First plane flight. What to do on the plane? Passing control upon arrival

I remember my first stay at the airport, when I flew on an airplane for the first time in my life: I didn’t understand anything where I was, why exactly here, where I should go next, how I was flying, etc. Now, having already gained sufficient experience of traveling and staying at various airports, I can say with confidence that it is actually quite simple to navigate there. I have visited more than 100 airports on 5 continents, and I can tell you with confidence that Russian airports are among the best, understandable, logical and simple. But foreigners should not be afraid either. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s Moscow Domodedovo, the principle of their work is the same everywhere, and after reading this article, you will definitely make friends with the world of aviation, and you will know how your first flight will go.

Principle of operation during the first flight

But first, the general principle of behavior during the first flight on an airplane. Suppose you have already reached the airport. Inside the airport, you must be guided by the following rules:

• Arrive at the airport early. On hand, have a passport, a visa needed for departure, and an air ticket. An air ticket can be either just a printout of an electronic ticket, or a ready-made boarding pass if you checked in at home from a computer. The latter is completely optional and it is enough to have just the ticket that you bought for the flight, everything else will be done for you at the airport.
• Follow the signs at the airport, they are there for you. Find the check-in counter (usually indicated by numbers, for example 123-129) and go to it to check in for your flight. You will find information about the desired rack on the scoreboard, or you can hear it over the loudspeaker.
• There is an information desk at the airport - if something is not clear, do not hesitate to ask.
• The airport has a first-aid post, a rest room and a police station. Of course, there are toilets at the airport, both in the arrivals and departures areas.
• Do not use the player at the airport, as this may prevent you from hearing your flight announcement. On night flights, if you are flying alone and waiting for a flight, sit down to wait for it as close to the exit as possible. If you suddenly fall asleep, you will most likely be awakened and you will not miss your flight.

Your stay at the airport ends with being invited to board. Speakerphone call. You do not need to wait for a personal invitation, by name and surname, it is enough to hear that they announced that boarding is open for your flight. Each flight has a unique number, such as SU-201, memorize it and listen to announcements over the speakerphone. You can also follow the start of landing on the electronic scoreboard. At most airports, such boards are located in many places at once. You can find a comfortable place to wait in front of the scoreboard. After being invited to board, you must proceed to boarding. Actions and tricks are as follows:

• When boarding an aircraft, follow the instructions of the flight attendants. Remember that throughout the flight, experienced specialists are flying with you to help you cope with the difficulties.
• Place your hand luggage on the top shelf, or under the seat in front of you.
• There are medicines and water on board the aircraft, if necessary, contact the on-board personnel. There is a toilet on board the aircraft.
• During the flight, try to stay seated at all times. It is absolutely not forbidden to sleep during the flight. But it is forbidden to fly drunk. We also recommend that you refrain from alcoholic drinks offered on board. The ideal choice is water or tomato juice.
• Do not rush to get up at the exit of the plane after landing. The aircraft will still maneuver along the runway. And even having approached the airport, without the invitation of the staff, do not start moving towards the exit from the aircraft.
• When leaving the plane, inspect your seat - have you forgotten anything?

Congratulations, you have arrived at your destination! Come out calmly. If it was a domestic flight, then no passport control awaits you. This applies to both domestic flights in Russia and domestic flights in other countries. For example, if you are flying within the USA, you flew from New York, flew to Dallas, etc. If it was an international flight, for example from Moscow to Beijing or Prague, then passport control awaits you. In any case, follow the signs at the airport. At all the airports where I was, they were either in Russian (in Russia/Ukraine/Belarus/Kazakhstan/Georgia/Armenia) or duplicated in English, even in China you won't get lost.

The principle of operations at the airport (on the example of Sheremetyevo)

To make you feel even better, I will give you a short tour using the example of Sheremetyevo Airport and its Terminal D. Believe me, Friends, your first stay at the airport will not be a huge problem for you, everything is very simple and much calmer than at the railway station. Let's fly!

Getting to the airport

So, let's get started. The first thing we have to do is get to the right airport, in my case it is Sheremetyevo. Regardless of the airport, and the country - you need to leave as early as possible. Make sure you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure, preferably 2.5 hours. Don't forget about traffic jams. In my opinion, Aeroexpress is the most convenient and attractive means of transfer to airports in Moscow. I have already written in more detail about Aeroexpress and its advantages. The main advantage is the price and speed, and not dependence on traffic jams. Trains run to Sheremetyevo every 30 minutes from the Belorussky railway station. You will learn about other airports in Moscow, and where the Aeroexpress trains depart from to them, at.

The train arrives at the Aeroexpress terminal located near the Sheremetyevo terminals E, D and F.

After going inside the building, you should follow the crowd - past numerous shops towards the arrival and departure terminals. Thus we come to the first examination. Its purpose is to prevent terrorist acts, so the transport of explosive and dangerous substances, as well as weapons, is strictly regulated. I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the security rules at the airport.

If you get to the airport by car, then the preliminary screening is already carried out directly at the entrance of the terminal of departure and arrival of aircraft.

After passing the first inspection on our own, we follow the signs to Terminal D of Sheremetyevo Airport.

Thus, we got into the terminal hall, which can be compared with the building of the railway station, which is more familiar to us. There we will see a board with the flight schedule. The first thing to do is to find your flight on the scoreboard and see where the check-in for the flight takes place (if it has already begun). As a rule, check-in for flights starts 2-2.5 hours and ends 40 minutes before departure. If you are still late for check-in and you were not allowed on the flight, then you should not be offended by the airline - these are the rules. We look at our flight status (if check-in, then registration is in progress), counters where you can check in and go!

How is the check-in for the flight

This is what the check-in desks look like, they are all numbered. You can check-in at the counters indicated on the board next to your flight. Some airlines also provide online check-in (no need to queue up). For check-in, you must present your passport, as well as check in your luggage (as a rule, on international flights, 1 piece of baggage no more than 23 kg is allowed to be carried free of charge). In turn, you will be issued a boarding pass, which is a pass to board the aircraft. The boarding time and seat are indicated on the ticket. Half of the work is done, you are already very close to yours. first flight by plane :-).

Passport control

Your next step is to go through passport control: for this, we are looking for a sign with exit indicators to passport control in the terminal hall. Sometimes during rush hours, there are huge queues at large airports, such as at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport. In such cases, the passage of this simple procedure may take a sufficient amount of time, this must be taken into account when planning a trip. After all, passengers of all departing flights are mixed at passport control, and not just yours. But in the Sheremetyevo terminal D I have never got into traffic and passing through passport control has always taken me no more than 5 minutes.

The next important procedure that every passenger must go through before boarding is − inspection. Here everything is already checked very carefully, some prohibited items can simply be confiscated. I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the list of items prohibited for transportation to. Thus, the transportation of any liquids with a volume of more than 100 ml, piercing and cutting objects, etc. is strictly prohibited. If any object prohibited for transportation is found by airport employees, it will most likely be confiscated. Also under the close attention of the security service may be other suspicious items.

I will also say a few words about screening at the airport. When passing it, you should remove metal objects that may arouse suspicion (watches, belts, other accessories), as well as outerwear. At some airports (as, for example, at Sheremetyevo), they are also asked to take off their shoes and lay them out separately from hand luggage laptop or other equipment.

Departure waiting area

So, after passing the inspection, we get directly into the departure / arrival hall of the aircraft. Here you can brighten up the waiting time for your flight by having a bite to eat in one of the cafes, or make a “purchase in full” in a duty-free shop duty free(if you are flying abroad on an international flight).

After waiting for the start time of boarding the plane, you should go to the "gate" (English - gate), which are indicated on the boarding pass. Also, the gate number with the start time of boarding can be viewed on one of the many boards in the airport hall. We recommend that you board early and don't miss your flight, because for the first time you definitely don’t need any problems and subsequent adventures, don’t you?!

At the boarding gate, you must present boarding pass(in some cases they ask for a passport). The only thing left to do is to take your landing chair in the cabin of the aircraft. On all liners, the numbering of seats goes from left to right in the letters of the English alphabet A, B, C, etc. So, for example, seat 22B would be in row 22, second from the left. Rows and places are usually signed, so you won't get confused. Signatures are located above the seats, on the edge of the upper ceiling shelf. Hand luggage should be placed on the top shelf or under the seat in front of you. Well, it seems that he told everything, then for the duration of the flight you remain in the safe hands of the flight attendants, for any questions that arise, you should contact them.

Upon arrival

Perhaps my story is already coming to its logical end. Upon arrival at your destination, you should go along with the rest of the passengers of the flight to passport control, and then do not forget to pick up your suitcases from the baggage belt and go out into the city. By the way, on the site you can also find useful material about.

Finally, I would like to note the following: if you are suddenly lost somewhere, confused, don’t know where to go, etc., then contact any of the airport employees and they will definitely help you, prompt you and lead you where you need to go. And one more piece of advice - at least a little, but it is desirable to know English, for travelers and tourists, knowledge of the language will always do a good job in case of any problems abroad. People who can explain themselves in English and explain the essence of the problem for sure won't get lost at the airport.

Thank you for your attention, Friends, I wish you a fair wind and only soft landings :-). good luck to you first flight by plane! How to behave at the airport - instructions from Channel One and Sheremetyevo Airport:

Air travelers who travel for the first time in their lives are wondering how to fly by plane, what are the rules and nuances. Although this is not difficult, in order to feel more confident, it is better to stock up on the necessary knowledge and advice on the eve of the flight.

The step-by-step instruction, up to the end of the journey, has several strictly sequential steps:

• check-in;
• baggage check-in;
• security screening;
• passport control;
• waiting for boarding;
• boarding the liner;
• flight;
• passport control at the destination airport;
• baggage claim and exit.

Important! Complete stages are completed only when performing international flights. On domestic flights, the procedure has been simplified. In particular, there is no border control of passports.

check-in

To describe how the boarding of the plane takes place step by step, you need to start with registration. So, if a passenger can say to himself: “This is my first time flying on an airplane,” then he already knows that he must arrive at the airport. At the same time, in major cities there may be several airports and terminals. The name of the airport and the terminal number are indicated on the ticket, which must be carefully examined.

Having reached the airport, you need to find an electronic scoreboard in its hall, which contains information about flights departing in the near future. Usually the scoreboard is placed near the entrance in a conspicuous place. The English version of the name is "Departures". To find your way, you need to look for your flight number in the list, then its current status along the line.

Important! You cannot navigate by the destination airport and departure time. Different flights may fly to the same city, and times sometimes change.

State	Meaning	Passenger actions
Check-in, check-in open, open	Registration in progress.	You can go to the registration desks, the numbers of which are indicated right there. Usually there are several.
Delayed	The flight is delayed. Here are the hours of the expected departure. But these are not registration opening hours, it will start earlier.	If the time of the delayed departure does not appear, you need to go to the airline counter to find out more information.
Canceled	Flight cancellation.	Contact the representative office of the airline, they may offer to fly on another flight.
Empty column	Check-in is not yet open due to the early arrival of the passenger.	Wait at the airport until check-in opens.
Boarding	Boarding has begun.	Registration completed. The passenger can contact the representatives of the airline. Some airports have counters for latecomers. But there is no guarantee that you will still be able to get on the plane.

There are three options for registration:

• at the registration desk;
• in the terminal for self-registration;
• over the Internet from home.

Check-in at the airport

At the indicated check-in counters, the passenger presents his ticket with a passport. Sometimes, on international flights, they check the presence of a visa of the country of destination, they may be asked to present a return ticket and even a bank card used to pay for the travel document. The procedure for registering and boarding a plane with an electronic ticket is no different. The only difference is that at the registration desk it is enough to show your passport without presenting a ticket.

After that, the passenger will be given a boarding pass, which contains important information:

• boarding gate number (Gate);
• place in the cabin of the liner;
• landing hours.

Important! The start time of registration procedures at the airport is 3 hours before departure, the end time is 40 minutes before the departure of the aircraft.

Passengers in transit are also issued a boarding document for a connecting flight.

The second way to check in at the airport is at the self check-in machine. It is necessary to find the terminal of the airline with which the air traveler flies. It looks like mobile phone bill payment terminals and other services, only the airline logo will be on the device. There, the surname, ticket code are entered step by step, you may need to scan your passport, then you are asked to select a seat. The boarding pass will be automatically printed with the same information as the one issued at the check-in counters.

Through the Internet

Online registration is available even by mobile phone. It opens in different time from different air carriers. At least a day before the departure of the aircraft, and for some companies - 1 month. On the website of the air carrier, you need to find the “Check-in” button or tab and gradually enter the ticket code, personal data, and select the seat you like. The process ends with the printing of the boarding pass.

You can also print your boarding pass at the electronic terminals of the airport or ask at the check-in counter.

Important! Any way electronic registration not suitable for travelers flying with animals, accompanying the disabled. According to the rules of individual air carriers, it is impossible to check in at the terminals with children under the age of two.

Baggage check-in and hand luggage

Luggage is left at the check-in counters, regardless of the check-in method. For passengers who have already checked in online, there are special baggage drop desks - "Drop off", where suitcases are accepted according to an accelerated procedure. With the usual method of check-in at the counters, baggage is also accepted at the same time. Suitcases will be weighed and tagged. The baggage receipt is also issued to the passenger. Often it is pasted on the boarding pass. It can be used to identify your suitcase. Then the baggage will be sent for loading onto the aircraft along the conveyor belt.

Baggage allowance must be clarified when purchasing a ticket. Hand luggage is also weighed, tagged and returned to the passenger. As a rule, its weight should not exceed 5-8 kg.

What you need to do to avoid problems when checking in your baggage:

1. Weigh the suitcase and if its weight exceeds the norm, shift individual items into hand luggage without violating the baggage rules.
2. Learn in advance the rules for transporting fragile and oversized cargo, which must be securely packed. In this case, you may need to independently carry oversized baggage to another counter - "Oversized baggage desk".

security screening

At Russian airports, passport control is usually carried out first, then security screening. In many foreign airports, the opposite is true: security is examined first.

Screening before the flight is a thorough check by airport employees of the personal belongings of the passenger - what is with them and in hand luggage. Outerwear, often shoes, belts, watches must be removed and placed on a conveyor belt that will carry them through the scanning machine. The passenger himself is sent to pass through the frame of the metal detector.

1. Take plastic containers, put bags, clothes and other things there, place them on a conveyor belt.
2. Check if you have with you - liquids in vessels exceeding 100 milliliters in volume, piercing and cutting objects, etc. All this is packed into luggage, handed over at the check-in counters. Baby food and essential medicines are carried as an exception.
3. A passenger with a pacemaker alerts a security officer. He will be searched in person by a worker of the same gender without going through a metal detector.

Important! During the security screening, the passenger must be as serious as possible. Remember that jokes about bombs, weapons, etc. can be taken as a reason to take him off the flight.

International flights

The main difference between pre-flight screening on international flights is the passage of customs control. If the passenger does not carry with him items subject to customs declaration, he goes through the "green corridor".

If there is cash currency (or rubles) in the amount equivalent to 10 thousand US dollars, valuables, etc., according to the rules of transportation, a declaration is filled in the "red corridor" of the customs.

Important! It is obligatory to fill in the declaration before check-in for the flight.

Passport control

Border control of passports is carried out for international flights. It is usually labeled "Passport control". Here you need to show the border officer your passport with a boarding pass. He will check the document against the database: does the air traveler have obstacles to leaving the country. Then he will put a stamp there about the place and date of crossing the border.

departure zone

There are cafes, restaurants, duty free shops in the departure waiting area, but first you need to:

1. Find your boarding gate (Gate). His number is sometimes changed. This is announced over the loudspeaker and duplicated on information stands.
2. Remember the location of your Gate and then walk around the pre-flight area, remembering to return strictly to the time indicated in the boarding document (Boarding time).

Landing

When boarding begins, the required Gate will display the flight number and the name of the destination airport. The passenger must make sure that this is their flight and show their passport with a boarding pass at the exit. The larger side of the ticket will be torn off, the other side must be kept until you arrive at your final destination and receive your suitcases.

There are two ways to get on the plane:

• they are taken by bus to the liner, where they climb the ladder;
• pass through the telescopic "sleeve" directly into the aircraft.

Important! If delivery to the plane is made by bus, it is beneficial not to rush, but to go at the end. The apron bus will be waiting for all passengers. When landing through the “sleeve”, it is better to go first and calmly find your seat.

On board the aircraft, the flight attendants will show you where the passenger seat is. Personal items are stored in the luggage rack above the seat. If there is no space in the luggage rack above your seat, you can use other shelves.

Now that the check-in and boarding is complete, it's time to enjoy your air travel.

Flight

While on board the liner, you must follow the general rules and instructions received on the plane:

• fasten seat belts when required;
• do not get up from your seats during takeoff and landing, getting into turbulence zones;
• no smoking, etc.

Depending on the level of service, breakfast, lunch or dinner, drinks will be offered. If it is a low-cost carrier, then for an additional fee. On board there are newspapers, magazines, sometimes monitors with video entertainment, blankets, kits for children.

Important! During takeoff and landing, it can block the ears. Lozenges or chewing gum can help relieve discomfort.

Passing control upon arrival

After the completion of the flight, if it was an international flight, there are three types of procedures for obtaining permission to cross the border:

• visa on arrival;
• filling out an immigration card;
• passport control.

Visa on arrival

At the airports of those countries where a similar procedure is provided for Russians, you need to go directly from the plane to the “Visa on arrival” counters. Then - the usual control of passports.

Filling out an immigration card

For states that require a completed immigration card from every foreigner, its form is most often issued on board the liner at the end of the flight. It is filled in in English indicating the purpose of the visit to the country, the time of stay, the address of the hotel or apartment, the number of the arriving flight, etc. Forms can also be obtained after leaving the plane, near special counters next to passport control.

Passport control

In a number of countries, the passenger immediately goes to Passport control. Here, a foreign passport with a boarding pass and a visa (obtained in advance or upon arrival), an immigration card (if required) are presented. An airport employee checks the documents, puts a mark in the passport about crossing the border. Sometimes, in accordance with the rules of entry into the country, you will be asked to show return tickets, medical insurance, etc.

Important! Foreigners should queue up at the Foreign Passports or All Passports counters.

Receipt of baggage

Following the signs "Baggage" or "Luggage", the passenger goes to the baggage conveyors. On the information board of large airports, the number of the arrived flight and the number of the baggage conveyor will be indicated. If there are doubts about the belonging of the suitcase, the numbers of the luggage tag and those issued to the passenger at check-in are checked.

Oversized baggage is issued at separate counters.

Important! If the passenger has items subject to customs declaration, he passes through the "red corridor" of customs. The rest go through the "green".

Transfer at a transit airport

Flights can be operated with connections on one ticket. A passenger who has received a boarding pass for the next flight at the airport of departure should follow the signs to the transfer zone (Transfer).

1. There is no need to receive luggage upon arrival at the intermediate airport, it will be reloaded onto another airliner.
2. If the first plane is late, you need to contact the counter where transfer passengers are registered. There you will be asked to take the next flight.
3. For Schengen states, passport control is only mandatory if the intermediate and final destination is in the Schengen countries.
4. If the boarding pass is not issued at the airport of departure, it is received at the transit area of ​​the intermediate airport. You just need to go to the transfer desk with your ticket and passport.
5. You need to wait for your flight in the transit zone, which is also the departure zone, with cafes, restaurants and shops.

Important! When transferring at airports in some countries (for example, the United States), a transit visa is required, and passengers are forced to collect luggage.

When two separate tickets for a connecting flight are purchased, different rules apply:

1. At the point of departure, check-in is only possible for one flight.
2. Upon arrival at the intermediate airport, you must go through passport control and collect your luggage. Then the check-in and boarding procedure is repeated in full with the second ticket. Sometimes you will need to move to a nearby terminal or even to another airport.
3. If you are late for the next flight, the ticket will be lost.

It is better for a passenger flying on an airplane for the first time, if possible, to choose a flight without transfers or with a connection on one ticket.

Well, firstly, this is that the most dangerous thing in flying on an airplane is getting to the airport. Aircraft are one of the most safe species transport, but no cars. :)

Secondly, you can get lost at the airport. Look very carefully for signs. There are a lot of corridors, even more doors, there are a lot of people in general. If you are traveling with someone, then try not to lose sight of each other.

Do not take sharp objects and water bottles with you into the cabin. When you enter the waiting room, everything will be taken away from you. If you want to take water into the salon, then buy it at Duty Free (duty free shop).

If you have already checked in, the plane will not fly without you. But there is no need to be late for landing either - everyone is waiting for you.

Taking off and landing can hurt your ears like hell. For some, sucking on candy or chewing gum helps. You can pinch your nose and mouth and exhale - this will restore the difference in pressure inside and outside the ear.

During the flight, it can rock. Sometimes the plane starts to rock, but this is normal.

Check in as early as possible to get a window seat - the view is great.

1) Before the flight

To navigate to your seat on the plane, in the most general case, you need 5 things:

Airport name (some cities have more than one)

Terminal (it can be a letter, a number or a name, the terminals can be far from each other, especially important if you take a taxi)

The number of the check-in counter for the flight (you can find out by finding your flight in the departures board, which is in each terminal, at large airports, airlines usually have a whole series of check-in counters for all their flights)

Gate number (boarding gate) - it will be indicated on the ticket, but can be changed (up-to-date information can be seen on the board in the departure areas)

Seat number on the plane (also indicated on the ticket)

Check-in for a flight ends 40 minutes before departure, but it is best to check in online on the airline's website - this most often allows you to pre-select a seat on the plane, and can also save time at the airport.

When choosing a seat, I prefer to sit by the window (there you don’t have to get up to let passengers out - you can sleep peacefully).

If you do not have luggage, then you can print an electronic ticket (in advance at home, or if you find a printer at the airport) and immediately go to the departure area (then you do not need a check-in counter, but the gate number right away).

If there is such an opportunity, then it’s better not to check in luggage - this will save time upon arrival and ensure that luggage is not lost (this happens extremely rarely, so you don’t need to be afraid either).

If you have baggage, but you have already checked in, there are usually separate baggage drop-off counters (they will also print your ticket if you have not done so).

When checking in at the counter, ask to be seated by a window (or in the aisle).

In hand luggage, you can not take piercing and cutting liquids in containers larger than 200 ml.

I had a case when I overslept the flight already sitting at the gate, but in general, after you have checked in without you, they really will try not to fly away (especially if you checked in your luggage, because it will need to be unloaded if you are not waited for at the landing ). At Russian airports, it is customary to call late passengers by their last names (no need to get used to this - this does not happen everywhere).

It is absolutely not necessary to stand in line for boarding - you can safely wait until it passes. The exception is if you have a lot of hand luggage / duty free purchases, for which you may have to look for a place on the plane for a long time if you get on it last.

If boarding takes place through the "sleeve" in addition to the queue before the boarding gate, there will usually be a queue in the arm at the entrance to the plane itself, so it's better to either get in at the beginning or wait longer so as not to wait in two lines.

If you are being taken to the plane by bus, it is better to stay at the door on the right side of the bus - usually it drives up to the plane on this side and you will be one of the first to get off the bus and board the plane.

2) On the plane

We already wrote about stuffing your ears during takeoff and landing, for me the most effective way is to pinch your nose with your fingers and blow air through your ears.

During takeoff and landing, the use of electronic devices is prohibited. If you listen to music, then when flight attendants pass by, take your headphones out of your ears.

3) After the flight

When the plane finishes moving, do not rush to get up if you do not want to wait standing in a narrow aisle. You will get off the plane not much later if you get up after the start of disembarkation. If the exit is not through the "sleeve", but on the bus, then you will most likely find yourself on the same bus (you already know what seat to occupy on the bus).

In Russia, it is better not to use the services of taxi drivers who meet you at the airport upon arrival - they always have very high prices.

If you want to get there by car, it is best to order through a mobile application (in Moscow and St. Petersburg I use Gett - if you register, you can use my promo code GTARASL1, and there are also Uber and Yandex).

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Some people don't fly planes just because they've never done it. This is not a fear of danger, not a fear of heights, but simply a panic in front of something unknown. And many do not understand what pleasure they are depriving themselves of, because flying is very pleasant and interesting, and most importantly - fast. And in many cases, this is the only way to get to the right place. Do not neglect technological progress, because horses and carriages, weeks and months of travel are already far in the past.

Personally, at first it was not the planes that scared me, but the airport. How to get into it, where to run, how not to confuse anything, and in general ... Let's imagine that you are at the airport for the first time. The procedure will be approximately the same, except that the inspection and passport control in some cases change places.

First time at the airport

What time do you need to arrive? Check-in for the flight starts two hours before departure. Why so early? Need to get through a large number of time-consuming procedures. You can arrive even earlier just in case. But it is better not later, especially if you are flying for the first time.

Entrance

In our country, unlike many others, anti-terrorist security has been strengthened. Therefore, try to plan the time that you will spend on ... to go inside the airport. Often there are queues. You will already be examined there and your things will be scanned, even if you just came as an escort. You can go back, but you can only get back to the airport through security again.

Scoreboard and registration area

The board of departure and arrival is, perhaps, the most romantic object at the airport, and even more than once sung. The board indicates the number, destination, time of departure of the flight. Be sure to check your flight number. Once we almost got confused with flights - which departed with a difference of 15 minutes.

Sometimes several flights can depart at the same time, keep an eye out too. Another confusion is that airlines often send codeshare flights. Do not be guided by the name of the airline, and even sometimes time is not an indicator. Direction and number are what you need to see. Also, the scoreboard indicates which check-in counter you need to go to and in what state the registration is: is it open or, God forbid, has ended. Check-in for the flight, as I said, starts 2 hours before departure and ends 40 minutes before it.

Preparing luggage

I did not find any useful information about the preparation of luggage on any "good" portal.

Usually, “smart” life hackers write about prohibited items and the weight of luggage somewhere in paragraphs about inspection, not taking into account the fact that we part with luggage much earlier, and this implies a completely different sequence of actions.

Baggage flies separately from you

You can fly without luggage, and put all things in your hand luggage, if the airline allows it. This is what I usually do, it significantly speeds up the parting with the airport upon arrival. In this case, your suitcase or backpack must fit certain dimensions and not exceed the weight limit.

Oversized and oversized baggage

Dimensional - suitable for standard sizes. Speaking in Russian, a standard suitcase or bag. Oversized is suitable for weight, but not for size, and is issued separately. By the way, oversized luggage is most often lost.

If you are concerned about this topic, then feel free to go to the airline's website and check what they can and cannot do. No other way. Because different airlines treat baggage differently. It is clear that items such as a guitar, a huge box or a plasma TV can hardly be called bulky luggage. You will not be asked for separate money for oversized baggage.

Extra bed

You can buy additional luggage space, it costs some money. But no one canceled cheating, for example, Aeroflot's gold card allows you to carry two luggage for free at the same time, well, in principle, such a card is true and envy.

Package

Suitcases are usually thrown onto the plane in a rather barbaric way, so if you want to extend the life of your traveling friend, you can pack it for a fee. The luggage is wrapped with a special film by specially trained people in special places. Finding them is easy.

If you are carrying something valuable, it is advisable to wrap your luggage. At the airport, there are usually several packages with different prices. Naturally, the most expensive are located closest to the main entrance. You will be wrapped for about 700 rubles, or 10–15 EUR. In addition to official packers, there are also "spider-men" who will offer the same service 2-3 times cheaper. Wander around the airport for a while, looking meaningfully at the packing houses, and these enterprising sly ones will find you themselves.

overweight

If you have (horror!) an advantage, then prepare the money. Well, the time for registration of additional baggage and overweight will take from 20 to 40 minutes for sure.

Your baggage must pass in terms of dimensions and weight, as I said, permissible in a particular airline, and it is also advisable to put everything that cannot be taken on board, that is, liquids, aerosols, and sharp objects.

Feel yourself. Money, passport, other documents and a boarding pass must be literally glued to you. In no case do not leave money in your luggage (there are such cases), and without a passport you, in principle, will not fly far. It is best to store such necessary items in a small bag or pocket, in general, with you.

Registration

You can check in for a flight from home in advance. This gives certain advantages. For example, you can choose best places in airplane.

Registration is elementary, Watson. When registering for a regular flight, they usually don’t ask for anything but a passport: the employees already have all the data, because Big Brother has been watching you for a long time ... The only time the Spaniards asked for a printout of my e-ticket, because my name was not written in their database with that letter. But this is more the exception than the rule. At check-in, you temporarily say goodbye to your luggage. Luggage is put on the belt and weighed. After all this, you are issued a boarding pass indicating your gate (exit), your seat on the plane and a tag for baggage claim. Never lose your boarding pass. Now he is your king and god.

You may be asked what you take on the plane. The items you carry on board are referred to as carry-on baggage. Here is what should not be in hand luggage:

• Liquids. Some people think that you can’t carry anything liquid on board, but this is not so. Up to 100 milliliters of any liquid substance can be safely carried with you.
• Sharp, piercing and cutting objects. If you have scissors, corkscrews and knives in your hand luggage, then most likely you will be asked to part with them at the inspection. Learn about diabetics. Syringes are available. But in the presence of (quote) "certificate from a doctor in free form."
• Aerosols. All varnishes, sprays and sprays must fly in the luggage compartment.

Hand luggage can weigh up to 10 kilograms. The size requirements for all airlines are approximately the same. There are even special suitcases that fit the dimensions of hand luggage. In fact, if you're on a scheduled flight, you can carry just about anything on board. Once we were carrying a huge basket, a giant hoop the size of a hula hoop, and… straw sheaves. They were light, but voluminous, we could hardly see behind them. However, Aeroflot employees were loyal to the sheaves, even wishing us a good event.

In addition to a special suitcase, you can take a fairly large bag or backpack on board. Since we carry a lot of props on business trips, all personal items are usually placed in a small handbag.

Inspection

You can lose a lot of time during the inspection, as there will be people rushing not only to your flight. You take a special tray and put everything on it: hand luggage, things, gadgets, a laptop (in Europe they ask you to take it out of your bag and call it a laptop, for a minute!), all metal objects and shoes, if it is on thick soles or heels. Here it is easy to part with liquids or aerosols if their volume exceeds the norm. For example, you are trying to smuggle a liter of shampoo - most likely it will be confiscated. Creams, gels, toxic substances, sharp objects - tell them "adyos" if you haven't transferred them to your suitcase. So we parted ways with Enterosgel at Heathrow Airport, it was very strict there.

This whole story is connected, again, with anti-terrorist security, such rules were introduced in 2007. On board (again) - no more than 100 milliliters of liquid in total, that is, you can take with you a small cream, a cold spray, a perfume probe and liquid for lenses, in general, a bunch of liquids, but the main thing is that there should not be any in total more than a hundred ml. Yes, and it is desirable to forget about jokes about drugs and weapons. They don't understand jokes at the airport.

If you don’t want to waste a lot of time and make yourself nervous, as well as embarrass the aunts with sad faces and scanners in their hands, then in principle you should not hang on yourself all the iron jewelry left over from the gypsy grandmother, belts with massive buckles and put shoes on thick soles or heels: they will undress and undress as if there is nothing to do. And this, you see, is not the most pleasant procedure. By the way, here is a link to a wildly funny video, where a friend did not understand what they wanted from him, and scanned along with his luggage.

Passport control

Keep your passport and boarding pass with you, preferably in your hand. It is also better to avoid stupid jokes at passport control. Taking pictures of the passport control area is prohibited. Therefore, if something suddenly seemed funny to you (for example, your own face and you got drunk on yourself), you will be asked to delete the photos.

The official in the booth may ask questions. For example, about the purpose of the trip. Will leaf through your passport in search of visas and stamps. I was remarked several times that, they say, I don’t look at the border guard all the time, but pick my phone (it’s better not to be distracted from this important process by anything else), and about the fact that the passport was stained (yes, I once dropped it in Kuru in , and several seals blurred). Yes, you just might not like it. By the way, if you have a biometric passport or visa, you may be asked to put your finger on the infrared reader.

The waiting area

When re-reading my own text, I quickly replaced the word “desirable” with “mandatory”. You absolutely must immediately find your gate (exit). Sometimes it's not easy. Sometimes special trains run between gates, as in Madrid Barajas or London Heathrow. Sometimes they write terrible numbers: how long to go to the exits. Sometimes it is the number 15, that is, minutes. But exhale: this has never happened at Russian airports. Your ticket will show the exit number and the boarding time, i.e. the start time of boarding. It is better not to go far from sin away from the desired exit, otherwise you can miss important information. The exit may change, the flight may be delayed, but you never know what else. Control the situation.

There is usually something in the waiting area. For example, Duty Free. What is "Duty free" does not need to be explained to the Russian tourist, who usually begins to prepare for a vacation, drinking alcohol from this shiny, delicious smelling and shining market. The belief that it is cheaper in Duty Free is just a belief. For example, alcohol and snacks are often more expensive than in supermarkets, cigarettes are sold only in blocks, cosmetics correspond to the market value. However, what should not be doubted is the quality of the products. It is better to buy good perfume, professional cosmetics, gift packages of sweets in Duty Free. By the way, when buying, you will be asked to present your boarding card, so do not take it far away.

And, of course, there are all sorts of cafes in the waiting area. Unless you're in Berlin's Tegel, for example, which is more like an Ikea packing place. It's not a cheap pleasure to eat there, but I usually take water from the machine. The air in the plane is dry and you want to drink. Anything purchased in this area is eligible to be carried on board.

boarding the plane

Depending on the airport, your route from the gate to the board may be as follows:

• telescopic ladder,
• bus,
• on foot.

If the airport is small, then you can walk, usually a short distance. Buses sometimes have to wait, they are hot and crowded. Ideally, if you are walking along a telescopic ladder - this is such an air bridge from the airport to the plane.

If you have a lot of carry-on luggage, it is better to get in line at the gate early in order to have time to grab the luggage racks. Sometimes there may not be empty seats next to you, so you will have to look for an empty shelf away from your chair. In smart airports, there is a division into groups so that queues at the gate are not created. In this case, your group number is also indicated on the boarding pass. But personally, I like to wait until the last minute: I jump on the gate when the majority of people have already boarded the plane.

First time on a plane

And now you are so happy sitting on the plane and, perhaps, shaking with fear that this colossus is about to take off into the air. It won't happen instantly. For a while you will be packing. For some time the crew will be preparing. Then beautiful flight attendants will start showing you how and what to do in an emergency. At this time, the aircraft will begin to move towards the runway. Before, I always loved the moment of takeoff, when the iron bird accelerates so that it presses you into a chair, and then takes off from the ground, but now I often fall asleep even before takeoff. Most importantly, if you're scared, take a comfortable position. Good luck if you have a pillow under your head, because external comfort and internal comfort are inseparable.

Places

When it comes to seats inside an airplane, there is a simple law: the closer you are to your head, the less you will be shaken by turbulence. Turbulence, or turbulence, is the vibrations of an aircraft caused by the eddy currents of the wind, descending and outgoing. It's not scary. The usual turbulence that occurs when flying through some types of clouds is not dangerous in any way. The aircraft is designed to withstand the resulting overload. In general, when the plane shakes, this is not a technical breakdown, and the pilot has not gone crazy, this is just a temporary phenomenon that needs to be accepted and forgiven. And do not set yourself up for horror: I flew many times in such a way that I did not shake at all. Since there is less shaking at the beginning of the plane, the business class is located there.

As for "at the window or not at the window", here the moment is moot. If you have never flown before, then it may seem to you that a fascinating picture in the porthole is going on throughout the entire flight. However, it is not. The most interesting thing is takeoff and landing, when you see the city turned into a toy. And then the plane gains altitude and rises above the clouds. Behind the window there will be monotonous blinding white clouds if you fly during the day, or endless darkness if at night. If you are not a big fan of sticking your forehead into the wall and snoring, then there is no need for a window. There is nothing wrong with choosing an aisle seat - it is convenient to go to the toilet without stepping over sleeping neighbors.

Great if you are flying in a half-empty plane. After takeoff, when it is allowed to wander around the cabin, look into the tail section: there may be three free seats. I call it "platzkart". You can stretch out on them, cover yourself with a blanket and sleep. No one will say a bad word to you - it's checked.

A special chic at check-in is to get seats at the emergency exit. Ask, and they will give if they are still free. In most planes, the distance to the next seat is very far, and the table extends from the armrest. Of course, you will have a great responsibility - to save passengers in case of an emergency evacuation, since you will be the very first to exit there. But then you can stretch your legs and go crazy.

Food

It all depends, of course, on the airline and the features of the flight. If you have the option to check in in advance, you may also have been asked to select a menu. Major international airlines offer a special menu: kosher or vegetarian. I have not tried to order the menu in advance, but I know that this is possible.

I once took a vegetarian lunch aboard British Airways. The salad with quinoa, avocado and tofu was much tastier than the usual lunch, which included a stale bun with mayonnaise. However, in any case, do not expect culinary delights from the economy class. Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to fly in business class, but the insiders know that it is delicious there, especially if it is Aeroflot. Fortunately, the latter are tasty even in the economy, sometimes there was also a red fish.

The funniest airplane meal of my life was hosted by Lufthansa's German subsidiary, Air Berlin. Unfortunately, they stopped flying from Moscow. For the rest of my life I remember a wonderful dry ration, consisting of very spicy chips and a glass of juice. And Air Moldova had the worst lunch: some kind of vague sandwich.

If you fly during the day or in the evening, the chances of eating better are much greater: at night and early in the morning, you can count on a bun to the maximum. Of course, a lot depends on the flight time. The usual proportion is the longer the flight, the more food will be given. In any case, airplane food does not claim to be something incredible, so if you have the opportunity to take something on a plane, take it. There are usually no complaints about chocolate and cookies.

And, of course, it is worth saying that at the height we eat and drink in a completely different way than on earth, the food seems to be tastier. By the way, there is a whole stereotype that most often they drink tomato juice on an airplane. Like, it seems to us tastier than on earth, and better quenches thirst. On the plane, you want to drink all the time, because, I repeat, the air in the cabin is very dry. In addition, hearty tomato juice has a richer taste, which we like. It is better to always stock up on a bottle of water, most importantly, not before the inspection area, but after: you can bring water bought in the waiting area on board. As for alcohol, almost all international flights carry wine, champagne, and beer. Flight attendants may simply not offer you this. But if there is an acute desire to get drunk, ask, and they will organize a jar of good beer for you - tested by British Airways.

Takeoff and landing

If your plane has taken off and everything went well, you can relax until the moment of landing. According to statistics, 90% of aircraft malfunctions occur during takeoff and landing. That is why the singer Elka longs for the pilot to "take off well and land extremely successfully." During takeoff and landing, you are asked to fasten your seat belts, bring the seat to an upright position, remove the tables and open the curtains. All this is done so that in an emergency there are fewer obstacles to the implementation of the rescue program.

When an acquaintance flew with me for the first time, he really did not like the maneuvers of the aircraft when the board turns and turns out to be one wing lower and the other higher. If you saw this and got scared, know that nothing terrible is happening at this moment, just the plane is turning.

If you are flying to a resort, then most likely you will begin to descend directly over the blue of the waters. Again, panic in this case is unnecessary, the airports of the resorts are really located right on the coast. The land will appear, don't worry!

Some believe that the softness of the landing depends on the airline or the type of aircraft. Nothing like that, everything is driven by the pilot, or rather by the pilots, since usually the control is divided equally between them. Best of all, I was put in Montenegrin by the unloved, ruined and in every way infamous Kogalymavia airline, when they had a contract with the TUI operator.

Important detail: calculate the time correctly. As soon as the plane lands, for some time it will go along the takeoff, circling around the airport until it stops. It will be some time before they let you off the plane. Another half an hour (or more) will take passport control for international flight and baggage claim on any. Therefore, you should not order a taxi by the time of arrival.

Do not immediately jump up and run from the plane. You can't even get up. For some time you will wait for the "doors to a new country" to open.

At the airport of the destination country

Next, you will find almost everything the same as upon departure: a gangway or a bus, passport control and baggage claim. Get in line where it says All Passports, and you will be stamped (finally!) With the name of the airport. Next, we follow the arrows to the luggage, which has probably already missed you just as much as you miss it. Above the baggage carousel, they usually write the flight number and where the plane came from, so it's hard to make a mistake. In addition, it is very rare that two and more aircraft They arrive minute by minute, so you will probably go to where the most people are standing. If the airport is already very large, then there is a scoreboard that indicates where to look for luggage.

If the tape has already scrolled a hundred and fifty times, and your suitcase has not appeared, and even all the passengers have left, then something is wrong here. Then you go to the representatives of your airline with a boarding stub (it is on it that the tag with your baggage number is on it) and most likely everything is resolved safely. Well, then you, stamped, bagged and happy, can head to the exit (follow the arrows) and start conquering new lands!

I hope you have been able to learn something new about air travel and are now looking forward to the moment when the flight attendant announces that your plane is ready to take off.

Traveling by plane is very easy and comfortable. Sometimes it's much better to buy a ticket and spend a couple of hours in the air than 2 days on a train. What to do if you are flying for the first time? How to calm down and tune in to the flight? What must be taken into account if you want your trip to be successful?

Tips for passengers flying for the first time:

1. Specify the check-in time for your flight. Each airport sets it separately. On average, check-in starts 2 hours before departure. It is better to arrive exactly at this moment in order to choose a place and go through all the necessary formalities without any problems.
2. In front of the entrance to the terminal there is a large board, which displays all the upcoming flights. There you can also find information about where check-in and boarding takes place. If you have any questions, please contact the airport staff.
3. So you've found the front desk. Get in line, get your passport and ticket ready. You will be given a boarding pass at the counter. It will show the exact time and gate number, as well as your seat in the cabin. At the same time, all suitcases are weighed and sent for loading.
4. If you are flying outside the country, you must go through passport control and then personal inspection. The procedure for going through the instances at different airports may vary, so if you are not sure what to do, ask the airport staff for help.
5. Landing, as a rule, is announced approximately 30-40 minutes before departure. By this time, you can hide your passport and get only your boarding pass. Then find your gate - and soon you will find yourself in the cabin.
6. If you have not found a pillow and a blanket on your seat (this applies to flights over long distances), immediately ask the flight attendant for these items. It is more comfortable to fly under a blanket, and a pillow can be placed under the lower back.
7. On an airplane, most passengers experience slight swelling in their legs due to circulatory problems. Therefore, it is better to immediately take off your shoes and change your socks.
8. Some people get ear plugs when flying. To combat this problem, you can use earplugs, lollipops, chewing gum. On many flights, all this is issued by flight attendants before the flight.
9. Please note that in recent years there has been a ban on smoking on airplanes (this even applies to electronic cigarettes). The toilets located on board the aircraft are equipped with special smoke detectors, and therefore, do not even try to smoke there - you will pay a huge fine.
10. During the flight (depending on its duration) you will be offered breakfast, lunch, dinner, soft drinks. All this is included in the ticket price.
11. When you arrive at your destination, you will need to go through all the same formalities.

We wish you a successful journey!