How long does it take to board the plane

The thought of what time you need to be at the airport in order not to miss the plane is especially disturbing for those who are flying for the first time.

There is no single recommendation for everyone. In order not to miss a flight, all airlines recommend arriving in advance. The passenger check-in process begins a few hours before departure, and is completed in half an hour.

IMPORTANT: it isnecessary to specify more precisely the time of passenger check-in by calling the airline's phone number or on the Internet on the official website.

At the airport, all passengers check in in several stages:

1. Customs control. This type of control has several options for passing. The green Corridor is intended for travelers whose luggage does not exceed the permissible limits. The list of goods subject to the declaration must be reviewed in advance. So that they don't end up in your suitcase during customs inspection. The restrictions apply to large amounts of money, jewelry, medicines, red Book plants and animals. If a passenger needs to take medications that are on the list of restricted medications for import or export, it is necessary to get a prescription from a doctor in advance. If the purpose of the trip is hunting, you must declare a firearm and get a permit.
2. Check-in for the flight. The first stage is before boarding. There are digital displays in the airport building that display the flight number and the corresponding check-in desk. During the check-in process, the baggage that will need to be checked in will be weighed. The Council: "Each flight has its own restrictions on the weight and dimensions of baggage. Find out the acceptable standards in advance"
3. Waiting. After check-in and before boarding the plane, passengers spend time in the lobby, which is also called the flight waiting room. Here you can read a book, have a snack in restaurants, go shopping. Play areas are provided for passengers with children. Younger children can prepare a mixture, change a diaper and change clothes in the mother and child's room.
4. Passport control. The start of boarding is announced over a loudspeaker and this information is duplicated on digital screens. Before boarding the plane, all passengers must go through passport control and check their hand luggage. This is a simple procedure and does not take much time. But like customs control, it has its limitations. For example, you can't take a bottle of water on board an airplane. If you bought it at a cafe and didn't have time to drink it, you'll have to leave it anyway. When the inspection is completed, passengers board the aircraft.

Tips for those who are flying for the first time

We have collected the most important comments for those who are flying in the Russian Federation for the first time. Use them to make check-in smooth and without surprises.

Items allowed for transportation

Each airline has the right to set its own rules for the size of suitcases. You can get acquainted with the airline's regulations on their official website.

Everything you take with you will be divided into main luggage and hand luggage, which you can take on board. The flight of a suitcase is often already included in the ticket price. However, domestic companies offer cheaper tickets. They are due to the lack of baggage allowance. Such fares will help save money for those who like to fly light. Large low-cost airlines usually do not offer discounted baggage tickets. You will have to pay for it separately.

Tip: "If you want to save money, check your luggage when booking a ticket online."

The list of items that can be carried as baggage is usually the same in all airlines and is determined by international standards.

The restrictions apply to:

• A pistol, a submachine gun, and ammunition for them without special permission;
• Explosive objects;
• Any kind of gases;
• LVJ.

Hand luggage can be:

• Small women's bags;
• Jackets, coats;
• Crutches, prosthetics;
• Umbrellas, raincoats;
• Miniature strollers for children;
• Printed publications;
• Fresh flowers in a bouquet;
• Computer, tablet.

The Council: "Each airline sets the allowed weight and dimensions of hand luggage itself. Familiarize yourself with the regulations in advance."

Then you will definitely be able to avoid trouble when going through a personal search.

What you can't do without at the airport

The first thing to take care of is an internal and international passport. Carefully inspect it from home for damage and carefully put it in a separate file or travel folder. This simple advice will help you apply quickly and without delay.

Depending on the destination, you can use both a foreign passport and an internal one. Children under the age of 14 must provide a birth certificate.

You can also put a printed version of the ticket reservation in this folder. This is optional, but in case the system crashes, a copy of the ticket will save a lot of time and save the booking.

What to do if the flight is cancelled or delayed

When a flight is delayed, we recommend contacting an airline employee to explain the reason for the delay. This will be especially true for passengers who have traveled with connections in other cities.

The ticket can be replaced for free if it is the airline's fault and the reason is not related to the weather. You can also count on compensation in the form of cocktails if the flight delay is more than 2 hours. If it takes longer, hot food and a hotel.

Airline's obligations to passengers in case of delayed departure

In case of flight cancellation, airlines must reimburse passengers the entire amount for the cost of the flight. Sometimes, airline representatives offer free check-in for a new flight. A special mark is placed on the ticket, which confirms that the flight was canceled due to the airline's fault.

What else might it take time for

If you are departing from this airport for the first time, check the flight plan in advance. This will help you navigate well.

It is better to arrive at the place an hour earlier than the scheduled time. Especially if the flight is planned with animals. Additional time may also be needed to process baggage that has exceeded the kilogram limit.

If you are traveling with a child and taking a stroller on a trip, you need to find out if you can take it on board for free or if you will have to spend extra money. If the flight is organized for a large group of people, it will take even longer. The same applies to people with a disability group.

And the most obvious thing is that when leaving, you need to take into account traffic congestion on the way to the airport.

When does passenger check-in start

All the rules that are set by airlines are subject to strict regulation. Passenger check-in starts in two to three hours. It all depends on the direction of the flight. They are divided into domestic and international.

International flight

Passengers departing abroad need to arrive at the airport in advance. Because on international flights, boarding ends one hour before departure.

It is worth considering that the departure time of an international flight depends entirely on the circumstances, and the departure of the aircraft may change and will be 15 minutes earlier.

There were cases when the travel agent was delayed on the way to bring a passport with visa marks.

Domestic flight

The time of arrival at the airport often depends on many external factors that take up precious time. Consider all the nuances that will take up time before checking in for the flight.

Even after completing all the procedures, it is necessary to leave time to wait for the flight. For example, to set aside time for a snack, buying medicines, water, or shopping in a tax-exempt area.

Tip: "In the summer, when the holiday season is in full swing, the queues are too long. Keep this in mind before heading to the airport."

How long does it take to check in for domestic flights?

Airlines reserve the right to set the time for the completion of passenger check-in. There are flights where you can check in half an hour before departure.

In the summer, there are times when charter flights complete check-in ahead of schedule. This is possible if the flight is full. Basically, airlines complete the check-in process one hour before boarding.

The only exceptions are when the passenger is late. Then he goes through customs and passport control in an expedited manner. But this is more likely the exception than the rule.

Tip: "In order not to miss boarding the flight, do not stray far from the information board. They announce the start of the landing."

What to do if you have free time

The modern airport has everything necessary so that passengers do not have to be bored between flights. The lobby where the waiting takes place is full of establishments:

• Cafe;
• Gaming;
• Clothing and cosmetics stores;

However, prices are "biting" here. This is due to the lack of competition.

For large families, there is a mother and child room on the territory of the airport. Here you can prepare a mixture, change a diaper or change your baby's clothes.

Free WI-FI is available on site.

When is the landing announced?

This often happens after all passengers have checked in. Information about the start of boarding is displayed on multimedia screens and broadcast through a loudspeaker.

To avoid doing this at the last minute, find your way out. This is the first thing to do upon arrival at the waiting room.

How long does it take to get your luggage at the airport?

According to the regulations, baggage waiting should be no more than half an hour. However, many do not fit into this time. The busiest period is summer, when everyone goes on vacation.

Additional information

Airlines do not impose any special baggage requirements. They're basically all the same.

The minimum weight of the bag should not exceed twenty kilograms. The maximum should be no more than fifty.

Follow generally accepted standards, do not exceed the permissible limit, then the passage process will be lightning fast.

What you can't take with you on the plane

Any liquids in bottles. The exception is baby water. A doctor's certificate may be needed by pregnant women who want to travel by plane.

Now you know that arriving at the airport in advance will help you overcome all unforeseen situations.

That's all, we can only wish you a pleasant trip.

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Photo source, published unchanged - Authorship: Oleg Bor. Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0