While air travel is known to be the fastest and most convenient mode of transport especially for long trips, sometimes, if you lack the right information, it can turn out to be a stressful experience. But it doesn’t have to be so because it’s easier to avoid most of these problems if you know what is expected of you.
People choose to fly over other means of transport due to the advantages associated with flying. Therefore, you won’t have gone overboard if you are striving to get the best experience.
Apart from choosing the best seat number, airport and flight time available during the time of your travel, there are other crucial things you should consider to make an informed decision. So, before you book that flight for your long-awaited trip, here are simple yet vital things you need to consider to better plan your trip.
The cost
Flights are expensive. Although you may get a good deal especially during low season, you have to be ready to part with some good cash to fly to your destination. Some people delay their trips until they get a cost-effective flight. Even at that, you should be prepared for additional fees maybe for luggage or other things. Besides, the cost you see on the airline’s website may not necessarily be the final price. If you don’t have the money to pay for the extra costs, then you may be in for a rude shock and this can even ruin your trip altogether.
Hence, the cost should be among the first things to consider before booking a flight. If it’s going beyond your budget, then its better you look for an alternative means of transport. Come to think of it, does it make sense to use a flight to your destination only to lack enough money to enjoy your vacation? Not unless your aim is to experience a flight only, you shouldn’t go for a flight if you can’t afford the cost.
Ticket booking channels
You can book your flight ticket via the airline’s official website or an agent depending on the option you find most convenient for you. However, for a more cost-effective option, consider booking via an agent. Agents offer travel packages such as air tickets combined with hotel and car rental which in most cases turns out to be a cheaper deal than it would have been if you booked them differently. Furthermore, it’s easier to know the much it will cost you to fly to your destination because agents display all their routes and fares for your perusal. Take time to compare the costs of different agents and only select the one you are convinced is the best.
The right airport
Even frequent fliers fall into the mess of landing into the wrong airport. You may be tempted to choose a destination’s cheapest available airport thinking is a great deal only to realize later that the airport is so far from the city it is named for. This can turn out to be a nightmare since you have to pay for a bus or a taxi to reach your destination. A cost you hadn’t considered. Plus, this will take longer than you had expected. In fact, the whole issue can ruin your plans.
Moreover, if you are not careful, you can end up choosing the wrong destination may be due to a similar name or airport code. For instance, it’s not a wonder someone booking a flight to Granada, Spain instead of Grenada, an island in the Caribbean. Do you see how easy it is to find yourself in the wrong destination? Be extra careful when booking for your flight to avoid such inconveniences. It’s actually better to use Google Maps search to exactly know where you are going.
Arrival and departure time
Except for the case of an emergency flight, you need to make your plans ahead of time. If you live far away from the airport, ensure you have a reliable means of transport to take you to the airport on time. You must be at the airport on time no matter how early your flight is. If you are not an early riser, then avoid choosing an early morning flight. On the same note, if the flight is arriving late, make arrangement for your accommodation and means of transport to take you there. Choose a hotel with a 24-hours front desk if you will be arriving late in the night. The bottom line here is to choose the most suitable time for you.
The best airline
There are several things to consider before choosing a certain airline since not all airlines are suitable for your trips. Take time to check the different services offered in different airlines. Also, check their number of flights, punctuality rate, luggage allowance, safety records and meal conditions. If you have a friend, colleague or a family member who is a frequent flier, ask them for recommendations but only choose an airline you are comfortable with their conditions and services offered.
Cancellation rules
Please don’t book a flight before knowing their flights’ cancellation rules. Although in most airline flight cancellation is free of charge at 24 hours, each airline has its own rules for cancelling flights. It’s upon you to find out what your airline says and if you are comfortable with that. The best option would be to choose an airline with low refund fee so that you can reduce loss in case you decide to refund your ticket.
What if someone else is doing the booking?
Having someone take care of your travel arrangements is fantastic. This gives you ample time to do other things such as packing. However, if something goes wrong and you only realize it when at the gate of the airport, you will only have yourself to blame. Even if you are travelling for business and your Personal Assistant is doing the booking or your significant other is handling it for you so that you can relax, make sure you remind them crucial information to avoid misunderstandings the last minutes. Don’t assume everyone knows your full name as it is written on your passport and other official documents. Such simple things can see your flight cancelled or delayed and it’s something you could have avoided if you communicated on time.
Do your research to enjoy your flight
If you follow the above information, then you should be well-prepared for your flight. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, most airlines’ guidelines and policies have changed. This may affect your travels if you don’t take the time to check your airline’s website for the recent updates. The keyword here is to stay informed so that when it is time for you to fly, you are well-prepared and ready to enjoy your flight.
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