Your Journey Through the Airport

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It all starts when you arrive at the terminal. The first thing you have to do when you arrive at the airport is to check in. This is a bit like the school register. This is the point where you say bye to your luggage — for now that is! The check-in staff will ask you to put your suitcase on the baggage belt for it to be weighed. The machine may beep as you walk through and the Security Officers may search you — you might even get a sticker! A lot of airports now also use a body scanner.

This is a really hi-tech machine that takes a picture of the person and displays it on a screen for the Security Officer to look at. The Departure Lounge is where you can rest while you wait for your flight. About an hour before your flight is due to depart, keep an eye on the Flight Information Display Screens. The gate is the name for the place where you get on the plane. Airports have dozens of gates, each serving a different plane. Staff will help you use them. You will typically have to queue before check-in: There are usually separate, and much shorter, check-in lanes for first, business class passengers, upper tier members of the airline's frequent flyer program e.

If the queue is long and your flight is leaving within the hour, your flight status is already showing "Go to gate" or you are approaching the check-in deadline for your ticket, let airport staff know as they will often allow you to go to the front of the queue and check in immediately. Sometimes they will specifically ask for passengers for a flight that is about to close to make themselves known so that they can check them in right away; sometimes they will not ask.

Discount airlines have the strictest check in deadlines and some will not allow you to check in after the deadline even if you made it to the end of the queue in time. If you have to check-in manually, be prepared for longer queues. Have your documentation ready before you get to the counter. If other methods of check-in are made available, avoid using the traditional check-in counters unless you have special requests. Some carriers already charge a fee for using traditional check-in counters. An increasing number of airlines are implementing a self-check-in system at certain airports.

In most cases this option is available to passengers with or without check-in bags. Especially in Europe, this is one of the only ways aside from online check-in for passengers especially those travelling on economy to check in as staffed reception desks are increasingly relegated as 'baggage drop only' desks. You may have the opportunity to change your seats when checking in; in particular, many airlines do not open the exit rows until the day of the flight.

In recent times though the self-service check-in kiosks of some carriers have been extended to include features that allow passengers to check-in baggage by themselves. You will be given detailed instructions on the monitor how to weight and label you bag. Make sure to fix the adhesive label as shown, and check that it won't come loose.

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Some labels have additional bar-code stickers that you can peel of and stick to a different part of your bag. Should the main label be ripped of, the bag can still be scanned. As mentioned earlier, if you checked-in via kiosk or online, the airline usually provides a special lane for you where the rest of the check-in process will be expedited. Some carriers require passengers who used self check-in to proceed to designated check-in counters to have documents verified, even if they do not have check-in bags.

Electronic check-in is possible only in routine cases; if there are special needs or inconsistencies with the tickets such as mismatches with names , only manual check-in at the counter is possible. Some airports offer curbside check-in, which allows you to check-in your bags before entering the terminal. These are normally available on domestic US flights and do what the standard check-in counters inside do except that they will not issue boarding passes to you.

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You will have to obtain them inside if you haven't done so from online check-in. Curbside check-in is offered nowadays for a fee levied by the carrier or by a third-party baggage handler sometimes on top of prevailing check-in baggage fees. Moreover, tips for the staff are expected. The check-in staff will print a bar-coded baggage tag once your bags are processed; the longer part of it will be attached to your baggage while the shorter part will be given to you. In a few cases, the shorter part may resemble a thermal receipt.

Keep this, as upon arrival, some airports may require passengers to present these along with their baggage to ensure that the person carrying the baggage is indeed the owner. These baggage tags are also useful if you suspect some of your check-in baggage is missing or similar to other baggage. Before the ticket agent attaches the new baggage tags for your upcoming flight, be sure:.

In case your journey for the day involves several flights, you may want to request to have your baggage checked-through. Check-through is when your baggage will be tagged all the way until the last leg of your journey and in most cases, you do not need to claim your baggage in your intermediate stopovers any more especially for international-international or domestic-domestic flights on full-service carriers; does not apply to international-domestic connections.

You need to inform the check-in staff of the flights which will be covered by check-through for a particular journey as they can't assume that's your preference. However, check-through is not always possible, make sure you inquire of the check-in staff. You may check the section "Making a connection" below and are advised to contact the carriers concerned for more information on when check-through may or may not be possible.

If you find you are taking more baggage than allowed, check with the airline to see what the cheapest way of carrying it is. Sometimes additional baggage allowances can be pre-purchased, especially online where discounts may be given. Excess baggage fees are heftier if the excess weight is detected at the airport than if pre-arranged and pre-purchased. Many airlines offer discounted cargo rates to passengers, but this must be arranged prior to departure, and destination of the goods your want to ship as cargo must match the destination on your ticket.

You will need to deliver your excess bags to the cargo terminal, and you may incur duties and other charges. Postal services or sea freight can be much cheaper than air freight or excess baggage charges. But check rates thoroughly. It may be a good way to get some baggage back home when you don't need it any longer, or even to send some baggage ahead for longer trips. However, see individual country listings for information on reliability and shipping times of such services.

Baggage delivery services provide an alternative. Baggage is delivered by a specific date, normally between 48 hours and 5 days, with door-to-door service to an address you specify. You don't have to go to the cargo terminal before or after you drop-off or pick-up your checked luggage. All paperwork is provided to you and customs procedures are managed.

The price is cheaper than airline cargo rates, but still expensive. If you have a lot of baggage, consider flying business class or even first class. Domestic tickets may not cost that much more. International flights will cost considerably more and may not be recommended.

With most airlines, those seat classes will allow you to get a larger luggage allowance. There is a size limit for normal luggage, but it is usually possible to bring special oversize luggage. This might include sports equipment such as bicycles or golf bags. This will cost extra and should be pre-booked for all legs of the journey. The airline can deny non-booked special luggage if there is no room for it.

Allow extra time for dropping it at the airport. Aviation security is no laughing matter. Even before the airliner attacks on New York and Washington in , most countries took it very seriously, but since then security regulations have been tightened, and airport security personnel will be very strict in implementing them.

This check takes place between landside and airside. In some countries, before boarding an international flight, you may not only be required to pass a security check, but also a customs and immigration screening. Some airports might have early checkpoints; at the road to the airport, or at the building entrance. You'll usually check any luggage with the airline at the ticket counter.

Your Journey Through the Airport

It will be at least electronically screened for security as it goes to a holding area to be loaded on your flight. Then, as you walk to your gate, you and your carry-ons must go through personal security screening. It involves the following basic steps depending somewhat on whether the flight is domestic or international and the country's detailed policies. In general, you will not be allowed to carry any sharp objects eg. There is also a restriction on the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels that you may carry for flights in the United States and European Union, as well as all international flights.

Also note that for flights to the United States or Australia, you may only purchase duty free liquids i. In other words, if you have any stopovers, you should not purchase duty free items at the beginning of your journey, and should only do so at your final stopover.

At the airport

If you have any kind of metal in your body for any reason e. Your doctor may help you obtain some form of proof for TSA or other security inspectors. This may avoid an unnecessarily invasive pat-down. After body screening, you may be told to go with a screener to hand inspect your belongings - usually because electronic screening cannot identify an object. You may be subject to a more rigorous security check. Depending on the country and airport, this can be random or based on some suspicion. Officers may offer an information sheet explaining your rights, but the chance of your reaching your plane without submitting to the check is low.

Otherwise, go to the end of the conveyor which takes your luggage out of the screening machine, claim your possessions and proceed into the "airside" terminal. As you are going through this procedure, try to have someone you know keep all belongings in-view to avoid loss if someone else picks up a wrong item or tries to steal yours. Security personnel are focused on keeping the terminal area secure. They don't know what's yours versus others, so won't notice if someone "lifts" your bag or something in it or loose belongings. Depending on the country, taking prohibited items to the security checkpoint even by accident may be considered an offense , and the items concerned are not just subject to confiscation.

UK airports may limit their gate security scans to one item per person but with little regard for its size limits; you may need a large, soft bag to hold all carry-on items just for that check; find out before you begin your trip. Based on perceived threats or improving technologies, details about what's allowed and procedures for scanning may change - just follow instructions. Some security levels, airlines, or flights going to certain regions, may require additional screening at your gate as you board - usually manual.

To avoid the delays associated with normal security checks, some airports offer express security lanes for frequent travellers who have pre-registered, or sometimes for passengers who have paid an additional fee.

In cases of heightened security, the expedited security check lanes may be suspended or closed. After you pass through security you'll usually be able to reach one or more departure areas or wings of the terminal. Beyond security, you are in the secure area finally! If you leave the airside area, you will have to go through security processing again.

Lacking any essential papers, you may be in some difficulty, and in international airside areas this may not be permitted at all. Depending on the airport, the airside area can be as innocuous as a bus station, or a mega-shopping mall full of shopping and entertainment with up to a hundred gates. See Duty-free shopping for some of the possibilities. As most airlines prohibit tobacco smoking on board, some airports have designated smoking rooms, for a last chance to light up.

If your schedule means you'll spend some time there, go to your departure airport's website before leaving home to learn which facilities and services you'll have while waiting to board, as well as how to get around the airport. At a minimum you may want to know if you can get that coffee and sandwich airside, or if you should stay landside until your flight is nearly ready to board.

Also take care about what you eat and drink before boarding. Major airports also offer lounges, that offer extra facilities comfortable seating, food, drinks, computers, tv, magazines, showers, etc for some customers. If you have free or included access and substantial time, you should head straight there rather that waiting at the gate. Lounges are usually found airside, however, occasionally lounges may be found before security check. If landside, be sure to end your stay there in plenty of time to go through your security check and reach your gate.. If you don't have access for these reasons, some airlines and independent providers allow one-day lounge entry for a fee.

Most airports provide some kind of Internet access for visitors. Although most airports offer some form of free access, some of them offer paid access at the same time. A couple of tips to make sure you can take advantage of what is on offer. Your flight will have an associated gate number where you'll board. This is indicated in your boarding pass and the overhead monitors. While waiting, ensure you miss no change or announcement about your flight , e.

This includes checking the overhead monitors since many airports don't widely announce when a flight has a gate change or it's about time to board. If you miss your flight by not heeding changes, you will be responsible for making other travel arrangements, and for paying a "no-show" fee before being allowed to travel with that carrier again. Some budget airlines that do not assign seating board passengers who have paid extra for priority boarding first. For larger aircraft with allocated seating, boarding is requested by group or row number. This may allow those furthest away from the boarding doors to board first so the aisles don't get constricted.

Enforcement of this is lax, and many times the aisles become overcrowded. Regardless of the boarding order given, you are always free to remain in the boarding lounge until the final call for the plane. If you choose to spend the least time possible in a cramped aircraft cabin, just wait in the boarding lounge until you see the last person at the gate, then promptly join the end of the queue.

Most airlines will attempt to find passengers who are late for boarding, because for security reasons they have to go through the time consuming process of unloading their checked baggage if they do not board. Usually they will page late passengers by name at least twice before closing the flight. If you hear your name paged, either go to the gate immediately if it's nearby or find airport staff and let them know who you are if you are not yet close to the gate.

They can usually get you there before you're locked out of the plane. However, delaying a flight will not make you popular with staff or fellow passengers. Once they have made the decision to offload your bags, usually no amount of pleading will see you on that plane. This article is part of a series explaining the standard procedures, rules, and other basics of travelling by air. Use the arrows below to navigate to the preceding and following sections:

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