FAQS

Do you pay for luggage? What size luggage can I bring? What if they lose my luggage/what are the chances?
Honestly, this one depends solely on the airline. I cannot speak for all airlines. It also depends on where you book your flight. If you're booking on third party websites (expedia) you're booking in the cheapest possible fare category - which generally doesn't include luggage. For example, Air Canada you get your first bag free but I know for West Jet your first bag is 25-30$. I have paid up to 55 euros for a bag (LOT airlines). So it can be expensive. To avoid paying for bags - travel with only a carry on or book directly with the airlines website or a travel agent. 
As for size, 99% of airlines follow the under 50lb rule. Oversized luggage you have to pay extra for. 
For lost luggage - again this depends on the airline. They typically all provide a tag and you can give them your number and hopefully they can track it down. Honestly, it happens a lot. So if you have something you love in your bag - put it in your carry on. I wouldn't say that you'll never see the bag again - because most of the times it was purposely left behind because of weight issues - so they know where it is. Lost luggage is more so if you're flying on a flight with lots of connections. 

What can/can't I bring in my carry on?How many carry ons can I bring? Size?

Carry on's can be tricky. Typically most airline allow one bag and one personal item. So typically for me its a backpack and a roller back - but I've gotten away with a backpack, purse AND roller bag. Size also apparently doesn't really seem to matter. And I say that because i've seen some roller bags so big that they shouldn't be counted as a carry on. Check your airlines baggage rules for sizing as every airline is different. With that being said - look at the type of aircraft you'll be flying on. Many of the smaller aircrafts cannot fit roller bags or even large backpacks. This doesn't mean that you can't have them, it just means they'll go in the cargo hold instead of in the cabin. 
As for what you can/can't bring. Use your brain with this one! You obviously can't bring sharp objects (the amount of scissors ive seen taken away is crazy!). You can't bring liquids over 100mls(must be in plastic baggy). They'll take away anything over 100mls. No aerosols (look for the little airplane symbol on the product to know if its okay). A lot of people ask about lighters - I honestly don't know because as a flight attendant I can bring one but i'm not sure about regular passengers - I would think no but im not sure. 

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What if my flight is cancelled/delayed?
Certain airlines will offer vouchers for lengthy delays. I know Air Canada gives meal vouchers used anywhere in the airport - but be careful because it may not be used on the plane itself! Flight attendants cannot give you free alcohol just because you were delayed. 
If you're cancelled, they put you on the next available flight. 

What if my flight is oversold?
Oversold flights depends on the airline specifically. Typically they'll make an announcement asking for volunteers - they'll simply put you on the next flight and give you money for the inconvience (some airlines can go up to 10 grand...). If no one volunteers (very unlikely) then they will pick from random.

What if I miss my connection?

Missed connections can happen, and do happen often. I'm not entirely sure what they do for you except that they book you on the next available flight. some airlines give you a hotel and food vouchers if your next flight is the next day.

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Is food or alcohol free on the plane?

Depends solely on the airline and the destination/route. For most airlines you get a meal and a snack for anything international. For domestic and transborder you generally don't get meals. But again, depends solely on airline. I've been on 3 hour flights in Asia and gotten a full meal! 
Alcohol is a tricky one! For Air Canada alcohol is free on international flights over 8 hours (but.. not on Rouge!). I would always go in assuming you have to pay for alcohol. 

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Where can I book cheap travel?
This is a tricky question. I use expedia for 90% of my travel bookings. You can try just simply typing into google. Or you can try sites like cheapoair, skyscanner and rometorio. But using these sites is also a little sketchy. I personally would use a travel agent or book directly with the airline. travel agencies can have cheaper prices. my biggest tip for cheap air travel is booking as far in advance as possible. Most people assume last minute flights are cheaper but they're not. they're almost always double. I have however run into 8$ flights in Europe last minute. So its definitely not impossible. But also be careful with where you are booking to make sure that its legit and safe. 

How safe is it... really though?
Do you really want the answer to this question? 
Flying is safer then driving. You are more likely to die driving to the airport then you are in the plane. 
That being said - yes obviously accidents happen. emergencies happen. crashes happen. i have been on almost 1000 flights in the past 2 years and i haven't experienced an emergency in which the passengers were notified (or even knew). little things can happen but you wouldn't even know it. you hear about plane crashes on the news and maybe that scares you - but its very unlikely. 1 in a million. if not more. honestly if the only thing keeping you from travelling is being scared of the airplane - just face it! nothing is going to happen. air travel is so safe. just remember - your pilots and flight attendants know a lot about the aircraft. we have families too. we wouldn't take an aircraft into the skies if we knew it wasn't safe to go (and YES i have in fact denied an aircraft). 
With all of that being said - there can be situations where maybe you don't feel safe. Turbulence is something tricky. It scares a lot of people and that's nothing to be embarrassed of. Just look at your flight attendants. Tell them you're a nervous flyer and if there as good as a flight attendant as me (humble I know) then they'll keep tabs on you. They'll warn you if we're expecting turbulence. They'll explain things to you as we go. Just be honest and then they can help you as much as possible. 
I have never been scared of turbulence but I have experienced really really bad turbulence. I've flown in some bad conditions and as long as everyone remains seated and buckled in, you'll be fine!

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Customs?????
A lot of people don't understand customs or what it means and what you do. But honestly its pretty simple. Most countries (90%) of them have customs. Most them you go through customs when you arrive in the country. Every country is different in how they go about it but typically you wait in line to go up to a desk. You give them your passport and declaration card (given to you on the plane). They may ask you some questions (how long you're staying, why you're here, if you're bringing anything in, etc). Sometimes the take a picture of you or scan your finger prints and then you're on your way. They'll usually be a second check point where you go through after you've picked up your bags and then you give them your declaration card if necessary. As for coming back into your home country, you are typically allowed to declare 1 bottle or case of beer or something - this is something you'll want to look up online because it all depends on how long you were gone for.

how early should I be at the airport?

Typically (I repeat: TYPICALLY) these are the following rules:
Domestic - 1-2 hours
International - 3 hours
Now I say typically because it really depends on you and where you are/where you're going. If you have no bags, checked in online, and have an AMEX or NEXUS then you can skip lines and honestly, I've shown up 1 hour before my flight and been fine. but. if you're unfamiliar with it, give yourself the 3 hours. Or if its a smaller airport then you really don't need much time at all. But always allow time for security. I've waited as long as 2 hours in line for security (in AMS). So I would always give yourself plenty of time - most airports have places to kill time as well. For Toronto Pearson, I highly recommend giving yourself the full 3 hours for international and transborder flights and closer to 2 hours for domestic flights.