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Nervous for your very first flight? Let’s help you tackle those flying jitters so you can show up to the airport with confidence.
Flying for the first time can be really exciting…but it can feel quite overwhelming too. Even as someone who has taken hundreds of flights over the years, I still get overwhelmed from time to time making sure I haven’t forgotten anything ahead of a big trip. So being nervous for your first time is totally natural and normal!
If you’ve taken the first step and booked your flight but feel like you need a little extra guidance to up your confidence so you’re prepared for takeoff, you’ve landed at the right place (pun intended 😉).
In this post, I’m sharing my top travel tips for first-time flyers based on my experience traveling to over 50 countries. By the end of this post, you should feel totally prepared and ready to embark on your first flight like a pro.
Top Travel Tips For First-Time Flyers
You probably have some idea of what it’s like to fly, either from talking to friends and family or by things you’ve seen online or in movies and TV.
However, this list of travel tips for first-time flyers goes beyond the random things you’ve heard here and there about air travel. We’ll cover all the major details you need to know, like:
✔️ How early to show up for the airport
✔️ What to wear on your first flight
✔️ How to get through security with ease
✔️ Plus, little tips for making your in-flight experience as stress-free as possible—and perhaps even fun!
Read on for everything you need to know about taking your first airplane adventure.
What to Do Before You Fly
Book Your Flight Early
While it’s certainly possible to book your flight days before departure, if you want to get the most options for flight times and the best price, you’re going to want to book as far in advance as possible (1–3 months for domestic flights and 3+ months ahead for international).
Pro Tip: I always try to book flight times for earlier in the day, because delays can push back flights more and more as the day goes on. If you’re on the last scheduled flight out and it gets cancelled, you’ll be stuck for the night, which is not what you want to deal with especially if it’s your first time flying!
Don’t Forget to Select Your Seat and Make Any Necessary Accommodations in Advance
If your ticket allows you to select your seat (though this isn’t always an option on some of the lower fare flights), it’s nice to be able to do so, especially if you’re dead set on a window or an aisle seat.
What’s better: the window or aisle seat? This is all a matter of personal preference. Window seats are great for more privacy, if you want to enjoy the view out the window (which is especially fun if it’s your first time flying ever!), or if you expect to sleep through much of the flight. On the other hand, I’d book an aisle seat if you like to get up and move your legs a lot, will need to use the bathroom regularly, or just want to feel less smushed in to the row.
If you didn’t already make a seat selection at the time of booking, make sure to log in to your account on the airline’s website, view your trip and then make your seat selection as early as you can to ensure you can snag the seat you want.
You can also notify airlines in advance if you have a disability and need extra assistance, if you’ll be traveling with a baby or a pet, if you have any dietary restrictions (which really only applies to long-haul flights as most domestic flights don’t serve meals), etc.
Pro Tip: While I always like to make my seat selection at the time of booking, I’ll often log in the day of my flight and check the seat map one more time to see if anything better has popped up. If the flight isn’t full, you can sometimes strategically find an open row or place yourself in an aisle or window seat next to an open middle seat to give yourself more space.
Check in Before You Get to the Airport
To save some time waiting in line once you arrive at the airport, you can check in online 24 hours in advance or on your airline’s mobile app (which I recommend downloading before your flight). Then you’ll just need to drop any luggage you plan to check and go through security, allowing you to skip the check-in line entirely.
Ensure You Understand Your Airline’s Luggage Policy
There are certain items that you can’t bring on a plane (liquids over 3.4 oz, sharp objects, firearms, etc.). So familiarize yourself with that before you pack. This TSA Travel Checklist has some helpful information.
You’ll also want to check for any baggage specifications that the airline you’re flying might have too. Various airlines have different weight and size restrictions of luggage as well as a range of prices for how much a checked bag will cost you—because no, that’s sadly not typically included in your ticket price.
If you’re not planning to check a bag, make sure that your carry-on luggage is the approved size for fitting in the airplane’s overhead bin and that you don’t have over the allowed number of carry-on items. Typically airlines allow one carry-on bag that will go in the overhead bin during the flight and one personal item like a purse or backpack that’s small enough to fit under your seat.
Download your in-flight entertainment
For long haul flights you’ll have access to movies, tv shows, games, and more. But for shorter domestic flights, many airplanes no longer have screens. This means it’s smart to bring your own entertainment just in case.
Don’t make this rookie mistake and wait ’til you’re at the airport to do this as airport terminal wifi is typically terrible. Make sure to download your favorite shows, podcast episodes, and music in advance on your device if you don’t want to have to pay to connect to wifi on the flight. And of course, nothing beats a good old fashioned book or magazine.
Pack Essentials for the Plane
Having some necessary creature comforts will ensure your flight goes by faster and more smoothly.
Some of my personal in-flight must-haves? I always pack a reusable water bottle, noise cancelling headphones (which are always better than the ones offered on the plane), a neck pillow for overnight flights, a phone charging cable, and a few healthy snacks.
What to Do on the Day of Your Flight
Double Check Your Essential Documents
This is probably the most important tip to remember because if you don’t have identification, you won’t be getting on your flight.
Double check that you have your ID. For domestic U.S. flights, travelers 18 and older now need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another TSA-accepted form of identification, like a passport. If you arrive without acceptable ID, TSA may still be able to verify your identity in some cases, but you should never count on that.
If you’re taking an international flight, make sure you have your passport. It’s also helpful to have your flight info handy and have easy access to your travel insurance policy (which I strongly recommend getting, especially for your first trip). Here is the travel insurance brand I recommend.
What to Wear on Your First Flight
For me, comfort is key to surviving any flight. Unless you’re heading right to an important business meeting, you’ll want to be as comfortable as possible. I’m talking stretchy pants, sweats, and sneakers.
Also temperature regulation on airplanes is typically a nightmare. I find that many flights are either super hot or really chilly. So dressing in layers is helpful so you can easily add or remove clothing as necessary to keep comfortable.
Arrive at the Airport With Plenty of Time
For domestic flights, you’ll want to get to the airport at least two hours before your flight departs.
For international flights, three hours beforehand is the recommended time as boarding starts a bit earlier for international flights.
Understand the Difference Between Security Lines
Once you’ve checked in (whether online in advance or at the airport) and dropped any luggage you’d like to check, the next step is going through security.
There are a few different security lanes:
- The standard screening lane for any passengers
- TSA PreCheck for expedited screening (this is a program you need to sign up for in advance)
- Clear, which verifies your identity without you even having to take out an ID and gets you through the fastest (also something you sign up for in advance).
If it’s your first flight, you’ll most likely just go through the standard screening lane, but if you end up traveling a lot, it’s 100% worth it to pay to sign up for TSA PreCheck or Clear to get you through security faster with less hassles.
How to Get Through TSA (aka security) with Ease
Going through security can be one of the most annoying parts of the airport experience. But once you’ve done it a few times you’ll be a pro. Keep in mind that TSA stands for Transportation Security Administration, so TSA/security are interchangeably used.
Step 1: Have your ID and boarding pass easily accessible. At many airports, TSA mainly checks your ID at the security checkpoint, before they wave you through to the X-ray area, but you’ll still want your boarding pass handy for the gate and any airline checkpoints.
Step 2: Once you’re in the standard security area, you’ll want to empty your pockets and take off your jacket along with any bulky jewelry and accessories. In July of 2025, TSA ended its mandatory shoe removal rule. But it can vary a little from airport to airport. You’ll often need to remove any liquids/gels/aerosols from your bag and place them in a bin (and don’t forget that they must be under 3.4 oz.). Electronics larger than a cell phone will also need to come out of your bag for scanning. When in doubt, follow the instructions given at your checkpoint
Step 3: Once all of your items are in bins and on the belt, they’ll have you walk through the body scanner or the metal detector. If you’re pregnant or don’t feel comfortable going through the body scanner for any reason, you can always decline and request a pat down instead.
Step 4: When you make it through the body scanner or metal detector, you’ll end up on the other side where you can collect your belongings. If it’s your unlucky day, TSA may pull your bag off to the side for additional screening. However, the majority of the time your items will quickly come out of the scanner and you can be on your way.
If this all sounds like a lot, don’t worry, the TSA agents will guide you through the entire process. You’ll also have plenty of other travelers around you that you can watch to follow their lead.
Don’t Head to Your Gate Last Minute
Flight doors close about 10-15 minutes before domestic flights and around 20–35 minutes before scheduled takeoff for international flights. So don’t roll up to the gate two minutes before departure time and expect to just walk right on.
Give yourself plenty of time at the gate to reduce stress. If you’re unsure of when to arrive at the gate, check your ticket for the boarding time for your flight and arrive a little before then.
I personally like to head straight to my gate once I get through security just to lay eyes on where the gate is located before I head to a lounge or grab food. I’ve learned the hard way in the past that some gates might seem close by but then require an airport tram ride (or worse—a bus ride) to get to, and you don’t want to be surprised by this as your flight is boarding!
Understand Boarding Etiquette
Typically boarding starts around 30 minutes or so before your flight is scheduled to take off. So plan to arrive at your gate with plenty of time to spare. Your boarding pass will indicate the “zone” that you’re in. Wait until the gate agent calls your zone number and that’s when you’ll get up to get in the line to board the plane.
No need to hover—remember, you’re all going to the same place.
You won’t need to show your ID again to get on the plane, just your boarding pass. Once you’re on board, find your seat, stow your carry-on overhead and anything else underneath the seat in front of you, and that’s it!
Tips for While You’re in the Air
Let a Flight Attendant Know It’s Your First Time Flying
Flight attendants are there to ensure the safety of all passengers on the aircraft. And they’re there to help you have a positive in-flight experience. It can be helpful to let them know it’s your first time flying so they’re aware you might need a little extra attention.
Pay Attention to the Safety Demonstration
If you’re a frequent flyer, you probably know the safety spiel by heart. For first-time flyers though, you’ll want to pay close attention to the safety demonstration to make sure you’re familiar with all the safety procedures in case of an emergency.
Just know that any in-flight emergency is very unlikely to happen. But it’s always helpful to soothe first-time flying jitters by knowing where your exits and oxygen masks are.
Turn Your Phone to Airplane Mode
You can use your phone offline as much as you’d like during your flight, but you’ll
need to put your phone in airplane mode when instructed because portable electronic devices can potentially interfere with aircraft communication or navigation systems.
Many airlines still allow you to turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth back on afterward if the flight offers those services, but always follow your crew’s instructions.
Drink Plenty of Water to Stay Hydrated
Airplanes are notoriously super dry environments. So you’ll want to make sure to drink extra water so you can stay hydrated.
You can either fill up your reusable bottle at a drinking fountain before you board or get bottled water from the flight attendant, but I really recommend the former so you don’t have to depend on aircraft crews for your hydration needs.
Have Your Credit Card Handy for In-Flight Purchases
Most airlines offer some sort of food and drink service with a few complimentary offerings. If you’d like to purchase something additional though, make sure to have your credit card handy as most airlines won’t accept cash.
Chew Gum to Relieve Ear Pressure
In-flight cabin pressure can cause some uncomfortable ear pressure. If this happens to you, chewing gum can help get your ears to pop. If you don’t have any, yawning or opening your mouth wide a few times can help too.
try not to stress About Turbulence
Turbulence isn’t uncommon, so if the pilot comes on and announces that you’re about to hit some, don’t panic. Buckle your seatbelt, take some deep breaths, and try not to worry.
Think of it like taking a boat ride in choppy water. It’s not as smooth of a journey, but it doesn’t mean anything bad is going to happen. Take cues from the flight attendants too; if they don’t look worried, you shouldn’t worry either.
Feel Free to Move Around the Cabin
If the fasten seatbelt sign isn’t illuminated, feel free to get up and walk up and down the aisles a few times to keep your blood flowing. Even just doing some simple ankle rolls or stretches in your seat can be helpful too.
Surviving an Overnight Flight
I probably wouldn’t recommend an overnight flight for your first-ever plane trip, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. I have an entire post dedicated to sleeping tips for overnight flights, but a few of my top tips are to book a window seat so you have something to lean on, pack a sleep mask and earplugs, and wear an oversized scarf/shawl that can double as a blanket.
Understand In-Flight Etiquette
While some of this is based on my personal opinion, there are some basic unspoken rules on flights that will make you a pleasant person to fly with and help you avoid making any in-flight enemies.
- Always use headphones: There’s nothing more annoying than that guest on a plane scrolling their TikTok on full volume for everyone to hear.
- No Bare Feet: While you might feel more comfortable with your shoes off on a long flight, no one wants to see your bare feet near their belongings or creeping into their seat space. If you need to feel more comfortable, pack slides and compression socks at the very least to keep toes covered.
- The Window Seat Person is in Control of the Window Shade: If you want to have control of the window shade on a flight, make sure to book the window seat. Otherwise, let the person sitting there man the shade.
- No Strong Smells: Avoid wearing strong perfume or bringing on strong-smelling foods like egg salad or tuna fish on your flight. Trust me, this is the quickest way to be everyone’s least favorite seatmate.
- Respect Flight Attendants: In-flight crew members’ #1 responsibility is safety on the aircraft. They have a lot more to do than attend to your every need. Try to limit requests to during the in-flight service and if you want additional beverages or water, it’s best to walk to the galley to make your request rather than utilizing the call button.
- Be Conscientious of the Seat in Front of You: Kicking and kneeing the seat or incessantly tapping the seatback screen in front of you are surefire ways to annoy the person sitting one row ahead.
- Keep Loud Talking and Chatter to a Minimum: Even if you’re traveling with a friend, it’s best practice to use lower voices when talking so everyone on board isn’t forced to overhear your conversation. And if traveling alone, try not to overwhelm the stranger next to you with incessant chatter. Airplanes are typically a quiet environment, so respect the peacefulness and treat the flight as an opportunity to catch up on your book, not social hour.
Tips for Arriving at Your Destination
Understand Deboarding Etiquette
Once you hit the ground, keep your seatbelt fastened until you get to the gate. The plane unloads from the front to the back. Wait until the rows in front of you have gotten up before you make a beeline for the exit.
Grab Your Checked Baggage
Even if you didn’t check any luggage, following the signs to Baggage Claim will lead you toward the airport exit.
Your airline app will tell you once your bags have arrived and at which carousel—or you can check the monitor screens in the baggage claim area. And don’t forget to double check that your bag is yours! Let’s just say that there are a lot of black suitcases out there in the world.
Head to Ground Transportation
Whether someone is picking you up, you’re taking a taxi or Uber/Lyft, or some other form of public transportation, they all fall under the category of “ground transportation,” so follow the signs that direct you there.
Looking for more travel tips? Check out this post about the best travel tips for women.
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Planning a trip right now? Make your life easier with this checklist of my favorite travel resources.
Booking Accommodations:
Over the last decade of travel, Booking.com has consistently been my favorite site for finding great deals on hotels, boutique inns, home rentals and more. Plus, they have an amazing filtering system making it super easy to find the best accommodation that fits your needs.
Booking Flights:
Skyscanner is always the first place I look to compare and contrast routes and find the best flight deals.
Find the Best Tours and Experiences:
Viator is always my go-to when searching for the best experiences around the globe. They have everything from group tours and private experiences, to airport transfers and much more.
Book Car Rentals:
Discover Cars is my favorite site for booking easy and affordable car rentals in any country I visit. They make the process super simple and transparent, so you know you’re getting the best price up front with no surprises later.
Stay Connected:
The days of purchasing physical sim cards are over. Airalo is the best and easiest way to stay connected around the globe with the best international eSim plans. Take 10% off your plan with code MICHELLE10.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance:
World Nomads has personally saved me thousands with their flexible travel insurance. Don’t leave for an international trip without this one!
Lastly, wherever you go. Don’t forget to check visa requirements, make sure your passport is up to date and purchase any travel adapters you might need on the ground!
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