After for so long not having the chance to take a flight to another country, now it is something that you can do. You might have saved some money for your trip, or your friend may have given you a LATAM discount code as a birthday gift. Whichever is your case, now you are faced with the task of preparing for the first flight of your life post Covid. It can be a pretty stressful situation, especially if you’ve never done this before.
Nevertheless, do not worry too much. Travelling by plane can be enjoyable and stress-free. All you need to do is make some much-needed preparations, such as carefully planning your trip, checking the airline’s luggage requirements, booking a hotel room, and packing efficiently. If you would like to learn more about preparing for your first flight, read on.
Plan Your Trip
Before you start packing, you need to take a look at the flight schedule and see when you can fly. You will have to decide where you would like to travel and when. If you decide to go on a weekend getaway or a holiday, then you will need to book a flight that goes on a Friday and returns on a Sunday.
Additionally, as you are planning your trip, you should decide what the main purpose of your journey is. It can be for leisure, business, or a mix of both. Then, you can plan your itinerary and see what places you would like to visit. This way, you will not waste time on irrelevant sites during your travel, because now you know how much time you have for each destination.
If you are planning to take a vacation for an extended time, then you may choose a longer flight duration. Overnight flights can be even more convenient. On the other hand, if you are in a hurry and want to get to your destination as soon as possible, then maybe you should consider taking a direct flight or a flight with a short layover.
Check Airline Luggage Requirements
While preparing for your first flight, you should also check the airline’s luggage requirements. This way, you will know what kind of baggage you need to bring with you and how much it should weigh. If the airline allows you to take only one piece of luggage, you will be able to prepare for it appropriately.
You will need at least one carry-on bag and one checked bag. The carry-on bag is the bag that you will take with you to the cabin of the plane. For your checked bag, you can choose either one large piece or several smaller pieces of luggage. If you decide to take multiple pieces of luggage, then you will have to pay extra for your checked bag. For more information about quality and amazing bags check Tucker & Bloom.
Here are some general airline luggage requirements:
- Smaller airlines allow passengers to take one carry-on and one checked bag. In addition to this, they may also allow you to bring an additional small item such as a handbag or laptop bag. It must fit under the seat in front of you or within the overhead compartment.
- Airlines that offer the basic service also allow passengers to bring an additional small item but only if it fits under your seat.
- The basic service plus allows passengers to take two bags: one carry-on and one checked bag.
- The most basic service includes one carry-on and one checked bag. Some airlines allow an additional small item if it fits under the seat or within the overhead compartment.
- Some airlines may also offer additional services such as oversized carry-ons, overweight baggage, oversize baggage, and extra checked bags. These can cost extra money. However, make sure to check with your airline first before booking your ticket because some airlines do not charge any extra fees for these additional services.
Book a Hotel Room
After you have checked the airline’s luggage requirements, it is time to start planning your accommodations. As a general rule, many hotels that are located close to the airport allow for late check-in. This means you can arrive at your hotel room after you finish going through customs and immigration. This is very convenient for those who need to catch an early flight.
However, if you do not mind paying more money for a hotel room, you may stay at one of those hotels near the airport that offer 24-hour check-in. That way, you can check in as soon as the flight lands and get ready for your day trip or vacation. Still, nothing can stop you from booking a hotel room in the heart of the city you’re going to visit. It’s a great way to have an authentic experience.
To make the reservation process as easy as possible, it is recommended that you book a hotel room using an online booking site such as Expedia or Booking.com. These websites offer great deals and allow you to search for places to rent worldwide.
Pack Efficiently
The last thing you need to do before boarding your flight is to pack efficiently. A lot of people make mistakes when they pack their bags for the first time. It’s understandable since it requires some organization skills on your part. The longer the trip, the more things to remember about, and it can be tricky!
For instance, you need to make sure that you do not overpack. You should only take the things that you are going to use and wear on your trip. Furthermore, make sure that you do not pack anything that is not allowed by your airline’s luggage requirements. If you accidentally bring something that is not permitted, then you will have to pay for it or leave it at the airport. You should always check the weather forecast and pack accordingly. Also, don’t forget about the basic hygienic and self-care products.
At the end of the day, preparing for your first flight should not be too stressful. All you need to do is start planning your trip and check the airlines’ luggage requirements. The rest is up to the airline’s policies and its employees, so do not overthink it. It’s better to spend more time planning your trip, looking for nice hotels, and checking out places you should see once you get there.
If you keep our tips in mind and follow them to the best of your ability, you’ll be prepared for your first flight. Soon, you’ll see that traveling by plane can be exciting and hassle-free. Who knows, maybe you’ll get the travel bug and you’ll soon be planning your next trip.
