How do airports work?

[Mydogisamentalist]

At risk of sounding incredibly stupid… I was wondering if anybody could tell me what happens at the airport?

I am flying at the end of the week and while I’ve flown before, I was a child. I’ve checked in online so I’m aware I only need to check in the bags and I’m presuming it’s security next? I’m worried about the being called to the gate bit. What exactly is the gate? How far away are they usually and are they easy to find? I don’t like flying and this is stressing me out so much.

If it helps I’m flying from Bristol.

Yes after bag drop it’s immigration (passport check) and security. Make sure to separate your liquids (up to 100ml per item) and large electronics. Some airports need you to remove shoes, coats, belts etc so pay attention for the signs. Then you’ll be in the departure area. A ‘gate’ is a numbered door leading to a plane. They will be very clearly sign posted. Most gates are no more than 5-15 mins from the departure area. There are no audio announcements for gates so just watch the boards to find out the gate number and what time boarding opens. Sometimes you can get an app from the airline or airport which sends alerts to your phone. Give yourself time, stay calm and you’ll figure it out when you get there.

Bristols a nice small airport so your gate won't be far away. After checking your bags in, go straight to security and make sure all your liquids are in a 1l ziploc type bags (you can take a reusable bottle/ cup through but it must be empty). Then look at the monitors and it will have your flight listed and say something like 'flight xxx Orlando, gate shown 15:00' and you know not to expect to see the gate number until then - though I do normally keep an eye on the monitors as it will tell you if there are any delays etc. Then just walk down there at the right time

Oh be careful with Bristol! It used to be a "quiet" airport with no gate announcements, although last time I went there in September it did announce some gates.

Make sure you sit near a big screen that tells you what gate.

Also it's very reassuring if you are checking in bags!! They can't fly without you. Flights can't fly without the passenger being with their onboard luggage, I've been on a delayed plane where we all had to sit on a hot stuffy plane while they took off the missing passengers bags.

You'll be fine.

As the PP has said, if there's an app for the airline, I would download it as it often will tell you which gate to go to. Otherwise, find your flight on the screens, which are usually all over the place - they usually say what time the gate will be announced, and once it's confirmed will then tell you which one to go to.

@Blueroses99
there’s no immigration/passport check as such when you leave the UK, it’s when you arrive at your destination
airlines usually check passports at boarding, for ID purposes though

Have you booked bags to go in the hold? If so, put all your liquids in there.

At security you will first need to scan your boarding pass to enter security area. Most people have this on their phone.

At security, you will need to put everything in a tray. If you have electronics (e.g. iPads) or electronics, lay them out in the tray, don't pile things on top of them. You'll have to make sure your pockets are empty and put your jacket/scarf under n a tray (you may need multiple trays). Pay attention to signs in the security area, some airports might ask you to remove a belt or shoes. Confusingly for now, some airports are trialling scanners that don't require you to take everything out of your bags, but there will be signs. If you do have liquids in your hand luggage, they need to be in 20cm x 20cm clear bag.

If you have hand luggage, read their cabin bag rules carefully. Not all airlines are the same. Easyjet snd Ryanair have strict rules about what you can take on for free (the 'free' bag should go under the seat) and they often check these while you are boarding. A handbag is included in your cabin bag, it's not a separate item.

The airport screens will tell you what number your gate is and when to go to the gate. Your boarding pass should tell you when the gate is closing. If you have checked in luggage you will need your photo id when you are boarding the plane.

Once on the plane, quickly pop any cases in the overhead lockers, small bag under your seat and take your seat. You shouldn't put coats etc. in the overhead, space is at a premium, and for Ryanair or easyjet they're just for bags you have paid extra for.

Wrong thread - apologies!

You won't get an audio call for the boarding gate. There are screens listing flight numbers, gates and status ie. Go to gate, boarding, delayed etc and it is up to you to arrive there before the gate closes.

Bristol is a lot bigger than It used to be so some gates can be quite a walk, definitely keep an eye on the screens for when your gate is called.

If you’re anxious about getting through security if carrying liquids/electronics, you could always purchase the fast track, it’s always been quiet at Bristol when I’ve used it and much more relaxed. Having said that, Bristol do tend to be a bit more relaxed than some for having to take off shoes & some electrics. I flew through Manchester a few years ago and had to take my hair straighteners out of my hand luggage, I’ve never had to do that at Bristol.

One thing I always do is to have a wallet with passports and later the boarding passes.

Check your bags in, get your boarding pass or use your online one and follow everyone else to security.

If you have any liquids get a small plastic bag from the dispensers and put them in there. As you get to security take off your shoes. Your shoes, phone, jewellery, bag and liquids go onto a tray to be scanned

You walk through. If you are stopped please don't worry you will just be checked with a scanner

Then put your shoes on and collect your things.

You are now in the departure hall. Go and see if your flight gate has been announced yet. If it has go and find it. If not you can get something to eat and drink and have a look in duty free.

Once your gate is on the board you can walk towards it. You will be in a queue to check your passports and boarding passes. You might have to be boarded onto a bus to get to the aircraft.

I hope you have a great time!

Loads of great advice on here.

Give yourself plenty of time. Work out your timings, e.g. flight is at 3pm, I need to be at the bag drop for 1pm, which means getting to the car park for 12.45pm, which means leaving home at 11am, give an extra 30 mins for traffic.

Then when you get through security find your gate, walk to it and have a look. Then go and pick up a coffee and a magazine, go back to the gate and wait.

I hope you have a lovely trip

You will need to empty any drinks bottles over 100ml before security but there are water fountains (or ask for a refill at a food outlet) in the departure lounge.

Perhaps it varies, I’m pretty sure that I had to show passport and boarding card to enter security recently. There were electronic gates but I was travelling with young DC and went into a separate queue. Otherwise how do the people who need them get exit stamps.

They check passports at the gate and when boarding.

Don’t wait to be called to a gate, not all airports do that. Once you went through security, go to one of the screens. Your flight will be listed there and either show the gate number, or what time it will be shown. Once you can see a gate number displayed, make your way to the gate. There should be signs to guide you there.

The UK has not stamped passports on exit (or done any other sort of in-person immigration control on exit) for decades. Records of people leaving the country are gathered via flight/ferry manifests.

Airlines check passports at check in to make sure that you have a valid one for entry to the destination country.

When you go on the Eurostar from London you actually get stamped into France at St Pancras by a French immigration officer.

What exactly is the gate? It is a numbered entrance through which you go, and onwards onto the aircraft.

@Blueroses99

Perhaps it varies, I’m pretty sure that I had to show passport and boarding card to enter security recently.

It does vary.

There's almost always a check of boarding pass at or just prior to security because the airport doesn't want somebody going airside without a valid reason. A few places also do a passport check at that point.

If you are flying from Bristol allow an extra hour (or two!) for journey time. The road from M5/ Bristol is horrendous for traffic. The long stay car park is also closed, so allow a few minutes for walking from the car park. If you are checking bags, look for your flight on the screens and go to the relevant queue. Once checked, you need to go up the escalator which is to your right as you come in the main door. For security get ready to place everything in several trays. Don’t worry if you miss something - they are used to it. There are several places to eat once through duty free. Keep an eye on the screens which will give you your gate number. The gates are clearly signed and easy to find, if you want to double check ask the person on the desk before they start calling people.

The route to Bristol airport also takes you through the congestion charge zone so remember to pay if your car comes under the charge.

Have a great flight.

Yea normal to have to show but it’s just an ID check. Also they don't want people going through security who aren’t flying out.

Some airports have video guides available under the special assistance sections of their websites to help people who need visual preparation- you could see if there's something available on their website or YouTube? To help familiarise yourself with it

Thanks, I’ve just looked it up and learnt that the UK are one of a few countries that don’t do exit stamps. Some don’t do any stamps at all! But most do entry and exit stamps even though it’s all electronic.

Flew from Bristol last week.

You go to your airline's desk area, you weigh your case if being checked and the label shoots out, tag it and hand to the check in staff sat by the belt. If not checking a case you go straight upstairs and scan your boarding pass then go through security. You then run the gauntlet that is duty free which ends up by the restaurants. There's a few screens and your gate number will be displayed an hour or so before your departure. The gates are clearly marked, proceed to them as soon as they display your location. At the gate they scan your boarding pass and passport again, use the toilet if needed before entering the gate.

@Blueroses99 the only place in the uk I can think of that's is set up like that is the Eurostar terminal and that is because it is actually the French border force checking passports so there is no requirement to check them when you arrive in France.

OP the steps are:

1. Check hold bags in at the check in desk. There are usually screens at the entrance to the terminal directing you to numbered desks for checking in bags for your flight.

1. Proceed to security. You will usually need to show or scan your boarding pass on the way in.

This is the faffy bit. Put all electronics larger than a phone, your liquids bag if you have one (this needs to be no larger than 20x20cm and contain bottles no larger than 100ml and must do up), coat, belt, bags and sometimes shoes (ask staff if unsure) into the trays to be scanned. Then walk through the scanning arch. Sometimes you will be selected for further scanning. Then collect your tray and repack your bags, get your coat back on, etc. there are often areas next to where the trays arrive for this.

1. Go to the lounge/shopping area. Keep an eye on the screens.

1. Approx 1.5 to 1 hours before your flight the screens will show "go to gate x" for your flight number, or show a gate number and say "boarding". Walk to that numbered gate. It will be well sign posted and will probably take 5-15 minutes.

1. At the gate (which is just a numbered exit from the airport to get to your plane) there might be another seating area or just a queue. Listen to announcements. Some airlines board by row. If you are flying Ryanair or easyJet there will be two queues - one for standard tickets and one for speeding boarding/plus. There will be signs at the front of the queues to say which is which.

When you get to the front of the queue someone will check your boarding pass and passport and then you walk onto the plane or a bus that will take you to the plane.

Don't forget to put all your liquids (nothing over 100ml) in a ziplock 1litre bag. This includes gels, lipstick etc