Ok, forgive my idiocy, but how do I catch a flight?!

[IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece]

I’ve flown once in 10y but was with a friend and my anxiety was so horrendous that I don’t remember any of it. Literally none.

I’m flying EasyJet from Gatwick

I’ve checked in online, I only have carry on luggage.

Do I have to go to the check in desk or just go straight to security? Is security signposted easily?

Once I’m through security do I just wait for the electronic sign to say which gate then go straight there and wait?!

I know this is ridiculous but I need a plan in my head of what will happen beforehand

Do you know / understand the 24 hour clock? I knew someone whose flight left at 6 o'clock so they got to the airport at 6pm instead of 6am.

How long is your flight? I recommend buying food at the airport to eat on the plane (or bring food with you). If you rely on buying food on the plane itself, it is often crap and expensive.

Be prepared if you're wearing boots that you'll probably have to take them off through security.

Have a good trip!

When you arrive at Gatwick by train, go through the rail exit barriers upstairs, then turn right and you will find the corridor leading to the monorail (for the north terminal) about 25 metres on your right.

Walk to the furthest point in the shuttle corridor, and board the shuttle there - you will get off nearest the entrance door at North Terminal.

Regular flyer here, Easyjet and Ryanair.

The "carry-on bag" that's included in the ticket price is literally a handbag. So basically if you're going anywhere for more than a day or two and taking more than a washbag and some clean pants you'll need to pay for extra luggage.

This is Ryanair, not Easyjet. And actually Ryanair have since increased their cabin bag size by 40% so you can now take on a decent size bag as long as you can get it under the seat.

Easyjet allow you one bag, no weight limit but your handbag needs to fit inside it. Have your handbag out of the case so that you can easily get to passport, phone, purse etc but be prepared to be asked at the boarding gate to put it back inside. Once through the gate you just get it out again. It's a bit of a faff but that way if they decide to take your suitcase and put it in the hold you still have all your valuables to hand.

Top tip, the nearer the front of the queue you are, the less likely they will make you stow your bag in the hold.

If by any chance you do have to stow your bag, you'll need to collect it from the baggage carousel. There will be plenty of you so just follow everyone else.

I use the app and never print my boarding pass. On the app use the option to save it to your Wallet, then you just access it from there rather than having to open the app. You can also share your pass from the app so your travelling companion can have yours as a back up in case of battery failure!

If you do print off, remember to use the printable version from the website, not the app version, they're different.

Have you still got time to preorder food, OP? Do if you can, it's lovely, they serve you before anyone else, straight after take off, and as you've already paid you aren't having to hunt around for money.

Thank you all so much!

I’m a bit less stressed now!

Bit worried about the other end but I figure I’ll just follow everyone off the plane!

Where are you going OP? Perhaps someone is familiar with the destination airport and can help with the unknown?

What a helpful thread .

We nearly missed a flight because we had no idea that they didn't announce flights anymore !

Just to add ,so that you are forewarned - Gatwick is like a small city ,v large .You've allowed lots of time and you will be fine .

Don't wear an underwired M&S bra as it always sets of the beeper. Last time i flew i specifically chose a non underwired bra and i didn't set off the beeper for once! unfortunately my DD did beep and had to have her hands swabbed , yikes. Once we got through she did admit she was carrying her lucky penny in her pocket

My son recently flew on an overseas visit with Scouts. Many of his fellow Scouts hadn't flown before, so they had a practice - put a tray on your kitchen table and go thru the motions. The feedback was that it was very useful and reduced anxiety.

The other end will be easy, just follow everyone else. Many of not most will have done it before.

If you have to reclaim baggage, head for baggage reclaim and look for the overhead notice that tells you which belt your flight's baggage will be on. Then it's just a case of waiting till it appears. Don't panic if you miss it, it will keep coming round till you pick it up. I have a rainbow striped strap around mine so I can spot it easily.

Passport control, if you have to use the electronic passport readers you just put the passport into the reader open at the photo page, shiny side down and follow the very clear instructions on how to stand and where to look. Glasses off if you wear them. There are always staff guiding you so you won't get stuck.

I was going to add some stuff but see that it has all been covered. One thing I will add, is Gatwick is sooo easy and organised now, it is very straight forward and honestly, nothing to worry about as there are plenty of people there to direct you etc (there is no such thing as a stupid question). I am pleased you downloaded the app because this will instantly alert you when you go to the gate and which gate it is etc. Good luck!

Be prepared to take off your coat/jacket including a big cardigan or hoodie when going through security and be properly dressed underneath.

Don't be like that poster who came on here moaning because she had a big cardigan over a tight and skimpy vest and felt undressed when they made her take the cardigan off.

Shoes, there is no rhyme or reason whether it's shoes on or off in my experience. They usually let you keep trainers but take off boots or heels due to the metal in the soles/buckles etc, but once I went to take my shoes off, was told not to, and was then shown to a chair to take my shoes off after I'd been through the metal detector.

I've only had a problem with underwired bras in one airport out of dozens I've used, so in my experience, not an issue.

I have metal in my knee so always set the beeper off and have to be patted down and swept with the hand scanner. It's always shoes off for me.

Just a thought - make sure you're checked in for your return flight as well as your outward flight. You can do it on the app.

Regarding food if you will need some - Gatwick has Prets all over the place (and similar places). I generally grab something from one of those after security to take on the plane. Better than the Easyjet options!

I haven't flown for 17 years, I wouldn't have a clue what to do!

Oh I just remembered if you have the Easyjet app and you've put in your trip details it'll tell you what gate to go to (though you'll probably be at it by the time it tells you!)

Sorry if this has already been mentioned.

Sorry just seen it has

Thank you!

Underwired bra is absolutely a must frankly!

I’ve tried to phone EasyJet to find out if I can pay extra to ensure my bag isn’t checked but gave up after 35 mins on hold!

Oh and in almost 12 years on MN I don’t think I’ve ever had a thread called helpful

Can you log back in and see if you can change your seats? The Up Front seats automatically give you speedy boarding, meaning you are the first on the plane and can take your bag.
If you don't have the option, just be the first queuing up at the gate, so you gan board before the overhead lockers are full.

Make sure you have lots of charge in your phone

If the flight gets cancelled log into the app and they ask if you need overnight accommodation etc and you just click buttons

Same for delays - they give you a card with enough money for a coffee (whoop whoop)

Make sure you have the right money in some small notes for the other end - help if you need a drink when you land or taxi/bus etc