The first trip to the land of clouds? It is good to know these things before starting your first flight

The first flight in the sky is a dream for many. An airport is an exciting environment. But in the midst of this excitement, some difficult airport terminology often creates obstacles. Airport lingo can often seem like a maze to first-time fliers. It is very important to know the meaning of certain airport terms to reach the right place on time and avoid unnecessary harassment. Keep these six things in mind to make your flight journey easier.

IATA Code: You will find the three letter code on your boarding pass or bag tag. These are the IATA codes. Every airport in the world has a specific identity. For example DEL for Delhi, BOM for Mumbai or CDG for Paris. This code is the main trust from booking the ticket till the bag reaches the right place.

Lay-over: If you have to stop at another airport and take another flight from there instead of going directly to your destination, the stopover is called a ‘layover’. A layover of less than 24 hours is generally referred to as a ‘layover’ in international flights. During this time you can stay inside the airport or travel outside as per visa rules.

Airside and Landside: The airport is mainly divided into two parts. The area outside the safety net is called landside, where you check-in or talk to relatives. And after the security check, the area with gate, duty free shop and lounge is airside. Once in the airside it is not possible to go to the landside without special need.

Final Call: Hearing this announcement over the loudspeakers is chest pounding. This means, last chance for passengers to board before departure. This is the moment just before the gate closes. So when you hear this announcement while shopping at the duty free shop, don’t delay even a second.

Transit Passengers: If you have a stopover on your journey and you are just waiting to change planes without entering that country, you are a transit passenger. Sometimes you don’t even have to get off the plane, sometimes you just have to change terminals and go to the next gate.

Customs: After reaching the destination, after collecting the bag, you have to go through customs. Expensive electronics, extra liquor or cash must be declared here. Every country’s customs rules are different, so it’s wise to find out in advance.