After you complete the check-in process—whether online, at a kiosk, or at a counter—the next phase of your journey is a three-step transition to the gate. First, if you have luggage, you must drop it at the Baggage Drop counter, where it is weighed and tagged for the hold. Second, you proceed to Security Screening, which in 2026 is increasingly becoming "paperless" and "biometric." You will go through an X-ray or body scanner while your carry-on bags are scanned; in many modern hubs, you no longer need to remove liquids or laptops due to advanced CT scanners. Third, if traveling internationally, you will pass through Passport Control (Immigration). Once "airside," you enter the departures lounge, which is filled with duty-free shops and restaurants. It is a peer-to-peer "best practice" to locate your gate on the digital "Flight Information Display Systems" (FIDS) immediately, as some gates can be a 15-minute walk away. Finally, you wait for the "Boarding" announcement, which typically begins 30–40 minutes before departure.