Essential Tips for First-Time Air Travelers

Here are crucial insights that first-time air travelers should grasp to avoid unwarranted violations, ensuring your safety and that of fellow passengers.

Essential Tips for First-Time Air Travelers

While air travel has become much more common, for many, it may be the first time experiencing this incredibly convenient mode of transportation. Compared to other means of transport, airplanes have stricter regulations due to safety and security concerns.

Here are important considerations for those embarking on their first air travel, vital to avoiding undesired infractions that could compromise your safety and that of the crew and fellow passengers.

Booking Airline Tickets

Like any mode of transportation, you'll need to purchase tickets first. Airline tickets vary in price depending on the stage of booking and include the airfare, system service surcharge, administration surcharge, airport fee, security screening fee, and taxes. These mandatory fees apply even if you manage to snag a promotional ticket for 0 VND.

Documents for Air Travel

– In addition to the airline ticket, essential personal documents such as national ID card (for domestic travel) and passport (for international travel) are mandatory.

– Visa for international entry/exit (except for domestic and visa-exempt countries for Vietnamese citizens).

Luggage

Luggage for air travel is categorized into checked and carry-on. Items with high potential for harm, such as knives, scissors, explosives, and sharp objects, are prohibited. Additionally, each airline has its own specific requirements, so it's advisable to familiarize yourself with the regulations when purchasing tickets.

– Carry-on Luggage: This is the baggage you bring with you onto the plane, placed in the overhead compartment or kept nearby. Typically, carry-on luggage must not exceed 7kg and measure 56cm x 36cm x 23cm. However, Vietnam Airlines allows carry-on luggage of up to 12kg. To be sure, read the information in your booked flight ticket to ensure your baggage complies with the specified weight limit.

– Checked Luggage: This is usually the bulky, heavy luggage you check in at the check-in counter, stored in a dedicated compartment. The weight allowance depends on the airline's regulations or the additional quantity you purchase with your flight ticket.

Pre-flight Procedures

Passengers need to be at the airport at least 2-3 hours before departure to complete mandatory procedures and account for unexpected situations. Check-in should be done at least 1 hour before departure; otherwise, your ticket may be canceled. Therefore, make sure to arrive at the airport on time to avoid any non-refundable cancellations. Additionally, early check-in allows you to choose your preferred seat.

For business class passengers, there are dedicated check-in counters, separate boarding lanes, priority luggage handling, and additional privileges depending on the airline. After completing the check-in process, staff will return your flight ticket along with relevant documents, boarding pass, and baggage claim tag (if applicable).

The boarding pass will indicate the gate where you need to be before the plane takes off, the departure time, and your seat number on the plane. If you are in transit, airport staff may issue boarding passes for your subsequent flights. Ensure you have a clear understanding of the information and if in doubt, you can directly ask airport staff for detailed guidance.

If it's your first time flying internationally, you'll need to go through the emigration process. Depending on the airport, security checks may vary. This procedure may occur before or after the emigration process. Here, you'll have to present your passport/visa to customs officials who will review, stamp your documents to legitimize your journey. For domestic flights, this procedure is not necessary.

Airport Security Check

You and your carry-on luggage will pass through the gate and scanning machine. Personal items such as keys, phones, bags, leather belts, watches, shoes, need to be placed on the tray to pass through the scanning machine, while you walk through the metal detector. This process will be quick and straightforward if you carefully follow the instructions and avoid carrying prohibited items onto the plane.

Boarding the Plane

In Vietnamese airports, there are two ways to get to the plane: via a jet bridge or airport bus. This depends on the airport's arrangement, and you'll be notified upon reaching the departure gate. Business class passengers and those with disabilities or accompanying small children will receive priority; others will queue up in an orderly manner to proceed through the departure gate.

Once on the plane, find your seat, arrange your luggage as instructed by the staff, and secure your seat to avoid inconveniencing other passengers.

When the plane takes off or lands or enters turbulent cloud areas (announced), you must fasten your seatbelt. During this time, electronic devices should not be used to ensure the safety of the flight.

On the plane, there are specific regulations, especially the prohibition of smoking throughout the flight, not opening emergency exits, life vests without the permission of the staff, etc. These regulations will be announced before the plane takes off so that passengers, especially first-time flyers, can grasp the information.

Disembarking

Passengers will exit the plane through one or both exits. Depending on your destination, the airport will designate the exit gate with corresponding directions. For domestic flights, passengers simply disembark, retrieve their luggage, and leave the airport.

In the case of international transit, the stopover will be independent of the next destination (no shared entry visa), for example, flying from Hanoi to Amsterdam with a transit in Singapore: HAN – SIN – AMS. If you already have the Boarding Pass for the next leg (Sin – Ams), you can proceed to the waiting lounge or check the flight schedule on the electronic board. If you don't have the Boarding Pass, seek the Transfer Desk for assistance with the check-in process for the next leg.

For transit passengers with the same entry visa for the stopover and the next destination, such as traveling from Hanoi to New York (USA) with a transit in Los Angeles (USA): HN – LA – NY, you'll have to go through immigration procedures in LA before continuing to the next leg since the LA – NY leg is a domestic route.

Baggage Retrieval (for checked luggage)

Your checked baggage will be conveyed on the carousel, with multiple carousels numbered separately. Pay attention to the electronic board to identify the carousel corresponding to your flight to collect your belongings. If you don't see your luggage, promptly notify the airline to check for lost baggage. In the case of no checked baggage, you can proceed directly to the exit and conclude your flight.

For first-time air travelers, this won't be challenging if you adhere to the regulations. There have been instances of hefty fines for unwarranted violations. Wishing you a fantastic flight experience!

By Mytour

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide