What do you do when you get to an airport ?????

[Allypallya]

I know that sounds ridiculous probably but I leave for Stanstead in an hour on my own with 2 dc and ive never flown before ! I have no clue what to do or where to go?
How do i know which desk to go too ?
In what order do you do things ?
Please help !!

Look for your flight number and destination on the displays when you get there. It's like a train station. There will be screens with it on. First you go to the check in desk, where they check your passport, tickets and take your luggage from you. Then you go through security. After that there will be shops and cafes you can hang about in. When your flight is called to board you'll see on the display which gate number to go to.

Don't panic. You look for the airline desk that matches your ticket. You show them your ticket and passport. They check in your luggage and give you a boarding pass (unless you checked on online). Then you keep the boarding pass and your passport somewhere safe but easily accessible and make your way, with your handluggage to the security gate. There your passports will be checked and your hand luggage will be scanned. You may have to take off your coat to be scanned as well. Then your look for the electronic departure boards (usually a TV screen) and it will tell you which gate to go to. Follow the signs to that gate, and wait to be called for boarding.

You go into the airport and look at the screens. Look for your airline and destination and it will tell you what desk you go to. Once you've checked in you follow the signs to security. Once through security you look for your flight and see what gate you need to go to and follow the signs. If your gate number isn't up at threat point enjoy duty free / shops/ restaurants

Oh and you need to check in usually two hours before the flight. You don't have to go through security straight after that, but I do as all the best shops are there plus it gets it done. That's where they'll get you to walk through a metal detector frame, put your hand luggage through X ray screening and so on. Boarding usually happens then about 30-45 minutes before the plane is due to take off. Keep an eye on the screens and listen for announcements as they'll change from something like 'wait in lounge' to 'boarding, go to gate 22' or similar.

Get a glass of wine

I get there stupidly early, shop and drink wine!

I dont drink wine while flying (alcohol dehydrates you) but I always go early and then have plenty of time to relax looking around the shops and the duty free. I also like to just sit watching other people.

Once you get through security you shop, eat and wait for your Departure Gate to come up on the Board. Its then a walk to the Gate.

These can be quite long walks - some say 20-30 minutes though I don't think Stansted is as big as Heathrow or others. Anyway there are usually walking escalators but be mindful it can take a while so don't leave it too long. Voice of experience. Once you get to the Gate it then becomes the most boring experience ever as you have seats, maybe a vending machine, or a small cafe if you are lucky, and a toilet nearby. You wait for aggggeeesss then everyone gets in a queue and waits for aggeeeeesss and then you all get on the plane and wait for aggeeeessss. But as its your first time it will be exciting. If you want things out on the plane make sure they are accessible in hand luggage as its quite strict about having everything stowed away until after take off then people start trying to get things out of lockers.

Ps you can't take drinks through airport security.

Which company are you flying with? Have you checked in online? Do you have luggage that needs drop off? How old are your kids?

I think Stansted has “zones” so when you enter the terminal look for the zone where your airline check in is.

At check in you’ll hand over your passport, and any Covid information. You’ll put your luggage on the scale and it will be labelled and taken away. You’ll get your boarding pass.

Next go to security. You’ll need your boarding pass to enter. You need to remove any liquids over 100mls and throw them away. Liquids under 100mls will need to be put in a clear plastic bag which you can get at security gates. You need to remove any laptops or iPads etc and put them through the scanner in a tray.

You’ll be in the departure area. Chill, feed the kids and keep an eye on the screens that are dotted about. They will tell you which gate to go to and when. Give yourself plenty of time to walk to the gate - it can take longer than you think and sometimes involves a shuttle to take you there.

Enjoy the flight. Have chewy sweets for the kids or water for babies. They’ll need to chew/swallow on take off and landing to help their ears adjust.

Hope you have a good trip!

At the other end you’ll leave the plane and follow signs for Passport Control/Baggage claim. Passport control will check and stamp your passport.
Then you go to the baggage claim hall. You look at the screen to see which conveyor belt your luggage will arrive on. You need to wait for your luggage and pull it off the conveyor yourself. Best to have a trolley if you have DCs.
Then follow signs for Exit or arrivals. Hopefully someone will be there to meet you!