Airport/Flight advice for a total noob? (JFK)?

Hi so this summer I'm going to fly out of DC to JFK and get on another plane to go to Norway where I'm doing a summer program thing. We decided that doing this would save 4-600 dollars so I can fly with Norwegian Air because of their low fares. Anyway, I'm sixteen and have never been on a plane before, and know nothing about airports. The fact that I will have to go to JFK by myself terrifies me. Can you give me some advice for a total noob and maybe walk me through the process?

All airports are designed the same way. You go the to Departures. Look for the airline you are taking and stand in line at its desk. Give them your ticket and baggage. Once you receive your boarding pass go through TSA screening. Once you are past that, you are in the secure area and can go anywhere - do not leave the secure area, otherwise you have to go to TSA again. Look for your gate. At your gate, sit and wait. You may also wander around and shop or get something to eat. At the gate wait until you flight is called and how they want you to board.

Agree with everything "?" said. By the way you'll be fine I did the same thing when I was your age, by myself too. Except I moved from London (grandparents) to my (parents) Australia at 16. I know it can be very frightening, try not to freak yourself out you'll be fine. Try calling the airline and tell them your situation, first time flyer etc and they'll be able to have a staff member help you out as soon as you arrive at the airport, that's what happened with me. But even if you do get stuck or aren't sure what to do etc there are staff all over that can help/advise you.

Get the the airport at least 2 hours before your flight. Maybe a little more if you're flying out of Dulles. You will need the time to get checked in and get through security. Remember, boarding starts half an hour before the departure time.

TSA screening: You will need to take off your shoes (so wear ones easy to take off/put on. You will also have to take laptops out of bags if you are taking one in your carry on, so be prepared for that. Also remember, no liquids greater than 3oz can go through security, so buy your drinks after you are through, not before. Have your boarding pass and photo ID ready for them to check.

JFK isn't too bad, I've been through there several times. When you get off the plane, just stop right at the gate service desk (there should be someone from the airline there) and ask them to point you in the right direction for your next flight. At the very least, they will be able to direct you to an information board where you can get the gate number.

I'm really not sure how you figure you are saving $4600 by going out of JFK than DC? As I found several flights to Norway over the summer out of Dulles for under $2000 Round Trip, some were even close to $1000 depending on the exact dates.

But that not withstanding, this question is asked several times each week and the answer does not change. In DC you check your bags in, go through TSA, go to your gate that will be listed on the monitors. You don't have to be at the gate the entire time, just be sure you are there before they start boarding.about 30 minutes before your flight but the time will be on your Boarding Pass.

At JFK Norwegian departs from Terminal 1 and you most likely will be arriving from DC at another terminal. Which means you will have to exit the terminal and then get to Terminal 1 going back through Security. JFK(and all airports) are very well signed so just follow the signs and you will have no issues. But if you do, just ask one of the many employees who can direct you to the correct place.

You should listen to others, it might seem like IAD to JFK then onwards to Norway, is a cheap option but you voted li end up with not enough time to transfer or way to long to wait for your flight to Norway. You don't mention when, and you don't say if you need to stop in JFK, as the driver for picking this route, there are other carriers to Norway, such as KLM, SAS, etc.

Do sum proper research and you might still be better off going to a flight centre to see what they can offer.

I'm sixteen
CHILDREN DO NOT get to wander the world at will. You have your parents involved in checking you in and making flight arrangements.

Airports have first time flyers everyday. Staff are on hand to assist you through the steps. You are not expected to know everything.

Being an average teenager you can manage your way through a shopping mall. Airport is similar just has some plane departure spots along the shopping places. Signs maps to guide your way and many UNIFORMED HUMANS to assist you.
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Would you like a Map of JFK it is online. There's also a guide for transferring from one flight to the next. As you are arriving to JFK on some unknown flight I will not guess which Airline the time you have to wander around in awe of the stuff at an Airport the weather that day a rushed or missed connection.

When you have more details you can return for a more specific answer for your combination of flights.Norwegian Air Uses Terminal 1 no idea which terminal your flight from Washington will use. Most likely Terminal 2,4,7 or 8.

Suggest you figure out which one and plan how you get to Terminal One.
It appears you will need to claim your luggage from your First flight and then haul it to the check in area for next flight. Allow at least 4 hours. You will have another wait for security check of some unpredictable time. Being summer assume a long wait.

Enjoy your adventure look away from your gadget, unplug your ears and experience things live around you.

STEP by STEP at JFK
GET OFF first Flight. Find out where next flight departs. CLAIM your luggage in baggage claim from your flight. Follow the signs.
Make your way to the train stop with your luggage and go to next terminal for your departure from JFK flight.Probably terminal ONE.

Train Maps are there for which train to take. ASK if not sure which train will take you to terminal ONE. The ALL Airline Terminals Train
There are THREE different trains PAY ATTENTION
Then you exit at Terminal One look for Norwegian Airline. Check your bags and SHOW your passport. Then go to security Do your security check then you find your flight gate. Use the time you have to shop eat and use a toilet. It is much more comfortable than the ones on the plane.
As you have not specified your Airline to JFK from Washington no one can guess which terminal you will arrive in.
IF you get lost or confused there are many UNIFORMED staff to assist you with directions.

In 1958, at the age of 12, I flew from London to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, then on to Vancouver in Canada. I did the reverse journey 6 weeks later.

Hope this can help…

+ Get to the airport a minimum of 2 hours before departure. (I recommend 2.5 hours so as to give a bit of a buffer to accommodate any unforeseen issues that may pop up at the last minute.)

+ Since you are sixteen, the TSA does not require you to have an ID. (However the airline process may be different when you need to attain your boarding pass. Please confer with them.)

This link will go a long way with helping you get through security screening as fast as possible:

("Security Screening", "Travel Tips", and "FAQ" is likely the only things that will apply to you.)

(This link can help you determine what you can and can't bring.)

+ Prior going through the body scanner, make sure your pockets is divested of all objects (including pieces of paper.)

+ If you are still unsure of yourself, call for a TSA officer to help you one-on-one. (I particularly enjoy doing this.)

+ Once passed security, check the display screening to see which gate that your flight will depart from.)