8 Tips for Being the Perfect Passenger During Boarding

If you want your flight to go as smoothly as possible, the security check plays a big role. You can save a lot of time by handling the security checks as efficiently as possible. This means: Be prepared and avoid causing unnecessary delays during the procedure.

This means taking out electronic devices like laptops or tablets from your bag, placing liquids of up to 3.4 oz each in a clear plastic bag and having them ready, removing your belt, emptying your pockets, and so on. If you start sorting your belongings at the security checkpoint, it unnecessarily holds up the process.

Being too early or too late at the gate benefits no one, not you, not the airline. It results in long waits or even missing your flight. Therefore, pay attention to the boarding time for your flight. That time is not just a guideline but the optimal time to be at the gate. Also always keep in mind that international flights often start boarding an hour before departure.

While waiting at the gate, it's wise to find a strategically convenient spot. Ideally, you should have a good view of the display boards to notice any changes. Often, the loudspeaker announcements are too quiet or are skipped entirely, so a display board is always a reliable reference.

If your flight is delayed more than 30 minutes, you don't have to hang around the gate; you can comfortably grab a coffee. Just be sure to keep an eye on the other display boards around the airport.

Human behavior can sometimes be strange. Before hearing 'We welcome the passengers of flight...', many people are already standing in line, even though nothing is happening yet. This doesn't make sense. Regardless of whether you board early or late, your seat remains the same, and the plane won't leave any sooner. So, comfortably remain seated in your waiting spot, stay relaxed, and don't get caught up in the crowd mentality and end up standing unnecessarily.

Many airlines board passengers by boarding groups. This means: after the business class passengers, other guests are asked to board in groups. Therefore, listen closely to the announcements and don't line up if it's not your turn.

Having a higher boarding number isn't a bad thing: to operate efficiently, passengers sitting at the back of the aircraft are boarded first before those sitting at the front.

In most cases, you need to show your boarding pass along with your ID or passport before you can board the plane. Checkpoints for this are usually before or during the security check and once more before entering the gangway during the boarding process. Retrieve your documents from your carry-on in good time and don't start searching for them when it's your turn.

In smaller planes, which are used on most domestic flights and within Europe, your seat is easy to find as there are almost always two rows of three seats. Simply remember where you're sitting and head straight there. On long-haul flights and larger planes, the process is a bit different as you often have number-letter combinations. If you don't know where you're supposed to go, please ask the crew when boarding for directions. If you wander around aimlessly on board, it creates congestion and chaos.

The ideal passenger thinks logically during boarding and stows their carry-on baggage sensibly. This means: have your items sorted and don't start repacking your bags in the aisle. When storing a trolley in the overhead compartments, always place it lengthwise so more trolleys can fit side by side. Jackets and shopping bags belong under the seat in front of you unless the flight isn't full and there's enough space on the plane.

Pay attention to the announcements: usually, you'll be informed while boarding if a flight is full and if you need to store some of your belongings under the seat in front of you. Should the overhead compartments be full, don't run aimlessly around the plane. Simply ask the flight attendants where additional space is available.