First-time traveler: what you should know before taking a flight

Did you intend to fly for the first time? You must have many questions and expectations as well. Many people feel stressed, scared, and sometimes over-excited before traveling on a flight for the first time. Most of your feelings lie behind ignorance of what to expect and how you should behave in different situations. The lines of this article will help you with some tips that you must know before flying and that may make your trip more flexible and enjoyable.

Arranging the trip in advance, such as checking the expiry date of your passport, preparing bags in an organized and smart way, reviewing your itinerary, and arriving at the airport early (at least 3 hours before the flight) is very important. We recommend that you ask early about everything that concerns you and review your flight rules, all of which will avoid many problems. We advise you to stay calm even if things do not go as you expected, as your fear will stop you from thinking properly. Ask the specialists inside the airport for help. Every bad situation can turn into a funny memory to tell after you return from the trip.

1- Seat reservation according to your preference

Whether your journey is long or short, booking the perfect seat is your gateway to a comfortable journey. If you wish to enjoy the magnificent sights and do not suffer from fear of heights, you can choose a chair by the window. If you tend to fear heights and feel motion-sickness while traveling by car or bus, a chair in the middle of the plane is best for you to avoid feeling dizzy. If you are a very mobile person who cannot sit for a long time or have a health condition that requires using the toilet many times all the time, an aisle chair would be a very convenient choice. If you are tall or suffer from knee pain, a chair in the first row from the beginning of the cab is best suited for you, as there is plenty of room to spread your feet during the flight.

But how can you get the chair you want? You have several options, either you choose the seat when buying the ticket "sometimes you need to pay extra". Or by checking in online 48 hours before your flight or 24 hours according to the rules of your airline" and you can choose the seat from among the available options. Finally, you can arrive at the airport at least 3 hours early before the flight and ask the flight officer during your travel procedures "The better the chance of choosing the chair the earlier you choose"

2- Light luggage packs

Most travelers make the mistake of packing a lot of luggage while the available weight is often limited and this exposes you to many problems. Check the baggage allowance, the number of bags accepted on your flight before you travel, and the permitted and prohibited items in each. Don't walk around with a lot of small "carry-on" hand luggage, especially if you plan to change more than one flight in your travel. This exposes you to losing important bags and documents and leaves you confused and stressed while making every step.

Organize important items "ticket, passport, money, phone" in one neat, light and easy-to-use bag. Organizing important objects makes it easier for you to move and act.

3- Choose comfortable clothes

Do not fall victim to the desire to look stylish while traveling. Although traveling by plane seems comfortable, it is especially difficult on long journeys and requires a lot of movement, walking around and sitting for a long time. Choose loose, comfortable clothing and pack a jacket in case you feel particularly cold during long night trips. Choose shoes that are comfortable and easy to take off and avoid buying new shoes for the trip. While passing through many of the airport's internal gates, you will be asked to remove your shoes as a safety measure inside the airport, so choosing shoes that are easy to put on and take off is essential. Sitting for long periods also causes swollen feet in many cases, so make sure that your shoes are comfortable, tried in advance and easy to take off.

4. Financial measures

Estimate roughly how much money you need before you travel and be sure to prepare an emergency amount. Never keep money in bags shipped on the plane as they are prone to loss as well as late arrivals. And don't keep money in one place, so if you lose some of it, don't lose it entirely. Check the currency exchange rate before you settle and then change part of the currency at the airport and not all the amount because in many cases the currency exchange rate within the country is better than the price available at the airport.

In the case of using a payment card "Visa", we advise you before traveling to ensure the safety of using the cards in the country to which you will go and then inform the bank that you will use the card abroad so that your card is not stopped, which is one of the safety measures carried out by some banks if movements appear on the account from abroad in the event that the customer does not inform the bank in advance of travel.

5- Snacks and entertainment

Procedures inside the airport require a lot of time and also do not serve meals on board the planes about 45 minutes to an hour before the plane takes off, which means that from the time you leave the house until the plane meal is served at least 5 hours and therefore, you may feel hungry. Preparing snacks, which are easy to eat in your bag, will be especially useful because the prices of meals at the airport are very excessive.

There are usually movies to watch on board, but sometimes the screens don't work or there's nothing to attract you in the selections, so it's best to set up some entertainment such as a book to read, music or your favorite movies on your mobile devices in case you find it difficult to sleep on the plane.