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.....

Even the same airport will have different processes at different times. Eg last time I flew through Málaga the website said they had scanners so no need to remove liquids. Then on the day they were telling everyone to remove liquids and put them in a separate bag.

And with the airports that do use the new scanners, loads more people get stopped after their bags have gone through, get questioned and have their stuff tested.

If you're the kind of person who gets flustered by unexpected changes and/or one who feels on edge dealing with officials - and it's very common to be a person who has one or both of these responses - then airports are unpleasant places.

The best way is to allow plenty of time, both to get there and get through but also at each stage to give yourself the grace to allow yourself space to coordinate yourself and your belongings in an orderly and manageable way.

Don't let yourself feel rushed or that you are the one causing the problem. Yes, they are busy places and there are a lot of people to get through. But the airports themselves have decided to put in place complicated, contradictory and confusing systems, presumably to outfox shoe bombers and the like. It is entirely unsurprising for passengers to find it difficult and time consuming to navigate them.

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.
This wasn't in operation 10 days ago, presumably because of the summer holidays. Either way, it doesn't matter, just follow the signs & ask if necessary.

When I say ‘steps’, I mean ‘check in bag if relevant , go through passport check if relevant , go through security, go to gate.’ Obviously different airports will have different rules about liquids and leaving your tech in your carry on, but the basic stuff is the same.

I've travelled to Malaga just me and my DC as our first trip abroad just the two of us and have been there 3 other times with friends and family. Last time was last year so before any new rules but it's an easy, clean and convenient airport. Get there as soon as possible to get through security and leave yourself enough time to have enjoy a drink and a bite to eat. There is still some walking to the right gate but it's all straightforward.

Have a great trip!

We fly regularly from Málaga it's easy in the sense that it is all one big terminal building so it would be hard to go to totally the wrong place. Security is straight at the end of the check in desks so that's easy too. My only thing would be to echo what pp has said about passport control it can be busy so I would head to the gate as soon as it is called as you go through control on the way. Shopping there is good, there are coffee places and bars etc so plenty to do of you are early

Malaga is a good airport. All I would say is don’t be tempted to hang around after you have got through security as there is passport control after that and it can get busy.

Flew through Málaga recently and it was a very easy airport. Big, well signposted. You'll need to remove liquids and laptops for the security scan. The queue for passport control was short and very efficient, much better than I anticipated.

I don’t know Malaga airport at all but I have travelled through many different airports.

They are clearly sign posted and if you are anxious (as many, many people are when flying) the people who work in airports are there to help.

Maybe booking the assistance as someone suggested? My grandmother always did that and they were so helpful and kind.

If you can raise children, you can do anything! ❤️

Just a doing another voice to say that Málaga airport is well geared up for infrequent and inexperienced travellers etc! I hate flying and all the rigmarole that goes with it (GP give me medication for it back in the day) but I did Malaga on my own a few years ago and it was very user-friendly. Have a great time!

https://serviciosvip.aena.es/vip/en/aeropuertos/malaga/servicios-asistencia-pasajeros/meet-and-assist

You could throw money at the problem and book VIP assistance through the airport.