Flying solo: a complete guide to enjoying your first trip alone
Published: 2026-07-06
Your first solo flight can be stressful: alone at the airport, alone in a foreign city, alone with every decision. Yet solo trips are the ones people remember for the rest of their lives. Here's how to prepare well for your first flight on your own.
Before departure: prepare, but don't over-plan
Lock in only two things: transport from the airport and your first night's accommodation. Leave the rest open – the greatest perk of solo travel is changing plans whenever you like without asking anyone. Photograph your documents, keep copies in the cloud, and leave your itinerary with someone at home.
At the airport: arrive early and use the time
Without company, check-in and security go faster than you expect, so you'll have time to spare. Treat it as the start of the trip, not a waiting room: observe, read, talk to someone at the gate. People waiting for the same flight are natural first-conversation candidates – you're going to the same place, after all.
On the plane: the world's best networking room
Statistically, the person next to you knows the city you're flying to, lives there, or is heading there with a similar plan. A short "first time going there?" during descent is the lowest-hanging fruit in the history of meeting people. And with MeetInPlane you can know before takeoff who else on board will be exploring alone.
At your destination: alone doesn't mean lonely
Solo travel isn't a marriage to solitude – it's full control over when you want company. Free walking tours, hostels with shared kitchens, group classes and traveller apps mean you find company when you feel like it and disappear when you'd rather be alone.
Safety: a few simple rules
Share your location with someone you trust, spend the first night somewhere well-reviewed, and meet new acquaintances in public places first. Build trust gradually – exactly like you would at home.
Flying solo is a skill – and every trip gets easier. Want your very first one to feel less lonely? Join the MeetInPlane waitlist and see who's flying with you.