Never flown before. Can someon help me?

Your checked baggage will be transferred to your next flight so you don't have to worry about that. If you stay with the same airline, often the gates are relatively close together. However sometimes you have to go to the other side of the airport. Make sure you stay inside of the security zone otherwise you may have to wait another hour to get through the checkpoint.

If you're really pressed for time, check with gate personnel, sometimes they can give you a ride in a golf cart.

I like to get to the gate about an hour beforehand and make sure I'm checked in. Then I'll wander down to the bar and have a beer or two and then make sure I'm back by 30 minutes before departure.

Check with your airline. If you cut it too close they may give your seat to someone flying standby.

Enjoy your trip.

A lay over should be atleast one hour but I would suggest two hours. If you are flying one airline the entire way, then your luggage should be checked all the way to your destination. Just double check with the person checking you in for your flight to make sure it is checked to your final destination. If you are taking more than one airline, then make sure to advise the check in agent because sometimes they will not have the flight information for your other airline(s) so they will only check your luggage to the last flight of that specific airline. If you are flying from a small airport, normally an hour is sufficent time to show up for your flight. However, I would suggest two hours. If your flight is originating from a large airport, then go 2-3 hours before your flight leaves because the security checkpoint could take a long time to get through. I hope this information helps. I was a ticket agent for 7 years so I have seen a lot pertaining to airports.

I like to have an hour between flights, it just is more comfortable that way--for me and also for my luggage to catch up with me! If you have a tight connection (less than an hour) they usually tell you at booking, and if you end up missing one flight because of a delay most airlines will help to re-book you on another flilght.

Recentley in American Way magazine there was an article that asked "frequent travelers" what they disliked most about "newbie" travelers and one mentioned often was "showing up way too early at the airport."

Don't listen to that garbage! I like to get to the airport about an hour and a half early. This gives me a comfort range to be sure that flights haven't changed, luggage is checked, parking is good, and security is not a problem. Long lines at ticketing and security can turn an hour-early into a panic quite easily!

It all depends on whether you fly domestically or international. If domestic, your layover time is okay to be pretty short, internationally, you usually need more time. Check with your travel agent with the recommended times for that airport. Your luggage is usually checked through to your final destinations, but since luggage does sometimes misconnect, make sure, you always have extra clothing and first necessities (check the regulations for allowed amounts in liquids) in your carry-on. The time to be there for check-in also depends on dom/or inter. Even the time of day should be considered (if you travel at 6 AM and the counter doesn't open 'til 5:15, it is no use to be there an hour early e.g.)...good luck!

depends on the airport. Your travel agent or airline should not book you (probably can't even) on a flight which has less than "legal" minimum connecting time....some places as short as 30 minutes...you may need to hoof it to the next gate, though! If you check your luggage through, you won't see it until you reach your destination.

"they" say something like 1 1/2 to 2 hours, but check in an hour ahead and you should be fine (disclaimer: if bad weather somewhere in the country, the lines may be longer, as passengers off cancelled flights have to go to ticket counter to be rebooked!!). Just don't cut it too close, especially if checking bags, because airline won't accept (depending on airline) less than 30 or even 45 minutes before scheduled departure.

check with your airline - for your recommended arrival time at the airport = probably about an hour should be fine

your luggage will be routed to the next flight - so don't worry

(BTW - if you are going from Tampa thru Atlanta to Chicago - have it checked for Chicago - not Atlanta)

when I transfer and change planes - I go directly and find the next gate - THEN - get something to eat or use the restroom

make sure the next gate has not changed - twice on my last flights - when I checked in to when I got to the terminal - THE GATE WAS DIFFERENT inside 20 minutes

check check check and recheck

Sometimes you do have to get your luggage and check it in for the next flight. I have no idea what country you are in, and what airline(s) you are flying. So it would be wrong to tell you for certain that you can check your bags all the way through. Usually you can, but not always. So to be safe, you need to ask the airlines.