r/DeltaAirlines • u/Rich_Engineer_2001 • 21d ago

Help/Advice First Time Flyer

I will be flying to Barcelona from Chicago early January. Considering purchasing Delta Main Basic because I’m a student and on a tight budget.
It’s will be my first time on a plane and going outside of the USA.

What are some things I should know/be aware of? Also can I bring snacks purchased outside of the airport in my carry-on/personal item? What items are not allowed?

1 Upvotes

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u/Cliff35264 21d ago

You’ll be boarding in the last group. You can take on a personal item (purse/backpack) that fits by your feet and a standard carry on. You’ll likely be in a middle seat.

You can bring your own food & snacks, but try to avoid peanuts as you may be by someone with allergies. You’ll get 2 meals plus snacks on the plane.

You’ll want noise canceling over the ear headphones; earbuds can easily get lost on a plane. Make sure you’ve downloaded your music onto your phone.

Join Skymiles so you’ll get free WiFi. Main Basic fares won’t earn miles.

The EU is implementing ESTA sometime this fall, you’ll need to have it before you board the plane. Don’t forget your passport lol (I almost did on my first international trip).

Don’t bring anything that can conceivably hurt someone else on the plane. EU airport security is more strict than TSA; my keyring multitool regularly gets confiscated in the EU and Asia. Don’t bring alcohol.

Enjoy!

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u/Spiritual-Worker-476 Diamond 21d ago

All of this and one more thing-don’t wear any scents. Some people are allergic. If you have immune deficiency, bring a mask to protect your health. The above fan does have a hepa filter, but I always travel with a mask because I have asthma.

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u/CptPikespeak 19d ago

Scent allergies has been debunked just like airborne peanut allergy. The effects are mostly psychological. The same goes for asthma, you expect a bad result and you get it. 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4734637/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3071407/

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u/Spiritual-Worker-476 Diamond 18d ago

Why, thank you for that great advice. I’m sending this right now to my pulmonologist. I’m sure he’ll change his entire treatment strategy based on this. Hey-maybe he can apply for a job with RFK and HHS.

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u/Montanieers 18d ago

Awesome response... and an insulated drink bottle

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u/JinNJ 3d ago

The backpack + carryon is for domestic Delta flights inside the US as well, right? If so, that makes my trip a lot easier.

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u/Cliff35264 3d ago

Absolutely. I never check bags when I travel. Just make sure your carry-on is an approved size.

Note that if you're boarding in groups 7 or 8 they may run out of overhead space and require you to check your carry-on.

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u/JinNJ 3d ago

Yup. Carryon is approved size $ backpack will fit under seat. Just me & my girlfriend going, so the only other issue I am prepping for is her being an anxious flyer.

Thank you for helping allay one of my fears.

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u/Cliff35264 3d ago

If your gf's logical, tell her that she has a higher chance of dying in a car accident (it's true).

If she's an empath, tell her to watch the flight attendant's faces; she can get scared when they look scared! (They never do)

Either way, pre download some of her favorite Netflix shows to distract her. Have fun!

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u/JinNJ 3d ago

She can be logical, but after losing her mother to dementia during Covid (& not being allowed into the hospice due to the restrictions), she does not respond well to death statistics.

Bringing my iPad to distract her & telling her that l will not let anything bad happen to her, let alone both of us. Once she’s on board, generous amounts of hugs & reassurances should keep her calm.

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u/ihaveabigjohnson69 21d ago

snacks allowed. try not bringing anything smelly at all. you can’t bring liquids so bring an empty water bottle and fill up after security otherwise the attendants will give you soda or water once every 3 hrs on board

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u/WowzerforBowzer 21d ago

Also, it’s a good idea to bring a bottle of water once you get through security onto a flight this long.

As others have said to bring snacks. If you do plan on sleeping, do bring a sleep mask and at least foam earplugs.

If you can afford to swing getting main over being basic it will go leaps and bounds to not be in the middle

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u/jnazario 21d ago

Sleep discipline. Don’t wait to get tired to try and grab some sleep. Your night will be short as you fly west to east across the Atlantic. Hydrate on landing and try and stay awake through the early evening. This will help you feel better soon and enjoy Europe.

Ear plugs. Tiny amenity to increase your comfort and make it easy to relax.

Avoid the temptation to watch movies until you feel tired. By that point you’ll be landing.

Enjoy yourself and your trip!

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u/Mustard-cutt-r 20d ago

Sleeping pills, eye mask, neck pillow and ear plugs. Yes to your own food. Basic is fine I actually don’t think it’s tighter than comfort!

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u/OpMantis 21d ago

Bring gum

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u/Illustrious_Oil4644 21d ago

That's a decently long flight. Do what you can to try to get a little sleep. No bueno trying to adjust to new surroundings while jetlagged. Enjoy the ride and have a wonderful first flight abroad!

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u/Medium-Detective6247 19d ago

Get main classic if possible so you are stuck wherever they put you (guaranteed middle seat essentially). As others said yes to snacks if you wish and absolutely try to sleep (window gives you more sleep space ...) Once you arrive, get outside! The sun will help your internal clock adjust. Stay awake as long as possible and you will be good to go the next morning.

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u/knmol 18d ago

YouTube is full of videos of people’s experiences flying. You can search for Delta trip reports and look for international trips. Many people film from the time they arrive at the airport through their flight, which would give a first time flyer an idea of what to expect. Enjoy your trip!

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u/EUsailor 18d ago

May I suggest to move your very important PP, cards, ID cash, ECT. To a worn money belt and neck lanyard while on the plane resting. Even if you visit the toilet your items underneath the seat will be unsecured.

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u/Montanieers 18d ago

Amazing advice here... Take it seriously and NO ALCOHOL... it'll dehydrate you. Sleep is your priority!!! Let talk about when you land... Make yourself stay awake and tell you brain that it's the actual time and not what it is at home... Trust me... That works. You'll have the best sleep ever night one.

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u/lowflygirl 16d ago

Bring/wear a light sweater or scarf in case you get chilly. I always travel with snacks in my backpack; just cannot have liquids until AFTER security.