Anxious about flying home alone from Málaga

[TodoElMundo]

I'm sure I'll get a few 'get a grip' type comments here, and I'm fully prepared for them, but I'll give a little background first. I'm 40, and for various reasons have not been abroad since I was 18. International travel has changed significantly in that time and so have I. A combination of circumstances have made me a fairly anxious person but I don't let it get in the way of doing things. I've raised 2 children successfully to adulthood. I have a relatively 'important' job with significant responsibility and cope with anything and everything life throws at me with various different adaptations/strategies. The idea of flying, however, sends me into spirals of anxiety. Not the plane itself, I don't feel worried about that. It's the airport. The process of going through security, passport control, all the new rules and things you have to do and places you have to go to.

I have stupidly agreed to fly to Málaga for the weekend, with a relative who is a seasoned traveller. I know I'll be fine flying out (easyJet from Southend, which I know is small and probably an ok airport for your first flight in a while). However for work reasons I have to fly home alone, and I thought I'd be ok, but it's causing me so much anxiety that I've twice been on the verge of cancelling my flights. I've watched a few walkthrough videos on YouTube thinking it would make me feel better but it's just making it worse.

I've tried breaking it down into steps but as I've never done it before I don't really know what the steps are. I've got an under seat bag only so one step is removed at least. The internet has been of less use than I'd hoped and because I can't visualise it, I can't familiarise what I have to do like I normally would. This is what most of my life is like when it comes to doing new things, but I have strategies and tools to manage it, plan and do the things I find difficult. However in my daily life there's usually less jeopardy. If I miss a bus or train, there's usually another one. But if I miss a flight....

So really what I'm asking is, is anyone a regular-ish traveller from Málaga who could talk me through the steps to travel to the UK on a non-EU passport from this specific airport?

Niche question of the week, I'm sure.....

Honestly Malaga is such a nice easy airport, I promise you'll be fine.

Most airports are boringly similar. Security, passport control gate. With shops and cafes in between. I've not flown from Malaga but thought it might be useful to suggest trying to identify what your biggest fears are?

Is it getting stopped at security? Knowing where to go? Being late to your flight? I recently took a school group through an airport and we had a variety of issues at security e.g liquids in bags, shoes needing to be swabbed, bags needing to go back through. It's annoying but there will be literally hundreds of people, numerous people being selected for further checks. This summer I flew with my kids. Ds's back pack had to be checked because he'd left a half finished bottle of coke in it from the beach the day before and dd's crocs set off rhe metal detector for some unknown reason. I had to faff about removing a belt....ds took his belt off and had trouble holding his shorts up. The staff can be bit abrupt but it's just annoying. They have all the rules on signs clearly before you go through so take your time. They still seem obsessed with removing belts and boots.

At passport control it was my passport causing all the problems, it hadn't registered leaving another country from a holiday in february so everywhere I've been since they've asked about it. If you have to use the machines they are really flaky, but just take your time, dd had to just go and join the normal queue because hers wouldn't work in one airport but did on the meet holiday.

Oh and to buy things in duty free you need to show your boarding pass.

Finding your flight etc is the same as before, you just look at the boards and it tells you which gate and when boarding is. Outbound from the UK they just check your passport at the gate but coming back the passport control is normally past duty free so remember to leave enough time for that queue.

Lots of people will be in a rush but just take your time and don't be afraid to stop and get organised. I managed to get a coach load of teenagers through (some had never flown) and we had to keep stopping for headcounts and collecting passports, toilet stops etc etc with other people rushing past. If I can manage that I am sure you can do it.....I'm not going to lie the coach load of kids experiences was stressful!

All airports follow the same process, OP. You literally can't get it wrong, because you're in a contained area. It's easier than getting a train or a bus.

Just go early and relax in the airport for a bit, get a meal etc.

But you’ll be walked through it by your seasoned traveller travel companion on the way out. Just do the same on the way home. The steps are the same, regardless of the airport.

Ask Chat GPT to help you with a step by step guide. It will be fine, once you are through security, find a spot near a board to look out for your boarding gate. Head to the gate as soon as it is displayed and then find a seat next to the gate until boarding time. You can do it! ❤️

If you are very unsure, book special assistance- they are used to helping people who aren’t in a wheelchair.

I've just flown back from Málaga & it was a very easy airport, with clear signs. The most important thing as that you still have to have any liquids in 100mL containers in a plastic bag. The queues were short at security & there was desk for passport control for non EU passengers which had no-one queuing. If you've registered for the EES (?ESS) there was a separate bit to go through, but it was right next to the one for people who haven't.
Plenty of shops & places to buy food.

I’ve been through Malaga recently just leave plenty of time for passport control as there may be queues, so basically head to your gate as soon as it’s announced on the tv screens

I haven’t flown through Malaga, but every airport I’ve flown from and to have lots of employees who are there to help. There were tears at Toronto airport (mainly from saying goodbye to my son) and I was scooped up by a lovely person who accompanied me through the whole process.

Airports are full of people whose job it is to be helpful to people who don’t know what the hell they are doing 😆

If you get stuck or lost or confused ask someone in a uniform or behind a desk, they will set you straight and send you on your way.

Just to reiterate what the first poster said, Málaga airport is a nice airport that is clearly laid out, is well connected to the train system and has a good selection of places to eat. You'll be fine.

Have you checked in online and do you have your boarding pass ready to scan?

If yes then you head straight for security.

If no then get your friend to help you do that.

At security you scan your boarding pass on the readers at the gates and walk through.

Get in a queue for the scanners. You can take as ling as you need to organise your stuff, if you need to take bottles of liquids out or whatever. If in doubt just take it out and put it all in ths tray with your bag.

Go through security, someone will tell you where and how to stand, then collect your tray.

Move over to the side and take as long as you need to to get yourself organised again.

Is this helpful or patronising?

I can type out the next stages if it's helpful. And apologies if it's patronising.

I came home alone from India once, usually I was with other people, a long flight sat next to a sheep farmer who was amusing. Going through the airport you really just follow the signs it's not difficult and a short flight.

One thing I would say with Malaga (and agree it’s a lovely airport and not too big) is that you seem to queue twice, don’t think you’ve already gone through security. And once you get through the last bit, there’s nothing there, but that might suit you better with your concerns. Go for it, you’ll be absolutely fine

At Malaga you go through security first, scan your boarding pass and put your bag through the scanner, then you are at the food and shops, then you go through passport control to your gate. It's all clearly signposted but if you are nervous go through passport control earlier and sit by the gate instead of in the shopping part, then you can't go wrong. There are toilets and vending machines by the gates.

Malaga airport is very modern & easy to navigate. The staff deal with hundreds of people every day who don’t speak Spanish & who need assistance because they fly once a year or less.

As you are flying with EasyJet, you will need to download their app which will enable you to check in & get your boarding pass before you arrive at the airport. You’re travelling with hand baggage only, so you don’t need to go to a check in desk, just proceed to security then follow the staff’s instructions. Look up the current rules on what you can & can’t take on board on the airport’s website & comply.
EU Passport checks have changed this year. When you arrive at Malaga you will have your photo & fingerprints taken by a machine as an alternative to getting your passport stamped. This process was quick & efficient when I did it in June. Staff will help you with this if required. Then, when you leave, a similar machine will automatically read your passport, verify your identity & you will be on your way. Again, quick & easy.

I think the key is to read signs. I've never flown in or out of Malaga, but I've flown in & out of many many other airports, often after 24 or 30 hours of long haul.

I am always surprised by the number of people who just don't read signs. Read the signs (at railway stations, please, please read the signs, young girl at Edinburgh Waverley the other week stopping me as I was dashing for a train, and asking me where the platforms were!)

If I were a nervous traveller, the main thing I'd do would be to get to the airport pretty early. And I'd not wander around the departures - I'd get airside asap - ie through security & passport control. Then identify where my gate is, time how long it'll take me to get from the lounge (I always go to a lounge with my pass) to the gate, then relax!

If you're worried set an alarm on your phone for the time when you need to start getting to the actual gate.

Malaga is mostly used by tourists, and given that its the airport for the Costa del Sol, they're often not very bright or sober! The whole thing is set up so that a hungover chav with third degree burns and sun stroke, who doesn't speak Spanish (or English if they're from the German resort) will make their fight easily. You'll be fine ;)

Hi OP, it seems daunting but it it fairly straightforward.

Break it up into sections:

1. Check in in advance - get your boarding pass on your phone. You'll do this on the way out too and ask your friend to help you. You have no luggage to proceed direct to security.

1. Malaga security - there is one main security area which faces you as you walk in the door and it's signposted in English too. There'll be numerous staff there to direct you if you need. Proceed through and put your items in the tray. Keep liquids to a minimum -100ml each, they still take their electronics out eg laptop or ipad there. Jacket off, belt off, sunglasses or hat off. Shoes on. Go through and collect items on other side.

1. UK/IRELAND/"NON-SCHENGEN" boarding gates are usually at B/C Whuch are to the left of the main hall post security and all signposted. Dont stress and follow the signs - go straight there (it will say on screen which area to proceed to if tou look for your destination eg. Southend)

1. Get to passport control straight away and join the non-eu queue (they will be looking for GP passport holders as there are many who get confused) so ask which if you need. After you show your passport proceed through where you wait for your gate as per TV screen eg C17 etc. There is a shop and a cafe serving sandwiches salads drinks etc all to take on board if you wish and bathrooms.

See chat gpt screenshot below which is basically same info. I would arrive 3hrs before to allow for plenty of time and no stress.

You'll be OK!

SO much kindness on this thread 🥰

OP if your journey is causing you this much stress and anguish, you could if you felt it would help, book assistance. There are no questions asked and you will be taken directly to the bag check in (if you are doing that), fast tracked through security, and the same for immigration, then brought straight down to the gate. Totally stress free.

In Malaga it is usually a buggy that is shared unless the passenger needs a wheelchair. Great service, I gave a tip to the helper, he was wonderful. I needed it for a reason that wasn't obvious like needing wheelchair assistance, or using crutches etc. it was invisible to others, again no questions asked and you are very anxious which is IMV something that assistance was made for.

Would you consider that? If you do, you must book it when checking in for your flight, or you can contact PRM assist (details on Aena website).

If not, the information given so far in the thread is excellent. Good luck.

@Tomfooleries "The steps are the same, regardless of the airport."

This might not always be true. I (F67) am recently back from a solo trip from Bristol to Inverness airport and back. (So no comments about EES.)

On the way back I didn't do anything about liquids in my carry-on bag because I didn't have to on the way out. When the scanning staff complained and told me to put relevant toiletries in a clear plastic bag (which they supplied) I apologised and said I hadn't on the way up. They kindly explained that Inverness airport (which is basically a shed in a field) didn't have the same level of scanning equipment as Bristol.

As PP have said, read the signs. Enjoy!

I fly regularly from Malaga, and I didn't really fly or go anywhere until I was mid-40s - it is confusing the first couple of times if you've not done it before, so don't feel bad about being anxious, but you will be fine. As everyone else has said - check in online, then find & go through security, then find and go through passport control, then look for your gate on the board. The staff will get you through security and passport control by hook or by crook, so don't worry - tbh I think (especially with passport control) just ask them where you should go. Malaga is a nice airport and the staff are helpful. Leave 3 hours if poss and then you won't be stressed (you'll probably be sitting about bored, but that's better)

Also if things went absolutely appallingly wrong and you missed your flight (this won't happen) you would manage. Don't feel it's all or nothing!

I'm a regular flyer with EasyJet and we went to Málaga earlier this year. This was pre-EES so I can't comment on what it's like now. Málaga is a big airport with great facilities and from the looks of it, had plenty of EES gates so there should be enough to prevent serious bottlenecks. FYI, we flew out of Madrid a couple of weeks ago and the EES process was significantly better than when we went to Sicily a couple of months ago. I think a lot of the early issues with the software has been sorted, but it's still far from perfect. Give yourself plenty of time- would suggest 3 hrs before departure at Málaga, and if you can, treat yourself to lounge access. The lounge at Málaga is lovely and a nice little oasis with prosecco on tap!

I can't comment on Southend as have never been, but my parent have flown out of there loads and love it as it's so small. Also you will be flying with your friend in the outbound so you will have someone with you for your first flight in a while.

Rules with liquids vary depending on airport- if they have the new scanners you can carry a lot more than 100ml and also you don't need to take your electronics out your bags.

Have a wonderful trip, and there are some great resources online for nervous flyers which might help.