchase along with the receipt must be packaged in a special sealed bag. You must not tear the packaging, otherwise you will not be allowed to bring the package on board.
Duty free shop
6. Boarding the flight
When you hear that your flight is boarding, go to the counter and hand over your passport and boarding pass. After this, you will either board a plane or a special bus that will take you to him.
7. After arrival
When you arrive and disembark the plane, follow the signs that will take you to baggage claim. Find your flight and wait for your bag to appear on the conveyor belt.
Baggage claim
If necessary, go through border and customs control. Follow the signs to the taxi rank or public transport stop.
Hello everyone, my dears! I remember my first visit to the airport: you get lost in the huge halls and don’t know where to go or what to serve at the check-in counter. Now, of course, everything is different. But so that the airport does not turn into an unknown labyrinth for you, I decided to write for you a detailed algorithm of actions at the airport.
I should reassure you: the registration rules are very simple. Basically, difficulties arise only on the very first flight. As a last resort, you can turn to any airport employee for help. However, I am sure that you will be able to navigate on your own and catch your flight on time.
First, remember that check-in for an international flight starts 3 hours before and ends in about 50 minutes. And for domestic flights they announce check-in two hours in advance, but they finish in about 40 minutes. It’s better to arrive at the airport early, I’m telling you that for sure.
In addition, starting to talk about the procedure for boarding a plane, I hope that you have already been able to resolve the issue of packing your luggage. If you haven't packed it, find the appropriate counter at the airport.
In this article:
1. Look for the information board
So, you find yourself at the airport, but don't know where to go? First, find information monitors. They look something like this:
Do you see how many lines there are? Carefully study the information that is indicated on them, it is very important. Here you will find:
— flight number (the same as in or, as it is correctly called, in the itinerary receipt),
— departure time (or delay),
- reception number
— and whether that same registration has begun or not.
The latter can be understood by the color of the line (it is highlighted in green, and the lines below are red, for example) or by the time that is indicated in it. In general, if you determine that check-in for a flight has already begun, remember the counter number and start looking for it.
2. Proceed to the check-in counters
It's time to check in for your flight, to do this you need to find the check-in counters.
I’ll make a small digression and say that registration can be done in advance via the Internet or at the same airport through special terminals. This is done to save time.
So if you have already checked in online, printed out your ticket in advance and you don’t have luggage, then you can go straight to boarding. But if you didn't print out your ticket or if you have luggage, you still need to go to the check-in counters. It’s just that you can do this not 3 hours before, while standing in line, but a little later, when the line has already melted.
But today we will pretend that you have not gone through any registration and will go the traditional way. Check-in counters look approximately the same at all airports in the world:
These are numbered racks with a luggage receptacle. Look for the same number that you saw on the scoreboard. Found it? So this is your stand. Above it there is a small board that indicates which flight is currently being checked in.
3. Present your passport and check in your luggage
When it is your turn to register, present your passport.
Here you can ask to allocate a certain place for you: by the window or closer to the opening if you are traveling with a child. If such places still exist, you're in luck. In general, then you need to pre-register via the Internet in order to reserve the necessary seats in advance.
This is where you need to check in your luggage. Place it on the belt: they will weigh it and attach a special tag.
All this takes a few minutes. Afterwards you receive a boarding pass with a tear-off stub, on which an additional sticker with information about your baggage is usually affixed.
Don't forget to take your passport and your hand luggage.
4. Security control and customs control
Usually the path from the check-in counter leads directly to the boarding area, but at large airports this rule is not always the case. So don't hesitate to ask during registration where exactly you need to go next.
And then you need to go through security before boarding. Typically the check goes like this. You take off all your belts and shoes and put them in special containers. Then go to the scanners through which all your things are passed.
This is where they will throw away your nail scissors, razors, bottles over 100 ml in volume and tell you that you packed your cosmetics incorrectly, so you will have to say goodbye to them. Therefore, do not be lazy, read the rules for carrying hand luggage.
You yourself will also be searched: either manually using hand-held metal detectors, or in special cameras. Nothing complicated, just go inside the transparent chamber, place your feet shoulder-width apart, also raise your arms to the sides (there are special signs inside the chamber) and you will be scanned for dangerous things.
And if your flight is international (flying to another country), then in addition to security control you will have to go through customs control.
To pass it, there are “green” or “red” corridors. If you do not have things to declare, go to the “green” (Nothing to declare) corridor. Otherwise, you should go to the “red” corridor (Goods to declare). Here you will be asked to write an application for a declaration of goods and fill out all the necessary documents.
5. Go to the waiting room
Well, all the formalities have been completed. Now go to the waiting room. There you can sit in a cafe or go to duty-free shops.
When you hear the boarding announcement, head to your gate and join another line. Again you will be asked to show your passport, a coupon (which was given at the check-in counter), from which you will receive a stub (it contains all the information about the flight). Under no circumstances should you throw it away; be sure to keep it until you claim your baggage.
6. Boarding the plane
Immediately after your passport and stub have been returned to you, you will be shown the path to boarding: either through a special sleeve directly onto the plane, or by bus. Have a nice flight!
Actually, that’s the whole procedure for boarding a flight. I hope my short instructions will be useful to those who have decided to fly for the first time. I would be very glad if you share your very first flight experience in the comments.
P.S. If you liked my blog and want to receive even more interesting articles, then be sure to subscribe to updates.
Air tickets have been purchased, suitcases are packed, there are only a few days left before the start of your vacation, but instead of joy, you begin to worry. Excitement is growing every day, because you are flying for the first time and all you are now worried about is how to behave at the airport, how everything will go, will you get lost, will you mix up the plane, etc. You can stop worrying, you have just found the most detailed instructions “ first time at the airport” for beginners, which will answer all your questions.
So, before departure, after purchasing an air ticket, before boarding the plane, you need to go through the following necessary procedures:
1.
Customs control, before or after registration
2.
Check-in and baggage drop-off
3.
Passport control
4.
Security screening
Everything is easy and simple, it’s extremely difficult to miss a plane or get lost at the airport, the main thing is to carefully read and follow our most detailed instructions.” first time at the airport“.
And so - the route is chosen, the plane ticket is purchased, things are packed, money is prepared, documents are checked several times (your personal signature must be in the passport). You didn’t forget to put money on your phone and activate roaming. All this needs to be checked before leaving home. Items are divided into luggage and hand luggage. Carry-on luggage is part of the things that will lie next to you in the cabin during the flight. This can be large electronic equipment (laptop, camera, video camera), fragile souvenirs. It is strictly not recommended to check them in as luggage - they may be damaged during loading and loading.
Do not try to carry the above items in your hand luggage
It is prohibited to carry in hand luggage:
- liquids in bottles over 100 milliliters
- highly flammable and explosive substances (acetone, hairspray, etc.)
- piercing and cutting objects (knives, nail scissors, etc.)
- heavy items exceeding the established weight limit for hand luggage
Information about these restrictions should be read on the airline's website, especially if you are flying with a transfer. Some foreign airports have strict security rules (for example, in European Union countries, mascara may be confiscated during security control).
Under no circumstances should you try to carry sharp objects in your hand luggage. At a minimum, they will be confiscated from you; at a maximum, you are guaranteed a conversation with airport security. A box for assembling sharp cutting objects at the airport in Lima, Peru
Please note that if you are flying in business class, you are allowed to carry no more than 30 kilograms for free; in economy class – no more than 20 kilograms. Keep in mind that the weight of the bag or suitcase is included in the luggage weight. If you are overweight, you will have to pay extra at airline rates. Before check-in, there are special facilities in the departure hall where, for a fee, your belongings will be carefully and securely packed in transparent polyethylene. This guarantees you the inviolability and safety of your belongings checked into the luggage compartment and maximum peace of mind during the flight.
Almost everywhere in the world (hotels, transport, travel agencies) you will be understood in English. If you are flying abroad, it is advisable to carefully read information about the country, customs, and attractions on the Internet. Learn a few phrases in the local language so that you can communicate at the airport or with the police if a problem arises. Or prepare these phrases on a piece of paper; you can also take a dictionary or phrasebook with you.
Whatever you are first time at the airport or you are a regular air passenger, we suggest putting copies of all documents inside your luggage and sewing a badge with your name, surname and contact phone number (for the paranoid, in several copies and in different places) to the suitcase, in case your luggage is lost. For the advanced, it is useful to upload scans of all travel documents to your email, and if necessary, use electronic copies. This little thing will save you from extremely rare unpleasant accidents in the future.
Carry-on luggage on an airplane. Always put passports, important documents, money and plastic cards in your hand luggage
Important! Never put documents, money or plastic cards in your checked baggage.
So you are ready for many new and interesting experiences, let's start registering. Moreover, you can check in at the airport in two ways: online check-in and check-in the old way.
Option 1 – online check-in at the airport:
More and more airlines are offering online check-in via the Internet. It can be completed at any time during the day before departure and at least an hour before scheduled departure, without arriving at the airport. In this case, you can register from any computer with Internet access. All passengers can check in online: those flying with or without luggage, in a group or with children, regardless of whether they are flying economy or business class. To complete online check-in, you need to open the airline’s website, find the tab that says online check-in and click on it. Then fill in, usually this:
Electronic ticket number or booking code
- departure airport
- first and last name of the passenger
- departure date
After entering the necessary information for registration, the system will generate a boarding pass, which must be printed (this will be the document that must be presented at the airport gate when boarding the plane). At the airport, for online registered passengers, you need to check your luggage at a special counter and avoid standing in a huge general queue, and if you are flying only with hand luggage, then go straight to security and passport control.
Option 2 – regular registration:
You decide to use the traditional check-in form upon arrival at the airport. Check-in for a flight usually opens three hours before departure and closes 50 minutes before scheduled departure. First timers should arrive 2 or 3 hours early to avoid fuss, rush, worry, confusion and anxiety. Departure and arrival times on air tickets are always indicated only as local times. You need to remember this when preparing for your trip. Otherwise, you may miss your plane or even ruin your trip.
Regular check-in at the airport with a queue
When entering the airport, you need to go through a metal detector; your luggage will be scanned on a self-propelled belt - this goes quickly. Inside the airport there is a board (information monitor) with departures. It says Departures in English. In the printout of the electronic ticket we find the flight number Flight (for example UN777) the destination city and on the board we find our flight. Once again, we clarify the direction and remember the number of the check-in counter, where they will exchange the air ticket for a boarding pass, which is a pass to the plane. Note – if you arrive too early, your flight may not yet be shown on the board.
Approaching the check-in counter, you present your passport, ticket and voice your wishes for a seat on the plane (at the aisle, at the emergency exit, at the window, etc.) Taking into account your wishes and capabilities, you will be given a ticket with a seat. Then they will weigh and accept your luggage. A tag with a number will be affixed to both the luggage and the ticket. Make sure your luggage is tagged with your name and flight number, and your ticket has a baggage receipt.
The boarding pass contains important information - the date and time of departure, flight number, boarding time, gate number of the boarding area (Gate) and most importantly, the number of your seat in the aircraft cabin. Boarding times will be repeated repeatedly over the airport's public address system. Loud and clear every 10-15 minutes.
Boarding pass. Click on photo to enlarge
With your passport and boarding pass, proceed to the customs inspection area. This is the most meticulous check before boarding. Customs control is required to find out whether you have antiques, large sums of money, drugs, weapons, excise goods, etc. on you. You must declare this in your customs declaration. Therefore, before passport control, fill out a customs declaration if there is something to declare, but if not, a declaration is not required.
For the convenience of passengers at international airports, there are two types of border crossings: green And red corridors. You choose the corridor yourself. 99 percent of tourists have nothing to declare, so you can freely go through the green corridor.
Green corridor sign for exiting the airport. This corridor is suitable for 99% of tourists
Customs officers have the right to ask you to present your luggage for inspection, but this is an extremely rare practice. Therefore, before passport control, they fill out a customs declaration if there is something to declare, but if not, a declaration will not be required. Then you need to go to the passport control area. The border guard will check your boarding pass and passport.
After passport control you need to go through a personal search. When going through security you must present your passport, boarding pass and ticket. Aviation security staff will tell you what to do. Attention! If you have implanted devices, do not enter the area of a stationary metal detector. First, contact the aviation security inspector and explain your situation to him.
After passing security, you enter the boarding lounge. Now you can relax and stroll around the waiting room, buy souvenirs and wait for the boarding announcement. After the announcement, you need to go to the gate indicated on your boarding pass and present this pass to the attendant. You will only need your boarding pass and possibly your passport. Airports with heavy traffic sometimes do not announce the start of boarding. Therefore, you must always remember about the landing time and at the specified time independently go to the desired exit (Gate). Boarding the plane takes place either by bus or through a special accordion connecting the plane with the terminal building.
After landing at the airport, you go through the same procedures as when landing. First, passport control: the border guard will check your passport, boarding pass, visa or entry permit. Then you receive your luggage and go through customs control. If your luggage is not found or is damaged, you must contact an airport employee (Lost and found).
You see nothing complicated, even if you first time at the airport.
Fly with pleasure!
