Archive for the ‘Flights’ Category

Flying tips for cranky passengers

Monday, July 21st, 2008

Go to any airport across the globe, you are sure you find at least some passengers who are either irate or unhappy over airline schedules, baggage issues or anything else that can upset the rhythm of individuals. There will be people traveling on last minute vacation packages, cheap airline tickets, last minute tickets, or other types of plane tickets.

Crank Passengers

Expectations from consumers (read passengers) are always moving in one direction, that is upwards and the service level from the aviation industry manages to keep it on the opposite end, i.e., the service level going down. The number of irate passengers at airports will also therefore proportionately go up. But the passengers themselves can help to some extent to avoid these unsavory situations, though they cannot eliminate them in totality.

Some measures that can help

Some flights or some sectors have a history of chronic delays. Travelers can research on this and FlightStats.com or FlightAware.com are very useful web sites to gather these details. The type of flight tickets are not very relevant for this. You can be using a cheap airline tickets or even a luxury class or Executive class plane tickets. Then, there are airports which are congested all through the year like for e.g., Chicago, Atlanta, New York etc. If you cannot avoid these airports, look for the leaner time slots like mid-day or mid-night. Connecting flights from smaller hubs can keep your trip in better shape.

Being an informed traveler

Always make it a point to read and integrate the “contract of carriage” provided by your carrier, even if you are traveling on cheap airline tickets. If you are on a long haul trip and delays occur en-route there are several things you could be more comfortable with if you have prior knowledge. Flight delays due to weather does not require your carrier to provide you hotel accommodation and other facilities. International Flights originating from or destined to the European Union have more generous rules on delays attributable to the airline. Packing light is another factor which can be of significant help. If you don’t check your baggage, the airlines can find no means to mishandle your baggage and therefore will be compelled to leave you a happier person.

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You are sick and need to fly – Should you take the trip?

Friday, July 18th, 2008

You spent several days or perhaps even weeks planning that Christmas vacation, drawing vacation ideas from a variety of vacation, and have put together the best available family vacation on earth for your family. Cheap airline have been sourced and your trip is confirmed. Hours before the scheduled departure of your flight, you or a member of your family takes ill with a high fever, a worse case of flu or a cough that can bring the roof the cabin down. Sickness of this kind often come unannounced and also disappear more or less the same way. But, is it good for you in the first place and the potential risk of infection to your passengers? But, the trouble is, most airlines do not recognize this type of illness as cause enough to give you a refund of the fare, or re-schedule your flight.

You are sick and need to fly – Should you take the trip?

What are your options?

Most of the airlines do not take sickness as a cause enough to reschedule your plane tickets or issue a refund. This compounds your problem even when you have all the noble intentions of not causing avoidable inconvenience and perhaps suffering to your co-passengers. Here are some of the possible options you can examine in such circumstances irrespective of whether your intended trip involved cheap airline tickets or the regular tickets.

Try these

You may not need to change your flight tickets or buy new ones, or even forego your cheap airline tickets. Instead writing a polite letter attaching a doctor’s note should get you, your refund and if that fails to work, try appealing to the higher level customer service managers.
Show up personally at the gate and let the gate agent and preferably few more people know that your are really sick. Major chances are that you will be allowed to take another flight without paying extra money. If this fails, try talking to some co-passengers and tell them how sick you are and how you hate to have to allow the virus to spread throughout the cabin.
Finally, there is that force-majeure clause. Most airlines take a one side approach. Understand that force-majeure can apply to the passenger too, and be sure to tell the airline that it does. When you tell them, they are sure to understand.

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You can avoid wearing these on a plane.

Friday, July 18th, 2008

Many of us tend to pay little or no attention to the small details of what we should wear or rather not wear while on an air trip. Somehow, the gap between an ideal wear on commercial flights and the actual appears only widening with each passing day. We put in so many effort checking for cheap airline tickets, tabulating airfares, looking for those economical midnight flights and a host of other things.

Plane

What you wear – how is it relevant?

It is relevant, primarily for your own comfort and perhaps safety too. There are elements which will concern your cabin mates too. Now, if you are one of those wearing a heavy perfume in this crammed space, you can encroach on the comfort levels of your co-passengers. Coming to your own attire, have you noticed that high heels are very uncomfortable on long haul flights? Not just that, they are also simply unusable if you ever had to step on one of those inflatables during an emergency.
Similarly wearing shorts can be good enough only on short, very short duration flights. After the doors of the cabin are closed and the air-conditioning turned to maximum, you can experience extreme discomforts. Some airlines are even harsh to passengers who are “inappropriately dressed”.

What are the watchwords?

Just as you would possibly examine the minutest details of your cheap airline tickets or European vacation, spend a fraction of the time on what you will wear during your flight. The first thing is your shoes. They should be pretty comfortable and least dangerous in all circumstances. Better use dark clothes during travel as they can save you from many potential embarrassments. Travel in comfort and avoid using tight fitting clothes. Synthetic undergarments can be a major irritant on long haul flights, particularly. And finally, once you are inside the cabin, avoid using anything with strong odor. Once the doors are shut, and the air-conditioning starts running to its optimal levels, the odor will percolate, all through the cabin. You need more than cheap airline tickets to make a comfortable trip.

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Fewer delays are reported by the Airlines

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008

On time flight arrivals are actually improving according to a recently released government issued report.

Continue Reading: Fewer delays are reported by the Airlines

Singapore Airline wants an access to the Australia-US skies

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008

According to Singapore Airlines the skies between the United States and Australia are not so friendly. Because of the policies of the Australian government, competition from outside airlines is not being allowed. As a result, tourism is suffering and airline industry growth is being stunted.

Continue Reading: Singapore Airline wants an access to the Australia-US skies

Two Nonstop Flights are offered by Delta Air Lines

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008

Delta Air Lines has changed its flight schedules in Ecuador. They now offer cheap airline tickets for nonstop flights between Atlanta and Quito. Discount airfare can also be obtained for non-stop flights from Atlanta to Guayaquil.

Continue Reading: Two Nonstop Flights are offered by Delta Air Lines

Chinese Historic -Taiwan Flights Take Off

Friday, July 11th, 2008

It has been estimated that 50 million Chinese wish to obtain cheap airline tickets to fly to Taiwan. They are now able to do so thanks to China Southern Airlines. This new airline is now offering plane tickets from Mainland China to Taiwan.

Continue Reading: Chinese Historic -Taiwan Flights Take Off

Flying with Babies or Toddlers

Thursday, July 3rd, 2008

Flying with babies or toddlers can be an engaging exercise. Whether it is changing diapers or keeping your kids quiet, the parents have a job on their hands during the flight. But, with some planning and preparation, you and your children can enjoy the flight without major hiccups.

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Boarding your plane without gymnastics

Monday, June 30th, 2008

How often have your faculties been tested in the process of boarding a plane? May be, almost every time, if you are holding cheap airline tickets, or never – if you belong to the elite class of passengers. Airline industry works overtime to ensure that passengers board their flights comfortably. How about us, the passengers?

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Backpacking? Save Money with Cheap Flights

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008

One of the surest ways to save on costs when exploring new countries is by backpacking. Traveling with just a map and your backpack will certainly be exciting as well as cost-efficient. Of course, you have to buy plane tickets for major destinations. Good thing there are cheap airplane tickets that will keep your expenses manageable.

Continue Reading: Backpacking? Save Money with Cheap Flights