Is this your first trip ever on a domestic flight? Are you afraid that you can mess up and make a fool of yourself? Well, travelling alone on a flight that too for the first time can indeed be a mind-boggling experience. Can your first-time experience on a flight be smooth and convenient? Let’s find out how in this post.
Rising competition in the aviation sector and the entry of low-cost carriers have made flying affordable and accessible to a broader section of society. Flying has become a preferred mode of commute for many inter-city travellers in the country. It’s faster, it’s safer, and it’s more convenient. Especially if you are new to flying, it can be a lot of fun too. However, the whole process, right from booking a flight to boarding a flight, can become overwhelming for some.
If you are a first-time flyer, instead of feeling burdened, go through these tips, and you will absolutely love your first-time domestic flight experience.
Booking the Flight Tickets: The first step is to book your flight tickets. There are various do’s and don’ts to follow here.
Go through multiple flight booking sites and choose the one which offers the best deal to you.
There are some travel sites that award you miles everytime you book a ticket through them.
Try to book tickets in advance to get the best deal.
Make sure you enter your name and other details correctly.
Check all the details such as luggage restrictions, fare, cancellation policy before booking.
Pack your Luggage Smartly: It’s time to pack your bags now. You can carry two kinds of luggage- check-in luggage that you hand over to the airlines at the check-in counter and cabin luggage that you can carry with you to the plane. Some tips to help you;
Pack your bags a few days in advance.
Some items are not allowed in cabin bags, such as knives, sharp objects, dry cell batteries, flammable items, etc.
Some items are not allowed in check-in bags, such as a power bank (can only be carried in a cabin bag).
Make sure you carry all the travel documents with you.
Know the Airport Procedures: Know about all the technicalities relevant to airport procedures. For domestic flight, the process is fairly straightforward.
Enter the airport after showing your ID and flight ticket to the security.
Check-in at the airline counter and hand over your luggage.
Go through the security check and proceed to the designated boarding gate.
Board the flight.
Post-COVID, the airport scenario has changed much. Update yourself with all the social distancing norms and regulations at the departure as well as the arrival airport.
Inside the Flight: Once you are inside the flight, look for your seat number patiently. The cabin crew will help you locate your seat. Use the overhead bin to keep your cabinbag. If you are carrying asmall handbag, you can keep it below the seat in front of you. Sit down, make yourself comfortable and put on the seatbelt. Do not forget to switch off your cell phone. Pay attention to all the instructions made on the flight.
On Reaching your Destination: Wait patiently for the cabin crew’s instructions to deboard the flight. Once you enter the airport, go to the designated luggage carousel to collect your bags and exit the airport.
Travelling by flight can indeed be a great experience, given that you are aware of all the rules, regulations and flight systems. Make sure you also check the departure time of the flight before you leave for the airport. Whether you are going from Mumbai to Chennai or Delhi to Bangalore, flight check in time may get late due to delays. Thus, reach the airport on time so that you don’t have to wait for hours to board your flight.
Save your precious time and follow the tips and guidelines to enjoy the first-time experience and make your trip a memorable one.