Step by Step Process at the airport when flying.

bockyholi

Hello.

I'm scheduled to go on a Ryanair flight from Dublin in about two weeks. im only bringing hand luggage but would really appreciate a step by step guide on what the airport process is as i have never been on a flight before and a bit scared.

Don't be worried, you will find it very easy. Just make sure that you are prepared before you leave.

Don't forget your passport.

Check-in online at home (you can do it up to 15 days before hand but must do it at least 4 hours before you fly) and print out your boarding card. Bring this with you as this is needed to board the plane and go through security.

Packing your hand luggage correctly (this can be a little complicated for hand-luggage) but just take your time.
For Ryanair- Strictly one item of cabin baggage per passenger (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm is permitted. (handbag, briefcase, laptop, shop purchases, camera etc.) must be carried in your 1 permitted piece of cabin baggage.
Nothing sharp, eg scissors or knives
No liquid, gels or pastes of more than 100mls (including shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste or water). Anything of 100mls or less may be brought through security but these items MUST be presented at security in a transparent re-sealable bag of no more than one litre capacity, 20cm x 20cm. (These include aerosol cans and toiletries such as toothpaste, shaving cream, hair gel, lip-gloss and creams)

Ryanair fly from terminal 1. (the older terminal)
On the day of your flight, just head straight for the security areas/departing gates. (skip the check-in desks as you have no check-in luggage and you have already got your boarding card)
They will look at your passport and boarding card.
Then you will put your baggage, coat and anything metal you are wearing into a basket, which will be x-rayed. At this stage, liquids will have to be shown separately as well as laptops.
Then you will be told to walk through the metal detector.
Gather your stuff and make your way to the shopping area.
There are plenty of electronic signs telling you which plane is leaving at which gate. Just Look for your flight number and next to it, it will tell you what gate you are at. Then just follow the signs for your gate.
Shortly before the flight is due to leave, an announcement is made telling you the flight is ready to board. Then everyone will boards. On the way your ticket will be checked as well as your passport.

If you are nervous, just give yourself time. Head to the airport early. Depending on the time of the flight, arrive at the airport 1 1/2 to 2 hours before the departure time, and be at the departure gate for 1/2 before the departure time. Get a bite to eat / coffee (lots of shops etc after security check-in), enjoy yourself.

Carraig Fhearghais

only thing I would add to the excellent reply from 'wextext', would be, anytime I travel (usually with easyjet but IMHO still valid) I print out two copy's of the boarding card & put one safely in a pocket of the 'carry on' bag, if your boarding card is lost/misplaced at the airport you will have another with you (probably a bit "belt & braces" I know but just gives me some more peace of mind)

HTH

Stinicker

Also print out the return boarding "card" for your flight home providing you are returning home within 15 days.

You print it on a normal A4 sheet in colour or black & white, it has the name boarding "card" because with other full service carriers you actually get a card like this. A copy of both is no bad idea because if you happened to lose the boarding card Ryanair charge €60 to print it for you, they must use some gold infused ink one wonders!

With Ryanair there is no assigned seating either like with most airlines and it is like a bus you sit where you want. However you will find that the exit row seats are usually reserved as they charge extra for these as they have more legroom than the other seats. The staff usually close off a few rows of seats also if there is a small load on the flight, they do this to make the cleanup easier by forcing passengers to sit near each other however they usually say it is something to do with the balance of the plane which is nonsense but to those who don't know aviation (99%) it sounds plausible.

With Ryanair they do not serve complimentary free drinks or snacks, however you can purchase your own and bring them on-board with the exception of any liquids due to the 100ml liquids and gels ban. However once you clear security you can buy a bottle of water, mineral etc. and take it on board, sounds stupid I know but thats how it is.

ProudDUB

OP, if you go into any decent sized chemist, you should be able to find travel sized toiletries that meet the 100mls container requirements. Or if you really want to take your own stuff with you, the 2 euros stores sell kits containing several mini bottles and tubs that you can decant your own stuff into. Depending on where you are traveling to, its often handier and easier to buy whatever you need when you get to your destination.

Agree with whomever said to print out multiples copies of your boarding pass. It's really handy to have more than one.