Varun There’s always a first time – boarding a passenger train, long-distance bus, or airplane. The first flight I ever took was in 2021, from Chennai to Delhi. I was a bit nervous about how to get around the checks and board my flight properly with my luggage not getting lost. Frankly, it’s a straightforward process but it’s always good to know beforehand so that in a hurry-burry you don’t mess up your tour.
Web Check In
This can and should be done before you leave for the airport. Web Check-In generally opens around 10 days before your flight date and up to 2 hours before the departure time. You need to select your seat and enter health declaration details. The boarding pass is generated and is mailed to you. You will need to carry the boarding pass (either in digital/physical form) along with your ID proof (Aadhar/Driving License/Voter Card). These two are the most important document that will help you enter the airport and board your flight.
PS – During Covid times, you might need to show your fully vaccinated proof so keep that handy. The boarding pass and the vaccine certificate in digital form are more than enough.
Also, if you are keen to have a window seat, the airlines will charge you extra if you select the window or aisle seat during web check-in. A better way is to select a middle row seat and when you are at the airport, politely request the airline desk team to change your seat to a window seat if available. I have had a 100% success rate in getting a window seat this way for free.
Entering Airport
Before you leave for the airport, weigh your luggage. Most of the airlines allow only 15 KG for the check-in baggage and 7 KG for the carry-on baggage (Air India allows 25 KG check-in baggage. The baggage weigh rules are subjective to specific airlines so make sure you check on their website).
Here are the baggage rules for Spicejet, Indigo, Air India, Vistara, Air Asia, and GoFirst.
Make sure you reach the airport at least 2 hours before your flight departure time. Why? Because the luggage check-in, security check, and boarding take time and the airlines are quite strict about that. If you arrive after the boarding is done, you would not be allowed to board your flight and end up missing it!
When you enter the airport, the CSRF team would ask you to show your boarding pass and the ID proof. This is the initial verification where they allow only valid flight passengers inside the airport and verify the identity of the person. Most of the airports also have trolleys outside which you can use to carry your luggage till inside.
Check In Luggage
Once you are in, you will need to check in your luggage. Most airlines allow you to carry only one bag in hand to the flight. The other luggage is kept in the luggage compartment which you get at the destination. That is called the ‘Check-In Luggage‘.
Before you check-in, make sure you don’t have any of the not allowed items in the check-in baggage. Indigo here has a good list of the allowed items in the check-in baggage. The most frequent item which people carry in their luggage is the power bank and trust me the consequences are worst. One of my friends had a power bank inside the check-in baggage. The baggage was withheld at the departure airport itself. The airlines will hold your bag at the airport and you will basically fly without your luggage. So make sure you don’t happen to do this mistake.
When you enter the airport, look around for the airline’s counter or ask any staff as to where is the check-in counter of your airlines. Reach there and you will notice staff from that airline at the counter. Approach them and show them your boarding pass. They will verify your details and take in your luggage to be checked in. If the weight of your luggage is in excess, then they charge a fee for the extra KGs.
This is also the time when you can ask for a seat change or request them to give consecutive seats if you are traveling in a group.
Security Check
Now that you have checked in your luggage, carry your hand luggage and move towards the security check. Check your flight status and know your boarding gate. Airports usually have tons of gates so based on your gate number, some airports might have sections in their security check. Follow that and move towards the conveyor belt. There, pick up a tray and unload all your electronics in that tray. That includes a mobile, watch, phone, belt, power bank, or any other electronic item or batteries in your bag. In another tray, keep your bag. Wait in line for your body scan and move forward when called. You will undergo a full-body scan and then you can collect your stuff from the other end of the conveyor belt.
If your bag requires further checking, do not worry – it’s normal. You might have left some electronics in the bag or carried excess liquid. A CSRF personnel will personally check to examine your bag in front of you and return the bag once it is done.
Boarding
You are all done with the procedures. Now just head to the boarding gate mentioned in your boarding pass and wait outside the gate. When they call for boarding, join the queue and they will then take you to your flight.
Collecting Luggage
Once your flight lands, the air hostess will announce the baggage belt number. After coming out of your flight, you need to go to the baggage collection zone (check out for signboards). Stand around the conveyor belt based on the number said by the air hostess and wait for your luggage. On the conveyor belt, verify and pick your luggage out.
That’s it! It’s not rocket science or difficult at all. Just follow the airport and the airline rules and you will have a hassle-free experience.
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