To ensure your journey begins with positive emotions, it is important to plan your time correctly and prepare for airport procedures. Belgorod Airport is notable for its compactness and clear navigation, but following simple rules will help avoid unnecessary stress before departure.
Arrival Time and Check-in. It is recommended to arrive at the airport 2 hours before the scheduled departure for domestic flights and 3 hours for international ones (if provided by the flight programme). Although the terminal is small, queues may form at the building entrance and check-in counters during peak hours (morning departures or holidays). Experienced travellers advise completing online check-in in advance on the airline's website. This will allow you to proceed immediately to the security zone if you are travelling only with hand luggage, or use the Drop-off counter for quick baggage checking.
Seat Selection and Safety. When choosing a seat on the plane, consider the flight duration. For short flights, a window seat is perfect for admiring the views during takeoff and landing. For longer flights, an aisle seat provides more freedom of movement. At the pre-flight security stage, be ready to present your boarding pass and passport. It is better to place outerwear, belts, watches, and small metal items in a bag or tray in advance to speed up the process of passing through the metal detector.
Hand Luggage and Baggage. Carefully study your airline's rules regarding hand luggage dimensions. In hand luggage, it is prohibited to carry sharp or cutting objects (even manicure scissors), liquids in containers exceeding 100 ml, and aerosols. Always take all electronic devices (laptops, tablets) and external batteries (Power Banks) with you into the cabin — they cannot be checked in luggage due to fire safety regulations.
Tips for Transit Passengers. Belgorod is most often the starting or ending point of a route, but if you are planning a complex flight with a transfer in another city (for example, in Moscow), try to book a single ticket. In this case, if the first flight is delayed, the airline is obliged to rebook you on the next flight for free and take care of your luggage. If tickets are purchased separately, allow at least 3–4 hours for the transfer to have a time buffer for baggage claim and re-check-in.
Customs Nuances. If you are flying abroad, pay attention to the corridor system. The Green Channel is for those who do not have goods subject to mandatory declaration. Passengers carrying cash currency equivalent to more than 10,000 US dollars, cultural valuables, or goods requiring duty payment pass through the Red Channel. Check current customs rules in advance to avoid delays.
Savings and Comfort. To save money, take an empty reusable water bottle with you — many airports have drinking fountains after the security zone (if not, you will have to buy water, but it is still more eco-friendly). It also makes sense to take a light snack (nuts, cereal bars) if your ticket tariff does not include on-board meals. In case of a flight delay, remember your rights: if waiting for more than two hours, you must be provided with soft drinks, and if more than four hours — a hot meal.