• Home
  • U.S. Destinations
    • Midwest
    • Northeast
    • Northwest
    • Southeast
    • Southwest
    • Coastal
  • International Destinations
    • Africa/Middle East
    • Antarctica/Arctic
    • Asia
    • Canada
    • Europe
    • Mexico/Central America/Carribean
    • Oceania
    • South America
  • Food & Drink
    • For the Home
    • On The Town
    • At the Bar
    • Recipes
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Getting There
    • Staying There
    • Travel Tips
    • Travel Gear & Gifts
    • People Stories
    • Focus on Photos
  • About
    • Our Site
    • Contributors
    • Write To Us
    • Write For Us
    • Work With Us
    • Disclosure
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy
Confetti Travel Cafe
Celebrate travel, culture, connection
first time flyers
Getting There, International Destinations, Travel & Lifestyle, Travel Tips, U.S. Destinations 0

Tips for First-time Flyers (and Others) Flying in 2021

By Veronica Baxter · On June 21, 2021


Are you going to be one of the first-time flyers in 2021? Whether you are young and flying for the first time or traveling as an adult, there are some things you should know about commercial flights. This post will cover the things you need to prepare for domestic as well as international flights.

By the end of this post, you’ll be indistinguishable from a seasoned flyer!

(Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels)

Can You Travel without COVID Vaccination?

Editor’s Note: Flight guidelines and rules are changing all the time locally, nationally and internationally. Please continue to check with your airline carrier for the most up-to-date information.

You may be wondering where the CDC stands on air travel and vaccinations. Many Americans aren’t aware that you can travel domestically without proof of COVID vaccination. Regardless of whether a passenger is vaccinated or not, all travelers must wear face masks for the duration of the flight. Despite the recent lifting of CDC guidelines for vaccinated people, masks are still federally required on public transit.

The main difference between how vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers are treated is in the recommendations for what a traveler should do after they arrive at their destination. Unvaccinated travelers should monitor for symptoms and self-isolate for 7-days in addition to seeking a COVID test. Again, this will vary from destination to destination.

What About International Travel?

Traveling internationally is a bit more complicated for first-time flyers — and everyone else. Due to the pandemic, there is a messy web of travel restrictions between various countries. Some have entirely restricted travel, except in the most limited circumstances, while others are completely open.

It is essential to know the COVID travel procedures and restrictions of your destination country. You do not want to be sent back home because you failed to obtain a negative test result or made some other mistake.

first-time flyers

(Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay)

Check Your Airline’s Luggage Restrictions

Depending on your itinerary, plane rides can be expensive purchases. Even a short domestic flight will charge you extra if you exceed their luggage allowance or try to check an overweight bag. You should visit your airline’s website to get a thorough understanding of how much you should pack.

Though specifics vary from airline to airline, most allow one checked bag that doesn’t exceed 50 lbs and two carry-ons. One can be a smaller rolling suitcase, and the other should be a backpack or purse. If what you are bringing doesn’t fit these restrictions, then you may have to pay extra to check any bags deemed to be too large.

What You Bring Also Matters

It’s a good idea to check your airline’s website for what you can — and cannot — bring aboard. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many procedures for the airline industry. Despite this, there are still federal restrictions on the amount and types of materials you can bring onboard. Because of the pandemic, the TSA has increased the amount of hand sanitizer a traveler can bring in their carry-on from 3.4 ounces up to 12 ounces. However, other liquids are still limited to 3.4 ounces.

You may bring prescription medications in your carry-on, but you might have to provide proof that you are truly prescribed the medication. Usually, this evidence is made apparent on the medicine container; however, keeping the paper script with you is the safest bet to avoid issues.

(Photo by Keira Burton from Pexels)

Get to the Airport Early!

If you are traveling during peak travel season, then you need to prepare to wait. The general rule of thumb is that you should get to the airport two hours early for domestic flights and three for international travel. Depending on the season and time of your departure, you could be waiting in line for a while, or you may get lucky and breeze through security checkpoints and luggage check-in.

Wear Comfortable Clothes and Easy-to-Remove Shoes

The longer the flight, the more the need to dress to impress diminishes. Complicated and uncomfortable outfits will only wear on your nerves and make you miserable. Save your Sunday best for the checked luggage.

You should also wear easy-to-remove shoes because the TSA will be inspecting them. Avoid shoes with laces and complicated fasteners. This will reduce the time you need to wait in line.

Travel Light, Plan Ahead and Reduce Your Stress

The main takeaway here for first-time flyers is to bring the bare minimum. Depending on where you are traveling, toiletries and other personal items can be purchased at your destination. There isn’t a need to bring your entire medicine cabinet, wardrobe, and entertainment system on your flight.

You need to know the COVID rules and restrictions enforced at your destination. Also, remember, masks are a must. Comfortable clothes are the best defense against irritability on long flights, and keep in mind that some airlines have suspended alcohol sales because of fussy and disruptive passengers. If you need a drink to help you through the flight, make sure you hit up the airport bar beforehand!

first-time flyers

(Photo by Alleksana on Pexels)

Relax and Enjoy the Flight

Once you’re in the air, settle in, and take a moment to congratulate yourself. Soon enough, you’ll be able to advise first-time flyers yourself!

For More:

  • On our site: How to Survive Long-haul Flights
  • On our site (for fun!): Flying First Class on Emirates Air

-All photos as credited. Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Download PDF
COVIDCOVID vaccinationsfirst-time flyersflyingflying post-COVIDflying tipstravel tipsTSAVeronica Baxter
Share Tweet

Veronica Baxter

Veronica Baxter is a writer, blogger, avid traveler, and legal assistant operating out of the greater Austin area. She writes for Chad Boonswang, a Texas life insurance attorney.

You Might Also Like

  • thrilling activities in Dubai Dune Bashing Shutterstock Africa/Middle East

    Adventure-Seekers: Try These Thrilling Activities in Dubai

  • Getting There

    Staying Within Your Vacation Budget

  • Redding California Sacramento River Coastal

    Top 10 Things to Do in Redding, California

No Comments

Leave a reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search

Like What You See? Write For us!

We're always interested in publishing new stories that celebrate travel, culture and connection. Take a look at our Submission Guidelines and pitch your story.

Follow Us on Instagram

Follow on Instagram

Our Contributors!

We love our Contributors and enjoy building a community of writers. Take a look at who’s writing for Confetti Travel Cafe on our Contributors page!

Recent Comments

  • Nancy Zaffaro on The Cliff Guest House: Stay in an Ancient Village in Oman
  • Kepler Newman on The Cliff Guest House: Stay in an Ancient Village in Oman
  • Nancy Zaffaro on Pub Classic: Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
  • aabella aabella on Pub Classic: Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
  • Nancy Zaffaro on How to Choose an International Yoga Retreat
  • Yoga Teacher Training on How to Choose an International Yoga Retreat

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Adventure-Seekers: Try These Thrilling Activities in Dubai
  • Staying Within Your Vacation Budget
  • Top 10 Things to Do in Redding, California
  • The Cliff Guest House: Stay in an Ancient Village in Oman
  • Calafia, Valle de Guadalupe: Mexico’s Napa Valley
  • 5 Budget-friendly Outdoor Wedding Destinations
  • Breckenridge Colorado: A Destination to Swoon Over
  • Home
  • Our Site
  • Contributors
  • Write To Us
  • Write For Us
  • Work With Us
  • Disclosure

Categories

  • Africa/Middle East (16)
  • Antarctica/Arctic (1)
  • Art & Culture (27)
  • Asia (32)
  • At the Bar (61)
  • Canada (4)
  • Coastal (47)
  • Europe (44)
  • Food & Drink (148)
  • Food And Drink (77)
  • For the Home (39)
  • Getting There (32)
  • International (105)
  • International Destinations (130)
  • Mexico/Central America/Carribean (14)
  • Midwest (9)
  • Northeast (16)
  • Northwest (80)
  • Oceania (9)
  • On The Town (80)
  • Outdoors (25)
  • People Stories (25)
  • Recipes (31)
  • South America (8)
  • Southeast (42)
  • Southwest (22)
  • Staying There (56)
  • Travel & Lifestyle (91)
  • Travel Destinations (22)
  • Travel Gear & Gifts (33)
  • Travel Tips (77)
  • U.S. (95)
  • U.S. Destinations (163)
  • Uncategorized (1)

Recent Posts

  • Adventure-Seekers: Try These Thrilling Activities in Dubai
  • Staying Within Your Vacation Budget
  • Top 10 Things to Do in Redding, California
  • The Cliff Guest House: Stay in an Ancient Village in Oman
  • Calafia, Valle de Guadalupe: Mexico’s Napa Valley
  • 5 Budget-friendly Outdoor Wedding Destinations
  • Breckenridge Colorado: A Destination to Swoon Over

Tag Cloud

Virginia Tanzania Willamette Valley AVA Andaman and Nicobar Islands Oxford Galt House Hotel Emerald cocktail Chef David Viviano Conegliano South Carolina autobiographies winery lodging 83 Press La Ruta PDX quokkas Bellevue Avenue hotels accommodations rose wine Baja Citymapper wine pairing European cycling trip Adrift Hotels Algarve Klimpton Buchanan Puerto Maldonado eclipse glassware where to eat in New Jersey renting a room on airbnb holiday recipes bartending CHEVOO heart-healthy what to do in Deland Chef Mikel de Luis PackPoint Columbia Valley AVA Charlotte World Tapas Day

© 2021 Confetti Travel Cafe. All rights reserved.