Easy Tips and Tricks for First Time Flyers
Our easy tips and tricks for first time flyers cover everything from checking in to finding your seat, so you can look forward to a smooth and enjoyable experience when your flight rolls around.
Learn the airport lingo
There are a few words and phrases that you’re unlikely to hear outside an airport and if you’ve never flown before, it might be a little confusing to come across them. Get clued into some of the lingo and you’ll feel much more confident when you’re getting ready for your flight. Here’s our pick of the most important phrases to master:Boarding pass: Your boarding pass is the document your airline will give you to allow you to board your plane. This could be a physical ticket or a digital pass you can download on your phone.
Carry-on bag: This is the bag that you’re allowed to take on to the plane yourself. Larger pieces of luggage will need to be checked in and stored in the hold. Carry-on bags normally need to be a certain size, so they can fit under your seat or in the overhead lockers. Check hand baggage and hold baggage sizes.
Concourse: In most airports, the concourse is the building or area where you’re able to board your plane. It’s typically housed within a terminal and comes after your security checks. Your concourse is where you’ll find your gate.
Departures lounge: The departures lounge is the area where you’ll be able to sit and relax while you’re wating to board your plane. Many airports will have swanky lounges. These are separate areas that passengers can access for a small fee.
Choose between two lounges at London Luton Airport. Visit the smaller No1 Lounge by Gate 17, or look across the terminal concourse in MyLounge. Both lounges offer unlimited Wi-Fi, digital newspapers and magazines as well as a comfortable place to unwind and enjoy complimentary snacks.
Gate: In an airport, a gate refers to where you’ll get on your plane. This is the place where you show your boarding pass and make your way onto your aeroplane.
Layover: A layover is the time that an airline gives you to change planes if you’re travelling to a destination requiring more than one flight. Occasionally, the same plane will continue to the final destination. Those times, you’ll be able to stay in your seat.
Taxiing: You might hear about a plane “taxiing”, this is the name for when a plane is moving along the group, normally just before take off or just after landing.
Check your baggage allowance
Packing for a holiday can be very exciting but you’ll want to try and limit your luggage when you’re flying. Have a look at the forecast so you can pack for the weather and always check the weight and size allowances for the airline you’re travelling with. Don’t forget that there are two types of baggage to consider, your carry-on, which you can take onto the plane with you, and hold luggage, which needs to be checked in. Check your flight time
Regular flyers and first-time flyers alike worry about missing their flight! It's normal. Eliminate any stress by making sure you know exactly when you need to be at the airport. Check the scheduled departure time of your flight and work backwards from that to know when you’ll need to arrive.If you’re bringing luggage that will need to be checked in to the hold, give yourself a little extra breathing room. Do also make sure you’ve planned your route to the airport (as well as an alternative plan, in case of anything unexpected). We recommend arriving at the time advised by your airline.
Be ready and relaxed for security
The idea of having to get through security before you can catch your flight may seem a little intimidating. But rest assured, everyone at London Luton Airport, and all airports worldwide, are there to help you enjoy a safe and comfortable journey.Follow the instructions as advised across the signs at the airport if you're stuck. Any questions when you’re there, ask our friendly Guest Experience team – they’ll be happy to help.
Welcome to Duty Free
Once you’re through security, you should have some time to relax before your flight – and a great way to do it is to discover all that’s on offer in Duty Free! You’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants and "grab and go" food places, ideal for a quick bite to eat or popping a last-minute essential in your bag. It's also a good time to check you remembered to pack your sunglasses or woolly socks!
If you want to keep an eye on your plane, find yourself a spot near a departures board.
Find your gate
Your gate number has popped up on the departures board, hooray! Now all you need to do is follow the arrows to the gate you need to go to. Aways give yourself a decent amount of time to get there, as some gates are closer than others. There could be a walk of up to 15 minutes to reach your gate! This is also the perfect time to pick up any last snack or drink or to take a last trip to the toilet.
Getting on your plane
Once you’re at your gate, all you need to do is wait until you’re told to board. This may feel like a long time, but there's lots of airport staff doing their jobs to ensure you have a safe flight. Be sure to have your boarding pass ready!
Depending on your flight, you may walk through a boarding tunnel to get onto plane, or you might walk onto the apron and then climb a short flight of stairs up to your plane. Be sensible and relax, all that’s left to do now is to find your seat and look forward to your trip.