Airport for dummies.

[EarlofShrewsbury]

I'm a nervous flyer. I driven to benidorm, driven to Paris and been on cruises from Southampton. I've basically avoided flying for over a decade.

In less than a month, I need to take a long haul flight as a close family member is getting married abroad. I'm maid of honour.

Due to work and childcare I'm flying out a couple of days after the rest of the party and I'm going alone.

The last time I flew was 2010 and the last time I flew with a checked in bag was May 2001. I have no idea what I'm doing.

I think I'll be OK once I'm on the plane, but I'm having small panic attacks about the time between arriving at the airport and boarding. I'm autistic and the whole thing is overwhelming me.

Can anyone walk me through exactly what to do and what happens and in what order?

I'm flying Tui from Manchester.

Any advice would be appreciated so much. I've tried youtube but I'm not really finding what I need.

I presume you’ll have checked in luggage? if so, aim to get there 3 hours before flight departs. (Check which terminal from MAN as there are 3)

hand passport over at check in desk, and your suitcase. You’ll be given your ticket.

Aim to carry as little as possible in hand luggage. All liquid must be under 100ml each and fit into one of the clear plastic bags. If I’m travelling myself I literally have a small handbag with phone, passport socks and medication in. It’s less complicated and less to carry.

t through security you’ll be asked to put all items in a tray. This includes bag, jacket, phone and any money: make sure your pockets are completely empty. Not even a tissue:

wear flat shoes, no belt and as little jewellery as possible.

once through security, find somewhere to grab a drink and a bit of food, have a wander around duty free.

about 45 mins before flight due to depart you gate number will be displayed on one of the screens. Once it is, head down to the gate and wait until they start boarding. God opportunity to go to toilet before boarding.

you’ll be fine, just make it as simple as you can for yourself, and allow plenty of time

OP I would book special assistance for the airport. There is a special quiet room at Manchester too that they would be able to show you and help you to the gate when you need to board. This might help.

It's quite logical when you get there. Just take your time, follow signs, observe what everyone else is doing and, if in doubt, ask someone.

Im doing this from memory (last flew in 2022 and am not a frequent flyer).

Arrive at airport terminal.
Go to Tui check-in desk to check-in and hand over your hold baggage.
Go thru security - be prepared for long queues and fractious people. Be prepared - what do you need to separate out in the trays, may need to remove shoes and belt.
Thru duty-free.
Onto cafes and shops.
Check the signs to find out which gate your flight departs from (and how far away it is from where you are).
Have a cuppa and a bite to eat, keeping an eye on signs.
When they say boarding head to gate and its waiting area. When they start boarding they will announce which rows. Join the queue and have your ticket & passport to hand.

Also this may be useful for you.
https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/help/special-assistance/invisible-disabilities/

Ok, fellow Manchester flyer here.
As someone with Autism, you need the Sunflower lanyard.
This will get you through Manchester security and on your return through passport control in the least stressful way.
You can pick them up from places in advance or I believe get one from a pick up point at the airport, I'd get one in advance just in case,

Get to Manchester in good time and download your tickets to your phone if you can.
Drop the bag if you have checked luggage.
Separate any liquids, which include mascara and even balms, at home and put them in a separate bag. As you approach security, you'll see the approved small plastic bags, just transfer your liquids into one of those.
There will be someone at the security entrance - they will see you with the lanyard and usher you into a separate lane, you'll move through quickly and the staff will be helpful. Separate laptops, kindles, phone etc from your hand luggage.
If you forget and the bag is stopped irs not the end of the world, you'll be asked to observer them checking the bag, they'll identify what's stopped it, and they'll send the bag back through again.
Remember to check you have everything after security and go through to the departure lounge.
It may be busy, but try and find somewhere with a close by monitor and wait. Boots do a good meal deal. You can take food and drink onto the plane and for long haul that may be a good idea.
When you see your gate number, go to the gate. Again with a lanyard you will have priority onto the aircraft when they call for boarding so you can settle in and get ready for takeoff.

Book soecial assistance. You do it by calling customer service for your airline with the record locator number/code for the flight that you booked. Explain that you are autistic, nervous and would like help getting to your gate. They will arrange someone to meet you when you check in and help you go through all the steps to your gate. Book it for both directions and ask if there is a special place for you to check in, or is it just the ordinary check in desk.

then look up the regulations for what you can pack in your carry on bag and what you can check..

then go and have a lovely time

Get the sunflower lanyard and if you can let Tui know you need assistance in advance via your booking.
Make sure you aren't in a rush and try and enjoy the experience!

We flew from Manchester last week and you have some good advice here - definitely ask for assistance to fast track you through security. If you don’t want to ask, you can pay to fast track which may be worth it. In your shoes I would pay for a lounge to wait in as well. They are quieter, calmer environments and you can stay there till your gate is announced. You might be able to drop your bag the night before as well if that’s helpful?

Tui when we've been has been terminal 2, but check to be sure.
Get there really early as the security at T2 takes forever, we get through early and have some lunch or whatever mealtime it is.

I hate airports so can sympathise with this.

I absolutely second the advice to book a lounge. I booked airport lounge access for the first time this year and it was a game changer. I’m not a nervous flier in terms of being worried about the flight bit but I find airports really stressful. I will now always book a lounge. It gives you somewhere to sit for the whole time you need to wait with load of screens with flight information and food and drink is included.

I always make sure I take at least some decent snacks on board. They should feed you a couple of times on a long haul flight but it’s good to know you have things you like in case the meals aren’t to your taste.

Make sure any liquids in your bag are in a clear ziplock bag in sizes of 100ml or less. I tend to put most liquid stuff in the hold though. Lithium batteries and power banks are not allowed in hold baggage and have to be in your carry on, so don’t pack them in your main case.

I always have clothes for a couple of days with me in my cabin bag (just a shoulder bag or backpack rather than a case) just in case my checked bag were to be delayed or lost. I also ensure that I take a carry on bag that has a luggage pass-through so that it can be stacked on top of my case for getting to and from the airport.

How are you getting to the airport. If you're driving there and parking that can be confusing for the inexperienced.

I'm getting the train to the airport, I might ask a friend for a lift there might not be anyone available.

I'm pretty sure it's terminal 2, the flight is at 11.20am. My train is due in at 7am.

I'm reluctant to book special assistance because of the thought of making the call in the first place and then the added stress of small talk with a stranger once I'm there, what if I wanted to stop at a shop or something? The thought makes me even more anxious. I do have a sunflower lanyard though.

Thanks for the replies, it's all really helpful.

You don’t need to make small talk with a stranger, special assistance are there to help you not make conversation. Please have a look at your booking with Tui.Ive not used the before so I can’t comment on their systems but other travel companies allow you to book special assistance online.

I've got friends that have travelled through Manchester with autism assistance and they've found them really very helpful. There are the guides in the website and the in person assistance as described above, both of which are worth looking into.

You’ve had good, succinct advice so far OP. I won’t repeat what has been said.

However, if you’re travelling with checked in luggage, my recommendation would be to put all your liquids in there as 1) they can be as large as you want, and 2) you don’t need to faff around with clear plastic bags at security.

Unless there are any specific items you want to have with you on the plane (hand cream, moisturiser or anything like that? I rarely bother…), it would just be much easier to put it all in your big suitcase and then it’s one less thing to worry about at security!

My personal recommendation is to also bring 1 spare top or change of clothes in your hand luggage, in case checked in bags are delayed.

I take 40-50 flights a year and this rarely happens, but I’d rather be prepared than stressed when I land and there’s been a mishap. Hope that thought won’t stress you out more though!

You can do this. Everything is quite logical at the airport, and there are so many people around, there will be someone to help if it comes to it. You’ve planned to arrive with 4.5 hours to spare - you’ll be great!!!

If you don’t want to ask for assistance then you can just book security fast track online. We use holiday extras - you can book the lounges through them too.

Thanks everyone. I'm going to pop into my local Tui shop and ask them in there about the special assistance thing.