When did you last board an airplane? Was it prior to the COVID-19 pandemic? Was it when carry-on’s were included as part of your flight itinerary and pricing? Flying can be stressful and costly for the inexperienced traveler. In this article, some tips and tricks to get the most bang for your buck, will be discussed.
Many commercial airline companies want you to believe you have to pick your own seat, and pay for it at an additional cost. This simply is not true. Most people do not realize that you do not have to pay for a carry-on, or that you can bring your own food into the airport and also onto the plane. However, liquids are not permitted, but empty water bottles, including tin re-closable- are allowed. Most airports have drinking fountains and water bottle refill stations for personal use.
A small bag, laptop, backpack or personal item that can fit under the seat in front of you is allotted free of charge. There are guides for each airline as to the exact measurements and weight requirements these must fall in, and there are areas to double check these requirements at the gate, or during checking in for your flight (see pictures provided).
Did you know? You can check in for your flight 24 hours beforehand, through the commercial airline. Download the cell phone app for free from the app store on your phone. Downloading the app will ensure receiving the most current updates regarding your flight, delays, or changes in gates, and is often faster than receiving email updates. Also, you can check-in from that app, a boarding pass will be created, which contains flight number, and departing/arrival times, and gate number. Once you have the boarding pass/bar code on your cell phone, you may go straight to the security lines with your Driver’s License ID and carry-on bag/personal item.
*Note: Large purses will count as your one free carry-on.
**Note: State drivers’ licenses containing a star at the top have provided REAL-ID compliant information for flying, state-issued enhanced drivers’ licenses will have a flag at the top instead. The new deadline was extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic to May 3, 2023. At that time, all travelers ages 18 and up will need to have the REAL ID, state-issued enhanced driver’s licenses, or passport, in order to fly. A list of acceptable forms of ID may be checked at: https://www.tsa.gov/real-id.
Once through the security gate, make your way to the gate number, that was double checked with your flight number on the flight monitors. They will call you for boarding the plane by zones, which will be listed on your boarding pass as to when boarding is allowed. A seat number was generated for you and listed on your boarding pass, or open-seating will be provided. Often times, the lower priced tickets will have more people sitting close by, and rows will be filled. Permission may be granted to change seats if the plane is not completely full, once everyone is boarded and seated. This is helpful to know for taller, or larger individuals, or those traveling with small children, especially if there is room to lie down and nap on longer flights.
Hydrate. Move about the cabin and stretch. When the seatbelt sign is not illuminated, moving around freely is permitted, and beneficial for peripheral circulation. Eat the food and/or water from the thermos you packed, or buy them on the plane with an accepted credit card, at an increased fee. Cash is not allowed. Plan to be confined to your seat for the last 30-45 minutes of the flight, as you descend from heightened elevations, through the clouds, and landing gear is lowered.
YOU HAVE ARRIVED!
