First solo flight from Edinburgh to New York, step by step advice

[River2907]

I will be travelling from Edinburgh to New York next year as a solo traveller. I have never flown before and would be really grateful for a breakdown of everything I need to know prior to going. Every bit of information would be really helpful as I am understandably a little bit nervous about the process.
If any frequent flyers could break down a step by step of what I need to do prior to arriving at airport, what I do at airport (including getting on/off plane), information about flight and then what to do at airport (JFK) on the other side. Literally, every small detail would be helpful and will help a bit with my anxiety. A step by step guide for babies would be amazing as I really know very little.
Additionally, do people use their credit/debit cards abroad or is it more normal to get a travel card? Is it only the ESTA visa that I need and where best to get travel insurance?

Great advice from @genuineflexor and just keep asking staff if you would like to be sure. I always go to the furthest point I can at every opportunity. So once your flight gate comes up for boarding go there, no need to rush, but it is better to be at that point than somewhere else in the airport. The immigration queues in NY can be quite long. It's arduous, but not confusing. IRO of ESTA etc, check the excellent Gov.uk travel advice (just google) IRO of insurance, you can do a comparison on many sites, like compare the market.com, if you take meds, do declare them. You should get insurance asap *you type in when you are going so you are not paying for something you do not use, unless you do annual (and it probably is not worth annual unless you are going to US multiple times). On arrival, taxi (and official one) or uber. There are cashpoints in the airport. Get an e-SIM for roaming. We once booked a car and our flight was nearly 3 hours late, as it happens, we had given our flight number etc. and they accommodated us, but I had two young kids with me, I was grateful they did. Loads of people fly alone. It is very safe. Try not to worry if it bumps about a bit (it isn't generally worse than a car, and it isn't usually for long). Expect it to feel a bit weird coming down (and sometimes taking off), again, not for long. NC headphones and fave music can help. Take a few snacks, they are random on when they feed you at times. Wear a loose seat belt at all times x

i did my first trip alone too. i’ll tell you what i didn’t know:

the seat numbers are above each seat. if you have an end seat or possibly a window seat you may find some cheeky fecker is in it. feel free to wave your ticket and say “i believe this is my seat”. good seats can cost more. it’s a long flight. you want the one you chose and paid for.

seat belts have a strange way of opening, the opposite way i think it will. maybe it’s just me though….

at takeoff planes go up at a really steep angle. sometimes i feel dizzy for a few seconds. once they are at the right altitude they go horizontal again. have a bottle of water ready to swallow if your ears need to pop.

stay seated until the illuminated seatbelt sign goes off. if you feel sick there is a tiny sick bag in the seat pocket in front of you. ive never known anyone to need it though. keep your belt fastened loosely in your lap all the time.

take a mini fan. if you do feel queasy if it’s bad weather the cold air can make you feel less sick. there are vents in the roof above you that you can also use to blow air.

planes go up and down in the air like a car thumping into a large pothole. it’s normal. in turbulence the place can drop ten feet or more straight down belly first in an instant. hence the loose seatbelt to keep you from hitting your head on the ceiling. the pilot usually warns this is coming via the tannoy. the seatbelts fastened light goes on again.

the windows have little plastic blinds. you can shut them overnight. the cabin lights get dimmed overnight and brighter at dawn.

the seats can be reclined. it impacts the person behind you so i try not to unless it’s night. never during meals as the tray your food sits on folds out of the seat in front. if he reclined your food would be everywhere!

Yes, planes make weird noises that are almost always nothing to worry about.

Agree with the suggestion to fly somewhere else before, would a more experienced friend or family member go with you?

You could even do an extreme day trip. Look on:

https://extremedaytrips.com/search

With the free version you can only search for the next 2 weeks but I can see a few options for under £50 to England or Ireland and you might have more choice from other Scottish airports.

Dublin would be a good choice as the Airport is big, so a proper international airport. Won't prepare you for US immigration though and you won't have luggage drop off but you'll be able to go look at that bit as it's before security.

For travel money, look on Moneysavingexpert.com and the T&Cs for your existing cards. Many now don't charge for overseas transactions so you might not need a new account, but some traditional banks still do, so best avoid using overseas. But get the right card and pay in dollars otherwise the merchant will rip you off with the exchange rate.

Also read up on US tipping expectations, they are very high. Will you be totally alone in New York or are you travelling to meet someone who lives there?

My other tip is to be careful crossing the road. I've been doing 'travel 101' with a friend who hasn't been abroad before and the most worrying part was that she was stepping out into the road without looking properly because when the traffic is on the other side of the road it's behind you.

How spiteful. Great to see many other kind posters on here giving lots of help. Good luck OP x

Also read the information from your airline carefully. People will talk about luggage allowances, limits on size and weight, check in times, seat charges, included food, drink, WiFi, entertainment etc but the reality is that there are variations between airlines and with some carriers (obviously Ryanair but there could well be others) where mistakes such as your bag being slightly too big or heavy being costly because they need to charge extra above the base fare to be profitable.

But if you follow their rules you will be fine and often get a very good deal that can seem too good to be true, eg hand luggage only flights under £50 return or under £100 with hold luggage.

Edinburgh doesn't have the liquids limit anymore. And you can leave things in your hand luggage.
Don't put mitchum deodorant in hand luggage as it flags something up on the security scanners!

Once you are in your seat do not agree to swap with anyone, or you end up having to wait til the very end to get anything in the overhead lockers and you will miss any pre booked special is vegetarian meals as it will go to the wrong seat.

Also be prepared for a long wait at JFK before getting through security so use the loos no matter how minging before they pop the landing instructions on.

I second a revolut card, I use it to exchange money all the time, so I am buying things in local currency at the best exchange rates.

On the flight - you'll be fine, just pay attention to all the announcements airside and on the plane and ask the crew if there is anything you don't understand, they are there to help.

On transatlantic flight of that length you will probably get two meals - the type and amount will depend when you leave. So for example last time we went to NYC we left London mid morning so we got lunch not long after take off and then a hot drink and biscuits about an hour before landing. The food is never amazing but i always eat it - it's something to do for an hour or so!

Don't worry too much about a window seat - a lot of the UK to NYC flight is over the sea so it is a bit dull for a lot of the time!

If you are going over night be considerate of your fellow passengers, a lot of people use that route a lot and taking an over night flight is common (and the NYC to UK leg destroys you)

Things to take with you in the cabin - good headphones - there will be free entertainment on the screen in front of you but the free headphones are horrid. I also take chewing gum, a bottle of water (bought after security), tissues, ear plugs, a scarf/blanket, (the cabin can be cold) handcream, some deodorant/body spray for when we land ) and a book. Take any medication you may need over 7 hours. Wear comfortable clothes, there will be a lot of sitting.

Before you go you need to apply for an ESTA - this is a visa waiver, most people are eligible but if you are rejected you have to apply for a Visa which takes ages, so apply in plenty of time.

Once you are in New York - as people have said prepare of a long queue at immigration, it is just a thing. Be careful with any food you may have taken with you, there are pretty strict rules on that.

There are a few ways to get form JFK - if you can get a cab the amoutn the can charge is set - this is expensive but probably a good option if you are nervous or are not familiar with public transport. Otherwise there are trains and subways to get you to the centre of the city, The journey is long but cheap.

New York is BIG, it is easy to walk in but a lot of places are too far to walk - the best way get around is the subway. It is crowded and a bit grubby and old fashioned, but fine. You can now use contactless cards to pay for it (you tap on barriers like in London for the tube).

I would take something like a monzo or revolut card but also some dollars, America is getting on board with contactless payment but cash is still useful.

As others have said budge tin a 20% tip for all food and drinks.

New York is A LOT it is amazing but huge and very busy. Its like London on steroids. But it is also an amazing place so have fun.

Also speak to your mobile provider about the best thing to do about using it in the USA - often buying an eSim or bundle will be best.

Goes without saying but NEVER go to the USA without travel insurance. If you are healthy and relatively young i would just buy single trip insurance form a price comparison site. When you apply for insurance there will be a question about any health conditions, medication or visits to the Dr/Hospital in the last 12 months - answer it truthfully and include everything no matter how trivial, otherwise it could invalidate a claim.

Get the ESTA app