20 Tips First-time Fliers Need to Know

When it came to their first flight, William and Orville Wright had to wing it (pun intended). Everything they experienced, from takeoff to touchdown, was uncharted territory. Fortunately, if you’re flying for the first time, we’ve got you covered. After all, even if you’re not the person behind the controls in the cockpit, flying can be daunting if you’ve never done it before. For those with million-miler status, it’s like muscle memory. Still, like you, they had to start somewhere.

No one comes out of the womb knowing that you shouldn’t refill your water bottle from the tap in the lavatory (that’s airplane speak for bathroom), or that if you wait too close to the boarding line before it’s your zone’s turn, you run the risk of being called gate lice. To make your first voyage a little smoother, here are 20 travel tips including insight from frequent fliers, many of whom work for airlines.

Book early.

“Airlines offer cheaper prices when flights are first released,” says Skyscanner’s director of communications Laura Lindsay. While saving money is never a sure thing, most experts recommend booking your flight on a Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday. And generally speaking, the earlier in the day, the better. It also pays to fly earlier in the day. If you book a 7 a.m. flight and have to deal with a delay or cancellation, you have a better chance of getting rebooked to your final destination than if you’d originally booked a flight later in the day.

Book directly through the airline.

You may find cheaper fares on third-party sites like Booking.com, Expedia, and Orbitz. But keep in mind that you may be paying a higher cost (when it comes to convenience) if you have to change or cancel your flight. For example, if you book a flight via Expedia and it gets canceled while you’re at the airport, the airline representative at the airport may not be able to help you. You’ll have to call Expedia, who booked your original flight, to see if they can help. It’s a real hassle and often not worth the price difference when things go wrong.

Take advantage of your airline’s app.

Most airlines have apps, and they allow you to download a digital boarding pass, change your seat, pre-book meals, and if you’re using the Emirates app, even book a chauffeur service or preselect your in-flight entertainment. If you’re flying on a plane that does not have screens built into the seats, you may need to use the app to access the airline’s library of movies, music, and TV shows. Apps also come in handy when you need to rebook and the line at the customer service counter is hours long. “Receive alternate travel options automatically in the app to get back on the way more quickly if travel doesn’t go as planned,” says Jennifer Schwierzke, United’s vice president of customer strategy and innovation.

Select your seat before check-in.

When you’re booking your flight, you’ll have the option to select your seat in advance. While it’s not mandatory, it’s worth doing so you don’t get stuck in a middle seat in the last row (sometimes last-row seats don’t recline). It can also pay to look up the exact model of aircraft you’ll be on, so you know what to expect. “Not all premium economy, business, or first-class seats are the same — not even within the same airline,” says Keith Waldon, T+L A-List travel advisor and the founder of Departure Lounge.

Review your airline’s luggage rules.

When it comes to luggage, there’s not a one-size-fits-all rule. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other governing bodies regulate which items can be brought on board an aircraft, each airline is allowed to make its own rules and regulations regarding the size and weight of luggage. Plus, within airlines, there can be different policies depending on which aircraft you’re on. Smaller planes generally have smaller overhead bins, and some can’t accommodate roller bags, even if they are marketed as carry-on friendly.

Follow the 3:1:1 TSA rule for carry-on liquids.

“Oversized liquids are the number one prohibited item we see,” says Lorie Dankers, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Since 2006, passengers have been required to follow the “3:1:1” rule when it comes to the liquids they can bring in their carry-on or on their person. Each passenger is allowed to bring on board one quart-sized bag filled with their liquids, gels, aerosols, and creams—all of which must be in containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. If you attempt to bring more than 3.4 ounces, or more liquid items than you can fit in one quart-sized bag, you’ll have to leave them behind. Note: You can put full-size liquids (bottles of water, wine, shampoo, etc.) in your checked luggage.

Don’t pack electronics or valuables in checked luggage.

According to the 2024 Global Baggage Report from SITA, approximately 6.9 bags out of every 1,000 that are checked will be “mishandled” by the airline. For that reason, if you’re packing something extra valuable or fragile, it’s often best to keep it in your carry-on. Some airlines will even ask you at the check-in counter if there are electronics in your checked luggage. If you say yes, they’ll advise you to remove it.

Pack a reusable water bottle and snacks if you’re on a budget.

When it comes to food and beverages, airports have amusement park prices. Expect to pay a premium on everything unless you get lucky and can find a crew vending machine with subsidized snacks in it. Fortunately, you’re allowed to fly with food (as long as it adheres to the 3:1:1 liquid rule) and a refillable water bottle. More airports are starting to add water bottle refill stations. Some even offer complimentary hot water taps for snacks like Cup O’ Noodles. That said, the healthier the snacks, the better. One JetBlue crew member told T+L they try to avoid sugar and salt to combat dehydration.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Generally speaking, you’re going to want to dress as comfortably as possible for your flight. Think loose-fitting, lightweight, breathable travel pants that you can sit in for hours and shoes that won’t hurt your feet if you have to run to your gate after it gets changed to another terminal. If you insist on looking your best, opt for a flight attendant-approved pair of shoes. They’re on their feet all day and have tried and tested most brands and styles so you don’t have to.

Power up your mobile devices or pack a power bank.

Every savvy traveler considers their power bank their BFF. That’s because often airport outlets are few and far between. Plus, you have to share them with thousands of other passengers. And while many planes feature in-seat charging ports, they often don’t work, and they certainly can’t charge a device as fast as the best power banks can. If you don’t want to bother with a power bank, just make sure all of your devices you’ll need are juiced up before you head to the airport. 

Show up early.

Generally speaking, planes don’t wait for anyone (except the pilot and cabin crew). And often you have to be on board at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Few things are as frustrating as showing up to the gate after the boarding doors have closed but you can still see your plane sitting on the tarmac without you. Try to arrive at the airport two hours before your flight departs if you’re flying domestically. If you’re flying internationally, try to arrive at least three hours early.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

People who work at airports are used to being asked for help, so don’t hesitate. That said, try to start with the airport information desk. Most major airports will have at least one information desk staffed by an employee or volunteer who can steer you in the right direction. And if you think you’ll need help going through security, take advantage of TSA Cares. “It’s mainly for passengers with disabilities, but I always suggest passengers traveling with young children to utilize the service,” says Caleb Harmon-Marshall, a former TSA agent who now shares his top travel tips via the newsletter Gate Access. You’ll have to sign up online in advance at TSA.gov, but when you arrive at the airport, an officer will not only escort you through security, but they can take you all the way to your gate.

Board as early as you can if you’re bringing a carry-on bag.

In a perfect world, every paying passenger should be allowed to bring their carry-on onto the plane with them. However, air travel is far from perfect, and with more people packing carry-ons these days to avoid paying checked bag fees, overhead bin space is limited. If you want to ensure that there will be space for your bag, be at your gate as early as possible so you can be first in line when they call your boarding zone. When the plane runs out of bin space, you’ll have to check your bag (usually this is complimentary) and collect it at your destination either at the arrival gate or baggage claim.

Watch the safety demonstration.

Frequent fliers have the safety talk and demonstration memorized. Still, it’s important that all passengers—especially first-timers—pay attention so they know what to do and where to go in the event of an emergency. Fortunately, the safety talk and demonstration usually only takes around four minutes. And if you need a refresher, there’s usually a safety card with illustrations in the back pocket of the seat in front of you. That’s also where you’ll find a paper bag in case you get nauseous.

Have a credit card handy if you want to make in-flight purchases.

Most airlines include a light snack (or meal service if the flight is more than six hours) and non-alcoholic drinks in the ticket price. However, they’ll often have more options available for purchase. Some airlines even sell jewelry, perfume, and other items on board. If you want to do some in-flight shopping, make sure you have a credit card ready as cash usually isn’t accepted. For even more convenience, add your credit card to the wallet in your airline app, and the flight attendant can simply charge your purchases to your seat number.

Have something warm on your person, even if it’s hot out.

Even if you tend to run hot, airplane cabins are notoriously cold. To understand why, simply check out this article on how a plane’s air pressurization system works. If you’re flying on an overnight flight or a flight longer than nine hours, you’ll usually find a thin airline blanket and pillow waiting for you in your seat. Note: You won’t be able to keep these. Also, you won’t want to keep these. Unless you’re flying in business class or first class, airline-issued pillows and blankets are usually pretty flimsy and thin. Instead, wear a warm layer or bring a versatile travel blanket that packs down and doesn’t take up much space.

Bring an adapter if you want to use your Bluetooth headphones with the in-flight entertainment.

If airplanes have in-seat entertainment, flight attendants usually come around with complimentary headsets that plug into the screens. That said, these headsets often have poor audio quality and can even be uncomfortable. If you want to use your own wireless headphones or earbuds, just make sure they’re Bluetooth compatible. You’ll also need to invest in a Bluetooth audio transmitter. They usually cost around $25, and travelers say they’re one of the easiest ways you can treat yourself to an upgrade.

Drink lots of water.

Because airplanes circulate air from high altitudes, the humidity level in airplane cabins is usually quite low. To combat dehydration, try to drink more in the air than you would on the ground. If you don’t like the taste of water or can’t consume very much, consider bringing a flavored hydration multiplier like Liquid I.V. which helps your body absorb water faster and more efficiently. Of course, the more you drink, the more you’ll have to use the lavatory. For that reason, try to book an aisle seat.

Be mindful of jet lag.

Human bodies aren’t designed to travel through multiple time zones in the same day. For that reason, one side effect of flying is jet lag. The Mayo Clinic says the most common symptoms of jet lag disorder are “daytime fatigue, an unwell feeling, trouble staying alert, and stomach problems.” So don’t expect to be up and running like usual when you reach your destination. Fortunately, the symptoms are temporary, and there are some easy ways to beat jet lag, or at least minimize it. 

Look at the flight attendants during rough air.

Flying isn’t always smooth sailing, especially if you’re flying these top 10 most turbulent routes in the U.S. These days flight attendants and pilots refer to turbulence as “rough air,” and they’ll usually make an announcement if they expect you’ll encounter some. This means you should stay in your seat with your seatbelt fastened. While flying through rough air can be scary, try to take your cues from the flight attendants. Notice how they remain calm, cool, and collected because most of the time, nothing bad happens. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, the lifetime odds of dying in a plane are too small to calculate. You have a better chance of winning the lottery!