If it’s your first time traveling within the country by airplane, you might feel overwhelmed by the different terms and definitions that a frequent traveler might consider basic expressions and words necessary for air travel.
If you are planning to travel by plane from state to state or city to city without leaving the country, then you’ll need to take a domestic flight. With this type of commercial flight, both departure and arrival happen within the same country. For example, if you depart from Newcastle and arrive in London, UK, then this flight is considered a domestic one. Similarly, if you fly from Los Angeles to New York, you will still be on a domestic flight. Regardless of the length of travel time, if you did not leave the country during your travel, it’s still considered a domestic flight.
Do I Need To Bring A Passport For A Domestic Flight?
In most countries, you won’t need a passport for a domestic flight, unlike at international airports where passports are required. However, you may have to present another form of identification to verify your identity, such as a driver’s license or state-approved IDs. Required forms of identification may vary per country or even state, so it’s best to look up which ID you can bring before your flight.
Domestic vs International Flights
To put it in simple terms, domestic flights take place within the same country while international flights happen when you depart from one country and arrive at another, but the process is much more complicated than that.
Domestic flights do not require passports, which means the process of boarding the plane is much more lenient than that required at international airports. With larger planes and terminals, passengers need to undergo border control and customs inspections. That’s why it’s highly advisable to arrive at the airport hours ahead of your flight so you’ll have plenty of time to navigate through the airport.
The use of larger planes for international flights will require more resources compared to domestic flights. This means longer travel time and costlier plane tickets. Another factor why international flights are much more expensive is that international airports usually accommodate tourists, so they serve high-quality services and facilities for their guests for a comfortable experience onboard.
There are significantly fewer passengers on domestic flights when compared to international flights. As a result, delays are normal occurrences in international airports. That’s why it should not come as a surprise to see a lot of stores and restaurants in major airports, considering the sheer amount of people arriving and departing in a day.
Most if not all international airports also have WiFi services and currency exchange booths. Tourists can also purchase tax-free luxury items and other amenities in duty-free shops, but the same can’t be said for domestic passengers.
Some major airports also provide areas where passengers can safely rest and even sleep in case of flight cancellation or delays and layovers. It’s also normal to see lodging facilities within the airport or nearby hotels outside so that tourists can stay temporarily while waiting for their scheduled flight.