Hello everyone, my dears! I remember my first visit to the airport: you get lost in the huge halls and don’t know where to go or what to serve at the check-in counter. Now, of course, everything is different. But so that the airport does not turn into an unknown labyrinth for you, I decided to write for you a detailed algorithm of actions at the airport.
I should reassure you: the registration rules are very simple. Basically, difficulties arise only on the very first flight. As a last resort, you can turn to any airport employee for help. However, I am sure that you will be able to navigate on your own and catch your flight on time.
First, remember that check-in for an international flight starts 3 hours before and ends in about 50 minutes. And for domestic flights they announce check-in two hours in advance, but they finish in about 40 minutes. It’s better to arrive at the airport early, I’m telling you that for sure.
In addition, starting to talk about the procedure for boarding a plane, I hope that you have already been able to resolve the issue of packing your luggage. If you haven't packed it, find the appropriate counter at the airport.
In this article:
1. Look for the information board
So, you find yourself at the airport, but don't know where to go? First, find information monitors. They look something like this:
Do you see how many lines there are? Carefully study the information that is indicated on them, it is very important. Here you will find:
— flight number (the same as in or, as it is correctly called, in the itinerary receipt),
— departure time (or delay),
- reception number
— and whether that same registration has begun or not.
The latter can be understood by the color of the line (it is highlighted in green, and the lines below are red, for example) or by the time that is indicated in it. In general, if you determine that check-in for a flight has already begun, remember the counter number and start looking for it.
2. Proceed to the check-in counters
It's time to check in for your flight, to do this you need to find the check-in counters.
I’ll make a small digression and say that registration can be done in advance via the Internet or at the same airport through special terminals. This is done to save time.
So if you have already checked in online, printed out your ticket in advance and you don’t have luggage, then you can go straight to boarding. But if you didn't print out your ticket or if you have luggage, you still need to go to the check-in counters. It’s just that you can do this not 3 hours before, while standing in line, but a little later, when the line has already melted.
But today we will pretend that you have not gone through any registration and will go the traditional way. Check-in counters look approximately the same at all airports in the world:
These are numbered racks with a luggage receptacle. Look for the same number that you saw on the scoreboard. Found it? So this is your stand. Above it there is a small board that indicates which flight is currently being checked in.
3. Present your passport and check in your luggage
When it is your turn to register, present your passport.
Here you can ask to allocate a certain place for you: by the window or closer to the opening if you are traveling with a child. If such places still exist, you're in luck. In general, then you need to pre-register via the Internet in order to reserve the necessary seats in advance.
This is where you need to check in your luggage. Place it on the belt: they will weigh it and attach a special tag.
All this takes a few minutes. Afterwards you receive a boarding pass with a tear-off stub, on which an additional sticker with information about your baggage is usually affixed.
Don't forget to take your passport and your hand luggage.
4. Security control and customs control
Usually the path from the check-in counter leads directly to the boarding area, but at large airports this rule is not always the case. So don't hesitate to ask during registration where exactly you need to go next.
And then you need to go through security before boarding. Typically the check goes like this. You take off all your belts and shoes and put them in special containers. Then go to the scanners through which all your things are passed.
This is where they will throw away your nail scissors, razors, bottles over 100 ml in volume and tell you that you packed your cosmetics incorrectly, so you will have to say goodbye to them. Therefore, do not be lazy, read the rules for carrying hand luggage.
You yourself will also be searched: either manually using hand-held metal detectors, or in special cameras. Nothing complicated, just go inside the transparent chamber, place your feet shoulder-width apart, also raise your arms to the sides (there are special signs inside the chamber) and you will be scanned for dangerous things.
And if your flight is international (flying to another country), then in addition to security control you will have to go through customs control.
To pass it, there are “green” or “red” corridors. If you do not have things to declare, go to the “green” (Nothing to declare) corridor. Otherwise, you should go to the “red” corridor (Goods to declare). Here you will be asked to write an application for a declaration of goods and fill out all the necessary documents.
5. Go to the waiting room
Well, all the formalities have been completed. Now go to the waiting room. There you can sit in a cafe or go to duty-free shops.
When you hear the boarding announcement, head to your gate and join another line. Again you will be asked to show your passport, a coupon (which was given at the check-in counter), from which you will receive a stub (it contains all the information about the flight). Under no circumstances should you throw it away; be sure to keep it until you claim your baggage.
6. Boarding the plane
Immediately after your passport and stub have been returned to you, you will be shown the path to boarding: either through a special sleeve directly onto the plane, or by bus. Have a nice flight!
Actually, that’s the whole procedure for boarding a flight. I hope my short instructions will be useful to those who have decided to fly for the first time. I would be very glad if you share your very first flight experience in the comments.
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Instructions
Different airports have their own check-in times. Approximately, passengers are advised to be at the airport 1 hour 30 minutes before the departure of a domestic flight and 2 hours before an international flight. When purchasing tickets, please check the specific time. Registration ends 40 minutes before takeoff. If the passenger has not checked in for the flight before this time, then he most likely will not fly, and the airline has the right to dispose of his seat at its discretion. In the event that you arrive just before the end of check-in, hurry to the special counters for late passengers.
You must have your passport or other document with which you purchased the ticket, and the ticket itself. Recently, it is increasingly being replaced by an itinerary receipt received after purchasing a ticket via the Internet. Children must have a birth certificate.
After arriving at the airport, look for the electronic board with flight schedules. It indicates whether registration has begun and at which counters it is taking place. Follow the signs to the required counters. First and business class passengers are served out of line or at special counters.
At the check-in counter, ground staff will check your documents and ticket. Instead of the latter, a boarding pass is issued, which will serve as a pass to board the plane. It shows your seat in the cabin and the gate number for boarding the plane. If you are traveling as a family or group, submit all documents at once during check-in to ensure you get seats next to each other. There is one more little trick! Arrive at the airport in advance: at check-in you can ask for the desired seat in the cabin, for example, in the front or by the window.
At check-in, you will have to check in your baggage, except luggage, so prepare your bags and suitcases. If desired, pack them in film in advance using special machines at the airport. Your transportation tariff provides for a certain weight of luggage. Usually this is 20 kilograms per passenger. If your luggage is heavier, you will be asked to pay for the excess. An identification card will be attached to your items. The second part will be given to you, attached to your boarding pass or passport. Don't lose your baggage pass: you can use it to pick up your items at the airport of arrival. You can ask for a special tag to be placed on your hand luggage.
Alternative methods of check-in for a flight, for example, via the Internet or airport terminals, are becoming increasingly common. This design has its advantages. You can choose your own seat in the cabin and formally avoid the queue at the check-in counter. But the mechanism for checking in luggage during self-check-in is still poorly developed. Abroad, special racks called “Baggage drop off” are provided for this purpose. They are still rare at Russian airports. More often they offer to check in luggage in the same queue for regular check-in, less often - at the first and business class counters. Check with your airline to see if they offer self-check-in and how to handle luggage. And then decide on the registration form that is convenient for you.
To go through passport control and check in for the plane, you will need an ID card, as well as an air ticket or a prepared itinerary receipt. Sometimes security staff will ask you to present it at the entrance, so it is better to always print this document.
Check-in at Domodedovo begins no later than three hours before departure, but often even earlier, especially on international flights. This procedure ends 40 minutes before departure. It is best to arrive at the airport a little early.
It is recommended to arrive for domestic flights at least two hours before departure, and for international flights approximately five hours before departure. Some destinations may require lengthy checks, which are usually additionally announced when purchasing a ticket.
Registration in Domodedovo
When entering the airport, you need to pass your belongings through the baggage scanner and go through the frame. You will then be taken to a large hall where, right next to the entrance, you can see a board indicating the check-in counters. Find your flight there.
From a check-in point of view, Domodedovo is the most convenient airport in Moscow, since it is not divided into several terminals, which usually cause confusion for inexperienced passengers. All reception desks are located in one place. They are numbered, so finding your flight will be very easy.
Present your documents at the counter and check in your luggage. You will be given a baggage receipt (a small sticker with a number and barcode) and a boarding pass. The gate number on the ticket is the boarding gate number. After registration you need to go to passport control. The airline employee at the check-in counter will tell you where it is.
Passport control
Usually there is a queue at the control. Do not cross the yellow line while waiting - you will see a warning about this on the spot. Next, you need to hand your passport to the border guard, he will check your document, and then put an exit stamp on it. That's it, you have officially left Russia. Now you need to go through inspection and customs control.
If you are exporting something valuable that needs to be declared, you will be given paperwork that needs to be filled out. Those who don't have anything special should simply place all metal items and carry-on luggage in the tray, place it on the belt and go through the scanner. Domodedovo has scanning devices for which you don’t need to take off your shoes: a nice little thing.
Landing
After passing through control you enter the duty free zone. Here you can do some shopping, have a snack or relax if you have time. No later than 30 minutes before departure time, you need to go to your gate so as not to be late for boarding. Signs with exit numbers are everywhere, making it very difficult to get lost. If in doubt, you can ask any airport employee.
When boarding begins, the final check awaits you - scanning your boarding pass. One part of it will remain with the airport employee, the other will be given to you. All that remains is to get on the bus that will take you to the plane. Often, a special ramp is provided to the plane, along which you can get inside directly from the airport building.
Boarding procedure is almost identical in all countries of the world, and we will look at it below.
First, you need to get to the airport.
Get to the airport
For some reason, many people have the idea that the airport is something distant and incomprehensible and that you can only get there by taxi. There are many ways to get to any airport, but a taxi has always been and will be the most expensive of them and not always the fastest.
Did you know that, for example, you can get to Domodedovo for 70 rubles?
On our website you will find all ways to get to the desired airport.
check-in
So, you've arrived.
The first thing to do is find the departures board and find your flight there. In addition to the departure and flight number, the number will also be indicated check-in counters. The designations are very different and depend on the airport, let it be G8, and our flight SU275.
Following the signs, we find the counter with our flight. Be careful, the airline may have several dozen open counters, you only need them with your flight.
This is where you check in your luggage and check in for your flight. All you need is a passport and a printed ticket.
If you are flying to a visa-seeking country, you need a visa stamp (otherwise you won’t be imprisoned) and return tickets.
No hotel reservations or any other papers - just a passport and return tickets.
On many flights you only need a passport, but it is better to keep printed tickets within easy reach.
Passport control
You have registered and received a ticket. Great! Now we need to find our boarding gate (it is indicated on the ticket). Follow signs at the airport.
At the entrance to the gate we show the ticket and follow to passport control.
You only need to show your passport and the ticket you received; everything else can be requested separately, if necessary.
Almost immediately after passport control there is security control. It is necessary to empty everything from the pockets, remove the belt, watch, everything metal, outerwear and enlighten the bag.
Shoes should only be removed if you have heels! And don't forget to pick up all your things.
That's it, now you're in boarding area and duty free zone. We advise first find your gate to board, and already knowing where it is and the distance to it, calmly explore the cafes and go shopping in stores.
This scheme is typical for most airports in the world, but each one may have its own small peculiarities.
For example, at one of the Malaysian airports there is double security control. Having gone through all the procedures, I sat down to drink coffee and 5 minutes before the end of boarding I went to the gate, but there was another security check with a huge queue. Believe me, running around the airport minutes before boarding is not so cool :)
To avoid problems, go through all the required procedures, find your gate, and then you can look for something to do before boarding.
The optimal time of arrival at the airport is 3 hours before departure time.
Air travelers setting off on the road for the first time in their lives are wondering how to fly an airplane, what the rules and nuances are. Although this is not difficult at all, in order to feel more confident, it is better to stock up on the necessary knowledge and advice on the eve of the flight.
Step-by-step instructions, right up to the end of the journey, have several strictly sequential stages:
- check-in;
- baggage check-in;
- security screening;
- passport control;
- waiting for boarding;
- boarding the aircraft;
- flight;
- passport control at the destination airport;
- baggage claim and exit.
check-in
To describe how to board a plane step by step, you need to start with registration. So, if a passenger can say to himself: “This is my first time flying on an airplane,” then he already knows that he must arrive at the airport. Moreover, in large cities there may be several airports and terminals. The name of the airport and terminal number are indicated on the ticket, which must be carefully studied.
Having reached the airport, you need to find an electronic board in its hall, which contains information about flights departing in the near future. Usually the scoreboard is placed near the entrance in a visible place. The English version of the name is “Departures”. To get your bearings, you need to look for your flight number in the list, then down the line its current status.
Important! You cannot navigate by the destination airport and departure time. Different flights may depart to the same city, and times sometimes change.
| State | Meaning | Passenger actions |
| Check-in, Check-in open, Open | Registration in progress. | You can go to the registration desks, the numbers of which are indicated right there. Usually there are several of them. |
| Delayed | The flight is delayed. The expected departure times are also indicated here. But these are not opening hours for registration; it will start earlier. | If the delayed flight time is not listed, you must go to the airline counter to find out more information. |
| Canceled | Flight cancellation. | Contact the airline representative; they may offer to fly on a different flight. |
| Empty column | Registration is not yet open due to early passenger arrival. | Wait at the airport until check-in opens. |
| Boarding | The flight has begun boarding. | Registration is completed. The passenger can contact airline representatives. Some airports have counters for late arrivals. But there is no guarantee that you will still be able to get on the plane. |
There are three options for registration:
- at the registration desk;
- in the terminal for self-registration;
- via the Internet from home.
Airport check-in
At the indicated check-in counters, the passenger presents his ticket with his passport. Sometimes, when flying internationally, they check whether you have a visa from the destination country; you may be asked to present a return ticket and even the bank card used to pay for the travel document. The procedure for checking in and boarding a plane with an electronic ticket is no different. The only difference is that at the registration desk you only need to show your passport without presenting a ticket.
After this, the passenger will be given a boarding pass, which contains important information:
- boarding gate number (Gate);
- a seat in the aircraft cabin;
- boarding start hours.
Transit passengers are issued a boarding document for their connecting flight.
The second way to check in at the airport is at the self-check-in machine. It is necessary to find the terminal of the airline with which the air traveler is flying. It looks like terminals for paying mobile phone bills and other services, only the device will have the airline logo. There you step by step enter your last name, ticket code, you may need to scan your passport, then you are asked to select a seat. A boarding pass will be automatically printed with the same information as issued at the check-in counters.
Through the Internet
Online registration is available even by mobile phone. It opens at different times for different air carriers. At least one day before the plane departs, and for some companies - 1 month. On the airline’s website, you need to find the “Check-in” button or tab and step by step enter the ticket code, personal data, and select the seat you like. The process ends with a printed boarding pass.
You can also print your boarding pass at the airport's electronic terminals or ask at the check-in counter.
Important! Any method of electronic check-in is not suitable for travelers flying with animals accompanying disabled people. According to the rules of individual air carriers, it is impossible to check in at the terminals with children under two years of age.
Baggage check-in and hand luggage
Baggage is left at the check-in counters regardless of the check-in method. For passengers who have already checked in online, there are special baggage drop-off counters - “Drop off”, where suitcases are accepted according to an expedited procedure. With the usual check-in method, luggage is accepted at the counters at the same time. The suitcases will be weighed and provided with a special tag. A baggage receipt is also issued to the passenger. It is often stuck on the boarding pass. You can use it to identify your suitcase. The luggage will then be sent to be loaded onto the aircraft via a conveyor belt.
Baggage allowance must be clarified when purchasing a ticket. Hand luggage is also weighed, tagged and returned to the passenger. As a rule, its weight should not exceed 5-8 kg.
What you need to do to avoid problems when checking in your luggage:
- Weigh the suitcase and if its weight exceeds the norm, transfer individual items to hand luggage without violating the baggage rules.
- Study in advance the rules for transporting fragile and oversized cargo, which must be securely packaged. In this case, you may need to independently take oversized luggage to another counter - “Oversized baggage desk”.
Security screening
At Russian airports, passport control is usually carried out first, followed by security screening. At many foreign airports it’s the other way around: security is inspected first.
Pre-flight screening is a thorough check by airport employees of the passenger's personal belongings - what is on them and in their hand luggage. Outer clothing, often shoes, belts, watches must be removed and placed on a conveyor belt, which will transport them through the scanning machine. The passenger himself is directed to pass through the metal detector frame.
- Take plastic containers, put bags, clothes and other things there, and place them on a conveyor belt.
- Check to see if you have any liquids in containers exceeding 100 milliliters in volume, piercing or cutting objects, etc. All this is packed into baggage checked in at the check-in counters. Baby food and vital medications are carried in as exceptions.
- A passenger with a pacemaker alerts the security officer. He will be searched in person by an employee of the same gender without going through a metal detector.
International flights
The main difference between pre-flight inspection on international flights is customs control. If the passenger does not carry items that are subject to customs declaration, he goes through the “green corridor”.
If there is cash currency (or rubles) in an amount equivalent to 10 thousand US dollars, value, etc., according to the transportation rules, a declaration is filled out in the “red corridor” of customs.
Important! You must fill out the declaration before checking in for your flight.
Passport control
Border control of passports is carried out during international flights. It is usually designated "Passport control". Here you need to show the border guard a passport with a boarding pass. He will check the document against the database to see if the air traveler has any obstacles to leaving the country. Then he will put a stamp there indicating the place and date of crossing the border.
Departure area
In the departure waiting area there are cafes, restaurants, and Duty Free shops, but first you need to:
- Find your gate. His number is changed sometimes. This is announced over the loudspeaker and duplicated on information stands.
- Remember the location of your Gate and then walk around the pre-flight area, remembering to return strictly to the time specified in the boarding document (Boarding time).
Landing
When boarding the plane begins, the flight number and the name of the destination airport appear on the board at the desired Gate. The passenger must make sure that this is his flight and show his passport with boarding pass at the exit. The larger side of the coupon will be torn off, the other must be saved until you arrive at your final destination and receive your suitcases.
There are two ways to get on the plane:
- they are taken by bus to the liner, where they go up the ladder;
- pass through a telescopic “sleeve” directly into the aircraft.
On board the aircraft, flight attendants will show where the passenger's seat is located. Personal items are stored on the luggage rack above the seat. If there is no space on the luggage rack above your seat, you can use other shelves.
Now that check-in and boarding are complete, it's time to enjoy your air travel.
Flight
While on board the aircraft, you must follow the general rules and instructions received on the plane:
- fasten seat belts when required;
- do not get up from your seats during takeoff and landing, or when entering turbulence zones;
- no smoking, etc.
Depending on the level of service, breakfast, lunch or dinner, and drinks will be offered. If it is a low-cost airline, then for an additional fee. On board there are newspapers, magazines, sometimes monitors with video entertainment, blankets, and sets for children.
Important! During takeoff and landing, your ears may become blocked. Lollipops or chewing gum will help relieve discomfort.
Passing security upon arrival
After completing the flight, if it was an international flight, there are three types of procedures for obtaining permission to cross the border:
- visa on arrival;
- filling out an immigration card;
- passport control.
Visa on arrival
At the airports of those countries where a similar procedure is provided for Russians, you must go directly from the plane to the “Visa on arrival” counters. Then - the usual passport control.
Filling out the immigration card
For states that require a completed immigration card from each foreigner, a form is most often issued on board the aircraft at the end of the flight. Filled out in English indicating the purpose of the visit to the country, time of stay, hotel or apartment address, arriving flight number, etc. Forms can also be obtained after leaving the plane, at special counters next to passport control.
Passport control
In a number of countries, the passenger goes straight to Passport control. Here you must present a foreign passport with a boarding pass and a visa (obtained in advance or upon arrival), and an immigration card (if required). An airport employee checks documents and marks the border crossing in the passport. Sometimes, in accordance with the rules for entering the country, you will be asked to present return tickets, medical insurance, etc.
Important! Foreigners should queue at the Foreign Passports or All Passports counters.
Receipt of baggage
Following the “Baggage” or “Luggage” signs, the passenger goes to the baggage conveyors. The information board at large airports will indicate the arriving flight number and baggage conveyor number. If there is any doubt about the identity of the suitcase, the numbers of the luggage tag and the one issued to the passenger upon check-in are checked.
Oversized luggage is issued at separate counters.
Important! If a passenger has items that are subject to customs declaration, he passes through the “red corridor” of customs. The rest go through the green one.
Transfer at a transit airport
Flights can be operated with connections using one ticket. A passenger who has received a boarding pass for the next flight at the airport of departure follows the signs to the Transfer area.
- There is no need to collect your luggage upon arrival at the intermediate airport; it will be reloaded onto another airliner.
- If the first plane is late, you need to go to the counter where transfer passengers are processed. There you will be asked to take the next flight.
- For Schengen countries, passport control is only required if the intermediate and final destinations are in Schengen countries.
- If a boarding pass is not issued at the departure airport, it is obtained in the transit area of the intermediate airport. You just need to go to the transfer counter with your ticket and passport.
- You need to wait for your flight in the transit area, which is also the departure area, with cafes, restaurants and shops.
When two separate tickets for a connecting flight are purchased, different rules apply:
- Only one flight can be checked in at the departure point.
- Upon arrival at the intermediate airport, you must go through passport control and pick up your luggage. Then the registration and boarding procedure is repeated in full with the second ticket. Sometimes you will need to move to a nearby terminal or even to a different airport.
- If you are late for the next flight, the ticket is lost.
For a passenger flying on an airplane for the first time, it is better, if possible, to choose a flight without transfers or with a connection on one ticket.