06/03/2024
Hey Travelers!
Lots of first-time flyers are getting itineraries with us this year and we wanted to go over a few key factors for a smooth flight for you, as well as anyone who books with us in the future.
Before Your Trip:
-Make sure that your bag(s) measure and weigh within the limits provided for personal items, carry-ons and checked bags! You can face BIG fees and be forced to check your carry-on item if it is too heavy or too large, especially those traveling in Basic Economy. Don't think you can check-in online and breeze through with a BE ticket and a 50lb carry-on the size of a kangaroo, you WILL be eyed over and there WILL be consequences! So, talk to us about getting those bag fees down where possible and avoid going through any craziness!
-Familiarize yourself for what is and isn't allowed in your bags for the plane, both carry-on and checked (as rules are different) as well as any restrictions on medicine for your destination country. Be sure to have a copy of your prescription AND a letter from your pharmacist just in case!
For the Airport:
-Place all of your liquids that are over 3.4 ounces in your checked bag and be sure they're sealed in their containers, as well as in a clear plastic bag just in case of any leaks!
-For carry-ons, the limit is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) per item. All liquids must fit in a single, clear, quart-sized bag, and passengers are only allowed one bag for this.
-Arrive at the airport three hours prior to your flight. Some say two for international and 90mins for domestic, we do NOT advise that for most airports due to the size, wait times and other factors that can end with you rushing through the airport to find your gate, skipping out on a meal you desperately need and potentially missing your flight.
-Some airlines have kiosks that you can use to check-in and print your bag tags, such as United. Use these to speed up the process and be ready to either scan your passport or input your booking reference number to start the process. If you have a bag to check, you'll receive that tag at the kiosk and will take it to "BAG DROP". You should also receive your boarding pass at the kiosk but if not, see an agent at the desk. Once you've dropped your bag and have your boarding pass, you are ready to proceed to security!
At Security/Passport Control:
-Shoes come OFF for everyone above 12 and under 75 traveling within, out of or into the USA! Put them in the bin and EMPTY your pockets. Place your cell phone and passport inside your personal item BEFORE entering the security line.
-Parents with childen under 13 will be directed to the generic walk-through metal detector, everyone else will pass through the other lane. Stand and face the image of the man on the wall and put your hands above your head as directed. Exit, wait for the okay and then proceed to collect your items from the bin as it comes out.
-Don't clog the path as you wait for your items. Remove your things from the bin and place it on the nearby stack. Take your shoes away from the area and put them on off to the side in order to keep things moving.
-Passport control will usually happen before security, it depends on the airport and what your destination is especially if traveling from Europe to another destination on the continent. Wait in line and PAY ATTENTION to the next available agent! Present your passport and know where you are heading to. You may also be asked a variety of questions about your trip, answer these honestly and you'll be on your way. Not every place will give you a stamp and some places issue you a card to hold onto while your were in the country, we will assist you with understanding that whole process if you're going to a place where that will happen.
-Check your boarding pass! Your gate should be listed and if it isn't, check out the monitors to see if it has been updated. Sometimes these are the last to update and so the apps used by the airlines are extremely handy to have! Also note your airline and what gates the other flights are departing from, such as all United leaving from A-gates or Thai Airways leaving from Y-gates and assume that your flight will likely be leaving from this area as well. We'll check in advance for you to make sure there are no weird changes for departure gates, which can sometimes happen for a variety of reasons like airport construction.
Boarding:
-Every passenger has a Group Number or Letter, remain seated or out of the way until your group is called to avoid a congested mess that makes the boarding take a lot longer.
-For domestic flights: Present ONLY your boarding pass to the gate agent.
-For international flights: Present BOTH your boarding pass AND passport to the gate agent.
-Sometimes an announcement will be made that they are checking carry-ons for free, this means that there is limited overhead space and you may not get your bag overhead. We strongly advise you to take this offer and you will be able to reclaim your carry-on at the GATE of your destination rather than baggage claim. Note that your checked bag from earlier will go directly to baggage claim, still.
Welcome Aboard!:
-Locate your seat letter and number (C-15), understand that A is always at the window on your right (looking down the plane). So if there are three seats on each side of the plane, the lettering is ABC, aisle, DEF. Larger planes can have 3-4-3, 2-3-2 or even 3-5-3 arrangements and if on a larger aircraft, you will want to cross to the other side of the plane as soon as you board for seats HJK. We'll help you understand this better based on your flight!
-Put your carry-on ABOVE you and your personal item UNDER THE SEAT in front of you, then have a seat. DO NOT buckle your seatbelt until your row is filled or the boarding is completed. Please stay seated and refrain from rummaging through your carry-on or personal item, as it delays boarding and take-off. Leave your laptop and electronics alone until cruising altitude is reached and you are notified that these items can be used. At no point should you be standing or moving around when the overhead seatbelt sign is on!
-Follow the safety instructions provided by the crew or video and enjoy your flight! Cabin servie begins in the first hour of the flight depending on aircraft size and can take a bit to get to you, so if you need to use the toilet it's a good idea to do so before the trolleys are in the aisles. Onboard toilets have indicator lights as to whether or not they're both occupied, please don't crowd the aisle with a massive line to use them.
-Roughly 40mins before arriving you'll get an announcement and the seatbelt sign will come on, so stow your items and treat this the same way as take off. Keep your tray table up, window shade open and seat fully upright.
-You'll deplane by row, so sit and wait until your turn comes up!
Customs and Border Protection:
-Passport control is the same as when you left your origin, so you may get a few questions. Different places have different methods, such as a camera to take your photo and fingerprinting, we'll guide you through that as needed.
-Collect your bags from the baggage claim and BE SURE they're actually YOUR bags, as not everyone has a unique color or shape.
-If you have anything to declare in ANY of your bags such as your prescription medicine, you MUST declare it! If you are ever unsure about something, declare it! If you go through the "Nothing to Delcare" line and are found to have something you shouldn't, you WILL face penalty. Always declare when you are unsure! This applies also to seashells, vials of sand, fruits, meats and live plants among other things. Many airports use x-ray devices upon your exit to ensure you are following the law.
-Exit to the terminal and continue your journey!
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