How to Navigate the Airport

First-time flyers can easily be intimidated by the sheer size of an airport and perplexed by the all the signs and screens, but if you know what to expect, navigating the airport won’t seem so overwhelming. Here is a step-by-step guide of everything you need to know about departing for your trip, layovers and stopovers, and disembarking.

Departure

Arriving at the airport and getting to your departure lounge is arguably the most stressful part of a journey. Here is a guide on navigating the airport if you’re catching an outbound flight.

Arrive 2 Hours Early

If it’s your first time getting a flight on your own, you’re going to want plenty of time to get to the airport and get settled. When planning your journey from your house or hotel to the airport, be prepared for traffic and roadworks. Leave with plenty of time to spare so that you will arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your departure time. You may want to leave even earlier if you need to find a parking space. Airports are busy places with long queues, so you’ll need to be prepared for that.

Get to the Right Terminal

When planning your trip, identify which airport terminal you need to go to. This information will be in your booking details. Look up the airport layout online so you can identify where the terminal building is. If you are driving there yourself, follow the signs. If you are taking public transportation, you may be able to get a shuttle bus to your terminal from the train station or bus stop. If you’re getting a cab or having someone drive you, give them the name of your airline and terminal and ask them to take you to a dedicated drop off point outside the terminal.

Check In

You can head straight to security if you have no baggage to check, and if you have already checked in online and have an electronic or printed boarding pass.

If not, you will need to find your airline’s check in desk. The check in desks will have the airline’s name and logo displayed above them so you can find them easily. You will need to present your I.D., travel documents, and your flight confirmation email (or a printed version) to the member of staff at the desk. You may be able to choose your seat (depending on the airline) and the member of staff will print your boarding pass. Your boarding pass will have your name, flight number, seat number, boarding group, and your departure date and time on it.

At this point, you will need to check your hold luggage. You’ll be asked to put your suitcase on the scale so it they can weigh it, then the staff member will put a tag around the handle before it is put on the conveyor belt to be put on the plane. You will then be given a luggage receipt which you should keep safe so you can compare the information to the luggage tag when you retrieve your suitcase later. This will also come in handy if your suitcase is misplaced by the airline.

Alternatively, you can check in using the self-service check in kiosks. You will need to enter your information on the touch screen, print your own boarding pass, weigh your bag, and put it on the conveyor belt yourself. Once you have checked in, you can head over to airport security.

Get Through Airport Security

Many people think that going through security is a little daunting, but it’s a simple process if you come prepared. When packing your carry-on bag, look online at hand luggage restrictions. For example, if you want to bring liquids onto the plane, most airports will only allow you to bring containers with a maximum 100 millilitre capacity and they must all fit within a single 20cm x 20cm transparent bag. Make sure you’re not carrying any prohibited or restricted items in your hand luggage.

When you get to the security screening area, there will be signs telling you what to do, but the rules are generally the same in most airports. Make sure you have your boarding pass, passport, visa, ESTA, travel insurance information, essential medical information, and doctor’s note (if you are travelling with medication or if you have a pre-existing medical condition) so that you can present it to the security guard when they ask to see them.

You’ll be provided with one or more bins in which to put your belongings so they can go through a scanner. You’ll need to remove your shoes and put them in a bin, so you may want to wear slip on shoes for your flight. Under 13s and over 75s may not have to take off their shoes, but this will depend on the airport. Empty your pockets and remove anything metallic (including jewellery and belts) and put everything in the bin. You’ll also need to remove your laptop from your carry-on bag and take off your coat, and put those in the bin as well. Your carry-on bag will have to go through the scanner too. The security guards may want to search your carry-on bag, so if you pack it neatly, they will be able to go through it as quickly as possible.

When you get to the front of the queue, you’ll need to walk through the full body scanner. If the scanner’s alarm is not activated, you can repack your hand luggage at a separate table and carry on with the rest of your journey. Airport security staff will pick people at random for additional screening with a hand-held metal detecting wand, a full body pat-down, and questioning. Many people find this intimidating, but just remember that you haven’t done anything wrong. You can request to have an officer of a specific gender do your pat down and ask for it to be done privately. If you are asked any questions about your journey, answer them honestly.

If you have paid to for fast-track security, look for the signs for the fast-track queue so you can get through your security check quickly.

If you have a disability or a special circumstance that would make you exempt from going through the scanner (such as a hip replacement, an insulin pump, or a CGM), you should contact the airport and inform them beforehand. You may be able to request having a pat down instead of going through the full-body scanner.

Now that you know most of the security rules, you should breeze right through it. If you’re not prepared before you get to the security queue, you won’t just drag the process out for yourself; you’ll hold everyone else up too.

Find Your Gate

When you have gone through airport security, you can head to the departure lounge at your gate. Your gate number will be written on your boarding pass and there will be signs directing you to where you need to go. Airports will also have screens which will show you your gate number, flight status (whether your flight is delayed or on time), and departure time.

Boarding

When it is time for you to board the aircraft, the gate agent will make an announcement. Keep your passport and boarding pass on hand to show them. Planes are usually boarded on a specific order, so wait for your section, row, or group number to be called before joining the queue at the boarding gate. If you have a FastTrack ticket, you will be one of the first people to board.

Layovers and Stopovers

For those who aren’t familiar with layovers and stopovers, a layover is a short stop between flights that only lasts for a few hours or less. A stopover is a break between flights that lasts a whole day or sometimes more. Here is what you can expect if you have a layover or stopover.

What To Do During a Layover

If you have a layover, you’ll need to get off the first plane and make your way to the next one. If both of your flights are with the same airline or with two partnering airlines, then your luggage will be transferred from one plane to the other and you can go straight to security.

However, for some connecting flights, you’ll need to pick up your bags from the baggage claim area first. If you’re not sure whether you’ll need to pick up your bags, ask airline before your trip. Afterwards, you’ll need to head through airport security again. If you are required to have a transit visa for your journey, make sure you have it with your other travel documents so the security officer can check it.

If you don’t already have your boarding pass for your connecting flight, you’ll need to follow the signs for the “airline transfer desk” or “transfer information” so they can print your pass for you. You won’t be required to check in again or go through immigration (though some airports’ rules may differ). Afterwards, you’ll need to find the departure gate for your connecting flight. While you wait, you can do a bit of shopping at the airport, grab yourself a bite to eat, and use the restroom before finding a seat in the departure lounge while you wait for boarding. If you have an airport lounge pass, you can spend your time in there. Just make sure you make a note of your boarding time so you don’t forget.

What To Do During a Stopover

If you have a stopover, you’ll need to pick up your luggage from the baggage claim and go through passport control. You have the option of spending your stopover in the airport or booking a room at an airport hotel or in nearby accommodation. Because of the length between flights, stopovers are a great opportunity for you to explore the city before heading to your final destination.

If you choose to leave the airport, you’ll need to check your bags and go through security when you return, so make sure you come back with plenty of time before boarding. If you need to pick up your second boarding pass, get your boarding pass from the airline transfer desk before you leave.

Disembarking

Disembarking can seem as nerve-wracking as getting to your departure flight, but remember—this time you’re in no rush. Follow these simple steps for disembarking your flight and exiting the airport for smooth sailing for the rest of your trip.

Passport Control

As soon as you reach the arrival gate, follow the signs for “Arrivals” and “Passport Control”. Make sure you have your passport and travel documents ready to be checked. All airports will require you to hand over your passport and other documents to be verified by an immigration officer, who will ask you questions about your journey. You may be pulled aside for further questioning, so stay calm and be truthful.

Some airports now have e-gates which can be used if you have a biometric passport. An e-gate uses facial recognition software and scans your passport. After you’ve gone through passport control, you can pick up your luggage.

Baggage Claim

Follow the signs for “Baggage Claim”. If you have more than one bag or if you’re traveling with another person, get yourself a luggage trolley so you don’t have to lug your bags through the airport. You may have to wait a little while for the bags to appear on the luggage carousel. This is normal, so don’t be worried if you don’t see your suitcase at first.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and let other people get their luggage first. You’ll have an easier time collecting yours when it’s less crowded. If your suitcase is distinctive or if you added some brightly coloured tags to your luggage, then you’ll be able to easily identify it and you can pick it up from the carousel. If you think you’ve missed your bag, wait until it comes around on the carousel again. Some bags may look like yours, so check the luggage tag before you take it.

Customs

When you’ve collected your bags, follow the signs for “Customs” or “Customs Control”. This is where items brought into the country are inspected and where you will need to pay tax and duties on declared items.

There are separate lanes for those who have goods to declare and those who don’t. If you have nothing to declare, follow the signs for the “Nothing to Declare” lane. Once you pass through, you can leave the airport.

The declaration process is different for each country. You may be able to fill out an online declaration form. Alternatively, you will be given a paper form on the plane and you will need to fill it out before getting to customs. If you have anything to declare (anything you brought with you from abroad) you will need to follow the signs for “Goods to Declare”. Be prepared for a baggage inspection, where the customs officer will look through your suitcase and hand luggage to make sure you’re not bringing anything illegal into the country. If you have anything that requires a permit or licence, show the documents to the customs officer.

Exiting the Airport

Once you’ve gone through customs, you’re free to leave the airport and carry on with your trip, whether that’s beginning your holiday, travelling for business, or heading home. There will be signs dotted around that will direct you to the carpark, taxi rank, car rental pick-up area, train station, and bus terminal.