At 52 I'm going on my first flight "alone" tomorrow

[Icecreamclassic]

Honestly I am a capable woman with a responsible job. I've been very much in charge of running a house and raising a family for nearly 30 years, but I haven't "done" travel. I haven't been abroad much, but when I did, organising things was late DH's department. I'm starting to feel a little bit sick. I'm not actually going alone but with 19yo DS2, who's about as useful as I am. The whole chaos at the airports thing is making me even more anxious

I've checked in on line. We're only taking hand luggage. Can anyone set my mind at rest re these things:

• If our trains run to time we should arrive at Heathrow 3.5 hours before the flight. Plenty, surely, even allowing for some train delays?

• We've packed soft rucsacs that are well within the weigh allowance, but if squashed the wrong way might be slightly outside the dimensions. I mean an inch or so. What happens if they're not OK?

• I have booked seats (free) but not food for the flight. I'm hoping we'll have plenty of time to eat at the airport, to kill some of the time? If all else fails can we buy sandwiches at the airport and take them on the plane?

• Similarly, the fight is mid afternoon, but we won't get our evening meal until late evening. Am I allowed to take nuts or chocolate bars to tide us over? Not EU country, regs seem to be no fresh food.

• If I buy e.g. food or duty free, a book at the airport, does that need to fit into our regulation sized bags or is it extra?

• We need to take coats. Does it matter if they don't fit in the bag? I.e. we'll be "wearing" them but unlikely, looking at the weather forecast, to have them on at departure. We will need them at the other end.

• I know we'll have to empty water bottles before security, is there somewhere to refill before getting on the plane?

I realise I'm inventing things to worry about, what should I be worrying about that I've forgotten?!

I'm sure you'll have a lovely time, airports are designed to be easy to manage and it sounds like you have everything under control. I'll answer some questions for you:

The rucksacks will be fine, if ever checked they have to fit in a size guide so will squish in.

Meal deals can be bought at the airport to take on the plane after security as long as you're going from a normal sized airport. Foreign airports aren't always as good food wise so bear that in mind when returning

I wouldn't recommend taking nuts on board, if any passenger is allergic you won't be able to eat them but other food is fine

Yes, in theory everything must fit in your bag but board with your coats on and you will be fine

Yes you should be able to find a water refill point but if not you can buy bottled water after security

Enjoy your trip

Also they'll sell food and drink on the plane. If you're flying with a British carrier they'll take pounds or cards as payment.

WRT snacks just don't take fruit/cheese etc. Stick with biscuits/crisps if you do decide to take them

Hopefully I've answered some of the questions

All sounds good. Relax and have a great time on holiday. 😀

Make sure,all your toiletries are uner 100 ml snd fit into a clear plastic bag eg take travel sizes

Or buy at boots after security

Thexrest all wll be fine
You can brung in oacked snacks usyally so a wrapped bar or packet of nuts, dint bring in a bag if unpacked peanuts or a fresh ham or fruit

planreadygo.com/how-to-pack-liquids-bag/

www.skyscanner.ca/tips-and-inspiration/carry-on-liquids-hand-luggage

You csn buy ckear bag at amazon or boots etc www.you.co.uk/best-reusable-airport-liquid-bags/

I've put them in clear plastic sandwich bags. I only had one zip lock one left, the other has a fold over top. Both well within the 20 x 20 cm. That's OK?

I'm sure last time I flew you could pick up bags at security, but that might have been just after the restrictions re liquids came in.

If our trains run to time we should arrive at Heathrow 3.5 hours before the flight. Plenty, surely, even allowing for some train delays?

Yes - this is plenty of time

We've packed soft rucsacs that are well within the weigh allowance, but if squashed the wrong way might be slightly outside the dimensions. I mean an inch or so. What happens if they're not OK?

Unless they’re full to bursting, you’ll be ok

I have booked seats (free) but not food for the flight. I'm hoping we'll have plenty of time to eat at the airport, to kill some of the time? If all else fails can we buy sandwiches at the airport and take them on the plane?

yes you can take food on the plane with you - just pick up a meal deal from Boots.

Similarly, the fight is mid afternoon, but we won't get our evening meal until late evening. Am I allowed to take nuts or chocolate bars to tide us over? Not EU country, regs seem to be no fresh food.

Buy something at the airport when you land?

If I buy e.g. food or duty free, a book at the airport, does that need to fit into our regulation sized bags or is it extra?

No. It’s extra. But if there’s delays getting through security, you might not have time to buy anything.

We need to take coats. Does it matter if they don't fit in the bag? I.e. we'll be "wearing" them but unlikely, looking at the weather forecast, to have them on at departure. We will need them at the other end.

Just pop it in before you go into the plane.

I know we'll have to empty water bottles before security, is there somewhere to refill before getting on the plane?

Yes. Airports tend to have water fountains airside these days.

I wouldn't count on this!! BA you have to pre book a bloody sandwich

If our trains run to time we should arrive at Heathrow 3.5 hours before the flight. Plenty, surely, even allowing for some train delays?
Plenty of time. Last few times I’ve flown I’ve been there 2 hours before and still had time to spare. You’re checked in and have no luggage to drop off so you’re straight through to security.

We've packed soft rucsacs that are well within the weigh allowance, but if squashed the wrong way might be slightly outside the dimensions. I mean an inch or so. What happens if they're not OK?
If they can squash to the right size you’ll be fine. Worse case is you’ll have to take a jumper or something out to “wear”.

I have booked seats (free) but not food for the flight. I'm hoping we'll have plenty of time to eat at the airport, to kill some of the time? If all else fails can we buy sandwiches at the airport and take them on the plane?
I always get a boots meal deal to take on short haul flights as it’s nearly always cheaper and nicer than airplane food!

Similarly, the fight is mid afternoon, but we won't get our evening meal until late evening. Am I allowed to take nuts or chocolate bars to tide us over? Not EU country, regs seem to be no fresh food.
I always have plenty of snacks. If you have nuts you may not be able to open them on the plane if any passengers are allergic.

If I buy e.g. food or duty free, a book at the airport, does that need to fit into our regulation sized bags or is it extra?
All the times I’ve flown you’re allows a bag of duty free in addition to your regulation sized bags.

We need to take coats. Does it matter if they don't fit in the bag? I.e. we'll be "wearing" them but unlikely, looking at the weather forecast, to have them on at departure. We will need them at the other end.
Nope, carry them or wear them and you’ll be fine.

I know we'll have to empty water bottles before security, is there somewhere to refill before getting on the plane?
Yes, normally head towards the toilets and they’ll water fountains and bottle refill stations there.

As a PP said, make sure your liquids are all the right size and know that you’ll need to take phones, iPads and laptops out of your bag at security.

Keep an eye on the boards for when your gate is announced - it will tell you what time it’s expected to be displayed so you can go and grab food or a coffee and just check back at that time. Some gates can be a 10-15 minute walk so try and start heading there as soon as it’s shown so you’re not having to rush or panic.

Enjoy your trip!

Duty free shopping normally excluded - make sure you get a bag.

Who are you flying with? You can check their website/app

Your rucksacks will be fine.
Coats will be fine.
Sandwiches etc fine - you can buy after security.

Thank you! So the coats are the biggest issue?

No issue with coats. Just carry on your arm put in luggage lockerer

If you are going to a country that requires a visa (eg an ESTA for USA) you will need to present it at check in even if you have checked in online.

Coat won't be a problem but it's probably easier to wear it as you board even if you are boiling, so that you have your hands free for your Boarding Pass, passport and hand luggage at the gate.

Be ready at security with your under-100ml liquids, gels and pastes in the plastic bag, ready to get out of your bag and put in the tray separately. Also any laptop or tablet, needs to go in the tray outside of your bag. Take anything metal, like keys and coins out of your pockets and put them in your bag. Double check neither you nor DS have any scissors or little knife or similar in your hand luggage. Be ready to take off your shoes, belt, step counter and possibly watch for security. Some airports ask you to, some don't. Sometimes they select random passengers to go through another scanner and/or have a pat down; don't freak out - you were just the nth person, so were selected (n varying). when you and your belongings have been scanned, take everything and move away - there are likely to be seats or a shelf a few steps ahead - and sort yourself out at leisure away from the incoming people.

When you get on the plane it can be a bit of a scrum with people trying to get to their seats and others blocking the aisle slowly arranging which items they want to put in the overhead locker and what they want in the seat pocket. Do yourself a favour, decide when you pack what you would like for the first 30 minutes or so of the flight, put those things in a separate back in your rucksack, whip them out as you reach your seats and sling the rest, with your coats, into the overhead locker. Or you can keep everything under the seat in front, which gives you less leg room, but means you can access all your stuff. Bear in mind the plane might be too warm or too cold so you might want to shed or add clothing. Once you're airborne, you can get into the overhead locker.

I promise you, you will be fine. Try and concentrate on baby steps. Get to the airport. Get through security. Get something to eat and drink. Get on the aircraft. Etc.

Your timings sound fine. How exciting!

I went through Heathrow, T5 a couple of weeks ago and it was fine. Security was around 20 minutes (although it was a Wednesday not a Friday). You can also get your clear plastic bags free just before you go through to security.

Water fountains airside and plenty of places for meal deals or even to sit down and eat if you've got time. Honestly you'll be fine. Free WiFi can be a bit patchy but worth trying to log on rather than using up your data.

Oh and a small warning, depending on where you go. I've just been caught out with roaming charges ( I'm currently outside the EU). I switched off data roaming on my phone but not mobile data 🤦🏻‍♀️ So there was some data use unbeknownst to me. Luckily I receive a warning text before it hit extortion levels but I'm a bit peeved. Just something to be aware of.

Have a lovely time 😊