This article is tourism topic.
When traveling long distances, flying is often the fastest and most convenient option. Flying is often affordable, especially when using low-cost airlines. Here are some tips for air travel:
Reserve
Choosing an airline
The services and comfort levels of the airlines can be compared in advance online [1].
Several airports
In big cities there may be several airports. See in advance the flight ticket to which airport the plane lands and where it leaves. Book enough time for the change if you need to change the airport when changing flights. Low-cost airlines often use smaller airports, which can be located more than a hundred kilometers from the destination itself (e.g. Frankfurt-Hahn).
If you are not sure what time you will arrive at the airport, it is best to book the last flight of the day. If you arrive earlier at the airport, you can still get on the previous flight if there are seats available.
International and domestic flights
Domestic flights are often cheaper than international flights. For example, when traveling from Hong Kong to Beijing, you can save money by going across the border to Shenzhen and flying from there to Beijing.
Low cost airlines
You can save money by using low cost airlines. However, low cost airlines have some limitations:
- the reservation cannot be changed or it will pay
- less luggage is allowed
- less amenities
- food and drink pay separately
- no separate waiting rooms (lounges)
- no membership program (exception: Air Berlin)
Also, make sure that the advertised price includes all airport charges, fuel charges, etc.
Bunting
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot When you call a foreign airline or travel agent to make changes to your booking, you can give them Passenger Name Recordisi and uses the international telephone alphabet system (Alpha Bravo Charlie Delta Echo Foxtrot Golf Hotel India Juliet Kilo Lima Mike November Oscar Papa Quebec Romeo Sierra Tango Uniform Victor Whiskey X-ray Yankee Zulu). |
Electronic ticket The advantage of an (e-ticket) is that it cannot be lost: it is always in the airline's information system. You can also change your itinerary without having to apply for new ticket prints. If the airline has online or self-check-in facilities, you can print your check card (boardingpass) self. An electronic ticket can be tricky if you have to change airlines. If you fly with several different airlines during your trip, you should use paper tickets for safety. Some companies charge more for ticketing.
Traveling with hand luggage only
For example, if you’re only going on a weekend trip, you might want to consider traveling with only hand luggage. In this case, there is no need to wait for the bag at the destination, and there is no need to fear the loss of the bag. Before you travel, make sure your bag is small and light enough. Remember that there are restrictions on transporting liquids: for example, filled bottles must not be passed through a security check.
Internet check-in
In addition to check-in at the airport, as a customer of some airlines, you can check-in yourself online. The service often opens 24 hours before the departure of the machine. At the online check-in, you can choose your seating time in advance, indicate how many bags you have with you, etc. The scope of the service varies from airline to airline: sometimes you can print the tickets yourself, sometimes you have to pick them up at the airport counter.
Sometimes you can get on a plane faster by checking in in advance if passengers who have checked in earlier have their own queue at the airport.
SAS, Norwegian, American Airlines, Air Canada and KLM, among others, have an electronic mobile boarding pass.
Other remote check-in methods
At Singapore Airlines, check-in can be done by phone, fax, text message or at an office in central Singapore. Lufthansa also allows you to check in via SMS. Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur Railway Stations have a check-in service where you can also leave your luggage.
Choosing a good seat
About choosing a seat:
- The window seats have the best views, but they are harder to get around. You can get better from the corridor places, but on the other hand, the traffic in the corridor can be disturbing. In the middle, on the other hand, you can't see out the windows, and you can't even go to the bathroom without apologizing to a colleague.
- The rear of the plane is noisier than the front. Therefore, noisy children are often placed in the front row. The tourist can choose what is less disturbing.
- Turbulence is least noticeable in the center of the aircraft.
- Finally, a more serious matter: According to the U.S. Accident Investigation Board (NTSB), a plane crash is statistically more likely to survive by sitting in the back of a plane.
Related sites
Before leaving
Pack only the items you need on the go. Do not take large quantities of goods with you just for fun - they are difficult to carry and transport, they may cost extra and they may cause problems even during security checks.
You can often bring your own lunch on the flight, and this is worth doing if you have to pay for food on board. However, keep in mind that filled bottles must not be taken through a security check.
see also packing list.
At the airport
You should arrive at the airport on time, at least one hour before the domestic flight and two hours before the international flight. Especially at large airports, there can be really long queues for both check-in and security.
If you suspect that you are late for your flight, contact the airline staff immediately.
Check-in
Check-in can be done before leaving or at the airport. If you don’t have bags to go in the hold, and you’ve printed out a boarding pass, you can go straight to the security check. Remove old tags from the bags before leaving them on the counter. If you check in at the counter, you must present your passport.
At some airports, members of frequent flyer loyalty programs have their own queue at the check-in counter and security check-in.
Waiting rooms
The largest airports have separate waiting rooms (so-called lounges) where first-class passengers and airline frequent flyers can enjoy coffee and read newspapers for free while waiting for departure. They are also accessible to the average passenger for a small extra charge.
Boarding
The plane is usually picked up at the gate 15 to 20 minutes before departure. Usually, the queue is entered when the clerk at the gate announces that the gate will open. If there are wheelchair passengers on the flight, they will be the first to board the plane. In some cases, first-class passengers are the first to get on the plane. In the United States, passengers are divided into groups according to seating, and those sitting in the back get on the plane first. This way, those sitting in the back don’t have to wait when front-end travelers organize their luggage in the hallway.
Special diets
Major airlines usually have food options for allergy sufferers, vegetarians, different religions, etc. Please notify us no later than 24 hours before the flight if you have special requests.
Time difference stress
Time difference stress i.e. jet lag is the fatigue a traveler experiences when traveling long distances west or east. When moving time zone for another, there is a time difference between the clocks of the body and the environment. The time difference stress is usually noticed when there are a couple of hours or more between the departure station and the destination. It usually gets tired more easily when traveling east.
Before a long trip, it is worth sleeping a good night's sleep, and in addition, it is worth sleeping in the plane. The first couple of days should be taken a little more calmly, but still only sleep at night to allow the body to adapt to the new time.
Baggage
Check with the airline how much luggage you can bring with you on the plane. A business jet is not a suitable means of transport for carrying huge amounts of luggage. If your luggage is "overweight" (the general limit for hold baggage is 20 kg / person), you may have to pay quite a bit for it. If you have a lot of luggage, consider air freight or even sending the goods by train or sea.
Blood clots in the legs
On long flights, you have to sit still for hours, and blood can accumulate on your feet, especially in the elderly and heart patients. To avoid blood clots, you should:
- Get up for a walk for a little jog in the hallway every other hour.
- Choose a seat next to the hallway that is easier to move around.
- Drink water or other non-alcoholic and decaffeinated beverage.
Flying with children
Children get frustrated with sitting still on the plane and on the ground with nothing to do. Here are some tips to make the trip a fun experience for your child too:
- Bring a portable DVD player or other device to watch movies or books.
- Bring something to eat during the flight - flight food doesn’t always taste good even for adults. Throat lozenges during ascent and descent reduce ear pain.
- Give your child a window seat - there’s plenty to see at the airport and in the air.
If you are traveling with a child under the age of three, ask for a seat for infants where the child can sit safely (similar to cars). Also ask staff if there is an oxygen mask for a child on the plane in case the cabin pressure drops.
Also, be prepared for a flight delay and make sure you have enough clothes, food, things to do, etc. for your child.