How to travel by plane for the first time. First flight on an airplane - instructions and what you need to know. Boarding pass and customs control

There is a first time for everything, including flying on an airplane. Before boarding the plane, for example, at Domodedovo airport, you will have to go through a number of formalities that can confuse an unprepared person. Here on help will come step by step instructions so as not to get confused and have time to sort out the formalities before boarding the flight.

The thorny path to the plane

So, tickets are in hand, what to do next at the airport? At this stage, people who decide to fly on an airplane for the first time are lost. Knowledgeable and experienced travelers have also been through this, so it’s no big deal that when arriving at the airport for the first time, many feel stressed, not knowing where to go. First you need to decide on all the routes from the airport to the plane. There are only a few of them:

• check-in for a flight;
• baggage check-in;
• passing customs control;
• passing passport control;
• security control.

This sounds scary only to those who are at the airport for the first time. With proper skill, all these stages can be completed easily and quickly.

If a person is at the airport for the first time, detailed instructions will teach you what to do step by step.

Checking in for a flight if you have tickets can be done in two ways – online and at the airport. If you decide to fly on an airliner for the first time, it is recommended to check in at the airport counter. During check-in, the passenger will be able to ask all questions directly to the employee and, in case of difficulties, ask for advice on further actions. As a rule, airline employees are willing to help and will always tell you where to go next. Check-in and weighing of luggage also takes place at the counter.

Then the passenger receives a boarding pass and proceeds further to go through customs control (if the flight is international).

The passenger is then subjected to a security check.

Another important step for international flights is passport control, on which the passenger must present a passport. This stage occurs either between customs and security checks, or after security control, depending on how it is organized at the airport.

After completing all the formalities, you need to go to the waiting room and wait for the flight announcement.

Important! Many people worry: “I’m flying on an airplane for the first time and what should I do at the airport?” If the passenger is confused, information can be obtained at the check-in counter.

Check-in features

When you get to the airport, you should carefully look around and find the information board that lists the nearest flights and departure times. It is a large screen on which data on the nearest flights is presented in a table: number, airline name, destination and status.

Important! You should search for a flight by its number. Departure times and destinations are not reliable references as flight times may be subject to change and the destination of different aircraft may be the same.

If check-in for a flight has already begun, next to its number in the line on the board there will be the inscription “check-in”.

If near the desired aircraft the inscription “on-time” is visible, this means that the flight departs on schedule and there are no changes. Usually the registration start time is written next to it. The inscription “delayed” next to the flight indicates its delay.

Thus, you should go to the check-in counter when the “check-in” sign is visible opposite the flight number. In all other cases, registration is not available. The beginning of check-in for a flight is always marked with a corresponding inscription.

The number of the check-in counter required by the passenger is also indicated on the information board in the line corresponding to the flight number. The next step is to go to the desired registration desk.

Check-in opens on average three hours before departure and closes 30-45 minutes before the flight.

You must present your own passport and ticket at the reception. If the ticket was purchased electronically, you only need to present your passport. An airline employee will independently find a ticket based on the passenger's last name.

Next to the counter there are scales on which luggage is placed for later weighing. After determining the weight, a special tag with a barcode is attached to the luggage, thanks to which the luggage will not be lost along the way. Hand luggage is also weighed. Some airlines also attach tags to hand luggage.

Check-in is complete when the airline employee issues a boarding pass and baggage tags, based on which you can claim your baggage upon arrival at your destination. To prevent tags from getting lost, it is customary to stick them on the cover of your passport or on your boarding pass.

You can choose your seat at the reception desk. The earlier a passenger arrives at check-in, the higher the chance of getting the desired seat. To make a passenger's first flight on an airplane memorable, it is recommended to take a seat by the window, but only if you are not afraid of heights. If you feel stressed at high altitude, sit in the aisle. The emergency exit has more legroom, making these seats comfortable for tall passengers.

What is “customs control”

When making international flights, after check-in you must go through customs control. How customs control proceeds depends on the passenger’s luggage.

There are a number of items that are subject to duty. A detailed list of declared items should be found on the airline’s website. As a rule, large sums of cash, expensive antiques or weapons are subject to duty.

If we don’t have any such items, we go to the green corridor. This direction is indicated by a large green sign and the corresponding inscription “nothing to declare”, so it is impossible to confuse it.

If a passenger is carrying items subject to duty, they must go to the red corridor and fill out a customs declaration. You should familiarize yourself with the sample form to fill out in advance, as there are many nuances there.

Passing security check

Before passing through security control, passport control is carried out. The passenger must present an identification document - a passport of a citizen of the country for domestic flights and a foreign passport for international flights. At some airports, this step occurs after going through security.

Before passengers are allowed on the flight, they will be checked by security staff. This rule is mandatory for everyone and is observed at any airport in the world. The procedure is aimed at preventing items that could be used for a terrorist hijacking of the airliner from getting on board the aircraft.

It is at this stage that bladed weapons and firearms, explosive and flammable liquids are detected.

To pass security screening, passengers must turn off any electronic items. All items you have with you, including hand luggage, phone and watch, should be placed in a special container. One service employee X-rays these objects. At the same time, the passenger must take off their shoes (shoe covers are provided instead), hats and outerwear. These things are also x-rayed.

While the check of personal belongings is ongoing, the passenger must go through a metal detector, under the control of a second security officer. If everything is in order, the passenger’s things are returned and he is allowed to continue. Don't worry, the staff will tell you everything you need to do.

If, for religious or other reasons, a passenger does not want to take off his outer clothing and shoes, these items can be checked directly on him using an X-ray. At the security control stage, all liquids that are packaged incorrectly are confiscated from passengers. There are a number of restrictions on how you can take liquids on a plane. They should be studied very carefully, otherwise you will have to leave your property when passing control.

Important! Not everyone knows how to behave at the airport. Jokes about the presence of prohibited items are inappropriate and can serve as a reason for the detention of a passenger, so you need to be serious when going through control.

Boarding the plane

After successfully completing all formalities, the passenger enters the waiting area from which they board the plane. Legally, the border has already been crossed, since the waiting area for boarding a flight is neutral territory. This duty free zone is Duty Free. A shopping trip at Domodedovo or another airport will help you pass the time before your flight is announced.

While waiting to board, you should listen carefully to all announcements so as not to accidentally miss your flight.

Having heard about the beginning of boarding the airliner, you need to proceed to one of the exits (“gate”). The special gate number is indicated on the boarding pass. At the exit, an airline employee will check the boarding pass and tear off the main part, leaving the passenger with a stub indicating the seat number.

There are two ways to get on board the plane: by telescopic bridge or by bus. The method of transporting passengers on board usually depends on the size of the airport. IN major airports you need to walk along the telescopic ladder that leads to the plane. At smaller airports, transportation is provided by bus.

Important! Finding your seat in the cabin is very easy. The row number and the letter designating the location are written on the spine. Seats are marked on top of the seats. If a passenger is flying on an airplane for the first time, the flight attendants will always help and advise if something is not clear.

If a passenger cannot sit in his seat or another person has already sat in it, he should contact the flight attendant.

Everything you need to know about luggage

Each airline sets its own baggage rules. Usually a passenger can spend one unit free of charge hand luggage(weight 5-10 kg, depending on the carrier), and up to 20-30 kg in the luggage compartment. Exact transportation standards free luggage, as well as size restrictions, should be found out in advance when booking air tickets. Everything you need to know about transportation regulations is presented on the airline’s website.

Low-cost airlines (low-cost airlines) allow free transportation only hand luggage, for a large suitcase flying to luggage compartment, you will have to pay extra.

The website of any airline provides a list of items prohibited from being carried on an airplane. Find out in advance to avoid a number of misunderstandings.

Most often, misunderstandings arise when transporting liquids in hand luggage. The transport of liquid substances is controlled very strictly. So, you can take liquid on board with you in a transparent container with a volume of up to 100 ml.

Important! The restriction on carrying liquids in the cabin applies to decorative cosmetics and medicines. You should take everything you might need during the flight into the cabin.

There are often mishaps and luggage gets lost along the way or arrives at the wrong airport. If your suitcase is lost, the following rules will help increase the likelihood of being “reunited” with your own luggage:

1. Before checking in your luggage, it is recommended to take a photo of the contents of your suitcase and make a detailed list of all your items. If your luggage is lost, having a photo will help you receive compensation from the airline;
2. It is recommended to place your coordinates, including email, inside your suitcase. You can also purchase a special name tag and attach it inside the suitcase;
3. It is better to remove the straps and wheels from the suitcase. These items often cause luggage to be delayed on the transport belt;
4. The suitcase should be bright and memorable, but not obnoxiously expensive. According to statistics, expensive suitcases are lost more often than cheap ones;
5. It is not recommended to check in valuables (jewelry, documents, expensive equipment) as luggage.

Once you receive your luggage at your destination, you should immediately check its contents. If something is missing or damaged during a flight, it is recommended to immediately contact airline representatives and write a complaint. The sooner a complaint is written, the sooner the carrier will respond to it.

Important! You should never write your home address in your suitcase or on your name tag to avoid becoming a victim of scammers. To contact the owner of the suitcase, it is better to provide a phone number and email.

Video

It’s not difficult to deal with all the worries that happened to a passenger at the airport. The fear of being at the airport for the first time, familiar to everyone, is easy to overcome. For the second time registration will take place quickly, and all other formalities will take a little time to resolve when you already know all the nuances.

1) Before the flight

To navigate to your seat on the plane, in the most general case, you will need 5 things:

name of the airport (in some cities there are several)

terminal (this can be a letter, number or name; the terminals can be far from each other, especially important if you get there by taxi)

check-in counter number for the flight (you can find out by finding your flight in the departures board, which is in each terminal; at large airports, airlines usually have a whole series of check-in counters for all of their flights)

gate number (boarding gate) - it will be indicated on the ticket, but can be changed ( up-to-date information can be seen on the board in the departure areas)

seat number on the plane (also indicated on the ticket)

Check-in for the flight ends 40 minutes before departure, but it’s best to go through online registration on the airline’s website - this most often allows you to select a seat on the plane in advance, and can also save time at the airport. When choosing a seat, I prefer to sit by the window (there you don’t have to get up to let passengers out - you can sleep peacefully).

If you do not have luggage, then you can print an electronic ticket (in advance at home, or if you find a printing device at the airport) and immediately go to the departure area (then you do not need a check-in counter, but just a gate number). If there is such a possibility, then it is better not to check things in as luggage - this will save time upon arrival and guarantee that your luggage will not be lost (this happens extremely rarely, so there is no need to be afraid either).

You cannot take sharps or liquids in containers larger than 100 ml into your hand luggage.

If you have luggage, but you have already checked in, there are usually separate baggage drop-off counters (they will also print out a ticket for you if you have not done so).

When checking in at the counter, ask to be seated by the window (or in the aisle).

I had a case when I overslept the flight already sitting at the gate, but in general, after you have checked in, they will really try not to fly off without you (especially if you checked in your luggage, because it will need to be unloaded if they don’t wait for you at the gate ). IN Russian airports It is customary to call late passengers by their last names (you don’t need to get used to this - this doesn’t happen everywhere).

There is absolutely no need to stand in line for boarding - you can calmly wait until it passes. The exception is if you have a lot of carry-on luggage/duty free purchases, for which you may have to search for a long time for a seat on the plane if you are the last one to board it. If boarding occurs through a “sleeve” in addition to the queue in front of the boarding gate, a queue usually forms in the sleeve at the entrance to the plane itself, so it is better to either get in at the beginning or wait longer so as not to wait in two lines.

If you are being taken to the plane by bus, it is better to stay at the door with right side bus - usually it approaches the plane on this side and you will be one of the first to get off the bus and board the plane.

2) On the plane

We have already written about plugging your ears during takeoff and landing; for me, the most effective way is to pinch your nose with your fingers and blow air out through your ears.

The use of electronic devices is prohibited during takeoff and landing. If you listen to music, then when flight attendants pass by, take the headphones out of your ears.

3) After the flight

When the plane finishes moving, do not rush to get up unless you want to wait standing in a narrow aisle. You will get off the plane not much later if you get up from your seat after the disembarkation begins. If the exit is not through the “sleeve”, but by bus, then you will most likely end up on the same bus (you already know which seat to occupy on the bus).

In Russia, it is better not to use the services of taxi drivers who meet you upon arrival at the airport - their prices are always greatly inflated. If you want to get there by car, it is best to order through mobile application(in Moscow and St. Petersburg I use Gett - if you register, you can use my promo code GTARASL1, and there is also Uber and Yandex).

17.09.2018 , 16:50 32872

The plane, registration, metal detectors, long lines - everything is so complicated. Where to go? What to do? Let's figure it out and simply break down what you need to do and when when going on a flight for the first time.

To begin with, let’s clearly define for ourselves the mandatory procedures at the airport:

• Registration;
• Customs control;
• Passport control;
• Security control;
• Boarding the plane.

You need to check in only after the message appears next to your flight number check-in. If there is an on-time sign, then the flight departs on schedule and there are no changes. The registration start time is also written next to it. If the flight is delayed, the message appears delayed and until the sign lights up check-in You cannot register.

Check-in starts 3 hours before departure and ends 30-45 minutes, so if you are going to fly for the first time and don’t know what and how, arrive early! After the inscription appeared check-in a reception number will be assigned.

You can choose your seat at the reception desk. If you are not afraid of heights, choose a seat by the window; if you are afraid to look through the clouds, choose a seat in the aisle. If you are tall, choose a seat near the emergency exit, there more space for legs.

We weigh luggage and hand luggage on the scales near the counter. After weighing, a tag with a barcode is attached to the luggage. You will receive your luggage using these tags upon arrival. Once you have been given your boarding pass and your baggage tags, check-in is complete.

Green corridor, indicated by a green sign with the inscription nothing to declare. Go there if you don't have any dutiable items.
Red corridor for those who have dutiable items. We go through and fill out the customs declaration. There are many nuances, so it is better to prepare to fill out in advance.

Passport control

This stage takes a couple of minutes; you need to provide a passport if the flight is within the country, and a foreign passport if the flight is international.

Boarding the plane

That's all, the checks have been completed, and we find ourselves in the boarding waiting area. After the announcement about boarding the plane, you should go to the exit gate. This number is indicated on the boarding pass. After checking your boarding pass, you will be left with a ticket containing your seat. The row number and letter are written on the spine. Seat markings can be found above the seats. If you suddenly have questions, you can always contact the flight attendants.

Now you know what to do and where to go at the airport. As in any unfamiliar place, communication will always help. If in doubt, ask the neighbor on your right or left. As they say: “Language will take you to Kyiv!” Also for its travelers, Ticket Aero has prepared a reminder: how to navigate the airport if you do not speak the language. Perhaps she will become your assistant.

Enjoy your travels and fair winds!

Today, more and more of our compatriots use the services of airlines - to fly on vacation, on a business trip, or to visit relatives on the other side of the country. But not all of them know how to behave correctly on an airplane so that the flight does not turn into hell either for you or for your seatmates and flight attendants. We decided to outline the basic rules of conduct on an airplane below - try to adhere to them as much as possible!

We don't disturb anyone around us

Often we do small things for our own comfort and forget that they can significantly interfere with someone around us. This is why there are rules of behavior - they, without requiring anything supernatural from you, allow both you and other people to feel comfortable. All this applies to etiquette at the airport and on the plane.

For example, when picking up things from a conveyor belt, do not block the path for the people following you. Carry a bag with important things, documents and money with you so as not to lose anything and not create problems for yourself at the airport. Do not pile suitcases in front of you, but place them nearby, fixing them in a vertical position.

Removing metal objects

Rules of behavior must be observed not only on the plane, but also at the airport. In order not to delay the line, and not to be subjected to a long search and nagging from security, simplify the procedure for yourself through the metal detector in advance. To do this, you should remove all items with metal parts from your pockets and place them either in a bag or in outerwear - both will still pass through the X-ray scanner.

We are not rude to flight attendants

If a flight attendant tells you to fasten your seat belts, turn off mobile phone or other electronic device, raise the back of the chair, etc. - that means it would be right to do just that. Even if you don’t like such restrictions, you agreed to them voluntarily, having crossed the threshold of the airplane cabin. In addition, the flight attendants did not come up with the rules of behavior on the plane - they only make sure that passengers follow them, so they do not deserve rudeness and insults. Also remember that flight attendants are service personnel, but not your personal maids, who can be pushed around as you please and treated with familiarity.

We don't block the passage

This often happens when a person falls asleep in a position that then prevents passengers sitting closer to the window from getting up and getting out. Make sure your neighbors can carefully walk around you if necessary, or prepare to be moved without your consent - and don’t be offended.

Another tip is to purchase a flight pillow to prevent your head from rolling onto your travel companion's shoulder.

Carefully recline the chair

Be sure to warn passengers sitting behind you that you are about to recline the seat back. In addition to the fact that you can scare a person with a sudden movement, you can also ruin his property - suddenly at that moment he has an open laptop on his lap, or a drink that falls and spills on his clothes and equipment.

Don't overdo it with alcohol

Many air carriers allow the drinking of alcoholic beverages on board the aircraft, but passengers must control the quantity. It is known that passengers in a state of strong alcoholic intoxication can be forcibly removed from the aircraft, because such people can threaten the safety of other passengers, aircraft personnel and general safety on board. And even if it seems to you that you have drunk in moderation, then remember that sitting next to a quiet neighbor who smells of alcohol will not be pleasant for anyone.

We maintain hygiene

Airplane etiquette also includes maintaining good hygiene. We all know how unpleasant it can be to travel for even fifteen minutes on a crowded bus next to a sweaty passenger - but imagine what it’s like to endure this for an entire flight? Don't be lazy and take a shower at home before heading to the airport, and don't forget about deodorant.

Please note that the strong smell of perfume, which seems pleasant to you, can cause your neighbor to feel sick. Also limit your consumption of foods that have a strong odor, such as garlic or spicy pickled vegetables.

Keeping an eye on the children

This can be included in the rules of behavior not only on an airplane, but also in any other transport and public place. Do not allow your children to behave at home, run between seats, scream, laugh loudly or otherwise make noise and disturb passengers. The flight itself is quite a stressful experience for many, exhausting both mentally and physically, and if you add constant noise in the form of children’s screams to this, even the most patient passenger can have a headache.

Therefore, remember that no matter how small and cute the children are, you are responsible for them. Try to tell them in advance what they can and cannot do on the plane, and if necessary, be prepared to reassure them.

If you are not acting as a parent, but as an irritated passenger, also do not forget about the rules of etiquette on the plane. Do not yell at children or try to calm them down yourself, but first turn to your parents and communicate with them in a calm tone.

We don’t bother our neighbors with chatter.

Even if you are bored and really want to chat with someone, do not intrude on your fellow travelers with conversations. Some people like to sleep on a plane, some want to listen to music or watch a movie, some want to silently admire the view from the window, and others simply don’t like to communicate with strangers. Perhaps your neighbor will even speak to you out of politeness, but his reluctance will certainly be noticeable - try to notice this in time and stop bothering your fellow traveler. Respect each person's personal space and remember how to behave properly on an airplane.

What to do if it’s not you, but your traveling companion who turns out to be an annoying chatterbox? Definitely - don't be rude. Gently say that you would like to enjoy the flight while listening to music or reading, or simply silently put on headphones or remove a book or magazine from your bag.

If both you and your neighbor are willing to chat, do not forget about the comfort of the other passengers. Your loud and animated conversations may disturb them. In this case, it is recommended to go to the back of the salon to chat there without bothering anyone.

Planning trips to the toilet

Try to have time to visit the toilet before the flight attendant starts delivering food and drinks, otherwise the trolley will block your passage and you will prevent the flight attendant from serving passengers. Of course, you may have an emergency that requires you to go to the bathroom at that exact moment, but otherwise, try to plan your bathroom visits in advance.

By the way, another important point in the rules of conduct on an airplane when going to the toilet is - do not occupy the room for a long time! As soon as you have finished your business, leave immediately, because in the salon there are usually many people who want to sneak into the restroom after you. And, of course, keep it clean and don’t leave trash behind, and if necessary, use a brush - it’s not difficult at all.

We politely leave the salon

And finally, after landing, do not fly ahead of the rest in order to leave the cabin as quickly as possible. If you are sitting in the middle or at the end of the plane, give the person in front the opportunity to get out - nothing bad will happen if you wait, the plane has already landed, and in the meantime you can carefully collect yourself, get ready and not forget any things under the seat.

Many newcomers who fly on an airplane for the first time do not know what to do when they arrive at the airport. The author of this video talks about the main stages - registration, inspection, passport control and boarding:

Some people don't fly on airplanes just because they've never done it before. This is not a fear of danger, not a fear of heights, but simply panic in front of something unknown. And many do not understand what pleasure they are depriving themselves of, because flying is very pleasant and interesting, and most importantly - fast. And in many cases, this is the only way to get to the right place. Don't neglect technical progress, after all, horses and carriages, weeks and months of travel are already far in the past.

Personally, at first it was not the planes that scared me, but the airport. How to get into it, where to run, how not to confuse anything, and in general... Let's imagine that you find yourself at the airport for the first time. The procedure will be approximately the same, except that inspection and passport control in some cases change places.

First time at the airport

What time do you need to arrive? Check-in for the flight begins two hours before departure. Why so early? Need to get through large number procedures that require time. You can arrive even earlier just in case. But it’s better not later, especially if you’re flying for the first time.

Entrance

In our country, unlike many others, anti-terrorist security has been strengthened. Therefore, try to budget for the time you will spend... going inside the airport. There are often queues there. You will already be examined there and your things will be scanned, even if you just came as a guide. You can go back out, but you can only get back to the airport through security again.

Scoreboard and registration area

The departure and arrival board is perhaps the most romantic object at the airport, and it has even been praised more than once. The board indicates the number, destination, and departure time of the flight. Be sure to check your flight number. Once we almost got confused with flights that departed 15 minutes apart.

Sometimes several flights may depart at the same time, so keep an eye out. What makes it even more confusing is that airlines often operate codeshare flights. Do not rely on the name of the airline, and even sometimes time is not an indicator. The direction and number are what you need to see. The board also indicates which registration desk you need to go to and what state the registration is in: whether it is open or, God forbid, has ended. Check-in for the flight, as I already said, begins 2 hours before departure and ends 40 minutes before it.

Baggage preparation

I haven’t found any useful information about preparing luggage on any “good” portal.

Usually, “smart” life hackers write about prohibited items and the weight of luggage somewhere in paragraphs about inspection, not taking into account the fact that we part with luggage much earlier, and this implies a completely different sequence of actions.

Baggage flies separately from you

You can fly without luggage and put all your items in hand luggage if the airline allows it. This is what I usually do, it significantly speeds up leaving the airport upon arrival. In this case, your suitcase or backpack must fit certain dimensions and not exceed the weight limit.

Oversized and oversized luggage

Dimensional - suitable for standard sizes. In Russian, a standard suitcase or bag. Oversized fits in weight, but not in size, and is issued separately. By the way, it is oversized luggage that is most often lost.

If you are concerned about this topic, then feel free to go to the airline’s website and check what they can and cannot do. There is no other way. Because different airlines treat luggage differently. It is clear that items such as a guitar, a huge box or a plasma TV can hardly be called oversized luggage. For registration oversized luggage They will not ask for separate money.

Extra bed

You can purchase additional luggage space, it costs extra money. But no one has canceled cheating, for example, the Aeroflot gold card allows you to carry two pieces of luggage at the same time for free, and, in principle, such a card is rubbish and envy.

Package

Suitcases are usually thrown onto planes in a rather barbaric manner, so if you want to extend the life of your traveling friend, you can pack it for a fee. Luggage will be wrapped with special film by specially trained people in special places. They are not difficult to find.

If you are carrying something valuable, it is advisable to wrap your luggage. At the airport there are usually several packages with different prices. Naturally, the most expensive ones are located closest to the main entrance. They will wrap you for about 700 rubles, or 10–15 EUR. In addition to official packers, there are also “spider-men” who will offer the same service at 2-3 times cheaper. Wander around the airport a little, looking meaningfully at the packing sheds, and these enterprising cunning people will find you themselves.

Overweight

If you (oh horror!) have an advantage, then prepare your money. Well, time for registration extra baggage and the advantage will take from 20 to 40 minutes exactly.

Your luggage should be of the dimensions and weight, as I already said, acceptable in a particular airline, and it is also advisable to put in it everything that cannot be taken on board, that is, liquids, aerosols, and sharp objects.

Feel yourself. Money, passport, other documents and boarding pass must be literally glued to yourself. Under no circumstances leave money in your luggage (there are such cases), and without a passport you, in principle, will not fly far. It is best to store these necessary items in a small bag or pocket, in general, with you.

Registration

You can check in for your flight from home in advance. This provides certain advantages. For example, you can choose best places on the plane.

Registration is easy, Watson. When checking in for a regular flight, they usually don’t ask for anything other than a passport: the employees already have all the data, because Big Brother has been watching you for a long time... The only time the Spaniards asked for a printout of my electronic ticket, because in their database my name was written with the wrong letter. But this is the exception rather than the rule. At check-in you temporarily say goodbye to your luggage. The luggage is placed on the belt and weighed. After all this, you are given a boarding pass indicating your gate (exit), your seat on the plane and a baggage claim tag. Never lose your boarding pass. Now he is your king and god.

You may be asked what you take on the plane. Any belongings you bring on board are called carry-on luggage. Here's what you shouldn't have in your carry-on luggage:

• Liquids. Some people think that, in principle, nothing liquid can be brought on board, but this is not true. You can safely carry up to 100 milliliters of any liquid substance with you.
• Sharp, piercing and cutting objects. If you have scissors, corkscrews and knives in your hand luggage, then most likely you will be asked to part with them at security. We learned about diabetics. Syringes are possible. But if you have (quote) “a free-form doctor’s certificate.”
• Aerosols. All varnishes, sprays and sprays must fly in the luggage compartment.

Hand luggage can weigh up to 10 kilograms. All airlines have approximately the same size requirements. There are even special suitcases that fit the size of hand luggage. In fact, if you're flying on a scheduled flight, you can bring almost anything on board. One day we were carrying a huge basket, a giant hoop the size of a hula hoop and... sheaves of straw. They were light, but voluminous, and we were almost invisible behind them. However, Aeroflot employees treated the sheaves with loyalty and even wished us to have a good event.

In addition to a special suitcase, you can take a fairly large bag or backpack on board. Since we carry a lot of props on business trips, all personal items usually fit in a small handbag.

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You can lose quite a lot of time at security check, as there will be people there who are not only in a hurry to catch your flight. You take a special tray and put everything on it: hand luggage, things, gadgets, a laptop (in Europe they ask you to take it out of your bag and call it a laptop, for a moment!), all metal objects and shoes, if they have thick soles or heels. It is easy to part with liquids or aerosols here if their volume exceeds the norm. For example, if you are trying to smuggle a liter of shampoo, it will most likely be confiscated. Creams, gels, toxic substances, sharp objects - say “adios” to them if you haven’t put them in your suitcase. So we parted with Enterosgel at Heathrow airport, it was very strict there.

This whole story is connected, again, with anti-terrorism security; similar rules were introduced in 2007. On board (once again) - no more than 100 milliliters of liquid in total, that is, you can take with you a small cream, a spray for a runny nose, a perfume sampler and liquid for lenses, in general, a bunch of liquids, but the main thing is that there is not a total of them more than a hundred ml. Yes, and it is advisable to forget about jokes about drugs and weapons. They don't understand jokes at the airport.

If you don’t want to waste a lot of time and make yourself nervous, and also embarrass women with sad faces and scanners in their hands, then, in principle, you shouldn’t hang all the iron jewelry left over from your gypsy grandmother, belts with massive buckles, and put on shoes thick soles or heels: they will strip you and take them off like there’s nothing to do. And this, you see, is not the most pleasant procedure. Here, by the way, is a link to a wildly funny video where a friend did not understand what they wanted from him and was scanned along with his luggage.

Passport control

Keep your passport and boarding pass with you, preferably in your hand. It is also better to avoid stupid jokes at passport control. Taking photographs of the passport control area is prohibited. Therefore, if something suddenly seemed funny to you (for example, your own face and you sawed yourself), you will be asked to delete the photos.

The official in the booth may ask questions. For example, about the purpose of the trip. He will leaf through your passport looking for visas and stamps. I was remarked several times that, they say, I don’t look at the border guard all the time, but fiddle with my phone (it’s better not to be distracted by anything extraneous from this important process), and that my passport is dirty (yes, I dropped it once to Kuru in , and several seals blurred). And you just might not like you. By the way, if you have a biometric passport or visa, you may be asked to place your finger on an infrared reader.

Waiting area

When re-reading my own text, I quickly replaced the word “desirable” with “required.” You absolutely must immediately find your gate (exit). Sometimes it can be difficult. Sometimes special trains run between gates, as in Madrid Barajas or London Heathrow. Sometimes they write scary numbers: how long to get to the exits. Sometimes this is the number 15, that is, minutes. But breathe out: this has never happened at Russian airports. Your ticket will indicate the gate number and boarding time, that is, the start time of boarding. It’s better not to go too far from the desired exit, otherwise you might miss important information. The gate may change, the flight may be delayed, or who knows what else. Take control of the situation.

There is usually something in the waiting area. For example, Duty Free. What “Duty Free” is does not need to be explained to the Russian tourist, who usually begins to prepare for a vacation by drinking alcoholic beverages from this shiny, tasty-smelling and shining market. The belief that it is cheaper at Duty Free is just a belief. For example, alcohol and snacks are often more expensive than in supermarkets, cigarettes are sold only in blocks, and cosmetics correspond to the market price. However, what should not be doubted is the quality of the products. It is better to buy good perfume, professional cosmetics, and gift packs of chocolates at Duty Free. By the way, when purchasing you will be asked to show your boarding pass, so don’t take it too far away.

And, of course, there are all sorts of cafes in the waiting area. Unless you're in Berlin's Tegel, for example, which is more like an Ikea place to pack your groceries. It's not cheap to eat there, but I usually get water from the machine. The air on the plane is dry and you feel thirsty. Anything purchased in this area is suitable to be brought on board.

Boarding the plane

Depending on the airport, your route from the gate to the plane could be like this:

• telescopic ladder,
• bus,
• on foot.

If the airport is small, you can walk, usually a short distance. Sometimes you have to wait for the bus; it’s hot and cramped. Ideal if you are walking along a telescopic ramp - this is an air bridge from the airport to the plane.

If you have a lot of hand luggage, it is better to get in line at the gate early so that you have time to occupy the luggage racks. Sometimes there may be no empty seats next to you, so you will have to look for an empty shelf away from your chair. At smart airports, there is a division into groups to avoid queues at the gate. In this case, your group number is also indicated on your boarding pass. But personally, I like to wait until the last minute: I jump at the gate when the bulk of people have already boarded the plane.

First time on a plane

And here you are, so happy, sitting on the plane and, perhaps, shaking with fear that this colossus is about to take off into the air. This won't happen instantly. You'll be packing for a while. The crew will be preparing for some time. After beautiful flight attendants will begin to show how and what needs to be done in emergency situation. At this time the plane will begin to move towards runway. I used to always love the moment of takeoff when iron bird it accelerates so much that it presses you into the seat, and then takes off from the ground, and now I often fall asleep even before takeoff. The main thing is, if you’re scared, take a comfortable position. Good luck if you have a pillow under your head, because external and internal comfort are inseparable.

Places

When it comes to seats inside an airplane, a simple law applies: the closer you are to your head, the less you will be shaken by turbulence. Turbulence, or bumpiness, is the vibration of an aircraft caused by vortex wind flows, downward and outward. It's not scary. The usual bumpiness that occurs when flying through some types of clouds is not dangerous. The aircraft is designed to withstand the resulting overloads. In general, when a plane shakes, it is not a technical failure, and the pilot is not crazy, it is just a temporary phenomenon that needs to be accepted and forgiven. And don’t set yourself up for horror: I’ve flown many times without shaking at all. Since there is less vibration at the front of the plane, business class is located there.

As for “by the window or not by the window,” the point is controversial. If you have never flown, then it may seem to you that a fascinating picture is created in the window throughout the entire flight. However, this is not true. The most interesting thing is the takeoff and landing, when you see the city that has turned into a toy city. And then the plane gains altitude and rises above the clouds. Outside the window there will be monotonous blinding white clouds if you are flying during the day, or endless darkness if at night. If you are not a big fan of sticking your forehead into the wall and snoring, then there is no need for a window. There is nothing wrong with choosing a seat near the aisle - it is convenient to go to the toilet without stepping over your sleeping neighbors.

Great if you're flying on a half-empty plane. After takeoff, when you are allowed to wander around the cabin, look in the rear section: there may be three free seats there. I call it "reserved seat". You can stretch out on them, cover yourself with a blanket and sleep. No one will say a bad word to you - it’s been verified.

A special chic during check-in is getting seats at the emergency exit. Ask and they will give if they are still available. On most planes, the distance to the next seat is very far, and the table extends out of the armrest. Of course, you will have a great responsibility - to save passengers in case of emergency evacuation, since you will be the very first one to the exit there. But you can stretch your legs and have fun.

Food

It all depends, of course, on the airline and the specifics of the flight. If you are able to register in advance, you may also have been asked to select a menu. Major international airlines offer special menus: kosher or vegetarian. I haven’t tried ordering the menu in advance, but I know it’s possible.

I once had a vegetarian lunch on board British Airways. The quinoa, avocado and tofu salad was much better than the usual lunch that included a stale bun with mayonnaise. However, in any case, do not expect culinary delights from economy class. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to fly business class, but insiders know that it’s delicious, especially if it’s Aeroflot. Fortunately, the latter’s food is delicious even in economy, and sometimes there was also red fish.

The funniest airplane food in my life was organized by the “daughter” of the Germans Lufthansa, by Air Berlin. Unfortunately, they stopped flying from Moscow. For the rest of my life I will remember a wonderful packed lunch consisting of very spicy chips and a glass of juice. And the worst lunch was at Air Moldova: some kind of indistinct sandwich.

If you fly during the day or evening, your chances of eating better are much greater: at night and in the early morning, you can count on a bun at most. Of course, a lot depends on the flight time. The usual proportion is that the longer you fly, the more food they will give it. In any case, airplane food doesn't pretend to be anything incredible, so if you have the opportunity to bring something on the plane, grab it. There are usually no complaints about chocolate and cookies.

And, of course, it is worth saying that at altitude we eat and drink completely differently than on earth; food seems tastier. By the way, there is a whole stereotype that people most often drink tomato juice on an airplane. They say it tastes better to us than on earth and quenches our thirst better. On a plane you always want to drink because, I repeat, the air in the cabin is very dry. Plus, rich tomato juice has a richer flavor that we love. It is always better to stock up on a bottle of water, most importantly, not before the security check area, but after: you can bring water purchased in the waiting area on board. As for alcohol, almost all international flights have wine, champagne, and beer. The flight attendants may simply not offer you this. But if you have a strong desire to get tipsy, ask, and they will organize a can of good beer for you - tested by British Airways.

Takeoff and landing

If your plane takes off and everything goes well, you can relax until you land. According to statistics, 90% of aircraft malfunctions occur during takeoff and landing. That is why singer Elka passionately wishes that the pilot “takes off well and lands extremely successfully.” During takeoff and landing, you are asked to fasten your seat belts, bring the seat to an upright position, remove the tables and open the curtains. All this is done so that in an emergency there are fewer obstacles to the implementation of the rescue program.

When an acquaintance flew with me for the first time, he really did not like the maneuvers of the plane, when the side turns and turns out to be one wing lower and the other higher. If you saw this and got scared, know that nothing terrible is happening at this moment, the plane is just turning.

If you're flying to a resort, you'll likely start descending right over the blue waters. Again, panic in this case is unnecessary; the resort airports are really located right on the shore. Land will appear, don't worry!

Some people believe that the softness of a landing depends on the airline or type of aircraft. Nothing like that, everything is controlled by a pilot, or rather pilots, since control is usually divided equally between them. The best way to get me into Montenegrin was the unloved, bankrupt and otherwise notorious airline Kogalymavia, when they had a contract with the operator TUI.

Important detail: time it correctly. As soon as the plane lands, it will travel along the runway for some time, circling around the airport until it stops. It will be some time before you are allowed off the plane. Passport control will take about another half hour (or more) international flight and baggage claim at any. Therefore, you should not order a taxi before your arrival.

Don't immediately jump up and run out of the plane. You don't even have to get up. You will be waiting for some time for the doors to open. new country».

At the airport of the country of arrival

Next, you will find almost everything the same as upon departure: boarding ramp or bus, passport control and baggage claim. Get in the line that says All Passports and you'll get a stamp (finally!) with the name of the airport. Next, we follow the arrows to the luggage, which probably already misses you as much as you miss it. Above the baggage belt they usually write the flight number and where the plane came from, so it’s difficult to make a mistake. Moreover, it very rarely happens that two and more plane They arrive minute by minute, so you are probably going to where the most people are standing. If the airport is very large, then there is a board indicating where to look for luggage.

If the tape has already scrolled a hundred hundred times, and your suitcase still hasn’t appeared, and all the passengers have left, then something is wrong here. Then you go to the representatives of your airline with your boarding stub (it is on it that the tag with your luggage number is on it) and most likely everything will be resolved safely. Well, then you, stamped, enriched and happy, can head to the exit (following the arrows) and begin to conquer new lands!

I hope you were able to learn something new about air travel and are now looking forward to the moment when the flight attendant announces that your plane is ready for takeoff.