You Must Read This Before You Board Your Next International Flight

People often get confused at International Airports. Many times even frequent flyers on international or domestic routes feel confused at the Airports. you might have a lot of questions like how to board a flight, how long will it take to complete boarding, how to find the boarding gates, what is security check-in, and lots more.

This article will help you to understand all that happens at the airport before you board the flight. We are sure that if you follow the easy steps given below, you’ll board your next International flight like a pro.

This simple pictorial presentation of flight boarding procedure will help you to understand the procedure better.

Report To The Right Gate In Time –

There are a lot of things you need to do before you board the plane, hence it is absolutely necessary to reach the airport at least 3 hours before your flight time.
The terminal is mentioned on your air ticket, so make sure that you reach the correct terminal in time. Due to any unavoidable circumstances if the airline with which you are traveling changes the terminal, then you’ll be notified by them in advance.
Each terminal has multiple gates to go through, and at each gate, the name of the airlines are mentioned, so search for the gate where your airline’s name is mentioned.
To enter the airport terminal you’ll be asked to present your passport and air ticket. So show your passport and a printed or electronic copy of your ticket at the gate.

Collect Your Boarding Pass And Hand Over Your Check-in Luggage –

Once you enter the gate, you’ll find counters of the airline with which you are traveling.
At this counter present your air ticket, visa, and passport. After verifying these documents, you will be given a boarding pass.You may be given multiple boarding passes if your journey consists of multiple flights with a layover.
In that case, keep the first boarding pass handy and put away other boarding passes safely. You’ll need them during the second leg of your flight.
At the same counter, your check-in luggage will be weighed, scanned and sent to the baggage handlers. You’ll get this baggage at your destination airport. So make sure you have taken the stuff that you’ll need during the journey in carry-on luggage.

Stop For Security Check –

Security checks are carried out to confirm that travelers are not armed and are not carrying anything that they are not permitted to carry.
Read this to know: Items which are strictly not allowed in cabin luggage.
Once you reach the security check gate; keep all your electronic gadgets in one tray and other cabin luggage in another tray. Keep the trays on the scanner belt and proceed for a body check. You might be asked to walk through a metal detector followed by a manual check using hand-held metal detectors. Make sure that you keep your boarding pass and passport with you.
Once you have been checked, the security officer will put a stamp on your boarding pass which indicates that your security check-in is complete.
Collect your carry-on luggage from the scanner belt and proceed towards immigration.

Immigration –

Immigration is the final stage before you reach your boarding gate.
After you complete your security check you’ll find the immigration counters.
Go to one of the immigration counters and present your passport, visa, and boarding pass.
The immigration officer will verify your identity and validate your visa and boarding pass. At the immigration counter, your exit from the country will be recorded and your details will be stored.
The immigration officer will put a stamp on your passport indicating the date of this journey. Once this has been done you’ll be allowed to proceed to your boarding gate.

Boarding Your Flight –

You might finish your immigration way before your flight time and might get a chance to shop at the duty-free shops at the airport. You may spend some time in browsing or shopping, but make sure that you reach your boarding gate 45 minutes before the flight time. Your gate number will be specified on your boarding pass.
Finding the boarding gate is not a tough job, the gate numbers and directions can be found very easily at the terminal.
Keep your passport and boarding pass handily. Once your flight is announced, report at the gate and present your boarding pass and passport. The cabin crew will then guide you to your seat.

Read How To Board A Connecting Flight.
Read The International Airport Exit Procedure.

Follow these simple guidelines and you won’t have to worry much about boarding your first flight.