26 Things to Expect When Flying For The First Time

My first time flying on a plane was when I was three years old, going to the island of Kauai from Oahu. My mom told me I was so excited for my first flight that I couldn’t stop talking about it for the entire trip! My second flight was to Las Vegas. I remember staring out the window the entire time, absolutely enamored with watching the ocean, blue skies, and clouds pass by.

As an adult, flying has become integral to my life, especially while living and traveling in Europe. Traveling is an incredible experience, and flying is virtually a non-negotiable to see the farthest parts of the world. While flying can be stressful, it’s also exciting and can add fun to your incredible journey!

This article will take you through what to expect when flying for the first time, from planning your trip to what happens in the airport and how to have a smooth flight. We hope these first-time flying tips and tricks allow you to have a fun and relaxing first flight!

When Planning a Trip

This first section of tips for first-time flyers covers the process of planning a trip and booking your first flight. While it can be as easy as going to an airline’s website and booking the first flight you can find, there are lots of ways to save money and ensure that you’re getting the best deals.

1. Check Current Promotions for Travel Credit Cards

My first tip when it comes to planning any trip, with or without flying, is to do some research on credit cards that offer travel benefits. This can vary from branded cards for specific airlines and hotels to cards like American Express or Chase Sapphire, where you can accumulate points through these companies’ respective rewards programs. These companies often run promotions for signing up for a credit card which allows you to accumulate a ton of points at one time.

If you plan to be loyal to specific airlines or hotels, you’ll want to go with a branded credit card. For example, I have an IHG Premier Rewards credit card, so I earn points by using the card that I can use towards stays at brands like Intercontinental, Six Senses, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn. Airline credit cards offer benefits like free checked baggage, free upgrades, and loyalty status, along with accumulating points that can be spent on tickets.

For more information on this, check out our article on the best travel credit cards.

2. Search Smarter, Not Harder, for the Best Flight Deals