Riding an airplane can be both exciting and terrifying, especially for first-time airline passengers. While flying is currently a very safe mode of transportation, there are a lot of rules and policies to follow. There are also several things you should be aware of, and unfortunately, many frequent flyers are unaware of these details. As a result, here are some tips, reminders, and facts for first-time airline passengers.
Please go over all of these first and try to remember them all. The information you will obtain here is critical. Furthermore, these would make you feel a little less nervous. Especially for all airline passengers.
Traveling by plane is not the same as traveling by land.
You can never compare flying to driving a car, bus, train, or boat. In the aviation industry, safety is always of the utmost importance. Unlike a car or a bus, an aircraft cannot simply pull over in an emergency. It must gradually descend from a high altitude and locate a nearby airport to make an emergency landing. Descending could take some time.
An airline’s safety is of the utmost importance.
Please obey all safety instructions from your cabin crew, such as fastening seat belts, raising window shades, raising tray tables, and keeping seats upright. All of this is done for safety reasons and has been approved by the airline, aircraft manufacturer, and a country’s governing aviation authority. Disobeying safety instructions may result in you being removed from the aircraft. Simply follow their instructions. Airline passengers are mandated to follow all safety instructions and protocols.
Your flight crew undergo extensive training before being released to the line.
Your flight crew, that is, the pilots and flight attendants, undergo extensive training before being released to the line. They go through the most rigorous of training programs. Even Google information pales in comparison to what pilots and flight attendants know.
Please read the safety information card located in the front seat pocket.
It will instruct you on what to do in an emergency. Do not disregard this, as it could mean the difference between your life and the lives of others in the event of an emergency.
Never make a bomb statement, or even crack bomb jokes
DO NOT MAKE BOMB JOKES OR STATEMENTS IN THE AIRPORT OR ON THE AIRCRAFT; if you do, you will be arrested. These statements are taken seriously by airport and airline security. Not only will you be arrested, but you will also be interrogated. You will cause problems for other passengers. All passengers will be offloaded from the plane, and your luggage will be checked. Every passenger will be screened as well. The entire aircraft will be inspected.
Make sure you stick to the baggage weight restrictions.
There are weight restrictions for both carry-on and checked luggage. Exceeding the weight limit may result in additional fines. Why so? Excess weight increases the weight of the aircraft, resulting in increased fuel consumption. The greater the fuel consumption, the greater the overhead expense. Cargo loaders follow a weight distribution system to ensure that the aircraft is balanced. This is for your own safety.
Have faith in your pilots.
They see what no passenger does: what is in front of the plane and what is on the radar. Missed approaches, go-arounds, aborted take-offs, and hard landings all have reasons, and they are all for safety.
Turbulence is an expected occurrence.
Simply keep your seatbelts fastened and refrain from using the restroom. More information on turbulence can be found here.
If you are unable to open an emergency exit seat or row during an emergency, do not sit there.
If you believe you cannot, please request a new seat from the cabin crew. Remember that with great legroom comes great responsibility.
The authorities on board the aircraft are the flight crew.
The flight deck and cabin crew are shown here. While they do serve you and attend to their needs, they also have the authority to arrest and detain you if you disobey them, particularly their safety instructions, or become unruly, disrupting the peace on board.
Your flight attendants are not required to assist you in getting your luggage into the overhead compartments.
They may, however, assist you in lifting your luggage if you are a PWD, pregnant woman, elderly person, or have any physical limitations. However, if you are a normal and able-bodied passenger, it is your responsibility to lift your own luggage into the overhead compartments.
The most dangerous parts of a flight are takeoff and landing.
Please adhere to all safety precautions. Please read this to learn more about takeoff and landing.
Be mindful of other passengers.
Keep your feet off the armrest of the seat in front of you and your knees off the back of the seat in front of you. It might annoy the passengers in front of you. More information about proper passenger etiquette can be found here.
Report anything out of the ordinary to the cabin crew.
If you notice anything unusual, such as smoke in the cabin (usually dark smoke), a burning odor, a fire in the engine, or banging sounds, please notify the cabin crew immediately. However, when boarding an aircraft, especially early in the morning, you may notice smoke coming from the air outlets. That is typical.
Except in an emergency or when something requires immediate attention, only use the call bell once.
If you require assistance, simply press the call button once, unless you are in a medical emergency and require immediate assistance. Pressing the call button repeatedly may alert the cabin crew to an emergency. There is no need to press the call button for the cabin crew to serve your meal during food service. Simply be patient. They will also serve you. If you require special meals, such as Halal food, you may pre-order them when making your booking.
Respect the crew’s and other passengers’ privacy.
Take no pictures or videos of your pilots or cabin crew without their permission. The Data Privacy Act can get you in trouble.
Be courteous to all airport and airline personnel.
Please be respectful and courteous to them as well. Have patience and know your rights during delays. Know what to do if your flight is canceled.
If you have a complaint, please file it in the proper forum by visiting your airline’s website and completing a complaint form.
You will not get justice by ranting on Facebook. It may even retaliate. A passenger was charged with criminal mischief after photographing a flight attendant without her permission and posting it on social media with a complaint. Instead of resolving the issue privately, it aggravated the passenger.
So to all first-time airline passengers, I hope this guide will help you. Just follow all the rules and listen to your crew. They know more than the Maritess who said otherwise.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
