First Time Flying Alone? Here’s How To Be More Comfortable

International airport procedures can be stressful, and boarding an aeroplane alone can be intimidating if you’ve never checked in at an airport or flown commercially before. Add all the stories of rude passengers and crying babies, and your travel is set to be a true challenge. 

However, there’s a first time for everything! With some preparation, your tour will be as seamless as possible. And you might even realise the wonders of travelling at the speed of sound, floating through huge, fluffy cotton balls, and gazing at the royal blue sky.

Read on to discover what you must do before your first flight alone and how to relieve flight-related stress and anxiety. 

Pack in advance 

Packing last minute is unavoidable sometimes, but it’s certainly not recommended for first-time flyers. You’ll be in a much calmer state of mind if you pack several days before your flight, and you’ll be less likely to forget important stuff at home. 

Be sure to check the weight limit for your check-in luggage and don’t overpack, as well as other carry-on rules. You probably want to avoid paying a hefty fee to carry some extra kilogrammes on board. 

The best accessories for long flights 

Experienced travelers, whether a coworker or a family member, may be your source of inspiration when deciding what to pack for your first flight. And they’ll likely tell you to get your favourite book or a neck pillow made with memory foam. But as everyone’s needs differ, so do checklists. And “essentials” become more essential when you’re 30,000 feet in the air. Things being said, travellers usually carry the following things with them: 

• Essential oil kits to relieve headaches, aid with bloating, cover up odours, or relax
• Electronic tablet holder
• Noise-cancelling earphones  
• Portable USB charger
• Compression socks
• A foot-hammock.

Regardless of your flight, the liquids you bring must not exceed 100ml. Triple check the size of your liquid foundation, perfume, face lotion, moisturiser, and sunscreen, to avoid nasty surprises at the security.

Determine how you get to the airport 

Time is relative in a crowded, noisy airport, and the last thing you want is to arrive late and in a tizzy. If you have a friend that can help you with your luggage and drive you to the airport, that’s wonderful! But if you can take your own car, that can be even better. 

Some companies specialise in finding affordable off-site parking lots, so you don’t have to break the bank to pay large bills for stationing your vehicle at the airport. Prices at Gatwick parking, for instance, vary depending on period and availability, as well as on the length of your stay. The best parking deals are booked first, so if you’re going to drive there, don’t forget to find one suitable for you. 

And if you’re heading to one of the busiest airports and want to breeze effortlessly like nobody’s business, start with finding a parking spot. Check the comparison platform of Heathrow airport parking and see what meets your needs. With the fierce competition between parking providers, you’ll find a good deal at a reasonable price and rest assured knowing your car is taken care of while you’re away. 

Check-in online 24 hours before departure 

The online check-in process nowadays takes a few minutes. For some airlines, this is a chance to improve your experience. You can select your seat, choose your meal, and customise your entertainment options. When you complete the process, download the electronic version or print off your boarding pass and keep it in a safe place. 

How to get over your fear of flying 

A clinical diagnosis of aerophobia is not that common. However, general anxiety is something that many travellers, even seasoned ones, can experience. Some dislike height, while others fear staying in an enclosed space for too long. There are even individuals terrified that the door might open mid-flight. 

Whatever your trigger is, there are many ways to calm your anxiety, starting from demystifying turbulence – one of the scariest things to high altitudes. Turbulence is just wonky wind that causes planes to bounce, just like cars bobble on bumpy roads, and planes are designed to handle and reduce it. Plus, nowadays, technology helps pilots avoid turbulence and provide the smoothest ride possible by predicting them. 

After coming to peace with this harmless phenomenon, find something that can distract you, like a good podcast or movie. If it doesn’t work, a piece of helpful advice can be to write something, like your name, over and over again on a piece of paper. Similar tricks help you focus on the opposite side of your brain to distract you from fear.  

Last but not least, know what to expect

With so many procedures, one trigger for your fear of flying can be the fact that your perception of how the whole embarking process should go is blurry. There are a few things to consider after you select an airline. Every airport has different check-in procedures and security processes. 

Prepare for a long wait and have your ID or passport and luggage ready to be checked. Afterwards, you’ll get through the security screening, a mandatory process to ensure no one passes with prohibited items or dangerous goods. Items in that category differ from country to country, so it’s essential to do research for both your destination and transit airports. Security queues take time, but you can prepare in advance by emptying your pockets and removing metal items, belts, and jackets. You’ll then be identified and reviewed by security personnel at customs and asked to hand over specific documents.  

Note: The most important thing is to find your gate and check flight monitors regularly. When it’s your first time flying, the airport might seem bigger. 

Last words

Everything should go fine if you pack light, bring the essential documents, and get there on time. Always ask the airport staff for help and directions whenever you need them, and don’t forget to relax and enjoy the unique view.