How to Fly for the First Time After 60

Flying for the first time can feel intimidating at any age, but when you are over 60, there can be an added layer of uncertainty. Maybe you spent your younger years traveling by car or train, and planes simply were not part of the picture. Maybe you always wanted to fly but never had the opportunity. Or maybe someone special lives far away, and now flying is the only practical way to visit them.

Whatever your reason, know this: millions of people fly safely every single day, and there is nothing about being over 60 that makes it harder. Airports and airlines have systems in place to help travelers of all ages, and once you understand the process step by step, the anxiety fades considerably. This guide will walk you through everything from booking your ticket to arriving at your destination.

Before You Book: Things to Consider

Check with your doctor. If you have any health conditions such as heart disease, respiratory issues, blood clots, or recent surgery, talk to your doctor before flying. Most conditions do not prevent flying, but your doctor may have specific recommendations, like wearing compression socks or adjusting medication timing.

Choose a direct flight if possible. Connecting flights save money sometimes, but they add stress and walking time. For your first flight, a nonstop route is worth the extra cost for the peace of mind.

Pick your seat wisely. When booking online, you can usually choose your seat. An aisle seat gives you easy access to the restroom and allows you to stretch your legs without climbing over other passengers. If you enjoy looking out the window, choose a window seat. Avoid the very back of the plane, as it tends to be noisier and the last to exit.

Consider the time of day. Early morning flights tend to have fewer delays. Midweek flights (Tuesday and Wednesday) are generally less crowded and less expensive.

Booking Your Flight

You can book a flight through the airline’s website, through a travel booking site, or with the help of a travel agent. If you are not comfortable booking online, a travel agent can handle everything for you and answer any questions along the way.

When booking, you will need:

• Your full legal name (exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID or passport)
• Your date of birth
• A credit or debit card for payment
• An email address (for your confirmation and boarding pass)

After booking, you will receive a confirmation email with your flight details and a confirmation number. Save this email and write down the confirmation number somewhere you can easily find it.

What to Pack

Carry-on bag. This is a small bag that you bring into the cabin with you. It goes in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. In your carry-on, pack:

• All medications (always keep these with you, never in checked luggage)
• A copy of your prescriptions
• Your ID or passport
• Your phone and charger
• A sweater or light jacket (planes can be cold)
• Snacks and an empty water bottle (you can fill it after security)
• Something to read or headphones for entertainment
• Chewing gum or hard candy (helps with ear pressure during takeoff and landing)

Checked bag. This is a larger suitcase that goes in the cargo hold of the plane. You drop it off at the check-in counter. Pack your clothes and other non-essential items here. Check your airline’s weight limit, which is usually 50 pounds.

The Day of Your Flight

Arrive early. For domestic flights, arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your departure time. For international flights, arrive 3 hours early. This gives you plenty of time to check in, get through security, and find your gate without rushing.

Check in. If you have not already checked in online, go to the airline’s check-in counter. An agent will verify your identity, check your luggage, and give you a boarding pass. If you have a boarding pass on your phone, that works too, but having a printed copy is a smart backup.

Going through security. This is the part that makes most first-time flyers nervous, but it is straightforward once you know what to expect:

• Have your boarding pass and ID ready.
• Remove your shoes and belt and place them in a bin.
• Take laptops and large electronics out of your bag and place them in a separate bin.
• Place liquids (in containers of 3.4 ounces or less, in a clear quart-sized bag) in a bin.
• Walk through the scanner when directed.
• Collect your belongings on the other side.

If you have a medical device like a pacemaker or a knee replacement, let the TSA agent know before you go through the scanner. They will guide you through the process.

Finding your gate. After security, look at the screens (called departure boards) to find your gate number. Signs throughout the airport will direct you. If you are confused, ask any airport employee for help. They are used to helping people find their way.

Boarding the plane. Airlines board in groups or zones. Your boarding pass will show your group number. When your group is called, walk to the gate agent, scan your boarding pass, walk down the jet bridge, and enter the plane. A flight attendant will direct you to your seat. Place your carry-on in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you and sit down.

During the Flight

Takeoff. The plane will taxi to the runway, and you will feel it accelerate. Takeoff feels like a strong, steady push, and within a minute, you will be airborne. Your ears may feel pressure as the plane climbs. Swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum helps equalize the pressure.

In the air. Once the captain turns off the seatbelt sign, you may get up to use the restroom or stretch your legs. The flight attendants will offer drinks and, on longer flights, meals or snacks. Keep your seatbelt fastened loosely when seated, even when the sign is off, in case of unexpected turbulence.

Turbulence. Turbulence is the bumpy feeling you might experience when the plane passes through uneven air currents. It is extremely common and almost never dangerous. Think of it like driving on a bumpy road. The plane is designed to handle it.

Landing. As the plane descends, your ears may feel pressure again. Use the same techniques as during takeoff. The landing will feel like a firm bump followed by the roar of the engines braking. Once the plane reaches the gate, wait for the seatbelt sign to turn off before standing up.

After You Land

Follow the other passengers out of the plane and through the terminal. If you checked a bag, follow signs to “Baggage Claim,” find the carousel for your flight number, and wait for your bag to appear. From there, you can meet your ride, take a taxi, or follow signs to ground transportation.

Tips for a Comfortable Flight

• Stay hydrated. Airplane cabins have very low humidity. Drink water regularly throughout the flight.
• Move your legs. On flights longer than two hours, get up and walk the aisle occasionally. Flex and extend your ankles while seated to keep blood flowing.
• Dress comfortably. Wear loose, breathable clothing and slip-on shoes for easy removal at security.
• Ask for help. Airlines offer assistance to passengers who need it. If walking long distances is difficult, you can request a wheelchair when booking or at the airport. There is no age requirement and no judgment involved.
• Bring entertainment. Download a movie, bring a book, or listen to music. Flights go faster when you are occupied.

You Can Do This

Flying for the first time at any age is a new experience, and it is perfectly normal to feel nervous. But once you are in the air, looking out the window at the world below, you will understand why so many people love to fly. It opens up possibilities that distance once made impossible. A visit to far-away grandchildren. A vacation you have always dreamed about. A reunion with an old friend.

The sky is not the limit. It is the beginning.