It isn’t unusual to hear about people who are first-time immigrants who will be experiencing their first flight aboard a commercial plane for the first time. As such, for these immigrants, aside from being nervous about their new life overseas, they will also have some worries and anxieties about their first international flight experience as well.

If you have been recently granted an immigration visa and will soon be starting a new life in a different country and also nervous about your first time to fly internationally, below are some tips that can help you prepare for this experience and reduce your worries:

Prepare a pre-flight checklist.

This list will help ensure that you won’t forget any important item that you have to bring for your journey. The items on the top of your list should include your passport and the immigration visa granted to you and money in the currency for your destination and/or at least 2 credit cards which you can use abroad. Listed on top should be your flight ticket and boarding pass. Other important items such as prescribed medications, books, and electronics should be on the list as well.

Confirm you have a secure carry-on and check-in luggage and remember what you placed in each.

 Use the checklist you prepared to make sure you will pack everything that you need for the move and to remember where you placed them. This will be particularly helpful for small, important items you will have to bring. Also, use a secure, TSA approved padlock for the luggage you will be checking in. Before the flight, weigh both your carry-on and check-in luggage to make sure they meet the size and weight requirements of your airline. You can find these details on the airline’s website,your travel agent and your booking information. Lastly, always keep your electronics and valuables in your carry-on luggage only                           

Follow relevant travel updates.

Constantly check  with your travel agents or airline websites to see if there are any travel updates such as weather or security alerts that you should be aware of. By doing so, you will know if your flight will be delayed and you don’t have to arrive too early at the airport.

Arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before your flight departs.

At present, most airlines allow passengers to check-in 2 hours before the flight. If you arrive at the airport early, you can avoid waiting in line for a long time and you can have some time to relax. You would also do well to know that, there are many flights that stop checking-in 45-50 minutes before departure time; you don’t want to find yourself in this situation.

Discovery Sense Travels can help you have an awesome experience if you are flying for the first time