Travelling with someone who´s flying for the first time can be a very nerve-wracking experience. To help, we have some advice to make the trip as smooth and pleasant as possible.
Pre-flight Preparation
Before arriving at the airport, make sure your companion has all the necessary documents: plane tickets, ID, passport and (if necessary) visa. It´s also very important to review your airline´s baggage policy together before leaving home to avoid complications or surprises at check-in.
Arrival at the Airport
Very important: Always arrive well in advance – at least two hours for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. In the event of any setbacks, this will allow you enough time to check in, go through security and find your boarding gate.
Check-in and Security
This process can sometimes be confusing and complicated for someone flying for the first time. So help your companion manage it. It´s usually possible to do it online to save time at the check-in counter. Then guide your companion to the security checkpoint while explaining that items such as electronic devices, liquids, and accessories containing metallic material must be removed from hand luggage.
At the Boarding Gate
Once you´re past security, look for the boarding gate and keep an eye on it. If you’ve arrived with enough time, take advantage of the opportunity to have a coffee or bite to eat, browse a shop, and/or read a book, magazine, or your phone. If your companion is a bit nervous, try to calm them down and make them feel at ease. It’s important to have a positive and relaxed attitude before boarding the plane, otherwise anxiety can increase and make the experience stressful for both of you.
During the Flight
To make the trip more enjoyable, explain to your companion what will happen during the flight: takeoff, altitude, and landing. Also, make them understand that it´s normal to experience some turbulence and that the plane is designed and equipped to handle it without any problem. It´s also a good idea to bring along some entertainment: a book or magazine, or a device to which to listen to music or watch a movie (on long-haul flights, of course, there´s also the inflight entertainment system).
Arrival
Outside Europe´s Schengen Zone, after landing, exiting the boarding gate, and before collecting all your luggage, everyone must go through passport control, so it´s important to have all your documents on hand. This procedure is mandatory for all passengers arriving in a foreign country, a security measure to verify identity.
Additional Advice
First of all, you must be patient and understand that this is your companion’s first time travelling by plane, and it is not unusual for them to have many questions to answer. As long as you remain calm, your companion will also remain calm and feel much safer.
Travelling by plane for the first time can be an unforgettable and exciting experience, but it is also important to be accompanied by a trustworthy person who transmits calmness and security to overcome jitters and enjoy the flight.