A Great Guide for First-time Flyers
This is a list of small tips that may make a difference the next time you fly. It’s also a great guide for first-time flyers.
Seating choice is key:
Try to find a seat over one of the wings. Avoid middle or aisle seats. (Especially if you’re prone to being claustrophobic.) When you’re in these seats, you have people on all sides of you. It’s nice to be able to take a break and look outside sometimes!
Think about where baggage compartments are too…above the middle or aisle seats, right? If you take a window seat, you’ll avoid heavy carry-ons being lifted up over your head.
Sitting near the bathroom is also a poor choice. It may seem convenient to have the restroom close by but it’ll become redundant, and frankly annoying, when fellow passengers are constantly opening and closing the door.
If you’d like to be able to stretch your legs out during the flight, consider sitting in an exit seat. These seats offer more legroom. Do be aware that the flight attendants will make sure you know the safety instructions. Don’t let this alarm you though!
Small Tips That Make A Difference:
Take advantage of the AC early! The cabin temperature is high with all those passengers on board. Above your seat are air-conditioner vents (one per person). Twist the top ring to open the vent and then adjust it so the air hits your face. Keeping cool while flying will reduce the likelihood of nausea. Try to do this when you first sit down although sometimes the AC won’t turn on until you begin taxiing.
Make sure you eat before you fly. I’d recommend having some food about an hour and half before departure time. Obviously don’t eat a ton of food but you won’t want to fly on an empty stomach. An empty stomach can lead to nausea as well. Don’t rely on airline food to fill you up either! (Especially since airlines have been cutting back on how much they feed you.)
*One small trick of the trade: When serving drinks, flight attendants often take out a small cup and fill it up about half way with your preferred beverage…try asking the flight attendants if you can have the entire can of soda. (Be courteous of course.) They’ll usually hand it to you without question, giving you enough liquid to actually quench your thirst! (It’s a trivial tip, I know!)
Music is a great thing to have. You should absolutely bring your Mp3 or CD player with you. This probably goes without saying though! Put your earbuds in after the flight attendants give permission to use electronic devices and sit back and relax. Keep the volume low enough so that you can hear the flight attendant and/or pilot should they make an announcement during the flight. On many aircraft, you can plug headphones, provided by the airline in the seat pocket in front of you, into a plug on your armrest. You can then choose from a selection of music to listen to.
This may sound like a strange idea but I promise it’s good advice! Make your movements slow once you’re up and flying. The aircraft is moving very quickly through the air and it’s taking you with it. If you turn your head too fast or stand up too quickly, your insides will make sure you know it. There’s no need to jump out of your seat and run up the aisle!
Advice On Packing:
With rules that continue to be added and changed, it is difficult to compile a list that covers and follows each airlines’ policies. I’ll try to suggest general ideas!
Baggage fees are being added and prices are being raised so passengers have begun adding more weight to their carry-ons. This led to airlines adding restrictions and cost to having a carry-on. There are a few things that I consider to be a “good-idea” to have in your carry-on.
You should pack your carry-on with the bare necessities. In the event that your regular baggage is lost, you’ll want to have the things you’ll need to get by. This may include an extra pair of clothes, small toiletries, money, compact electronic devices, etc.
All of this should fit into a small travel suitcase or bag. A standard-sized bag is under 22in x 14in x 9in. (Including the handle, pockets and wheels) This size bag will fit comfortably in an overhead compartment reducing the amount of time you spend wrestling with it.
Although duffle-bags can fit a lot of stuff, I suggest not using them for air travel. Travel suitcases have a frame which makes them easier to handle for both you and the baggage handlers. And because duffle-bags do not have a reinforced frame, the material can rip when loading and unloading from the belly of the aircraft. Baggage handlers use conveyor-belts to move things around. Duffle-bags often get caught on the edge of the belt as they load the bag into the belly. This leads to tearing.
Air Conditioners are really necessary if you have allergic rhinitis and some other respiratory conditions :
air conditioner is always a necessity at home,”‘
air conditioners are really needed specially if you have people with respiratory problems”.*