Student Travel Tips Europe - International Flying

TRAVEL TIPS: AIRLINES

GETTING THERE Most eastbound international flights are overnight. The best thing to do is to try to get as much sleep as you can during the flight, so you'll be well-rested when you arrive at your destination. You'll probably have to make at least one connection (either in the U.S. or overseas).

When you land abroad follow the crowd through these steps:

Go through immigration (this is where they stamp your passport)
Pick up your luggage at the baggage claim
Continue through customs (on rare occasions, they will search your bags to make sure you aren't smuggling anything into the country)
Proceed to the exit. Once you’re outside the security area, look for the person waiting with the EF sign; this is your full-time EFCB Tour Director (on occasion, your tour director will be greeting travelers at another gate; in this case, another representative from EF will be waiting for you)

Usually a day before my flight, I go to the bookstore and stock up on the most recent magazines. If you wait too late and buy them in the airport, chances are they are going to be more expensive. CloseQuotes

Vanessa Hall University of Houston Italy and Greece, March 2008

The flight is always an exciting time—it's the beginning of your trip and the anticipation is building. Here are some things to keep in mind before, during, and after your flight. CALL TO CONFIRM You should call your airline two days before your flight to confirm the time of your departure. Every once in a while airlines change their schedule for various reasons, so it's important that you make sure everything is going as planned. For a complete list of airline phone numbers and websites, visit this handy website. CHECKING IN For international flights, it is recommended to arrive at the airport at least two-and-a-half hours before your departure time (this gives ample time for check-in, security, etc.). Almost all EF College Break travelers will get e-tickets, which means you just need your passport to check in. Just go to the check-in desk and they'll take care of you. If you have any questions, ask one of the uniformed airport workers standing around nearby to help you. CODE SHARING Code sharing refers to the partnerships between different international airlines. It matters to you because sometimes the airline printed on your ticket may not match the airline you actually fly with on one leg of your trip. It's very common, for example, to have American Airlines (AA) on your ticket but fly in a British Airways (BA) plane on your connecting flight in Europe. The airline agent should explain this when you first check in at your U.S. airport—if they don't, feel free to ask. FAA TIPS The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is the government's department dedicated to the airline industry. They're a great resource for up-to-date info, tips and news. Visit the FAA travel site