Airplane Tips for New Travellers

For those that haven’t flown before, not knowing what to expect and what to do is stressful, here’s a short guide to help.

In one of my previous posts, I spoke about what first-time travellers should do at airports, so if you’re interested in that, feel free to follow this link. This article will be similar but focuses on what to do and expect on the airplane itself.

Don’t stress too much if you don’t know the plane’s layout. Flight attendants will be at the plane’s door when you board to show you where to go.

Don’t line up as soon as boarding starts

The second that boarding is announced, or even before, everyone at the gate tends to line up. Honestly, if you line up early you’re just going to be standing there for another 10 minutes until it’s your turn to board. And once you start boarding, it’s going to take you another 10 minutes to actually get to your seat because everyone still has to put their carry-on in the overhead storage.

The only time you really need to line up to get before boarding is if the flight is full and you really want your carry-on to go in the overhead storage.

When it comes to putting your bag in the overhead, if there’s no space directly on top of your seat, always put it in an overhead that's in front of your seat. When you land at your destination, it’s so much easier to pick up your bag as you’re leaving rather than either waiting for a gap to get your bag or trying to move backwards against the flow of traffic if you stored it behind you.

Do bring really good or noise-cancelling headphones

Planes are very loud and sometimes you have to turn whatever you’re listening to all the way up and even then, it might not be loud enough. Noise-cancelling headphones make it easier to hear what you’re listening to without having to crank the volume up. They’re also good for drowning out airplane noises and crying babies.

Don’t overpack your carry-on

One of the biggest mistakes I used to make when traveling (and I still struggle with this) is overpacking one of my carry-ons. Usually, anything that I plan to use on the flight, like my laptop or a book, goes in my backpack that goes under the seat in front of me. Anything that I didn’t want to put in my checked luggage goes in my bag to put in overhead storage.

You think you’re going to need a thousand things to do on the plane, but you really don't need much. A laptop, a book, a phone charger, headphones, and one other activity will probably be all you need. Most planes, especially planes for long-haul flights, have a good selection of movies and TV shows to keep you entertained during the flight.

If you overpack your small carry-on, it might not fit as well under the seat and that’ll limit how much leg room you get.

Do go for short walks during the flight

When you’re on a long flight, taking short walks up and down the aisle is great for helping your circulation. You’ll feel less stiff and uncomfortable once you arrive.

For some people, sitting on a long flight really affects your circulation more than others. When you sit, blood pools in your feet and causes your feet and legs to swell. Your shoes could also feel uncomfortably tight. If you took your shoes off for the flight, it could even be hard to get your shoes back on when you land.

Don’t wear contacts

Planes are dry and your eyes are going to dry out too. Wearing contacts for the flight is likely to get pretty uncomfortable.

If you’re on a long-haul flight, you’ll need to take your contacts off to sleep and the water in the bathroom is almost never potable. I wouldn’t want to be washing my hands with that water and then touching my eyes. It’s just easier to stick with glasses. You can put your contacts back on in the airport bathroom when you land.

Do bring snacks for the flight

If it’s a long-haul flight they do provide meals but it isn’t always filling and you might get hungry between meals. You could always buy snacks on the flight but those are crazy overpriced and you aren’t guaranteed to find something that you want to eat. If you bring your own snacks, not only are they more affordable, but you also know that it’s something you’ll like.

Small tip: if it’s an overnight flight, try to avoid snacks that come in loud or crinkly packages. I’m very aware of the noise that I make on planes and I hate trying to open bags that are loud. So if you’re like me, be aware of how loud your snacks will be.

And don’t forget gum! Chewing gum during take-off and landing helps your ears adjust to the air pressure change.

Final thoughts

Flying is a really fun experience if you know what to expect. It doesn’t have to be stressful either. Just make sure you get to the airport early, maybe even 30 minutes earlier than you need, and the whole process should be pretty smooth.

From arriving at the airport to when you leave at your destination, there are people that can help you with any questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. The employees want you to get to your destination as smoothly as possible too.

Enjoy your trip!