Going on a plane for the first time - a few questions

[newtoflying]

I'm going on a plane soon for the first time, I've done some research and just want to check I understand everything. For context I'll be flying a short domestic flight from Heathrow.

• How early before my flight should I arrive? Is 2 hours enough time?
• When I get to the airport, is the first thing I do get my boarding pass, and then go through security? Do I then go and find my gate and just hang around there? Is it quite easy to find where I need to go in the airport? I think I'll only need hand luggage (a handbag and a cabin-sized suitcase), so I'm hoping that will be easier?
• Does the cabin suitcase go in storage above our heads (i.e. will it be difficult to lift it up? I'll be on my own so worried about that)
• I'll be taking one packet of tablets with me, they have a sticker on the box from the pharmacy with my name on - is that enough proof that they are prescribed to me or do I need a doctor's note?
• I'm trying to figure out what I can bring with me on the plane, can I bring my hair straighteners and hair dryer?
• What does it feel like when the plane takes off and lands, is it quite steady/a gradual incline/decline or does it feel quite steep? Just trying to prepare mentally for what to expect...

I've been on the Eurostar before so that's the only similar thing I have to compare it with.

@stockpilingallthecheese
Oh I've never heard that and haven't stuck to that at all, in fact sometimes I don't even bother with a clear bag just put my open toiletry bag separately in the tray and have never been told off 😅

You can't take a bottle of water through security (unless it holds 100ml and fits in your sealed plastic bag). However you can take your usual bottle to the airport, empty it in the sink in the loos, take it through security empty, and refill at an airside water fountain (most terminals seem to have them), to save paying £3.95 for a 500ml bottle in a terminal shop.

This is a great tip, I do this too. No point spending money on tepid bottled water, you may as well bring an empty reusable bottle from home and refill in the cold fountains after security.

You are allowed tweezers in hand luggage.

Another thing to be aware of with take off is that not that long into take off the nose of the plane will drop & if you’re not used to it you might worry the plane is going down

it isn’t at all, it’s perfectly normal. Think of it like driving when you move off in first gear & as soon as you can you change into
second gear then third, fourth etc. that’s all the plane is doing

Who are you flying with? Heathrow is a big place so know which terminal and leave sufficient time, two hours should be enough, but if you have anxiety or want to shop/eat, three might be better.

Most airlines now have apps and your boarding pass is within the app. I usually screenshot mine and use that.

Pay attention to the departure boards in the lounge, they will indicate what time your gate will be posted. When it is posted, make your way there.

When you board the aircraft, let one of the cabin crew know you haven't flown before. It is their job to ensure safety and they will be happy to help you out.

Pay attention to the safety briefing and read the safety card card in your chair pocket. I have flown many times and I always do this, I don't understand why people don't. They will be the ones getting trampled in an emergency 😈

If it's a short flight, it could be a bit bumpy, don't worry about it, the higher you fly, the smoother the air. The pilots are trained for this.

Most of all relax, and if you have a window seat, enjoy the view.

Also never been on a flight when someone's clapped a landing

I have and I find it both bizarre and worrying. Isn't landing the plane safely what the pilot is trained to do?

Memories from my first flight that made the biggest impression on me:

• being pushed back into the seat as the plane accelerates down the runway for take off (loved it)

• the "clunking" noise when the wheels folded away as we gained height (* thought we were all going to die - shit myself till I saw nobody else was taking any notice, and concluded that it was normal)

• the roaring sound of the engines suddenly stopping after we gained height (see * above)

• turbulence felt like driving over potholes

• felt a bit weird the way the plane tilted as it turned

Overall, I loved it (apart from the bits where I thought we were all going to die 😅)

Also never been on a flight when someone's clapped a landing
i have and it’s rather tedious. To be fair it hasn’t happened on any flights post covid restrictions being lifted but it was always on RyanAir flights with stag parties on ( same with young women on hen did ‘whooping’ and clapping every time the captain made an announcement!)

I’d also say if you’re a little nervous and not sure of the procedures then aim to arrive slightly earlier than two hours. Traffic, train delays, security queues - it can all hold things up and add stress. You’re v unlikely to miss your flight as they’ll rush you to the front of the queue if you need to but if you’re like me (and you sound a little bit like me) then that might make it a bit more stressful!

Also agree that the airplane noises can be very unnerving but they’re totally normal!! I tend to wear noise cancelling headphones so I don’t have to hear them.

I'm surprised by people saying 2 hours is plenty. When we flew from Heathrow during the summer we arrived 4 hours before our flight and only just made it, due to the ridiculous length queues for baggage check-in and security. Hopefully it is better now than it was then, and domestic should be better than international, but I'd still give it 3 hours rather than 2.

Heathrow has shops and restaurants once you get through security, so if you've lots of spare time you can hang out there!

No sign of the OP ✈️.

Download a film/ programme something from Netflix/Amazon/Sky to your phone for you to to watch - remember your ear phones. I find watching something a great distraction and makes the time go quickly.

Absolutely take boiled sweets with you to prevent your ears popping on take off and landing. Save some for the return flight.

Keep your seatbelt on unless you're leaving you seat to use the toilet.

Be mindful of the person behind you if you recline your seat. They may have a drink on their tray.

You might see what looks like smoke in the plane. Don't panic! It's just the air con system.

Be careful when opening the overhead lockers after landing. Things move about during the flight. And get your case down carefully. I'll never live down the shame of hitting a poor lady on the head with my carrier bag of duty free!

For domestic flights you will need photo ID, but it doesn’t have to be a passport. I use my driving license.

Check hand baggage dimensions & weights carefully on your airline’s website. All airlines have different rules, and they have an annoying habit of changing them all the time.

Takeoff & landing are both nice & smooth because pilots are trained to give passengers as comfortable a ride as possible. For takeoff, the engine noise increases then the pilot releases the brakes and the aircraft accelerates steadily down the runway before taking off front end first & climbing steadily.mid you hear & feel a loud ‘clunk’ a few seconds after takeoff, that’s the landing gear retracting. If the weather is very cloudy or rainy it can be a bit bumpy as the aircraft climbs through the clouds but this only takes a minute or two and is perfectly normal.

Landing is usually a smooth, gentle descent followed by a noticeable bump as the wheels touch down, but if it’s windy it can get blown around a bit. This is perfectly normal, just like a boat bobbing in the waves.

Enjoy your trip!

If you turn up at the gate 5 minutes before departure time you'll already have your bags removed (if you've checked in bags), been offloaded from the flight and standby/staff travellers accomodated in your seat. Most airlines close the gate at least 15 minutes prior to departure.

Wow thank you all, your advice has been SO helpful. I especially appreciate the advice on the different engine noises and movements to expect as I think I would definitely have panicked otherwise!

For those who have asked, I'm flying BA. I have a passport so all fine on that accord, I've been on the Eurostar before so I'm expecting security to be similar to that?

Where are you flying from?

I think security is more stringent than Eurostar.

The wings do wobble about, and look flimsy. It’s normal.

Literally the second sentence.

Silly me 🙄

Planes accelerate at high power during the ascent, obviously, and then transition to a different rate of speed a few minutes into the flight; this can feel like the engines have slowed down and are about to cut out. It is normal, nothing to worry about. The plane by that time is sailing along on a cushion of air.

I hope you have a wonderful day.

So you'll be flying from T5 which is all BA. I used to fly twice a week on BA domestic from T5 and it's such an easy airport. Well set out and not far to the gates from anywhere (you won't be on concourse B or C for domestic)

-check in online from 24 hours before

• 2 hours is plenty for T5
• in T5 print your own boarding pass on one of the machines. I suggest writing your booking reference on your hand so it's easy access!
• once that's printed look for departures. There's 2 of them and they are very obvious.
• heed all the comments on here about security. It's usually v quick at T5
• once through there are gates all around the departures concourse. You can walk to any of them within 10 minutes but I suggest you check where yours is and then relax nearby with a drink in front of a screen which are everywhere in T5. They also do announcements!