Discount Air Travel and Carriers for Your Benefit

Discount Air Travel and Carriers for Your Benefit

Over the years, air travel has declined significantly. Bad economic times, acts of terrorism, and the overall high cost of flying have deterred many travelers from flying the friendly skies. Instead, they’re opting for local travel that doesn’t require flying or selecting other methods of transportation such as driving, taking the train, or going “Greyhound”. As a result, the major airlines are making less and less each year, forcing some to close up shop and call it quits.

However, bad economic times and acts of terrorism aren’t the only things affecting the major airlines and the air travel industry as a whole. Discount air carriers who offer limited yet discount air travel rates have put a huge dent in the business of the major airlines. These airlines, such as U.S. based Jet Blue and Southwest Airlines, can undercut the major players in the air travel market because of lower overhead and less labor costs. Since the discount air travel carriers are smaller and often only have one type of aircraft (compared to bigger airlines that have full fleets of varying plane types), they have more flexibility with their pricing and can offer discount air travel deals more often then their much larger counterparts. And when combined with the decline in overall air travel, the discount air carriers are winning out over the larger airlines, causing the major players to rethink their game plan and, in many cases, start offering discount air travel through dynamically priced fares.

Using Discount Air Travel and Carriers for Your Benefit

For the most part, discount airlines operate within their country of origin. In other words, many don’t offer flights abroad. So if you need to fly domestically for business travel or a family vacation, a discount air carrier is the way to go. However, just because the discount airlines don’t offer overseas travel, it doesn’t mean you can’t get discount air travel deals on international flights. Remember, domestic AND international air travel has dwindled significantly over the years; so, the major airlines are often scrambling to fill overseas flights. As a result, the bigger airlines are starting to offer last minute travel deals and dynamically priced fares to try and fill their flights as much as they can. And since the discount air carriers are taking much of their previous domestic air travel customers, the larger airlines are desperate to make a buck any way they can.

Finding Discount Air Travel Deals

Some airlines offer last minute and discounted travel deals directly to the consumer; however, many work with online travel sites and supply them with bulk-rate deals on plane tickets. Either way, the key to finding discount air travel deals is to search the web and call the airlines. Compare prices and give yourself time to research your discount travel options. You may find that booking last minute will save you a bundle on your flight in some cases, but cost you twice as much in others; so be flexible and don’t purchase the first ticket you find. You’ll find a better deal on discount air travel if you shop around.

The discount air carriers have caused a significant shift in the air travel industry. There is more competition and less people buying, causing the industry to offer more discounted air travel deals than ever before. As a traveler, this means there are currently more ways to save on your air travel. All you have to do is go out and find those deals.

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A Current Guide to Air Travel Rules

A Current Guide to Air Travel Rules

The rules and regulations concerning air travel, sometimes influenced by current events, seem to change almost daily. Before leaving for the airport, always check with your airline or the TSA regarding the most current restrictions and any recent changes.

One thing that has not changed is the requirement to carry a photo ID. If you are flying within the United States and are age 18 or over, you must carry a government issued photo ID, driver’s license, passport or other acceptable document. Photocopies are not accepted, so the original document must be presented. Children less than 18 years of age do not need to carry a photo ID.

If you are traveling outside the United States, check the requirements carefully. You will generally need to have your passport; or birth certificate along with a photo ID. Your passport will need to be valid at least through the period of your stay. The temporary rule that allowed you to carry a copy of the passport application no longer applies; you must have the actual passport.

Several countries, particularly the Caribbean islands, will accept other documents, such as a birth certificate and driver’s license, instead of a passport. If you are traveling to a country that accepts a birth certificate, it has to be the original copy or a certified copy. A US alien registration card, in some instances, is considered to be an acceptable form of photo ID as well as a driver’s license.

Other countries require the passenger to obtain a visa in advance and some countries even require you to have “sufficient funds” for your trip, as well as a ticket to return from that country. Depending on your destination, you may be required to verify where you are staying. Also, if you are a child traveling with just one parent, you may need a letter of consent from the other parent.

Most airlines allow you to take a carry on bag as well as a personal item – a laptop, purse or camera, for example. The exact size of the carry on bag may vary by airline but in general, it should be able to fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment. The maximum weight limit on the carry on bag is usually around 40 pounds; the maximum size 45 linear inches.

Perhaps nothing is quite as confusing as the rules concerning carrying liquids on to the plane. Any liquids, lotions, creams or gels that you have in your carry on bag must all be in containers holding 3 ounces or less, and the containers must be able to fit in a one quart size Ziploc type bag. The plastic bag then has to be passed through the X-ray screening device separately. If you have liquids in larger containers or too many to fit in the bag, they must go in your checked luggage.

Medication and baby formula is generally exempt from the 3 ounce rule, as well as liquids necessary to sustain life, such as any liquids used for carrying transplant organs or bone marrow. Obviously this does not apply to the every-day traveler. If you carry-on medication, it should be in the original labeled container and it’s also a good idea to take a prescription or doctor’s note. You cannot carry a drink on to the plane with you unless you purchased it after passing through the security checkpoint.

Almost equally confusing is the list of things that you can and cannot take on board the plane in your carry-on bag. Items that are obviously dangerous or could be used as a weapon, such as long knives, explosives, guns or large tools, of course cannot be taken on an airplane. You are allowed to carry on to the plane items such as safety razors, scissors with blades shorter than 4 inches and cigarette lighters.

The rules concerning checked bags can vary depending on the specific airline. Also, if you are traveling in coach or first class and whether or not you are traveling overseas can impact rules as well. In general, you are allowed two pieces of checked luggage, each weighing no more than 50 pounds and each measuring less than 62 linear inches. Every piece of checked luggage must be clearly labeled.

In general, the airlines advise you to check in at least 90 minutes for a domestic flight and at least two hours beforehand if traveling internationally. The airlines reserve the right to give your seat away if you have not checked in by a certain time – usually around 30 or 40 minutes before flight time. US airlines do not require you to reconfirm your flight beforehand, but it’s a good thing to do.

So, if you are going to be flying, and especially if you have not been on an airplane recently, check the current rules with your airline or travel agent. You do not want to be one of the many people that are denied boarding their flight.

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Air Crash Investigation: Air France Flight 296 Part 4

An Airbus A320 operated by Air France fails to regain altitude and crashes after performing a flyby during an airshow at Mulhouse-Habsheim Airport, killing 3 passengers

American Flight Attendants discuss the economic realities of life as a Flight Attendant in today’s market.

Air Crash Investigation: Air France Flight 296 Part 3

An Airbus A320 operated by Air France fails to regain altitude and crashes after performing a flyby during an airshow at Mulhouse-Habsheim Airport, killing 3 passengers
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Air Travel Is Easier With These Helpful Tips

Air Travel Is Easier With These Helpful Tips

You can always make your air travel experience smooth sailing even before you board the plane. For instance, you can ask your travel agent in advance to book you for a special airline meal for your flight. Most of the time, your food will be served first and before others’ will be. It doesn’t necessarily have to be for people with special needs like kosher food or a diabetic meal. You could as well ask for vegetarian meals or those which are low fat.

Business class travel would be the way to go for an all out relaxing time during the flight. It is very much possible for you to secure these seats without actually paying for them. If you travel frequently especially on one particular airline, you can apply for a frequent flyer’s program. Here, you collect points and rewards which you could later on redeem for free flights or seat upgrades.

Having jet lag can be tiring especially if you still have a lot to do once you arrive at your destination. You can actually prevent from having a jet lag if you avoid drinking alcohol during the flight and instead drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. Stretch on your seat or walk around the plane especially on long flights to promote blood circulation inside your body. As much as possible if you will be crossing to another time zone, sleep according to your destination’s time zone.

Your flight will be relaxing if you choose to fly early in the morning. The great thing about early morning flights is that not so many people want to get such flights and so the airport and the plane will be less crowded. If you want to get to the airport early enough for the flight, you could always arrange to stay at the airport hotel or a hotel very near the airport.

If you could not secure an early morning flight, find another flight schedule but as much as possible avoid peak flying times. The crowd will get you more agitated plus security is heightened more when there are more people resulting to longer queues and lines.

Some airlines provide the convenience of online check-in to avoid waiting at long counter lines. However, you cannot use this feature if you have any luggage to check in.

Be at the airport as early as possible for you can never tell when any untoward incidents may occur along the way. Airports nowadays recommend that you be there at least 3 hours in advance as going through the current security actually takes time. When you are not in a rush, you feel more relaxed and at ease.

Booking for non-stop flight will save you time instead of getting off on one plane and boarding on another again. However, if there is no available non-stop flight; ensure that the schedule gives a time allowance for you to get on your next connecting flight.

Air Travel: Why You Should Research Airlines And How To Do So

Air Travel: Why You Should Research Airlines And How To Do So

Air Travel:  Why You Should Research Airlines and How to Do So

 

No matter when or why you need to book an airline flight, you’re going to need to know just what your options are.  Whether you’re flying to a vacation destination, a business meeting, a family gathering, or to move to a new city doesn’t really matter.  What does matter is finding the flight which will get you to your destination as safely, cheaply, and quickly as possible.  You may, however, feel somewhat overwhelmed when you realize how many airlines promise to do exactly that.

 

How can you sort through the different airlines, different departure and arrival times, and different fares to find the flight which is really the best option for you?  You’ll have to set your priorities.  For many of us our choice of flights is dictated by either their departure or arrival time, because we rely on other people to get us to or pick us up at the airports.  For a nervous flier, however, the most important detail may be to find the shortest possible flight.  A nervous flier may also be concerned about a certain airline’s safety record.  For many people, however, flight choices are simply a matter of economy, and the lowest fare will win

 

If you’re in the unique position of finding several airlines with flights which meet all your specification, then it’s time to put your research skills to work.  Adequately researching your airline is the first step to ensuring that your flight is merely the delightful opening act of a great trip.  Research is especially important it you’ll be flying with your kids, because traveling with small children can require a good deal of flexibility and a flight crew with extra patience.

 

Find out which of the airlines on your list of possible have reputations as family-friendly carriers.  How well prepared are they for assisting the elderly or disabled?  Flying is stressful enough without your having to deal with a flight crew who regards you and your family as problems instead of as valued customers!

 

Begin your research by asking your relatives and acquaintances about their experiences with different airlines.  Did they have problems with their baggage or seating?  If their flights were delayed, were the reasons explained?  If they missed connecting flights because of those delays, did the airline provide them with other connections or with overnight accommodations if necessary?  How did the crew get along with the kids on their flights? Most importantly, would they fly the same airline again?

 

You can also turn to the Internet in your search for information.  There are plenty of travel sites where the public is free to post their travel stories, and you’ll have no trouble finding their complaints and compliments regarding different air carriers.  You can also check travel and consumer review magazines for their airline ratings.  They are great places to get unbiased opinions on the pluses and minuses of traveling with different airlines.

 

Review consumer reporting agencies for complaints if you have doubts about a specific airline.  Simply run a Google search with the keyword complaint and the name of the airline and you’ll find links to whatever is out there.

 

There’s no reason why you should grab a ticket on the first airline you find which has service to your destination.  You’ve put lots of thought into your trip, and you deserve to put the same among of thought into the sort of experience you’ll have on the flight which gets you where you’re going and returns you home again!

 

Remember to book your flight at http://www.myroadtotravel.com

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Making Air Travel A Breeze: Part 3 – Enjoying The Ride

Making Air Travel A Breeze: Part 3 – Enjoying The Ride

So, you’ve made it through security and are ready to get your vacation under way. Unfortunately, you still have a long flight to sit through. Yet, flying doesn’t have to be a miserable experience – even if you are traveling with children. Here are some travel tips to help your whole family enjoy your time in the air.

As “airline food” isn’t exactly a mouthwatering phrase, it is a good idea to pack some food in your carry-on bag. While it may be difficult to pack an entire meal, there are plenty of healthy snacks that can fight your hunger. Start with healthy items like dried fruit and granola. If you are looking for a little more protein, add some jerky to your bag. If you have plenty of healthy options in your bag, you can more easily resist the urge to munch on the less-healthy fare aboard the flight.

Keep in mind that the air inside of airplane cabins is always very dry. As a result, you might experience a thirst that can’t be quenched by the irregular, less than generous drink service. An extra bottle of water or juice in your carry-on bag can go a long ways towards eliminating this discomfort.

If you are one of the many who experience motion sickness, consider taking a pill before boarding the plane. For international flights to the Caribbean or elsewhere, a motion sickness medication may also help you to sleep through much of the flight, allowing you to awake rested and relaxed at your destination.

You have to try your best to relax. Everyone has a different outlet for relaxation, so here is a list of activities to keep your stress at a minimum – whatever your interests may be:

• If you have a laptop computer, you can easily listen to music, watch DVDs or even get some work done. Just make sure you charge your batteries before flying.

• While MP3 players are nice, you don’t need the newest gadget to zone out airplane noise. You can plug noise-canceling headphones into any type of portable music player.

• Books and magazines are great ways to pass the time. If you find the noise irritating, you could even put on noise-canceling headphones without music and eliminate most distractions.

• Simple games like crosswords and sudokus can alleviate stress and exercise your mind.

One of the best tips for air travel with children is to secure seats in the front row of the cabin. In the front row of seats, your family will be granted some extra space and privacy – luxuries that are especially helpful when flying with infants or toddlers. If you have toddlers, you should also find it easier to let your children play, stretch or wander a little at the front of the aircraft.

When flying with children internationally, most travel professionals recommend non-stop flights. Non-stop flights can be helpful as they allow your children to sleep uninterrupted and prevent potentially stressful hours of flight changes. Additionally, your kids will certainly be happy to arrive at your vacation destination as soon as possible. However, there are some benefits to taking breaks between flights. For instance, if you are flying to the Caribbean from the northern U.S., your children might become impatient on such a long flight. With a brief layover in a southern city, you can relieve some of your family’s stress from being cooped up for a whole day. A break between flights will also allow you to pick up snacks and drinks, while your children can stretch and walk around freely for a little while.

You should also make sure that you pack all the things your children might need in a carry-on bag. This includes everything from food and medications to extra clothing and a blanket. Older children will probably be entertained by many of the items on the adult list above, but also consider packing items like stuffed animals and art materials. You should try to avoid toys with small parts – such as board games, building blocks and model kits – and your child’s noisier playthings.

If all else fails, just remind your family that you are all en route to a wonderful Caribbean vacation.

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Cheap Air Travel Tips

Cheap Air Travel Tips

The era of airline travel has allowed us to travel the world and connect in ways that have never existed before. We can visit family overseas and travel anywhere in the world within 24 hours. Isn’t that amazing?

With all this ability to travel, we are also faced with the expense of such travel.

For the many who would like to find cheap air travel, we’ve put together the follwing tips.

The first thing you need to know is that you never need to pay ‘list price’. Airlines have many tiers of pricing, and the same seat can sell for prices differing in the hundreds of dollars, depending on where, when and how it is purchased. Ask the Professionals: Your first step would be to ask your travel agent for advice on when to purchase airline tickets. He or she will be able to give you some guidance as to which airlines offer discounts and when. For instance, some airlines offer ‘earlybird’ pricing, and some also drop their prices as the trip date gets closer if no one has purchased the seat. Get a Promotion: If a scheduled flight is full to capacity or overbooked, some airlines will offer complimentary upgrades in seat class to selected passengers. Although this is less common than it used to be, it still happens occasionally. Your best shot at being selected for such an upgrade is to arrive for your flight dressed in a clean-cut, professional manner, and to be polite. You can even try asking at the check-in counter if there is any chance you can get an upgrade – they may offer it to you if such a perk is available, or may offer it at a lesser price than you would have paid when booking. Success will depend on many factors, such as the mood and authority level of the ticket attendant and the way you ask for it. Note that they may also need to move passengers around for weight-and-balance purposes and can offer a better seat to assist in this process – you never get anything if you don’t at least ask! Also, you can sometimes get a free or discounted flight by being on an ‘overbooked’ flight and being willing to wait until the next one can be arranged for you, but this is not something you have any control over. Flexibility: Are you flexible in your travel times or dates? By going ’standby’ on an airline, you can hang out and wait until a seat becomes free or someone cancels, and can often get cheaper last-minute tickets. ‘Pre-owned’ Tickets: For an array of reasons, people buy tickets and their plans change. When those tickets are non-refundable, they may try and sell them to receive at least some of their money back. This is good news for you, as you can take advantage of some discounted prices (remember, if they don’t sell their tickets they get nothing, so anything they can recover is of help to them). On-sale airline tickets can be found many places, such as your local classifieds, craigslist, kijiji or backpage or other online classifieds, and auctions such as ebay. Try google as well to search.

For even more money-saving travel tips, be sure to get your copy of the Travel industry Secrets guide found at Travel-like-a-pro.com — the guide can save you money on ALL your travel expenses from now on!

Your Infomation When Air Travel

Your Infomation When Air Travel

When you make air travel, you have to find for a lot of air travel infomation. It’s very important. Security check is an inevitable part of air travel. The security checkpoints are operated by the Transportation Security Officers from the Transportation Security Administration to prevent any harmful objects being carried by the terrorists or the travelers aboard.

Each passenger and his/her baggage have to undergo through the security check. This will take a longer time if it is a peak hour of traveling. It is so advised that all passengers be ready to cope up with the delay happening due to these security measures.

Though you cannot avoid it at all, you can take precautions while preparing for the journey. The following tips will ensure a hassle-free security checking.

Clothing: You are allowed to wear any types of clothing including the head covering. However, you may have to wait for additional security checking if you are wearing loose garments that are large enough to hide prohibited items. At the additional screening, there will be re-screening by the hand-wands and a pat-down inspection including the torso. The US airline policy suggests that the security screening should be done by the same gender.

You are not allowed to wear any type of jackets or coats while security check. It is advised that you keep your coats and jackets in the baggage and avoid the delay in the security check.

You are not allowed to wear shoes while security check. It is therefore advised that you keep disposable footwear that can be disposed after the screening.

Accessories such as metal ornaments, watch, big safety pins, belt-buckles, etc., can cause alarm and redirect you for additional checking. It is therefore advised that you avoid carrying accessories such as heavy ornaments and take out the removable items such as the mobile phones, PDAs, keys, etc., and keep them in the plastic bags provided there. You will be allowed to remove the other items at a private place and then go through the screening process again.

Identity Proof: Always carry the ID proof issued by the government authority along with the airline-boarding pass until the security check is over. Absence of an ID proof will mandate additional checking.

You can procure your boarding pass from the airline ticket counter or from the self-service ticket kiosk. You can also print it from the airline’s website.

Prohibited items: It is illegal to carry items such as weapons, metallic tools, explosives or items that catch fire easily. However, with effect from September 26, 2006, passengers are allowed to carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag. However, all liquids, gels and aerosols should be carried in three-ounce or smaller containers. Certain prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines, baby food, breast milk and other essential liquids are exempted from this rule. However, verify the details with the airlines authority before arriving at the airport.

It may take your precious time at the airport to wait and go through the stringent security check. But make a point that you follow the guidelines strictly and cooperate with the security personnel to ensure a safer travel.

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Air Travel is Not Easy Since 9-11

Air Travel is Not Easy Since 9-11

If you think you have problems with air travel these days, here is part of a story from the POLITICO NEWS by DANIEL LIBIT & RICHARD T. CULLEN

Serving in Congress has its privileges, but avoiding the perils of modern air travel isn’t one of them.

Just ask the three senators who are running for president.

Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) have both missed campaign events because of flight delays; when a radar problem grounded flights in September, Clinton phoned in a planned appearance at a union convention in Chicago from the tarmac of the airport in Little Rock, Ark. Illinois Democratic Sen. Barack Obama’s plane landed at the wrong Iowa airport in November and ran into another plane at Chicago’s Midway International Airport in January.

They aren’t alone. While the candidates spend more time on the road than most of their colleagues, members of Congress, especially those from the West, do a pretty good job of racking up the frequent flier miles themselves.

They’ve got the horror stories to prove it.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.)

The country’s busiest airport is named in honor of his brother, but neither that, nor the fact that he is a sitting U.S. senator, could save Sen. Edward M. Kennedy from existential airport torment in March 2004.According to a story in The Washington Post, the senator was stopped five times in airports that month because his name had been placed on a Homeland Security no-fly list after a terrorist suspect had been found to be using the alias “T. Kennedy.”

At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in August 2004, Kennedy described the Kafkaesque scene as an airline ticket counter agent told him he wouldn’t be allowed to buy a ticket to Boston. “Well, why not?” Kennedy asked.

”We can’t tell you,” the agent replied.

Kennedy ultimately got on a flight, only to endure the same rigmarole when he tried to return to Washington. “I went up to the desk and said, ‘I’ve been getting on this plane for 42 years. Why can’t I get on the plane?’”

Kennedy got his name removed from the list and got an apology from then-Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, to boot.

It didn’t matter. Shortly thereafter, a different airline agent tried to stop him.

Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.)

On a good day, when he flies back home to the tiny town of Gering in westernmost Nebraska, Rep. Adrian Smith can depart from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport by as late as 6 p.m. Eastern time and still make it to his doorstep by 9:45 p.m. Mountain time. For living in a rural area, Smith says he feels quite fortunate for this.

But fortune often turns against Smith when he flies to the eastern part of his district, a journey that requires him to stop over at one of the vertices of the Heartland’s Bermuda Triangle: Minneapolis, Chicago or Kansas City, Mo. The worst came last February, when Smith was destined for some speaking engagements in Lincoln but wound up stuck at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for 12 hours. “The short weekends, when it looks like you’re going to miss the main event, you wonder whether you should even continue the trip or just go back to D.C.,” he said.

Because of his traveling travails, Smith has become both an admirer of Capitol Hill schedulers, whom he’s come to regard as “artists” and a proponent of the federally funded expansion of America’s second-busiest airport. “First opportunity I have to help expansion of O’Hare, I want to do it,” he said. “I think it’s a national issue.”

And a Nebraska issue, as well.

Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)

Perhaps there was no better place to be in Alaska on March 27, 1964, than in the air. That’s where Sen. Ted Stevens was when the state was rocked by the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America.

Stevens, who was just getting started in electoral politics, was on an Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks when the earthquake struck. Late that night, Stevens and a cadre of doctors flew back to Anchorage on a chartered F-27. He says everyone was “really worried about landing.”

”When we approached the regular field, it was blown out,” Stevens said. “It was a hairy night.”

The plane was forced to touch down at Elmendorf Air Force Base. With the roads fissured by the quake, the passengers had to get into town by foot. Stevens made it home at 2:30 a.m., only to discover that the part of town where he lived had suffered serious damage in the earthquake.

It wasn’t the senator’s only plane-related scare. He had a rough landing onto Mt. McKinley in a bush plane in 1969, and he remembers a trip out of Hawaii on a military transport plane that had to return to the airport because of mechanical complications.

When asked whether any of these experiences have made him hesitant to fly, the 85-year-old senator harrumphs. “Oh, hell no,” he said. “I flew in World War II. I’ve flown through all sorts of danger. I don’t have any problem with that.”

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