First time flying in Nepal?

Poor road conditions and traffic jams on Nepal’s main highways have contributed to a surge in domestic air travel. Because of this, there are also many more first-time passengers on planes.

Nepal’s domestic airlines have done special briefings for cabin attendants in dealing patiently with first time travelers for whom flying can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. This is even more so because domestic flights in Nepal are over dramatic terrain with challenging weather conditions.

Nepal’s biggest domestic airline, Buddha Air which conducts more than 160 scheduled flights every day with its ATR72-500 aircraft, has developed a set of guidelines for first time travelers from how to book a ticket to check-in, in-flight regulations, arrival airport formalities and other services.

The guideline even has tips for flying in winter: ‘Opt for morning flights if you are flying within Nepal, as the weather tends to be calmer, offering smoother journeys and more clear views of the Himalaya.’ However, this may not always work out at Tarai airports in winter which this week, for example, have been fog-bound till afternoon.

Buddha also advises passengers to pack smart. Carry on luggage cannot exceed 7kg and passengers should pack essentials like medicines, documents and electronic devices in it. Checked-in luggage cannot exceed 20kg and should be of standard size.

Arriving at least one hour early for domestic flights and three hours before Buddha’s only international flight to Varanasi is essential. There are designated counters for online bookings, elderly passengers, and passengers with disabilities. Passports or photo ID is required for checking and boarding passes.

First-time fliers may not know that hazardous items like battery banks and fluids cannot be carried in cabin bags which are inspected at pre-flight security checks. The metal detector is to see if you are not in possession of any sharp objects or banned items.

Once onboard, new fliers may need help locating their seats and cabin attendants are there to help. Nervous fliers need not be too worried about the noise and vibrations, which are usually louder in turbo-props like the ATR72. Feeling nauseous is also common, and there are air sickness bags in the seat pockets.

Turbulence can also be unnerving for first time fliers, but it gets better with practice, or by distracting yourself by taking in the views of Nepal's diverse topography, from lush valleys to towering mountains.

Pilots tell nervous passengers that turbulence is normal and nothing to worry about. Pilots usually alert cabin crew to ensure passengers are all strapped in, especially when the plane is flying through an area of turbulence.

Buddha Air pilot Menit KC, explains: "Modern aircraft are designed to handle turbulence, think of it like driving on a bumpy road—it's uncomfortable but not unsafe."

Most domestic airlines on Nepal’s trunk routes use ATR72s or Q400s. Both are pressurised, but even so passengers may get ear aches due to the change in cabin pressure. Stuffing cotton in the ears, or yawning sometimes eases the discomfort.

Because of the greater numbers of first-time fliers, there have been three incidents in which passengers on domestic flights have tried to open emergency exit doors. Recently, a panicked passenger on a Kathmandu to Janakpur flight seated next to the emergency hatch opened it while the aircraft was taxiing toward the runway. The flight was delayed 6 hours, since the door had to be reinstalled in the pressurised plane.

“Some passengers are not aware that airplane windows and doors cannot be opened despite briefings by cabin staff,” says Pradip Katuwal of Buddha Air. “This is very dangerous for passengers and affects flight schedules.”

Smaller aircraft like Twin Otters and Dornier 228s that serve STOL airfields in the mountains are not pressurised, and can also be more bumpy. But with practice it will be a breeze.