Okay, so you have booked your trip... you are all eager to go to explore another foreign land. But there is a little bit of a problem. So, you haven’t been on a plane for a long time, perhaps, you haven’t even ridden one and you don’t know what to do when you get to the airport.
When arriving at the airport, the first thing most people do is grab their luggage. But before you do that, you should know what to expect when it comes to transferring from the airport to your hotel or lodging. We know how important it is to leave that stressful task for someone else, so we offer a professional Zurich airport transfer service that will take care of all your needs.
Don’t fret! We have put together the most useful tips to help you get through the airport without must hassle. You have to remember that every airport is unique, so things such as the layout of gates and terminals and locations will be different, the standard procedure is always almost unique.
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Here is the step-by-step process of what to do when you get to the airport:
Step 1: Find the Right Terminal
Before hailing a cab to bring you to the airport, the first thing you have to do is see which terminal you’re going to fly from. Most countries have multiple airports and they tend to separate domestic and international flights. If you're traveling with someone with limited mobility, check if the airport can provide you with a lightweight wheel chair for adults before you move forward.
Step 2: Check-In For Your Flight
When you finally made it to the right terminal, the next thing you have to do is to find the check-in desk for your flight. You can do this by checking the monitors that show the name of your airline and your flight number. At the check-in desk,you’ll be required to show your flight ticket confirmation and passport. Once the checking is completed, you will be provided with a boarding pass.
Checking In With Baggage
This is also where you will have to check in your baggage and if your baggage is above the limits indicated on your tickets, you will be required to pay extra fees.
Checking In With Only Carry-On Bags
If you are traveling light and don’t have a bag to check in, it’s best to look for a self-check-in kiosk. Through that, you don’t have to fall in a line.
However, you still have to make sure that your carry-on meet the limit dimensions. For example, Southwest check in carry-on bag dimensions are limited to 10 x 16 x 24 inches.
Step 3: Go Through Security
After getting your boarding pass,the next step is to go through the security. There are usually signs at the gate, as there should be a security checkpoint at the entrance to some gate groups.
You’re almost there with only security to go through, where you’ll be required to get through a scanner and get your hand luggage checked by a different scanner.
Before you travel, make sure that you don’t have any prohibited items and liquids that are stored inside your bags. There are liquids that you can carry through a transparent bag that is available at the airport. You can benefit from spending a bit time checking each and every one of the item in your bags aren’t prohibited otherwise it will be confiscated.
In order to avoid any delays, make sure you did the following before entering the security:
- Make sure that if you are taking any sharp objects with you like scissors or cutter, they are in your check-in bag and not in your hand carry. Look at the site of the TSA for the latest on what’s allowed through security.
- Be ready to take off your shoes, watch, belt and anything that contains a substantial metal content.
- There are airlines that require removing of your laptop from your bag.
- Make sure to always have your airport ID and boarding pass with you so you can show it conveniently to the security officers.
Step 4: Get Your Boarding Process
When you get through the security checkpoint at the airport, go straight to the boarding area. Search for departure monitors as you walk through, and always check on the latest flight status and the gate of your flight as they can change.
Boarding normally starts approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled time of departure, so make sure to arrive there in time. You might risk losing your allocated seat if you arrive too late.
Don’t forget to check your boarding pass. Always listen to the announcements about the boarding, and proceed once your gate number is called.
You’ll pass an airline gate agent, who’ll collect your boarding pass and check your passport once more. Get inside the plane, look for your seat, and make sure you put your bag in the head compartment. Follow what the flight attendant asks you to do.
Connecting Flights
When at connecting flight, all you need to do is to get off the plane and get your hand carries bag. You will arrive at another airport to change the plane. A connecting flight may take a few hours to days, depending on where you are going. If your connecting flight is on the same day and you have a check in baggage, the airline crews will transfer the bag for you.
Step 5: Arriving at your Destination
Finding your bags
When you get off from the plane, simply follow the signs going to the Baggage Claim area. The moment you arrive there, look at the monitors in order to find the conveyer that shows your flight number.
Lost Luggage
You made it all the way here, the only thing you have to deal with is your luggage. In case you think you lost your luggage. Make sure not to panic. Immediately go to the airline baggage office, which is normally situated next to the baggage claim, and get yourself ready to fill out a paper of for the necessary information.
Normally, they’ll tell you when you are able to expect your bag to get to you, and will pay for the transportation of your bag to your hotel or home.
Hopefully, this article helps to give first-time flyers peace of mind on what to do when you get to the airport.
These are standard guidelines which are applied to most airports in the world, so make sure you read them carefully before heading off to the airport to catch your flight.
Do you have any more tips you want to share on what to do when you get to the airport? Leave them in the comment below!