I am traveling for the first time in march/april but what exactly do i do once i have arrived at the airport?

Question

I am flying from dulles in dc to london heathrow. where do i check in? and what next? i try to find answers but it seems i can only find half answered questions. if i buy a ticket online, does it get mailed to me? i am just really confused and would love to know that i know exactly what i am doing once i get there. i know i am going to be nervous as i am flying alone.

Answer 1

When you buy a ticket online, typically you'll be given the option to have a ticket mailed to you, or to do an "e-ticket". For you, I'd recommend having the ticket mailed to you. Either way, you'll want to make sure you print out a copy of the purchase confirmation page, which should have your confirmation code on it.

Since you're flying to a foreign country, make sure you have a passport. I'd suggest you start that now, since the process for getting a passport can be rather lengthy. (See link below for more info on how to do this.)

As for what to do once you get to the airport, the first thing you should do is go to the checkin counter for which ever airline you're on. At the counter, you'll do the following:
- Present them with your ticket (or e-ticket printout)
- Present them with your id (your passport)
- Give them any luggage your checking
... in exchange they'll give you:
- A boarding pass
- Luggage claim stubs (these aren't that important)

The agent will tell you which gate your plane is leaving from, and what time it boards. (This information will also be on your boarding pass).

From there, you'll need to go through security - ask the agent at the checkin counter for directions on where to go. Once at security, just follow the directions of the TSA agents there. And once you're through security, just follow the signs to your gate.

There are lots of helpful people at airports, if you get lost of confused, find somebody behind a counter or in a uniform and ask them what to do.

Oh, one last thing - you might ask someone you know who has flown how best to pack for your trip. In particular, airport security has very strict regulations about the kinds of things you're allowed to carry on to the plan (as opposed to checking at the checkin counter.)

Cheers, hope this helps.

Answer 2

Ok, different for each airline. Usually when you purchase a ticket online, you get a comfirmation number. On their website you can go online the day before your flight (or morning before) and print out your check-in ticket. This is checking you in and comfirming your flight for the day. When you go in the airport, go to the check in desks, find your airline's desk and give them your papers. They will do the rest. Once you are checked in, you go through security to the gates. Find your gate. (they are labelled by the destination as well as with a Letter/#. The letter/# is on your tickets that the checkin people gave you) You wait until boarding. Give your boarding pass to the attendant at the door and board the plane. When you get to London, you find the sign that says baggage claim. Get your baggage and then you're free to go. Usually there is an exit right at the baggage claim area. But not sure about Heathrow. I hope this answered your question. Have a good flight!

Answer 3

Hi Cris

When you buy a ticket online these days, it is likely that it will be an e-ticket. This means that you do not actually get a paper ticket at all, but rather a confirmation code emailed to you. You print out the email with the confirmation code on it and take that to the airport.

You want to get to get to the airport a few hours early, about 2 hours.

When you get to the Airport, you go to the departures section which the airline you are flying with is in. There you will go to the check in counters of that particular airline. Have your flight number handy (also printed on your email). There should be screens up saying which flights check in from what counters. Go to the counter number for your flight and line up there with your bag/suitcase.

Once it is your turn, you will show your e-ticket confirmation email and passport to the check in staff. They will check your baggage in and give you a boarding pass.

Take your boarding pass, passport and hand luggage through security. They (TSA) will check your passport and boarding pass, x-ray your hand luggage and possibly also conduct a personal search. Once you are through to the secure area, enjoy the wait, have a coffee, do some shopping until the displays for your flight tell you to go to your gate or board. The displays will tell you which gate number, and your boarding pass may as well.

Go to your gate and wait for the plane to board. You will need your boarding pass and possibly your passport again.

Then enjoy the flight!

At Heathrow you will first need to go through passport control, then pick up your baggage, then go through customs (although at Heathrow going through Customs usually just involves going straight past the counter with no staff even talking to you).

I hope this helps!

Answer 4

If you take a taxi to the airport in D.C., let the driver know which airline you're traveling on and he/she will take you to the Departure section for that airline. When you arrive there, the next step is to find the counter for your airline and wait in line. When you get to the counter, they will ask you for your name and I.D. (usually a passport or driver's license) to locate your reservation in the system. They will then print out your ticket (assuming you purchased an e-ticket), tell you your departure gate and either check in your luggage or direct you towards an area where your luggage will be checked. The next step is to go to your departure gate and await boarding of the plane. Be sure to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight time and arrive at your departure gate at least 30 minutes before your departure time.

Answer 5

you stand in a queue and wait for the plane which says london. flag it down, get on and off you will go.
When you arrive at Heathrow, you will know its heathrow because you will hear shouts of `anyone for a cup of tea`