How to Dress for Traveling: Dress comfortably. It's that simple. For me this was a comfortable pair slacks a t-shirt and sweater. The idea is that traveling is uncomfortable (unless you are in first class, but even then it's not comfortable) because you are confined to a seat for a long time and there's not much space. Nobody really cares what you look like and most people are dressed in sweatpants and sweaters anyway. I don't recommend wearing flip-flops though because you will be doing a lot of walking at the airport and sometimes airports and planes can get cold. That brings up another point, dress in layers if possible. Planes are notorious for changing the temperatures from uncomfortably sweaty heat to freezing cold and wishing they gave you a bigger blanket.
Essential Items for Sleeping on Plane: So it's a long plane ride and you will want to force yourself to sleep because it sucks being tired first day at your destination. You will need Ear Plugs because the baby and airplane engine combination is enough to keep the heaviest sleepers wide awake. Eyemask is definitely essential. Airplanes dim the lights, yes, but they also turn them on randomly too. Also, on my plane they had a giant tv right in font of the plane that was brighter than day all night. Lastly, those crazy looking Neck Pillows you see in the airport are Amazing! They are of course cheaper at walmart and they are worth their weight in gold if you don't want to wake up with the worst soar neck. Lastly, make sure to stay hydrated! You will be surprised how dehydrated you will become. I always order 2 glasses of water in addition to my soda and orange juice on the plane when they ask for drinks. Also, if you are looking to save money. You are allowed to bring a water bottle and fill it up inside the airport at the drinking fountains. I'm told New York has the best public water in the country.
Airport Craziness:
Just expect problems to happen and roll with them. Hopefully you are lucky and well prepared that only little problems happen.
Arriving: It is very important that you arrive at min 2 hours before your scheduled departure. I arrived 4 hours, but for other reasons. You must first check your baggage and receive retrieve your boarding pass. There will be huge signs saying "Baggage Check" and hopefully small lines. Or maybe you have an E-ticket and can find a computer-teller.
Security: Bring your passport and another picture ID. Fortunately, my parents hammered this into me so I didn't forget. Security rules are always changing, but still try not to wear a lot of medal while traveling or at least put them in your carry on while waiting in line for security checkpoint. Keep track of your boarding pass! Find a pocket somewhere and put it the same place every time.
Gate: Unless you studied the blueprints of the airport before you arrived, you will likely be lost, but there should be plenty of signs, maps and airport officials that can help you. First thing I always do is find the t.v monitors that show you all the gates and plane schedules. Then I always go directly to my gate because there is a chance the t.v. monitor and boarding pass could be wrong or schedules have changed. It would be awful if you ate lunch then realized your gate changed to the other side of the airport and you have 5 minutes before you plane boards and leaves. In my case I was told the wrong gate by an airport official on a connecting flight, luckily I doubled check on the monitor schedules. I double check again at the front desk when I got to the gate because my flight wasn't posted yet and then I got something to eat.
Boarding: Find your boarding pass and get ready for a long long sit... if you weren't already sitting at the gate.
Baggage Claim: Usually the easiest is to just follow the crowd that was on your plane or you could check the monitors again for your baggage claim location. It's been my experience that baggage claim takes forever, my baggage is always at the bottom of the unloading pile.
Lastly, enjoy your new destination!
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