Flying for the first time can be a nerve-racking experience. There are so many things that can pop up on your first-time trip. That’s why it’s important to know what to expect initially, so you can go over everything with your loved ones and be prepared.

There’s no shortage of surprises when it comes to flying. If you fly regularly, you’ve probably gotten used to the annoying little things: the rude passengers, the crying babies, the lost luggage. But there are also the surprising things you don’t expect: the delays, the lost items, the turbulence. Whether you’re flying for the first time or have been flying for years, here are a few things you can expect on your next trip to the terminal.

Learn the airport procedures

Airlines set their procedures, governed by their own rules and regulations. So, while you might remember the “if you’re 10 pounds over the weight limit, fess up now and try to sneak a few extra items on board” message that the airline screeners used to blast at you long before, it’s not an airline rule. However, knowing the rules is still important, as even minor infractions can get you in serious trouble.

Check-in online

Check-in online will help ensure your safety while traveling. To check in online, you’ll need your passport number, your last name as it appears in your passport, and your date of birth. Then, you’ll be able to input your gender, city, and airport of departure. Once you complete the check-in process, your boarding pass is immediately sent to your mobile device.

Arrive in good time

Arriving in good time is one of the most important, yet overlooked aspects of being on time. Many people arrive late to meetings, appointments, and even work. Unfortunately, arriving late at an airport means you might miss your flight and might not even get a refund. So, in order to reach on time, you should leave early, as the time you take to reach there will depend on the distance between your home and the airport. If you do not have someone to drop you off, consider booking an airport shuttle in Red Deer, if that’s where you are currently.

As difficult as it may sound, arriving at a good time can help to reduce your stress, and later you can relax once done with the check-in procedure. And, if by chance, you do arrive a lot earlier than your flight’s scheduled time, you can just sit and read a book, enjoy a drink, or play a computer game on mobile with the help of a windows emulator (check out d2 spirit runeword and other gaming features, if interested).

Learn the different types of baggage and the rules

Make sure your baggage is under the weight limit of your specific airline. When you’re checking in your baggage, ensure that you aren’t carrying items that are banned by the airline. And remember that your bags are in good hands; there are clear processes in place to transport your baggage safely. Trained handlers and aircraft tugs are managed in a way to minimize the risk of your bags getting misplaced.

Weigh your baggage at home

If you need to weigh luggage at the airport, you’ll probably have to get in line behind everyone else. But if you need to weigh your luggage at home, it’s as simple as stepping on the scale, stepping off the scale, stepping back on again, and the entire process is over.

Make your baggage easily identifiable.

When traveling, it can be easy to lose items since they’re easily misplaced, and things can get lost in the shuffle. You can tag your baggage with glass stickers, metal tags, or a combination to avoid any hassle. A baggage handler can easily spot your lost bag and help reunite you with it.

Keep checking your itinerary and flight status.

Airlines and airports are doing their best to make traveling as easy as possible, but sometimes things go wrong. Delayed flights, missed connections, and canceled flights are an unfortunate reality of travel, and, unfortunately, you aren’t always the first to know about these things. But there are ways to stay informed about your flight status and alert yourself to any changes that need to be made to your travel plans.

Remember all travel documents & your passport.

The importance of traveling internationally cannot be underestimated. International travel can have numerous benefits. It could expose you to new cultures, land you a job, or give you the chance to explore areas of the world you’ve only dreamt of visiting.

Buy travel insurance

Travel insurance isn’t a topic that most people care about until it’s too late. If you’ve been traveling abroad, you know that many things could go wrong. There are plenty of risks, from missed flights due to bad weather to sickness and injury. And if you think the odds are in your favor, it may surprise you that 1 in 10 travelers are injured abroad, with 7% of those injured requiring medical attention. It’s not uncommon for people to be unable to work, too. And unfortunately, travel insurance isn’t cheap. But while you may not have planned and purchased travel insurance before your trip, you can still purchase travel insurance after the fact.

When traveling through an airport for the first time, there are a few things that you should prepare for. First, you should make plans and make sure that you have the right tools. Make sure that all your luggage is checked in and that you have extra clothes in case your luggage is lost. Also, ensure you understand all the rules and regulations about arriving at the airport and checking in.