In this ever-changing world of air-travel, it can be a little difficult to know what to expect at an airport, especially if you are flying for the first time or haven’t flown in a while now. What surprises await you at security check-point, whether the flight will be on-time, will you be quickly able to check-in and the lots…

A little preparation goes a long way and with this write-up here we can’t guarantee you hassle-free airport experience but we can definitely give you a thumb start that can help you sail smoothly through your next airport trip.

Carry your Identification Card

Any government-issued photo ID is all you need to show at entry, check-in, security and boarding. For children with no government-issued photo ID, a school ID would suffice. If you are travelling outside the country then your Passport is your ID.

Appropriate identification is a must otherwise you can be denied boarding or removed from a flight.

Delays and Cancellations

Double-check the airline’s website before you leave for the airport to know the status of your flight. Most airlines even give an option of setting up flight status alert that is sent directly to your mobile inbox.

Each carrier has its own policy and they are do not compensate for delayed or sometimes even cancelled flights, so do check their terms on this one. If your plane is delayed or cancelled, most would book you on the next flight or put you up in a hotel for the night. Some offer amenities, some don’t.

Airport Parking

Some airports offer real-time parking information but many still don’t so if you are driving yourself to the airport then be sure you have enough time on hand to find a parking spot and get the terminal. Most airports allow you to park your car for a few days or weeks for a particular amount.

Airport Amenities

This hugely depends on place to place. An international airport in almost all cities offers food courts, duty-free stores, spas, Internet access, currency exchange and many other services. While large domestic airports offer quite a few amenities, smaller ones make do with a few snack bars.

Airport Security

Over the last few years, Airport Security has made major changes all over the world with screening processes, full-body scanners, metal detectors and the likes. You would have to stand in a queue to go through heavy security and so would your luggage, especially cabin baggage.

Extra Baggage

Most airlines permit you to carry luggage weighing anywhere from 10 kg to 90 kg depending on the airline, cabin class and destination. The weight of carry-on cabin bag also depends on airline rules and can vary from 5 kg to 18 kg.

If you wish to carry extra kilos then be prepared to pay a hefty amount per kg.

Check-In

For most domestic flights you need to check-in at least 45 to 1-hour minutes prior to boarding and this depends on country to country. For international flights, it has to be a minimum 2-hour before the boarding process begins. Again, it depends on country to country rules.

You can also check-in via the airline's websites sometimes even 24 hours before your scheduled departure. Check with the airline for the same.

Let us caution you here. An airline holds the right to cancel your reservation even if you already have checked-in but are not at the boarding gate on time. Similarly, if you do not check-in your luggage in sufficient time for it to be loaded on the flight, your reservation can get cancelled.

Lost/Delayed Luggage

Airlines usually agree to pay a reasonable amount in case your luggage is delayed until found. You may have to fight for your right here but if your luggage is lost, you must file a claim which usually takes some time to process.

So now that we have walked you through almost all of it at the airport we sincerely hope you have an awesome airport and flying experience.

                                                                                                                                                Written By:- Pallavi Jaisinghani