How do I avoid getting lost at the airport?

Question

I've never flown alone and I have not been on an airplane for years. I have to fly soon on my own and to be honest i have no idea what to do! What do i do when i get there and how do i find my flight...and then i have a connection flight, what do i do then and how do i catch the right flight?

:-(

Answer 1

Once you are checked in, it isbest to go through security towards the departure gates right away. There are shops and restaurants there too . If your airport is very big make sure you leave time to get from where you are to the gate....some airports this means a small train ride or a long walk (sometimes up to 20 minutes!) so mainly just read the signs and monitors that are all around you and pay attention to announcements though most airlines dont announce anything unless you are late to board - then they start calling you by name! If in doubt ask!

Answer 2

kik

Answer 3

Make sure there is enough time in between your flight and the connection. Run if you have to! Don't be afraid to run in the airport to catch a flight. Wear comfortable shoes so you can get through the airport quickly. Also, don't be afraid to ask for directions. If you are lost, ask someone!

Answer 4

-First check-in online and print out your bording pass. [it will save SO much time]

-then you get to the airport and go straight to security, that is if you printed out your bording pass and if you are not checking bags. If you are checking bags and need to check-in in person, you would go to the ticket counters at the front of the airport. look for the ticket counter with the name of the airline you are flying. then you wait in line until someone assists you with checking-in and checking luggage. then after that you would go to security lines.

-Once you get into the security lines have your boarding pass and ID ready so that the people can check them. then you go through the process of security, which includes removing shoes, metals, and keeping liquids that are [at most] 3.4 ounces in a zip-lock bag. [if you are carrying any liquids that are over that ammount, you must check your bag because they will not allow it]

-then once you get through security, look at the monitors to see what gate you are in. If for example, it says A11 or B11 or C11 you would go to the entrance with either an A, B, or C above the entrance way.

-Once you have gotten that far, you proceed to your gate. Once you get to the correct gate, you go to that ticket counter and read to make sure that that is infact the correct flight.

-Then you get in line, get on the plane yadda yadda yadda

-Once you get off the plane, you walk straight to the ticket counter that is in the gate area you just arrived in, then you ask the person at the desk which gate belongs to your connecting flight.

-You go to that flight, read again to make sure you have the right gate, then your set!

-Once you reach your final destination and if you did check bags this is what you do:

the bag you checked had already went directly through. which means no re-checking bags for your connecting flight.

-you would leave the gate area and follow signs that would direct you to the luggage return [most of the time that is located on the lower level]

- there you would look at the monitor and look for your flight to see what carrisel number your bag will be on. if it is not on there right away, don't freak out, it will either show up in a few minutes or you could ask a worker what carrisel your bag is at.

-then you go to that carrisel number and wait for your bag to come around then your ready to go! [i would suggest putting something on your bag that would make it stick out, so you don't get confused. because there are times when you could accidently take someone else's bag or they could take yours/ so put a ribbon on it or something of that sort]

Answer 5

Airports generally have lots of signage to direct you where to go.

First thing to do when you get to the airport is park (or get dropped off).  If there are multiple terminals, follow the signs on the roads so you will get to the terminal that serves your airline.

OK.  So now you're in the airport, at the correct terminal.  Did you check in online?  If not, go to the desk that has your airline's name.  Just insert any credit card into the machine, and it will automatically recognize you and print your boarding pass(es).  You will probably get two since you have a connection.  You will be asked for your photo ID.

The boarding passes will have your flight numbers on them.

Look for the display of computer screens.  It will list all of the flights by their number.  Since you are leaving, look at the screens labeled "departures".  (Only look at the "arrivals" screens if you are waiting to pick somebody up who is flying in.  This way you will know if they are on time).  Anyhow... find your flight number (from the boarding pass) on the screen.  It will give you some info about the flight.  It will let you know if it is on time or delayed.  It will also tell you the gate number.  Once you've found out your gate number, follow the signs.

You will need to show your ID and boarding pass one more time to get through the security check point.

You are allowed to bring on 3 containers containing no more than 3 ounces.  They will make you throw away anything that is too big.  You will need to remove your shoes and put them through the x-ray.  You will also have to take out your laptop and up it in a tray.  Pack accordingly, and wear shoes that are easy to get on and off.

OK.  Now you're through the check point.  Follow the signs to your gate.  Just sit down at the gate and wait for your group to be called to board the plane.  It is usually done by seat number, which can be found on the boarding pass.  Southwest has a slightly different set up, but you'll figure it out.

The airport can be huge and intimidating.  But it is also surprisingly easy to figure out.  Just follow the signs, and watch what everybody else is doing.

Get off the plane at your connection.  Look for the TV screens again, under departures.  Find the flight number from your boarding pass (you probably got two).  Look for your flight to learn the gate number it will be leaving from.  Follow the signs to the next gate.  Wait for your group to be called to board the plane.

Once you get to your destination, follow the signs to the luggage carousel if you checked luggage.  Are you renting a car?  Follow the signs to the car rental.  Often you will have to board a shuttle.  Just wait for it to arrive if it isn't there yet.

Is somebody picking you up?  If so, it REALLY helps to have a cell phone.  Just call them once you're on the ground and ask them where they are.  

Good luck!  It's easier than you think.  Honest.

Answer 6

Ask the ticket agent and look at the monitors.

Answer 7

If you're in a country where you speak the language, just ask the employees.  They are all over, and they are there to help you.

If you're in a foreign country where they don't speak English, have fun.

Answer 8

Don't panic, keep calm.

Airports are busy places but they are not scary. For the airport to run smoothly things have to be orgainsed. If it was easy to get lost people would be missing flights all over the place.

There are signs everywhere and staff and security people. they are all very used to giving directions.

Be organised yourself- know which airline your flights are with so you have something to look for. Be there within plenty of time. If there is more than one entrance for departures be aware of which one applies to you. Take all your booking info with you in your hand luggage along with passport if you need it this trip.

Ensure your luggage is easy to spot so your connections are easy if you are responsible for the transfer of your luggage- some times you are-sometimes you're not. Find that out by calling the airlines of your flights if you don't already know. I always have a bright pink and orange swing tag on my luggage with my name address and phone number on it, the pink stands out when I see my case coming out of the baggage collection. Recently I also lock my case with a small padlock for my own safety and I have a couple of keys- including one at home for safe keeping, one in my hand luggage in the bottom and one in my passport wallet, you can never be to safe!!

If time permits-  go to the airport for a trial run so you can see what is looks like, where the check in counter is and where the boarding gates are, where the toilets are and where the food court or shops are so you can use up some time before your flight on the day.

If you have a friend or family member that can go with you on the day ask them, tell them your nervous- you are not alone!!

Safe travels- enjoy your trip!!

Answer 9

first, go to the counter for the airline that you are flying with.  If there are multiple terminals, look it up online beforehand, or jsut look at the signs. If you are unsure, don't be afraid to ask the people who work at the airport, such as other counter attendants.  

Once there, check in to your flight at the counter, by showing your passport/id (depending on whether your flight is international or within teh nation) and your ticket.  

Also, check in any luggage that you don't want to carry onboard with you.  I'd recommend avoiding this if possible (ie. a short vacation, where you only have a medium sized suitcase and a purse, or a backpack and a duffelbag).  If you have any items that you are not allowed ot bring onboard (call the airport or check their policy online ahead of time), you must check it in, or throw it out.  Ie. Any liquids that are greater than 100 ml I think, razors, scissors, etc.  If you want to check it in, ask the man/lady at the desk whether u can check it in, and she/he can help u out from there.  

Now, go through security, and wait for your flight. Before you chill and wait at the coffee stand, or get food, check out which gate the plane is being boarded from, and where that is.  If you don't want to wait there, then go get something, but be back atleast 45 min. before departure, because they will be borading ppl from 20 min. before that approximately....i think....

Have your passport and ticket on hand so that u can easily show it once the plane is being boarded (they'll call ppl with children/special needs, first class, etc. first, and then they will start calling in order of sections, ie. row 1-25, rows 36-40, ionno).  When you are waiting, keep an eye on all of your stuff, never leave it lying around, tho i doubt most ppl are dumb enough to do that.  Bring a book so that u can read in the waiting area/plane.  

I'm not 100% sure how luggage that is checked in works with connecting flights (whether it's send directly to your destination, or whether you have to pick it up at the connecting terminal and check it back in), so don't be afraid to ASK. that is the number one thing.  Oh, and you can never be too early at hte airport since the lineups are insanely slow (security can take half an hour, checking in can take half an hour, etc) and it adds up, so I'd recommend getting there 2.5-3 hours early just from personal experience, though it does differ depending on the season.   You can miss your flight if you're too late, but you can just get some coffee and read if you're early right?  

Good luck and have fun at your destination!

Answer 10

Ask around.

Answer 11

Try asking ppl that are the desk u know b4 u enter of leave a plane. they r really helpful when im traveling. also the signs around there are helpful.

Answer 12

When you get to the airport the first thing you need to do is check in. find the desk for your airline and wait in line there, then once you get your boarding pass, it will say what gate your plane will be at. There will be signs saying "gates __ to __ this way", follow those, they will lead you to a security checkpoint, have photo id and your boarding pass ready. Once through security look for more signs to your gate. Then just wait for your plane to board.

For your second flight, you will not have to go through security. just follow the signs to your next gate. If you have checked bags, don't worry about them, they will be put on the next plane for you.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Answer 13

You can't get lost lot's of people are there to help.

Answer 14

the people at the airport will help you with the whole thin , including making sure you get on the right flight, and when you geton the plane the flight attendants will take over

Answer 15

i d k, u tell me ur name is luck, so like wont u b lucky, lady luck?

Answer 16

wow umm make sure u goo really really early just incase? ask around is your best bet... call ur friends on the cell if ur lost.. lol goodluck! i have never done it solo either soo i get ur anxiety..

Answer 17

ask a flight attentant to take you to your next flight.

Answer 18

Best to just ask, when checking in which part of the airport your gate lounge is in. Then follow the signs to the correct concourse and don't stray from the area. In each concourse there is eaterys and shops, also you wont miss any announcements related to your departure.

Answer 19

ask for help

read the directories