Your first time travel on a flight is always a memorable experience. Even if you have travelled by train or car before, it\u2019s bound to be exciting when you get ready for your first flight in India<\/strong>\u2013 be it domestic or international.<\/p>\n My own first flight experience was in my childhood with my parents to visit Darjeeling when I flew to Bagdogra airport from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata. Over the years, when I grew up, I travelled on flights across India many times and gained a massive experience. This\u00a0expertise and further research on this matter made me confident<\/strong>\u00a0on my next air trips.<\/p>\n If you aren\u2019t sure how to travel on a flight, it can indeed be a little challenging to figure things out. Below are the airport procedures for the first time flyers and things to do upon reaching your destination<\/strong>. This should make things easier for you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Your first step to travel in a domestic flight for the first time in India should be to create a complete itinerary for your trip<\/strong>, even before you buy the flight tickets. You can\u2019t plan your flight dates and time properly unless your journey itinerary is ready. Even if you can\u2019t work out all the details yet, fix your departure and return dates. <\/p>\n This is because it\u2019s always wise to buy tickets for the return journey at the same time<\/strong>. Firstly, your plans might get messed up if you don\u2019t get a return ticket on a preferred date later. Secondly, it\u2019s cheaper to buy two-way tickets rather than buying tickets for onward and return journeys separately.<\/p>\n When planning your itinerary, also check for the availability of flight tickets on different dates<\/strong>. Sometimes it\u2019s cheaper to get tickets two to three days before or after your initially planned date. The time taken during the flights matters too. <\/p>\n Travelling via connecting flights through other airports might be cheaper<\/strong> than direct flights. However, this would take longer than a direct flight, and you need to adjust your schedule accordingly. It pays to prepare your itinerary as early as possible. More time allows greater flexibility in adjusting your flight schedule to curtail costs.<\/p>\n Once you have planned your journey and decided on your travel dates, it\u2019s time to get the flight tickets. You have several options in this regard \u2013 you may either buy it directly at the airline\u2019s ticket counter or book it online<\/strong>. Buying your flight ticket through a travel agent is a viable choice too, especially if you\u2019re already using a travel agency for other bookings.<\/p>\n While booking your flight tickets isn\u2019t too difficult, there are several things to keep in mind. When buying plane tickets for the first time, it\u2019s easy to make mistakes that could lead to unnecessary hassles later on.<\/p>\n You must carry the necessary documents to be able to board the flight. As you might already know, airport security is particularly tight, and airlines are quite strict on this matter<\/strong>. Let\u2019s check out the documents you\u2019re going to need.<\/p>\n You may also use a public sector bank passbook with a photograph or an office ID card from a government office or a reputed private company. However, it varies for different airlines<\/strong> and you must confirm from their customer support. <\/p>\n For infants without a photo ID, their birth certificate can serve as their proof of identity instead. Apart from the mandatory documents, it\u2019s also recommended to carry other documents like your hotel reservations, return flight tickets, and financial proofs.<\/p>\n As your departure date draws close, you may start packing your luggage<\/a>. As always, it\u2019s best to travel light and pack the bags as efficiently as possible<\/strong>. Here are some air travel guidelines to remember while you\u2019re at it. If this is your first-time travel on the flight, please note that there are two types of luggage on planes.<\/p>\n It is always recommended to check with your airline about their baggage limit<\/strong>. This way, you\u2019ll be less likely to face an unpleasant surprise on the day of your flight. Luggage bags with trolley<\/a> are the best options for travelling on flights.<\/p>\n Here are the baggage limits for most Indian airlines:<\/p>\n In case you love trekking and hiking, you would want to carry your backpack on the aeroplane. As long as you follow the above guidelines, you can easily carry your trekking bag on flights<\/a>.<\/p>\n There are a lot of restrictions on what you can carry on a flight and what you cannot. Most of these are for the sake of safety, to prevent accidents or equip passengers with something they can use as a weapon.<\/p>\n Keeping these rules in mind when packing your luggage will save you a great deal of trouble when passing through airport security. Also, remember that these restrictions may vary slightly from country to country. Check the list of travel essentials<\/a> you might like to carry on your trip.<\/p>\n I know you might find it a bit weird to find this listed, but reaching your airport terminal might be more complicated than you think. This is because the same airport can have different terminals located far away from each other. Accidentally arriving at the wrong one can cause a lot of delays<\/strong>. Check your designated terminal on the ticket before you leave for the airport.<\/p>\n I faced this exact problem when returning from Pawna Lake<\/strong> via Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai. It has two Terminals (1 and 2), 5.6 Km apart. While Terminal-1 is for domestic flights, Terminal-2 is for international flights.<\/p>\n Without having this knowledge, I accidentally travelled to Terminal-2, where I got to know that my flight was scheduled from Terminal-1! This caused a lot of hassle and tension, but I finally arrived at the right location within the specified time, as I left early<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Ultimately, this critical experience taught me a lesson, and now I always research on the airport before commencing my trips<\/strong>. I would suggest the same to you for a smooth travel experience.<\/p>\n Here is a list of recommended timeline within which you should reach the airport.<\/p>\n In most Indian airports, the boarding gates close 20 minutes before the time of departure. The counter closure time is usually 45 and 60 minutes before the departure time for domestic and international flights.<\/p>\n Now that you\u2019re at the airport, it\u2019s time to get your documents verified, and your baggage checked. To gain entry to the airport, you must show the security personnel the original valid identity proof copy. Both printed documents and digital files<\/strong> saved on smartphones are fine for this. <\/p>\n You also need a valid flight ticket to gain access to the airport terminal. If you have an airport entry ticket, you may enter the visitors\u2019 area without a flight ticket.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find baggage screening X-ray machines soon after entering the terminal. You need to get your check-in luggage screened here, and check-in counters do not accept unscreened luggage<\/strong>. Your luggage will be marked with a sticker once screened, and you are not to open it anymore. If you do open it, you will have to get the baggage screened again and have a new sticker applied.<\/p>\n In order to board your flight, you first need a boarding pass. You can obtain this from a boarding pass counter at the airport. Usually, there are many boarding pass counters at an airport \u2013 at least one for each airline. The staff at the counter will verify your identity and issue a boarding pass<\/strong>, which would contain information like your name, boarding time, flight gate number, seat number, etc.<\/p>\n This is when your luggage gets checked in too. The airport personnel will check in your screened luggage and put a sticker on the back of your boarding pass<\/strong>. Check the sticker to verify that the number of bags mentioned there is correct, both at the check-in and the destination. If any additional check-in luggage fees apply to your baggage, you\u2019ll have to pay up now.<\/p>\n You may also check-in online from your smartphone, which is the best possible option and I personally do it every time<\/strong>. You\u2019ll receive a boarding pass online after this web check-in. You may print a copy of this boarding pass and use it to enter the terminal, as well as pass through the other areas and ultimately board your flight. <\/p>\n Web check-in is a particularly good option if you\u2019re travelling with only carry-on luggage, as it\u2019ll help you avoid the queue at the check-in counter altogether<\/strong>. If you\u2019re checking in at the counter, the staff there will collect your check-in luggage. Passengers who check in online can hand over their luggage at the luggage drop counter instead.<\/p>\n You might be wondering what to do after getting the boarding pass. Now comes the part that can sometimes take a while \u2013 security checking.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll be presented with a tray to put all your electronic gadgets in<\/strong>. The security personnel might also ask you to place clothing and other belongings like jackets, belt, ankle-length boots, wallets, etc., in another tray.<\/p>\n After completing security check, you are free to collect all your belongings and proceed to the next step.<\/p>\n Unlike domestic travel, immigration officers would check your passport and visa for the country you are travelling to for international locations. They will grant you immigration clearance by stamping a departure seal on your passport<\/strong>. <\/p>\n In many places, you might have to fill up a departure card before you proceed for immigration clearance. The immigration officers may also ask you your purpose of visit and take scans of your fingerprints<\/strong>. However, you need not go through this procedure at the airport for a domestic flight.<\/p>\n Now that you have successfully passed all the checks and documentation procedures, you may now proceed to the boarding gate<\/strong>. Assuming you\u2019ll be there quite a bit earlier than the departure time, you can spend some time exploring the various facilities at the airport.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll usually find a waiting lounge with amenities like Wi-Fi, charging ports, etc. This is a good time to charge your phone, laptop, or other electronic devices<\/strong> if they\u2019re running low on battery. You\u2019ll also find plenty of food stalls and restaurants for food and drinks. At terminals of some of the major airports like Delhi Airport, it\u2019s also possible to order food online through dedicated apps.<\/p>\n Once it\u2019s time to board your flight, an announcement will be made. Look for LCDs installed all over the place \u2013 they\u2019ll have the flight number on them. Check them to confirm your gate number<\/strong>, even if the information is already there on your boarding pass. <\/p>\n Depending on the distance, an airport shuttle bus might pick up all the passengers<\/strong> and carry them to the plane. However, you may also have to simply walk over a connecting aerobridge to enter the aircraft instead.<\/p>\n You can now settle in and relax, knowing that you have successfully boarded the plane. Find your seat by checking the seat number given on your boarding pass<\/strong> and get seated. The air hostesses or the pilot will have some instructions for all passengers, mostly about various safety measures. These include:<\/p>\n Once your flight takes off, all you have to do is enjoy your first aeroplane travel. If you\u2019re lucky enough to get a window seat, you should already be able to enjoy great views. <\/p>\n Thankfully, most flights come with private in-flight entertainment (IFE) TVs for each passenger<\/strong>. There are always many movies and TV shows to choose from, as well as additional content like games and music. You may also turn your phone back on after the plane has successfully taken off and are free to use it during the flight.<\/p>\n After touching down at the destination airport, the aircraft will park, and the cabin crew will let you know when it\u2019s time to disembark. Before getting off the plane, collect your carry-on luggage from the overhead compartment<\/strong>. <\/p>\n The remaining process is pretty much the opposite of boarding a plane. Upon walking down the aerobridge, you may walk to the terminal. If it\u2019s some distance away, a bus will pick you up and take you there instead.<\/p>\n The luggage bags usually rotate on a conveyor belt, from which you may collect them. The LCDs in the arrival hall usually mention the conveyor belt number<\/strong> where the passengers from a specific flight will find their luggage. In many cases, the cabin crew announces this information too.<\/p>\n If you are travelling to another country, your luggage needs to pass customs clearance. You may have to pay a duty fee on declared goods like jewellery and other valuables. <\/p>\n Usually, there are two channels for customs clearance \u2013 a red one for declared goods and a green one for other items<\/strong>. Make sure to check which items count as declared goods and pay up the necessary fee. Passing through the green channel without paying your customs duty, even accidentally, is a punishable offence.<\/p>\n You may exit the airport once you have passed all the clearances. Most major airports have taxi stands outside where you can grab a cab. Besides this, airports also come with pre-paid taxi and bus services.<\/p>\n I hope you will get enough time to plan and prepare for your journey in advance. However, even if you must make your first flight in a hurry, this guide will help. Don\u2019t worry; travelling on domestic flights in India has become quite easy and convenient<\/strong> once you get used to it. <\/p>\n The first few times, you might find it a bit hectic because of the various procedures to go through, especially for international flights. Here are some first-time flight journey tips for you:<\/p>\n![\"Travel](\"https:\/\/www.naturediary.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Travel-On-Flight-For-The-First-Time-In-India-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n1. Making Your Itinerary<\/strong><\/h2>\n
2. Booking Your Flight Tickets<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Flight](\"https:\/\/www.naturediary.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Flight-booking-online.jpg\")
Things To Remember When Buying Your Flight Tickets<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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3. Arranging Necessary Documents<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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![\"Documents](\"https:\/\/www.naturediary.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Documents-and-flight-ticket.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n4. Packing Your Bags<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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![\"Pack](\"https:\/\/www.naturediary.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/pack-a-bag-for-travel.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nKnow The Items You Cannot Carry On The Flight<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Items That Aren\u2019t Allowed At All (Not Even In Checked Luggage)<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Items Prohibited In Carry-on Luggage But Allowed In Checked Luggage<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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5. Travelling To Your Departure Airport<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Arriving](\"https:\/\/www.naturediary.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Arriving-at-the-airport.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
6. Document Verification & Baggage Screening<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Document](\"https:\/\/www.naturediary.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Document-Verification-Baggage-Screening.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n7. Getting Your Boarding Pass And Checking In Your Luggage<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Web Check-in (for Both Domestic & International Trips)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
8. Going Through The Security Check<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Security](\"https:\/\/www.naturediary.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Security-checking-conveyor.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n9. Obtaining Immigration Clearance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
10. Boarding The Aircraft<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Boarding](\"https:\/\/www.naturediary.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Boarding-on-flight.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n11. Getting Settled On The Flight<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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![\"Getting](\"https:\/\/www.naturediary.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Getting-Settled-On-The-Flight.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n12. Arriving At The Destination Airport<\/strong><\/h2>\n
13. Collecting Your Luggage<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.naturediary.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Collecting-luggage-at-airport-exit.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n14. Leaving The Airport<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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