Liquid Limits and Overbooking Demystified: 10 Tips Before Your First Flight

1. Check in – even if you've already paid for your plane ticket, the formalities aren't over yet. Before departure, you need to confirm your travel intention (check in) and generate a boarding pass, the equivalent of a ticket. Today, the most convenient way to do this is online (on the airline's website or app). Passengers receive an email or notification reminding them to check in at the appropriate time. Those with a reserved seat will check in first. The rest, who chose random seat assignment, will be "lined up" for check-in last. With Ryanair, this option opens 24 hours before the scheduled departure time and closes 2 hours before. Some airlines charge a rather high fee for airport check-in (55 euros for Ryanair, 40 euros for Wizz Air). LOT does not charge this fee.

2. Remember important documents. Within the Schengen Area, an ID card (preferably a physical one, not the one in the mObywatel app) is sufficient; outside the Schengen Area, a valid passport is sufficient. Children – even infants – also require an ID card or passport. All information about the documents required in a given country can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (gov.pl/web/dyplomacja/informacje-dla-podrozujacych).

3. Arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance – this is recommended on most airport and airline websites.

Many travelers' experience shows that those two hours at the airport can be wasted, ending up in a café or duty-free shopping. Some passengers even test their ability to get to the gate at the last minute as part of an "internet challenge." However, some have missed their flights this way. I remember the morning peak of summer flights at Modlin Airport a few years ago and the long lines at security. Staff would ask if there were any passengers waiting for the next scheduled flight and let them pass first so they could make it. Two hours is definitely a safe time, allowing you to avoid unnecessary stress.

4. Prepare for security – If you're checking in checked baggage (baggage you're not taking on board), you'll first go to the baggage drop-off point. Then you'll go to the security checkpoint.

If you're traveling with only carry-on luggage, you'll go straight to the security checkpoint with your boarding pass. This is a rather cumbersome process – many items from your carry-on luggage must be placed in plastic trays. Chopin Airport lists these as all metal items, including keys, watches, belts, coins, etc., electronics (including cell phones and laptops), cabin luggage, and outerwear (including hats and sunglasses). The trays then travel on a conveyor belt for X-ray screening. Liquids (e.g., shampoos, creams, drinks) cannot be stored in the cosmetics bag. They must be placed in one clear, zip-lock bag (not multiple) with a capacity of up to 1 liter. If you've forgotten your bag, you'll find it in the dispensers located near these desks. Therefore, it's best not to store electronics or cosmetics at the bottom of your luggage.

5. Find your gate and read the information on the screens – Next, proceed to your gate, the number of which is displayed on monitors in many locations. To improve passenger comfort and reduce excessive noise, some airports in Poland have minimized the number of voice announcements. Information about flights, check-in, and gate changes is displayed on screens. Furthermore, passengers' "final calls" to the gate are usually announced only near a specific gate . Only near that gate will you hear the gate change announcement. Therefore, it's worth checking the check-in status on the monitors from time to time.

6. Know your rights if you're overbooked – This is a rare but very stressful situation. Just a few years ago, I was sure that checking in online was a breeze and that purchasing a plane ticket would guarantee me a seat. Mistake – airlines sell more tickets than there are available seats to maximize profits. Sometimes, due to unforeseen circumstances, they substitute a plane with fewer seats.

I once had a situation where, due to an overbooking, the airline app wouldn't let me complete the online check-in process, and my boarding pass wasn't generated. Furthermore, the same airline's flight the next day was sold out, which added to the stress. My only option was to report to the airline's check-in desk at the airport and receive a printed "standby" card, which allowed me to board only if there were available seats. Only after all the checked-in passengers had boarded were the "excess" group of several people, including me, allowed to board. This was possible because several people didn't show up at the gate at all.

In the event of overbooking, we have two options: voluntarily canceling our flight and negotiating compensation, or waiting for the flight crew to select a few "lucky" passengers for the last available seats or to deny us boarding altogether . Specific solutions depend on the airline's policies and may vary. Generally, waiting until denied boarding is more advantageous. In such cases, we are entitled to compensation (ranging from €250 to €600 depending on the route), with the amount defined by EU Regulation (EC) 261/2004. In both situations, we are entitled to an alternative flight at the earliest possible opportunity.

If you're anxious to depart on time but haven't generated a boarding pass, it's best to arrive at the gate as early as possible and wait. Fortunately, overbookings are relatively rare, but it's worth checking in early.

7. Check the dimensions of your free carry-on baggage allowance – it's best to read them carefully on the specific airline's website. Although the European Union recently regulated the minimum size of carry-on baggage, carriers have their own rules. One piece of carry-on baggage means exactly one bag, not an additional purse or shoulder bag. During boarding, such a small carry-on bag must also be stowed in your checked bag. The same applies to duty-free purchases made after security. The bag containing the items purchased does not need to be stowed.

You can also take a small suitcase on board (usually for an additional fee). Not all suitcases are created equal – I remember a situation where a small cabin suitcase met the requirements of one budget airline, but exceeded the size limit on another. The rules are detailed on the airline's website. Wizz Air allows dimensions of 55 x 40 x 23 cm, which excludes handles and wheels, but "wheels may increase the baggage dimensions by a maximum of 5 cm." Ryanair's dimensions are 55 x 40 x 20 cm, without this specification.

Therefore, a measuring tape is essential when packing, and you should measure your luggage after it's packed. It's also worth reading the fare conditions before purchasing a ticket. With LOT Polish Airlines, the cheapest fare (economy) includes an 8kg suitcase, which you have to pay extra for on budget airlines.

What if, while packing, we decided we needed a cabin bag, but we'd already purchased free baggage allowance? No problem. You can add this option when managing your reservation online.

8. Bring an empty water bottle. Water stashed in a backpack on the train isn't a problem, but it won't be accepted at most airports. This applies to those where the liquid limit (1 liter, divided into 100 ml containers) still applies. However, you can bring an empty bottle to security, and after passing through, fill it with drinking water from taps – there are usually several of them available at airports. Of course, you can also buy water after checking in at the airport, but it will cost much more than at a regular store. There's also good news – more and more airports are installing modern CT scanners, which allow for accurate screening of suitcase contents. At the end of July, the European Commission approved regulations that will allow people to carry 2 liters of liquids in any container in hand luggage . There's one condition: the airport must have CT scanners installed. These solutions are still being implemented in Poland.

9. Buy some chewing gum – the pressure changes during takeoff and landing can cause your ears to become clogged. Sucking on candy or chewing gum will help equalize the pressure in your middle ear.

10. Wear loose clothing . Casual clothing makes traveling more comfortable. Pants with large side pockets are a good idea, as they make up for the lack of a handbag. If you have something small on hand, like disinfectant or wipes, pockets are great.

In summary: the best way to prepare for your first flight is to carefully read the information on airline and airport websites. If you're overbooked, ask for as many details as possible and exercise your rights.

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