I've never rode an airplane before ...how is it?

Relax! Everything's pointed out, and there's always some kind of security around, so if you do get lost, ask them. The only thing to watch is when you get to the airport, watch the sign to make sure you get to the right terminal. When you walk in, go check your bags and get your boarding pass (usually there is a big wall with airline logos, look for your airline). Then look for the sign that has your gate number on it. There's a security checkpoint wheer they make you take off your shoes, so make sure you wear good socks(XD). Take all the metal out of your pockets, put it in the plastic bin, and there's a metal detector, and a TSA agent will tell you when to walk thorugh (some people don't make it past that step). Then go to your gate, and wait for the aircraft. Once they call your boarding group (on your boarding pass). They'll scan your pass and take it from you. Get on the plane. The only difference between coach and the other classes is that in coach, your food may not be as filling, and you exit the plane almost last. Other than that, leather seats, air conditioning, free drinks(soft drinks), no smoking, all that. If you do want alcohol, then there's a catalog telling about the drinks they have. In takeoff, you'll feel your stomach lift. That's alright. At 10,000 feet, they tell you that you can use your portable electronics. When they get to cruising altitude (in the 30,000 foot range), the captain will turn the fasten seatbelt sign off, and you can get up and use the bathroom if you need to. They're much cleaner than you think they are. When the captain turns the sign back on, and you need to be buckled in your seatbelt. During descent onto the ground, you'll feel your stomach drop, like going down on a roller coaster. It's alright. If you hear robotic sounds, it's alright. If you feel a thump under you, it's alright. When the wheels touch the ground, it might get a little rough. Don't worry about it. The plane will at that point speed up before it slows down. Once again, it's alright. Make sure to get everything you took on, and leave. If there's somebody there to wait on you, follow everybody, and eventually, you'll see them. If not, then look for the big signs again (either way, get your luggage). There's a big, long conveyer belt that the luggage comes out on, and you should see your flight number and where you departed from. Grab your bags. Look for the signs that tell you where to go if you don't have anyone that lives there picking you up. That's flight!

Finding where to go depends on the airport, but its pretty straight forward.

Pay departure tax (if there is any)

Check in luggage

Go through customs

Get on plane

The food on most airlines is free with the exception of the super cheap airlines such as Tiger, Nok and sometimes Virgin.

The food is debatable, I find it good but people do complain. The meals are small because you don't want to get bloated on a plane. If you are vegetarian or have any other requirements make sure you inform the airline no later than 24 hours before flying. Don't drink too much alcohol either because it hits you much harder in the air.

Also, take some chewing gum or mint for take off and landing - to help with your ears.

Have a good trip!

On a standard flight (not a budget one), food comes within the ticket price, so it is free when you get it. Coach (or Economy as I call it) is usually uncomfortable, with seats so small and stacked together, it looks like the Airline company has robbed a junior school classroom.

Usually, drinks, including alcohol are also free. Which is nice.

You are processed like a chicken in one city, then you get into a metal tube,fly, you step off, then you are processed like a chicken in another cityt/continent and the whole process is a boring as hell. That is, unless you, or one of your fellow passengers, looks like a Muslim. Then it gets more interesting.

The old game "Let's pick on the guy with the beard" seems more fun.

"Come fly with me", said Frank Sinatra!

It's fast, it's too cheap and you have no sense of distance.

Once I flew from Tel-Aviv to Munich in 4 hours. The year before I hitch-hiked the opposte direction, with a few stops of course, in 2 months. I needn't tell which journey was more fun.