Picking someone up at the airport is something we often do, whether it’s for family, friends, or coworkers arriving from different places for vacation, work, or religious trips like Umrah or Hajj.
While it might seem easy, there are a few things to keep in mind. Airports, especially large ones, can be more complicated than a train station or bus terminal.
In this article, I’ll guide you through the steps for picking someone up at the airport, starting from preparation to the moment the pick-up is complete.
Before heading to the airport, there are a few important items you’ll want to have with you:
A phone is essential for staying in touch with the person you’re picking up, especially if there are any last-minute changes.
Make sure your phone is fully charged before you leave. It’s recommended to bring a power bank, just in case your battery runs low while waiting.
If you’re driving, don’t forget to bring whatever you need to pay for parking. Some airports still accept cash, while others only take electronic payments.
You’ve probably seen people holding up signs with names at the airport. This can be helpful if you don’t know the person you’re picking up or can’t reach them by phone. Be sure to bring paper and markers, or you can print a sign ahead of time.
Before heading to the airport, it’s important to get the flight details from the person you’re picking up. You’ll need to know the arrival time, flight number, and the airline they’re flying with.
Knowing the arrival time helps you plan when to leave, so you’re not too early or too late.
The flight number and airline name are useful for figuring out which terminal to go to. You can also use the flight number to track the flight in real-time.
To check the flight status, you can visit the airline’s website or use a flight tracking app like FlightRadar24. This way, you’ll know if the flight is on time, delayed, or even arriving earlier than expected.
Once you have all the flight info, it’s time to make your way to the airport. Aim to arrive about 30-60 minutes before the flight lands. This gives you enough time to park and get to the arrivals area without rushing.
If the airport has multiple terminals, make sure you go to the right one. You can check the airline or airport website to confirm which terminal the flight will arrive at in real-time.
Airports are divided into two main sections: the departure area and the arrival area. If you’re picking someone up, head directly to the arrival area after reaching the airport.
At international airports, there’s usually a separate section for domestic and international arrivals. Make sure you go to the correct area based on the flight type—domestic or international—of the person you’re picking up.
In the arrival area, there’s often a designated spot for people waiting to pick up passengers. If you haven’t set a specific meeting point, this is a good place to wait.
While waiting, check the flight status on the information screens around the arrival area. These screens show which flights have landed.
You should also listen to any announcements from the airport. They usually update you on flights that have landed or notify you if there’s been a change in the terminal where passengers will exit.
Once the plane has landed, it typically takes around 30 to 60 minutes for the person to get through the process and reach the arrival area.
And that’s it! These simple steps should help make picking someone up at the airport a smooth experience. Hope this guide helps you the next time you’re at the airport.
