What to do at the airport - first time flying!

hwalkerh

Hi

Flying for the first time ever over to Ireland later in the week. I have booked in online so have my boarding pass. I have never flown so have a few questions on what to do when i get to the airport.

As i have my boarding pass as only taking hand luggage i guess i don't go to the check in desk? Do i head straight through security and to the gate? If so when do they weight my hand luggage and check its size etc?

Any info on the process for what i am meant to do when i get to the airport would be great!

fifeken

All airports have their slight differences so maybe let us know here you're flying from for more specific advice.

In general it's as you described - miss the check in desk, go through security, look on the screens for a gate number and get there in plenty of time.

Hand luggage may or may not be checked for size and weight. Some places have the size boxes at security and some have them (and scales) at the gate.

hwalkerh

Thanks. Flying from Birmingham so any more specific info would be great. Check in closes 30 mins before and boarding shuts 15 mins before so planning on getting there an hour before

bagand96

As said above, you are correct that you do not go to the check-in desk.

Just follow the signs for Departures, this will take you to security. The Security checkpoints at Birmingham are upstairs at both terminal 1 and terminal 2 (check the Birmingham airport website if you are unsure about which terminal your airline flies from).

Birmingham do not usually display the boarding gate until the aircraft actually starts boarding - but its not a massive airport so don't worry about finding the gate.

Also, as with many other airports they now do not make routine announcements for boarding. They just display the information on the screens. So keep a keen eye on the information screens, especially in the 30 minutes before your departure time.

Other than that, you can't go wrong!

HXDave

who are you flying with? from memory, i imagine it will be either Ryanair or Air Lingus. If flying with Ryanair, just be very careful with the hand baggage allowances, as quoted from their site:

Each passenger (excluding infants) is permitted to carry one piece of cabin baggage on board (free of charge). Strictly one item of cabin baggage is permitted per passenger (excluding infants). Your handbag, briefcase, laptops, shop purchases, camera etc must be carried within your permitted 1 piece of cabin baggage. It should weigh no more than 10kg and not exceed the maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Due to security restrictions - certain items cannot be carried in cabin baggage - click here for details. For the safety and convenience of all passengers, cabin baggage must fit underneath the seat or in the overhead compartment. We reserve the right to cancel your reservation without refund and to deny you boarding if you arrive at the boarding gate with more than one item of cabin baggage or if that item exceeds the maximum dimensions.

hwalkerh

Thanks everyone got there and back in one piece