Senior Air Fare Discounts

Senior air fare discounts can be found on some airlines for several Asian connections. If you are approaching your senior years you can probably still visualize Dennis Hopper waving his arms around as he tells you about retirement planning , claiming that “60 is the new 40.” But it’s important to have a plan.
Have a Flexible Plan

When it comes to air fare discounts, you need to do some serious planning. Gone are the coupon booklets and standard 10% off discounts once you hit sixty-five. Senior air fare discounts are easy to find on some airlines like United Airlines, but for other senior air fare discounts, you have to hunt. Not all airlines offer them. Often, independent airline ticket websites are your best choice for finding senior discounts, although you will find that several of the major sites do not offer any senior discount fares at all. If you’re buying tickets online, check multiple online sites to find the best discounts.

If you are serious about finding the best fares, you need a plan based on a good amount of research. Every airline has a place on their website advertising “deals”. Some have “deals of the week” and some have deals for flights to different locations. It pays to search out and compare deals for the destinations you are considering; sometimes the special deals will be better than a standard fare with senior discount. Flexibility is the key. This means flexibility in both destination and timing. This can be especially true for travel to Asian countries.

Today, some of the best deals for travelers at any age can be had if you don’t care when you go or where you land. Some of you may be saying, “what’s the point of traveling to someplace if you are never sure if you are ever going to get there?” But the nature of the fierce competition common to the airline business changes things so quickly that an open and flexible attitude towards travel attitude may be the best “plan” to have.

Follow these rules of thumb

Plan ahead, but not too far ahead. One month ahead works better than one week ahead but, ten months ahead doesn’t always mean cheaper tickets.

Shop around directly on the airline websites.

Some airlines offer a website box to check for 65+, which sometimes gives you a better price. If you use ticket aggregators to find senior air fare discounts be sure to note the flight number for your choice and then go direct to the airline website. Sometimes you’ll find a cheaper fare or better discounts when you buy direct.
Don’t forget to compare between aggregator websites, since some show discounts for senior air fares and others do not.
Due to intense competition, fares at every fare website change daily, or sometimes even hourly. If you find a good deal, take it—it might be gone by tomorrow. If you think you can do better, keep searching and checking back. You could be rewarded with cheaper fares and discounts for your efforts.

Also, take advantage of any memberships (such as AARP) that may offer special benefits or discounts for senior travel.

It can pay to do the research for International flights. A small discount can still mean big savings for senior air fare discount as you head to that exotic dream vacation.

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Airline Consolidators - How to get the Best Consolidator Ticket Deal

Consolidator tickets are tickets on airlines that are for international travel. Flying with consolidator tickets is pretty much the same as flying with standard tickets, with the primary difference being that consolidator tickets are cheaper. This is because consolidators get discounts from airlines for buying tickets in large volumes.
This is how it works: The airline sells empty seats to consolidators to fill up the flight. If the plane flies with empty seats, it is lost profit for the airline. Consolidators market these "cheap seats," and the airline returns the favor by giving low contract rates.

How Consolidator Tickets Help You

Air travel consolidators help you to compare flight fares between airlines for a specific flight route during the same period, allowing you to save time and money. You can also decide which airline and flight schedule suits you best. Securing a consolidator ticket generally cuts between 10% and 70% or more off the airlines’ selling prices. At airfare sales, you can get a cheaper ticket with a published rate, although this does not happen all the time since fares go up during the summer and holiday seasons.

Consolidator tickets normally do not have the same restrictions that airlines have on advanced air fare purchases. By using a consolidator ticket, you can fly into one city and exit from another. Moreover, consolidator tickets do not require advance purchase and are refundable with little penalty.

How to Use Consolidator Tickets

1. Find an online consolidator you trust, because the relationship counts a lot. When you work with a consolidator you trust and who trusts you back, it is possible to get a fair deal. Inquire about the yield management system that is used to calculate your airfare. A yield management system computes the selling price of an airfare based on factors such as season, point of departure, time, local and international events, and market forces.

2. Make sure to find out the rules before you buy your ticket. Consolidator tickets are treated the way standard tickets are treated, but there may be special rules that apply in certain situations.

3. Ask about the details of the seat and the flight in general. When you fly with a consolidator ticket, you are supposed to get meals and other benefits you would normally get with a standard ticket.

4. Buy your ticket as early as possible. The population of online travel consolidators is growing, and the result is a vibrant online travel industry. Because of this, there is pressure on offline travel consolidators to go online as well. When you use an online air travel consolidator’s service, you can compare air fare prices between airlines and consolidators as well. This will allow you to get the best deal to suit your needs.

Where to find consolidators

Most Sunday travel sections of big news newspapers publish consolidator contacts and links. In the United States consolidator centers are located in San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Dallas, Portland, Honolulu, Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Seattle, Boston, and Minneapolis. International consolidator hubs are also based in England, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Israel, Australia, Thailand, and Canada.

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Saving Time and Money with Alternate Airports in the US

Airport alternatives provide options to travelers based on what is most convenient for them. Choosing an alternate airport can save you a significant amount of money from your airfare.

San Francisco Alternate Airports

1. San Francisco International Airport — this airport is located about 9 miles south of the main city. Almost all international airline carriers have scheduled flights to San Francisco every year. Some of the major airlines served by the airport include Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Northwest Airlines.

Although this airport enjoys a great location at the rim of the San Francisco Bay, the place can be foggy at times, which often reduces visibility on the runways, resulting in flight delays when only one of its two runways can be used. Because of the potential delays at San Francisco International, international travelers often choose alternate airports. Flights to alternate airports can be less expensive, but just as convenient.

Taxis are available at the designated taxi zones near the Arrivals and Baggage Claim Areas in all terminals. The airport also has “air trains” which are free of charge.

2. San Jose International Airport — located 60 miles south of San Francisco, this airport is another alternative for those traveling to the city. Although quite far from the center of San Francisco, this airport is a good pit stop if you will be traveling down to Carmel, Monterey or any area south of San Francisco. You only have to rent a car or take a shuttle to your destination. Major airline carriers that have regular trips to the airport include Continental Airlines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and Alaska Air.

3. Oakland International Airport — this airport is located about 25 miles from the city of San Francisco. The airport is easily accessible for locals through shuttle buses and taxis. Major airlines such as Delta, Alaska Air, United, Southwest and America West have regularly scheduled international flights to this airport. This is a good starting point for those who plan to travel to Yosemite, Sequoia, Napa and Lake Tahoe.

Los Angeles Alternate Airports

1. Los Angeles International Airport — this is the main airport serving Los Angeles, California. It is located 16 miles from the downtown core. Since it is the most famous among all airports in Los Angeles, it is easily accessible by bus or taxi cab. Flights are sometimes delayed due to passenger traffic, as it serves around 60 million passengers every year. Some of the major airlines that the airport serves include Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air New Zealand, Avianca, Hawaiian Airlines, KLM, Northwest Airlines, TACA, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Volaris and WestJet.

2. Long Beach Airport — relatively smaller than the main international airport, the Long Beach International Airport is located about 11 miles from the city’s core. It has limited daily flights, and most of them are 90 percent on time. Good shuttle and taxi services are available, although there are very limited domestic and international passenger flights served by the airport.

3. Ontario International Airport — this is another one of the alternate airports surrounding Los Angeles, although it is quite far from the center of the city. It is located 35 miles from the center of Los Angeles, or approximately a 30-minute drive from L.A. It has poor shuttle and taxi services compared to the two previously mentioned airports. Some of the airline carriers that fly to the airport include United Airlines, Allegiant Air, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Us Airways, Aeromexico and Horizon Air.

4. Palmdale Regional Airport — this is ideal for domestic flights to Los Angeles. Although located 65 miles from the center of the city, flights to this airport can be relatively cheaper than those offered to the main airport of the city. Plans for expansion are currently in progress, although there is such high potential for the airport because of the land area it covers.

Chicago Alternate Airports

1. O’Hare International Airport — considered “the best airport in North America” for ten years, this airport is located about 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. With an average of 2,500 flights per day, air traffic is sometimes the cause of delay for many domestic and international flights. This airport is accessible by bus or shuttle, depending on your preference. All major airlines from America and many major airlines carriers from other countries have daily scheduled flights to this airport.

2. Chicago Midway International Airport — this airport is known as the Midway Airport or simply the Midway for many locals. It is located 8 miles from the center of the city. This airport is more heavily used by low-cost airlines, although some flights from major international carriers are also available.

Airline traffic is fair, and flights are usually on time. Airlines that are supported by the airport are AirTran Airways, Delta Connection, Shuttle America, Northwest Airlines, Northwest Airlink, Compass Airlines, Mesaba Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Porter Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

The airport is served by the Transit Authority of Chicago. Upon arrival, passengers can board the Orange Line trains at the airport terminal bound for several destinations within Chicago.

3. Gary/Chicago International Airport — located 25 miles from downtown Chicago, this airport has inconsistent international flights to a number of destinations. Currently, the airport has temporarily ceased their service for domestic and international flights because of ongoing expansions.

4. Chicago Rockford International Airport — an international airport serving several airlines, this airport is located 68 miles from Chicago. Because of the distance, a small number of international airlines serve the airport. Some of these include Allegiant Air, Aeromexico Travel, Direct Air and Virgin America. Although shuttle buses and taxis are available for passengers, the distance from the center of the city makes it the least preferred airport for travelers bound for Chicago.

New York City Alternate Airports

1. John F. Kennedy International Airport — this airport is located around 8 miles from Manhattan. It is currently the leading gateway to the United States, which is why you can expect that almost all flights bound for this airport can be relatively more expensive than those bound for other airports. It is also the base for major airlines such as JetBlue Airways, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Flights are 90 percent on time.

You can expect good taxi and shuttle services available from the airport. It is accessible for international and domestic travelers.

2. Newark Liberty International Airport — located about 15 miles from the core of Manhattan, this airport serves good public transport and easy cab access to travelers. Some of the major airlines that fly to this airport include Air Canada, Air Trans Airways, American Airways, United Airlines, US Airways, Miami Air International and JetBlue Airways.

3. LaGuardia Airport — this is the smallest among the three primary airports of New York. It serves international flights from airlines such as Continental Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Air Canada and several other international airline carriers. Taxis that serve the airport are licensed by the city government. As you arrive at the airport, uniformed taxi dispatchers will assist you with your ride.

4. Westchester County Airport — this airport is located 30 miles from the center of Manhattan. The airport has two major runways that serve a number of domestic and international flights. Today, the airport is served by 8 major airline carriers bound to a range of destinations in the US and Canada. Some of the international airlines that it serves include the American Eagle, Air Canada, Cape Air, Delta Connections and United Express Airways.

This airport is ideal for those who are traveling to nearby cities of New York. The airport has a rather poor provision for cabs or shuttles.

Boston Alternate Airports

1. General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport —this is the main airport of Boston. It is located approximately 4 miles from the core of the city. It is simply known as the “Logan Airport” to many locals. Travelers to Boston are most likely to be brought to this airport. It is included on the list of the 20 busiest airports in the United States, with over 27 million passengers every year. It serves almost all major international airline carriers in the world.

Taxis are accessible within its perimeters. All transportation is coordinated and licensed by the airport. Taxis, shuttle buses and limousines are available at their designated terminals.

2. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport — called the “Manchester Airport”, this airport is located 3 miles from the center of the city. It bears the reputation of never surrendering even under extremely bad weather. It serves regional and interstate flights served by the major airlines in the US. Taxi cabs and shuttles are easily accessible.

3. Portsmouth International Airport — this was formerly known as the Pease International Airport before its name was changed. Located 50 miles from the city of Boston, this is also one of the nearest airports from the city. It provides services to international and domestic passengers and offers free parking and no traffic, which means less hassles and flight delays. The amenities of the airport were built according to international airport standards.

4. Worcester Regional Airport — this airport can be found 28 miles from the core of Boston City. The airport has three runways that mostly serve domestic flights within the United States. Passenger flights to a range of domestic and international destinations are being served in this airport. They provide safe, secure and efficient services both for passengers and aircrafts.

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How to Survive Airport Problems, Travel Simply and Have a Better Trip

Your holiday fun starts with a smooth flight. We have a few tips to help you enjoy your travels.

Traveling Light - A Joy Many Never Experience

Depending on your complete itinerary, try to travel with the minimal amount of baggage. If you can travel light, the ease of going through the airport, traveling with your baggage will be make your travels much more enjoyable. Yes, packing light is a skill but worth the effort. Anything bulkier than your backpack or carry-on should be left out if you want to try this out. Think how long your holiday trip is and the number of times you will change your clothes. Simplify. Take only what you need, and plan to dress comfortably. Dress down, since you are unlikely to attend a Cannes Film Festival awards night.

At The Airport

Arrive early. The golden rule is to get to the airport two hours early for domestic check-in and two and one-half hours for international flights. When you are at the airport ahead of time, you can double-check your bag, make calls to friends and family, and relax before boarding.

Know airport and airline rules, which can vary from facility to facility. Know which rules are in place at your point of departure, and read and understand pertinent information such as e-ticket and airport announcements.

Know where you are and where you need to go. Check the flight boards regularly, locate your gate, and do not hesitate to ask airport personnel if you need help locating something.
Keep your identification and boarding pass easily accessible at all times. You will need both from the time you check in until you board the plane. So you do not lose them, insert them in a book or magazine you are reading. Again, read your boarding pass before boarding the plane.
Keep your cool. If the “D” word (delay) happens because of a lengthy security check, tell yourself it is for your own good. Putting on an attitude and ridiculing airport management can annoy other passengers. Neither should you comment about bombs nor terrorists in an already tense situation, as those are very sensitive issues in airport security.

On The Plane

Be kind and polite to airline staff and fellow passengers. Keep in mind that the flight attendants are doing their best to make your flight as comfortable as possible. If you believe you complaint is legitimate, state it politely.

Occupy yourself. It can be painfully boring on a long-haul flight if all you do is sit and stare at nothing in particular. Get your brain cells working by reading a book or magazine.
Get up and stretch once in a while. Drink water or juice on the plane: The recycled air in the cabin can cause dehydration, so avoid drinks with too much caffeine like coffee and colas.

If you sleep on a long flight, try to wake up about an hour before arrival and wash your face in the bathroom. You will feel much more refreshed and presentable when you disembark.

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How to use Farecast and Compare fares

Farecast offers free airfare predictions to more than 87 popular European destinations. Users of Farecast can request predictions to their destination, and the site shows a certainty rating based on previous figures on the market you are searching. Farecast also displays a history chart within the last 90 days of the fares from your point of departure to your destination.

Moreover, Farecast lists the current fares and links with other travel sites where you can compare and purchase tickets. Farecast partners with travel websites like Orbitz.com, Kayak, and others. Air fare rates and travel facts are freely shared between these sites.

Click “Add My City” on Farecast’s homepage. By doing so you can usually save about $150 if you purchase two tickets.

Go to the "Plan Trips" tab on Farecast's website. For example, if you need to depart between July 1 and July 31 and you choose Boston and Los Angeles as your airports, Farecast shows the cheapest fares on both dates. Keep in mind that during holidays and national events, air fares will increase.

When you provide Farecast with a return date a week after your scheduled departure, the site gives you the lowest fares within the next seven days. Farecast drives home the point that it is better to purchase tickets now rather than wait until air fares go up. If Farecast predicts air fare is going down, however, it’s in your best interest to wait to book a flight since doing so could save you cash.

When you click “Plan Trips,” another graph shows you possible airfare rates in the next two months. Farecast bases these rates on past and current trends.

On the left side of Farecast's results page, a set of check boxes narrows your desired departure and return times. Here you can also limit the number of plane changes and acceptable airlines. Keep in mind that Farecast does not let you make reservations; instead, Farecast links you to sites that will accept your reservations. What Farecast does is look up other travel sites and offer you results that you can adjust by using the site’s slider bars. You can make adjustments by un-checking airlines and airports in the box. If you prefer not to fly on a particular airline, for example, you can remove that airline's check mark from the list. Farecast’s and the other travel sites’ search results will not include the airline you un-checked.

When your departure and return and dates are final, you can begin choosing an itinerary. Farecast links with other travel sites on which you can purchase tickets for that purpose. For instance, the site can show you four flights for $362 on your chosen date of July 18 aboard a specific airline. You can see other airline information on the site as well.

Recently Farecast launched free international predictions on more than 200 destinations, including U.S. cities, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and tourist destinations in Europe.

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The Story of Airline Alliances

Most likely, you’ve heard that airline alliances make traveling across countries and continents easy. From a commuter’s standpoint, the ease of travel is still improving despite the problems presented by 9/11. From the airliner and business point of view, there are still ways to improve business and profitability. One way to go about reaching business and profit projections is to enter into an airline alliance. An airline alliance is an agreement among air carriers on many common issues and concerns. These alliances work to allow US air carriers to travel across countries and continents to a partner airline’s hub and priviliges, allowing alliance passengers to transfer to partner flights as connecting flights. Currently, the three largest alliances in use today are Star Alliance, Sky Team and Oneworld Alliance.

Reasons for Alliances

Entering into an airline alliance is a win-win situation for airlines. Here are some of the reasons why being part of an airline alliance is one of the most profitable decisions that an airliner can make.

• The airlines enjoy an extensive and optimized network among themselves, including codesharing, which allows others to share priviliges among member airlines.
• An effective overhead cost reduction occurs for the airline, as each alliance member can share information for booking and reservation purposes.

The airline alliance also provides travelers with the following benefits:

• Price discounts as a result of lowered route operational costs
• More choices for departure times on a given route
• More destinations
• Optimized travel time from facilitated transfers
• Broader airport lounge options
• Increased earning capacity for flyer miles
• Lower around-the-world ticket prices

Airline Alliances Memberships

Three major airline alliances operate in the industry. They are Star Alliance, Sky Team Alliance and Oneworld Alliance, and their member airlines are as follows.

Star Alliance

• Air Canada – Canada’s largest full service airline and the largest provider of scheduled passenger services in Canada.
• Air China – The only airline company servicing China and other stops that carry the flag of the People’s Republic of China.
• Air New Zealand – New Zealand’s national airline serving 52 cities in 15 countries, with 26 destinations within the country.
• All Nippon Airways – One of Japan’s private airlines that serves 77 destinations in 11 countries.
• Asiana Airlines – This is the second flag carrier of South Korea, serving 82 cities in 20 countries and 12 destinations within its country.
• Austrian Airlines – The leading carrier in Central, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
• BMI – The second largest airline company at Heathrow Airport in London, with services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Northern Africa.
• EgyptAir – Egypt’s flag carrier with 69 destinations in 44 countries and over 1200 weekly flights.
• LOT Polish Airlines – This is one of the oldest airlines in Europe, and is currently one of the most modern airlines in Europe, carrying many passengers to major hubs in Europe and North America.
• Lufthansa – Headquartered in Cologne, Germany, the service flies to 208 destinations.
• Scandinavian Airlines - A consortium of the national airlines in Denmark, Norway and Sweden offering 822 flights to Europe.
• Shanghai Airlines – The airline has a fleet of 66 aircraft with a 170 domestic and 13 international and regional destinations.
• Singapore Airlines – Throughout its long history, this airline has become one of the most innovative service carriers to 65 destinations in 35 countries.
• South African Airways – As one of the oldest airlines in the world, it offers travel to 20 destinations across Africa, including its hub in South Africa.
• SpanAir – The Spanish flag carrier offers 250 daily flights with a fleet 48 aircraft covering intercontinental flights to Madrid-Washington-Dallas, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Havana.
• Swiss International Air Lines – Swiss quality service has been a mark of the Swiss national airline, traveling to 90 destinations from its Zurich hub, Basel and Geneva international airports.
• TAP Portugal – The leading Portuguese airline with Lisbon as its hub, traveling to 59 domestic and international destinations in 26 countries throughout the world.
• Thai Airways International – With Bangkok as its hub, this is Asia’s leading airline with 74 destinations in 35 countries worldwide.
• Turkish Airlines – Turkey’s national flag carrier and one of the fastest growing in the world, servicing 112 international and 36 domestic destinations.
• United Airlines – One of the United States’ foremost airlines, servicing 200 domestic and international destinations.
• US Airways – One of the greatest successes in the airline industry from its airmail delivery origins, with 3,800 daily departures to 240 destinations to 32 countries.

Sky Team Alliance

• Aeroflot – The largest Russian airline operating 302 flights a day to 94 destinations in 47 countries.
• AeroMexico – The Caballero Aguila is one of the biggest airlines with offerings of daily flights to North, Central and South America, and Europe and Asia.
• Air France – This French flag carrier operates 1,862 flights, most of which are nonstop to 258 destinations in 110 countries.
• Alitalia – The Italian flagship covers 89 destinations in 44 countries, with 665 flights daily.
• China Southern Airlines – China’s largest airline with a large domestic and international service.
• Continental Airlines – The world’s fifth largest airlines with 289 destinations for its 3,500 daily departures.
• CSA Czech Airlines – The airline is one of the most convenient airlines servicing Western and Eastern Europe.
• Delta Airlines – This US airline service covers 321 destinations in 64 countries, with 37 transatlantic markers.
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – This is Europe’s leading airline with a total of 258 destinations worldwide either nonstop or through another airport.
• Korean Air – This airline has services to over 115 destinations in over 38 countries.
• Northwest Airlines – This large US airline service has at least 2,655 daily departures with 905 destination cities in 169 countries in six continents.
• Air Europa – This is a local airline in the Spanish territory with 44 destinations in 15 countries.
• Copa Airlines – Its hub is Panama, with 41 destinations serving 22 countries.
• Kenya Airways – The airline of choice in Africa, with 42 destinations in 34 countries.

Oneworld Alliance

• American Airlines – The biggest airline in the world leading to over 250 destinations worldwide.
• British Airways – Based in London Heathrow with 175 destinations in 80 countries.
• Cathay Pacific – One of the premium carriers in Asia with destinations to 115 hubs in 36 countries.
• Finnair – Finland’s air carrier, reaching 60 destinations in 30 countries worldwide.
• Iberia Air – This Spanish flag carrier offers flights to 105 cities in over 40 countries.
• Japan Airlines – The largest airline in the Asia Pacific Region with operations in 90 destinations in 25 countries.
• LAN Alliance – The merged service for Ecuador, Argentina, Chile and Peru, which serves 60 destinations in 20 countries in Latin America and the world.
• Malev – The Hungarian flag carrier serves 50 destinations in 37 countries throughout Europe.
• Qantas – The Australian airline and covers 85 destinations in 40 countries through its long distance carrier service.
• Royal Jordanian – The national carrier of Jordan and one of the best services in the Middle East, with 50 destinations in 30 countries worldwide.

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How to Get the Best Seat On the Plane

If you are planning to go on tour or are required to fly for business, then finding the best seat on the plane is a must. Admittedly or not, flying is still one of the most feared activities you need to undergo when traveling. However, amenities are available when flying that can make you comfortable, especially when you are flying international.

The Hierarchy of Seats

Cost determines the level of comfort and convenience when traveling. The most expensive seats are in first class, followed by business class and then coach. In first class, you often get seats with wide berths and lots of legroom, along with being pampered with a cabin crew at your beck and call. Business class offers a similar package, though with smaller seating berths and legroom to accommodate more business class travelers. The general population is in coach or economy class, where choice seats on the plane become a premium, and are sought after by many passengers.

Finding the best seat on the plane

Getting the best seat on the plane is a matter of choice. Although your comfort while traveling is of primary importance, you need not be at the mercy of the booking agent or the reservations clerk regarding where you will sit. Here are some guidelines in getting the best seat on the plane to improve your comfort and convenience as you travel.

• Take a seat near the front of the plane. This area feels the least amount of turbulence, aside from the fact that you get your meal first. Sitting up front also allows you to exit the plane first and go through security and/or customs ahead of everyone.
• Seat type depends on the kind of traveler. Business people tend to prefer aisle seats so they can deplane much easier. A tourist may prefer a window seat to see the sights.
• The exit row seats are not always comfortable seats. In many planes, like the Airbus 380 and Boeing 737, the seats in the first two rows do not fully recline because passengers need to move quickly to the exit ramp.
• Seats at the back of the plane are often more cramped, as the fuselage tapers toward the rear of the plane. Often, the difference in width between front seats and back seats can be as much as an inch. The overhead bins at the back of the plane are often reserved for the crew's equipment.
• Aisle seats in the bulkhead are said to be better. These seats have more legroom and you won’t disturb others when you move about. However, these prime seats are hard to come by and you often need to pay extra or have earned quite a number of frequent flyer miles to be able to get one of them.
• Another tip is to be nice to the flight attendant. If you are nice to the cabin crew, you can get dibs on open seats if you want your family or travel companions seated together.

Traveling need not be a sudden decision. You can plan around your vacation while also planning your airline experience. If you are thinking long term, here are the top ten ways to get the best airplane seats for your future travel.

1. Sign up for a frequent flier program.

Accumulating your frequent flyer miles and using them at the time of your reservation is good leverage for you in getting a good seat on the plane. You can even do this at check-in to get the best possible seat.

2. Purchase your tickets early.

As the departure date nears, the number of available seats dwindles. Purchasing your ticket weeks in advance can get you the best seat on the plane. If you are unable to do this, do get to the airport early so that you can have the first pick of seats on the plane.

3. Better seats mean paying more.

Some airlines offer more legroom for coach class seats at a premium. Some even charge as much as $20 for an exit row seat with 38 inches of legroom. On other airlines, you can use your frequent flyer miles to pay for this privilege.

4. Booking online provides options for seats.

Most airlines allow you to choose your seat when you purchase your tickets, or at a later date. Some Web sites offer this service for free but others require a token fee. You also need to confirm your seat at check-in to avoid any misunderstandings later.

5. Checking in early ensures that you get your seat of choice.

If you arrive late, not only will you lose your seating privilege, you may even miss your flight altogether.

6. It doesn’t hurt to ask if new seats have opened up.

Usually, when passengers upgrade to business class or fail to show up, their seats are up for grabs. Asking may get you in for these choice seats.

7. Being specific helps.

Knowing the exact seat that you want can get you the seat of your choice. If you aren’t specific in your seat preference, you may encounter trouble with subjectivity.

8. Coordinate with your agent.

Accommodations can be arranged if you have a medical condition needing special concessions.

9. Using a polite approach also helps you get your way.

Airline staff are people, too. Speaking to them in an even and polite tone may get you on their good side and you may be able to pull a favor or two from them.

10. Be patient.

You are but one of many passengers on a flight, especially at peak season. Extending your patience quite a bit during all of the security checks and hassles can help alleviate the crush and make your flight a convenience instead of a headache.

As you can see, traveling by air is still something you can have control over. By following the guidelines and tips above, you can find the most comfortable and roomiest seat on the airplane.

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Using Official Airline Route Maps

Seeing the world has become much easier with developments in modes of travel, especially airline route maps that have been made available. This, together with an explosion in disposable income and longer paid time off, vacations for rest and relaxation are one of the largest industries in the world. As there is a whole world out there to see, finding tools to help in navigation has become a premium item for the itinerant traveler. Airline route maps have become indispensable items for the modern explorer in the jet age.

The jet age has provided more options and means to get from one country to another. However, the myriad of choices makes making decisions quite dizzying and confusing – and long layovers frazzle and fray travelers. Flight costs are also a matter for consideration when traveling, as direct flights are much more expensive and more popular compared with connecting flights through other destinations. Therefore, to be able to get through the maze of transoceanic travel, airline route maps help you make your way to your perfect vacation.

The Airlines and their Route Maps

To help you with planning your airline travel itinerary, here are a few airlines and their route maps for your convenience.

American Airlines covers many destinations in Asia. There are direct flights from the United States, particularly San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York to China, Hong Kong, Taipei, Bangkok, and Cambodia. There are domestic flights to numerous cities throughout the United States and to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Europe.

Continental Airlines flies out of the hubs of Los Angeles, Houston, New York, Las Vegas, Denver, Cleveland, and Orlando to many international destinations like China, six international airports, Hong Kong, nine airports in Japan, eight airports in Micronesia including Guam, the Philippines, and Australia.
• Delta Airlines flies direct out of New York, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City to numerous destinations in Asia and Europe. The airline services Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and China, with only time difference as the problem.
• Aside from its domestic flight service, Northwest Airlines flies out of Los Angeles and New York direct to three airports in China, two airports to South Korea, three airports in Japan, Taipei, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Bangkok in Thailand, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Manila in the Philippines, Singapore, and the Polynesian Islands of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam.
• United Airlines has the most presence in Asia, with fourteen direct destinations to China and Hong Kong, eight routes to Japan, two routes to Thailand, two routes to Malaysia, and destinations to Vietnam, Singapore and Taiwan. The airline flies out of the major airports in Los Angeles, Houston, and New York. It also has the most destinations locally.

The Other Airlines to the United States

• All Nippon Airways flies direct out of Japan to ten destinations in China, and to Hong Kong SAR and Taipei, Taiwan. Other direct destinations of ANA are to Bangkok in Thailand, Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, and Seoul in South Korea. From Japan, ANA does direct flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Washington DC.
• Cathay Pacific AirlinesCathay Pacific also has wide airline route coverage, with fourteen direct flights to Japan, five direct flights to Japan, twice to Thailand, thrice to Malaysia, and twice to the Philippines from its Hong Kong hub. From Asia, the airline flies direct to twenty destinations in the continental United States.
• China Airlines’ international hub is Taiwan, flying out of Taipei and Kaoshiung. It has direct flights to Hong Kong, three direct flights to Thailand, four to Vietnam, three to the Philippines, two to Thailand, two to Malaysia, two to Indonesia, and one to Singapore. From Taipei, China Airlines flies to Tokyo, Honolulu, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Seattle.
• EVA Air is based in Taiwan and has direct flights to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bali. It also flies direct to six different airports in Japan. It also flies direct trans Pacific, with destinations of Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.
• Japan Airlines flies to and from its hub in Tokyo to select cities in Asia and the United States. The airline flies direct to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Dallas Fort Worth. In Asia, Japan Airlines flies to Seoul, Chenyang, Beijing, Xian, Guangzhou, Kaoshiung, Hano, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Bali, and Guam.
• Korean Airlines flies direct to ten destinations in the United States, most to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, and New York. In the Asia Pacific Rim, Korean Airlines flies direct to Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mainland China.
• Singapore Airlines flies direct to Manila, Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Taipei, Seoul, Fukuoka, Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo. Singapore Airlines also flies direct to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, and New York.
• Thai Airlines is one of the best airline services in the world. The airline flies direct from Bangkok to six locations in China, Hong Kong, two airports in Indonesia, four to Japan, two to South Korea, two to Malaysia, and one direct flight to Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Finding direct flights with these airlines helps avoid stress while you travel. You avoid running the halls of the airport, trying to reach the gate of your connecting flight or twiddling your thumbs passing the time on many layovers. Direct flights cost a little more but they ensure that you and your luggage are together in the same airport when you arrive. You can avail of these benefits by working with your travel agent or going online to find the best airline route for your travel needs.

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Important Steps to Take When Flying with Children

Flying with your children can be either a great family adventure or a miserable and disappointing experience for the whole family. Of course, preparation is key to avoid a miserable and disappointing holiday with your children. To help you free your trip from misery, here are some important steps that you can take when flying with children.

1. Before you leave:

• Traveling and flying with children is more stressful when more people are around. If possible, book your flights for less-crowded and off-peak travel times: at midday or in the evening on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays.
• Make sure that you have plenty of entertainment for your flight, including snacks and drinks and children’s activities. Pack activities such as activity/coloring books, playing cards, travel-sized board games, and CD players.
• Get your child ready for the trip. Tell him or her how to behave and what to expect at the airport and while on the plane.

2. In the airport:

• Allot extra time for airport transactions. Remember, everything takes longer when traveling with children.
• Make sure that you give your child some basic safety rules, such as what he or she should do in case you become separated.
• Since kids are impatient by nature, give your child some “airport allowance.” Visiting different shops or stopping by a snack stall can keep children busy for extended periods.
• Even if a child tether is not appealing to you, consider using one while you are in the airport. Remember, checking in and claiming your luggage can be distracting at times and you cannot avoid situations that you may have to let go of your kid’s hand.

3. On the Plane:

• Take-offs and landings can be very uncomfortable for children and painful for their little ears. This is one reason why flying with children can be very difficult. To avoid this, take ear filters with you. Ear filters shield the eardrums from rapidly changing air pressure. You may also ask your child to swallow or drink beverages, chew gum, or eat hard candy to keep him or her comfortable during take-off or landing.
• To maximize entertainment value while flying with your children, bring your child’s toys out one at a time, and remember to put away the first toy before introducing the next.
• Give your child the seat beside the window and he or she will surely find the view fascinating.
• Remember that not all passengers understand the joy of children. To prevent your child from making noise, keep him or her entertained. You may also choose to sit in the back of the plane, where engine noise can muffle your child’s piping voice.
Safety Note When Flying with Children
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly imposes a policy that smaller children must sit in a Child Restraint System (CRS) or a child’s car booster or seat. Here are the weight guidelines regarding safety seats for children:
• A rear-facing car seat must be used for babies weighing less than 20 lbs.
• A forward-facing car booster must be used for children weighing 20–40 lbs.
• The airplane seat belt must be used for children weighing more than 40 lbs.

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Guide To Booking The Best Airline Seats

Picture this: You spent so much time finding the right perfect bargain for your flight, but as you walk on the plane on the day of your trip you end up in a seat that you don’t like. The seat is so rotten that even your success in bargaining for the price of the plane tickets can not make up for the fact that you are destined to a seat that you are not comfortable with.

Preference based on what is important to you as a passenger plays a vital role in determining where the best or worst seat is. Other factors include quick exits, leg room, and peace and smoothness on the whole trip. Many passengers dislike taking a seat in the middle of the plane because of its proximity to the bathroom.

So what are the seats that most people consider ideal? Aisle seats, windows seats, exit row seats, and seats located closer to the front of the plane are usually taken, since those are where most people prefer to seat. Different people have different reasons for choosing such seats. For short business trips, people may want to take aisle seats. For international flights, window seats are preferred since they are ideal for resting your head the moment the long hours of the trip takes its toll on you. For people who have trouble dealing with turbulence, seats positioned over the plane's wings are generally preferred.

In order to book the best airline seats, one needs to carefully research what the possible options are before finalizing the booking. There are many online tools designed to provide travelers with important information regarding seats before they make a final decision. Several booking search engines on the web provide a list of flight options, aircraft that all airline companies use for various flights, and seats available in these flights. Be sure to take some time in examining all this information, as it can have a big impact on your travel. Most of the time seat selection while booking is free of charge; however, some airline companies charge for seat selection per person on a one-way trip if the tickets are on sale or promo fares.

If you want to end up at a seat that suits your needs best, try to look beyond the price. While the cost of the ticket may be your primary concern, getting cheaper tickets may not be worth the trade off if you’re uncomfortable. If you are a traveler who wants to start relaxing early, it is best to spend a little for yourself. If you want better value, better services, and better seats, you need to consider spending an extra dollar in order to get that.

If you are a frequent flyer, there is a good chance you can have the best seat in the airplane. Loyalty pays, so if you are flying frequently using primarily one airline company, the staff will recognize you as a valued customers; as such, you’ll often end up getting a little bit of VIP treatment and will have a better chance of getting into the seat that you like best.

Another way to book the perfect airline seat is to buy your plane ticket early. As the travel date draws nearer, the number of available seat assignment dwindles. Buying your ticket at least three weeks in advance is the best way to go. If that is not possible, be sure to check seat maps of your flight online. Remember to get to the airport earlier than usual so you can find out if online check-in is available.

Make it a point to confirm your seat the moment you check in. A lot of airline companies give their passengers the opportunity to do so using the Internet 24 hours before the actual flight departs. At this point, you have the ability to confirm the seat that you have chosen. If there are available seats, you can even pick the better ones as long if they are vacant.

If you are in doubt, do not hesitate to ask. The moment you reach your designated gate, feel free to ask whether new seats are open. A seat becomes vacant the moment a passenger decides to upgrade to business class or does not show up for the flight, so go ahead and try your luck. Request to change seat the moment that an upgrade occurs.

Try to be specific about your preferences. If you know exactly where you want to be seated, tell the agent. Do not give out vague instructions. If it’s 12A that you want, ask if 12A is available. By being straight to the point, you have a better chance of getting exactly what you want. For people who have medical and health issues, let the airline staff know about your current status. Telling them about your condition means they will likely exert extra effort in accommodating you. Be sure to approach the agents in a polite manner. Bear in mind that these people are trained to handle complaints and demands. They answer not only to your needs but to others as well.

If all else fails, consider getting an elite status on an airline. It is a common practice among Airline Company to give their elite customers a chance to pre-book the seat of their choice. If you fly frequently and think you will fly enough miles every year in order to qualify for elite status, go ahead obtain a membership.

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US Airways 767 Flying Over Italy (PHL-VCE)

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US AIRWAYS - MADRID - PHILADELPHIA (BIZ CLASS)

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Introducing the Envoy Suite from US Airways

Remarkably comfortable, peaceful and private, the Envoy Suite will redefine the way you travel internationally. Every fully adjustable seat reclines into a comfortable lie-flat bed and each Suite h...

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American Airlines raises checked bags fee

checked-luggageAmerican Airlines is the latest airline to raise its checked bag fees, putting it in the same class as other carriers that introduced increased fees earlier this month. The new checked bags fees for American Airlines passengers will go into effect on airline tickets purchased after Feb. 1.

The first checked bag will now be $25 (up from $20) on flights in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. A second checked bag will cost $35 (up from $30). First- and business-class travelers, and members of the armed services, will be exempt from checked bag fees.

The fees apply to passengers on all flights within the company -- American Airlines, American Eagle and American Connection.

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American Airlines to lay off 175 pilots, possibly more

american-airlines-tailAmerican Airlines will lay off 175 pilots and could furlough more, the airliner confirmed.

In a prepared statement, American said, "The impact of the economy and reduction in capacity over the last 18 months, coupled with lower than expected pilot attrition, has resulted in a pilot surplus. This was a painful but necessary decision, as this staffing adjustment will better align the size of our pilot organization with the size of our current operation."

The furloughs will take place in two parts and will start with the layoff of around 80 pilots in March. The Allied Pilots Association, which represents about 11,000 American Airlines pilots, said the furlough will impact the least-senior pilots first, however, more senior pilots might choose to take a voluntary leave of absence, which would prevent junior pilots from being furloughed.

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British Airways, Iberia and American work on antitrust dispute with the EU

British AirwaysBritish Airways, American Airlines, and Iberia are negotiating with the European Union to settle an anti-trust dispute. The three airlines want to establish more of a joint venture – sharing revenue, schedules, and marketing -- but the European Union is hesitant to get on board, since the scheme may eliminate competition on some trans-Atlantic routes.

British Airways and American have tried twice in the past decade to combine efforts, but the EU would only grant them permission if they agreed to give up slots at Heathrow, and the deal never came to fruition. Now, joined by Iberia, they’re trying again.

The EU doesn’t want these three airlines to stifle competition for airline tickets, and would like them to reassess their schedules and surrender some take-off and landing slots in order to even the playing field with other alliances. If the two parties can agree on the proposal, the airlines will be able to avoid cartel fine, which can amount to 10 percent of global revenue.

Right now, the airlines coordinate how they sell and operate flights between Europe and the United States, and they want to expand their alliance to manage capacity and pricing as well, for flights to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Norway, and Switzerland, according to USA Today.

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FAA faults American Eagle $2.5 million for misinformation

AmericanThe Federal Aviation Administration is charging American Eagle $2.5 million for not ensuring that weight records were accurate on each plane on dozens of flights in the past two years.

When the crew of an airplane has incorrect information about the amount of weight in the cargo area, it affects how the pilot will gauge its take-off and landing procedures. A certain weight calls for the appropriate speed, and without accurate information, ascension can be difficult, according to USA Today.

The airline – a sister of American Airlines - has 30 days to respond to the charge, and is being accused of misinforming its crews on 154 flights since Jan 2008.

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Oneworld partners granted immunity to form global alliance

american-airlinesThe U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) gave its tentative approval to grant antitrust immunity to oneworld partners to form a global alliance. The airlines - American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia Airlines, Finnair, and Royal Jordanian Airlines - filed for alliance in an effort to build a flight system that would allow international operations in global markets.

According to an American Airlines press statement, the benefits of the oneworld alliance would be cheap flights on more routes, increased services, better schedules and reduced travel and connection times.

However, the pending alliance didn't sit well with other airlines. Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group has been vocal in his disagreement of this global alliance, saying it would harm harm the healthy competition airlines need to create a fair marketplace for consumers.

Reuters news service says BA, Iberia and American Airlines have offered to modify their plans and review their slots at London Heathrow Airport in an effort to share more of their transatlantic routes and settle a competition dispute.

Interested parties have 45 days to object and answers to objections will take a further 15 days.

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Lufthansa strike cuts 800 flights

LufthansaFour thousand Lufthansa pilots began a four-day walkout strike in response to potential loss of job security today. The strike is thought to affect approximately 10,000 passengers worldwide, and the German airline has already cancelled 800 flights.

In terms of sales, Lufthansa is Europe’s biggest airline, and is known for both its long-haul trans-Atlantic flights and its shorter, widespread domestic routes. It usually runs 1,800 flights each day.

Estimated to cost the airline $34 million per day, the strike also includes efforts by Lufthansa Cargo and Germanwings.

Currently, Lufthansa is trying to rebook travelers on partner airlines or on trains. If a passenger is unable to reschedule, they are fully reimbursed for the flight.

Keep checking our News Blog for updates on the Lufthansa strike.

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J.D. Power ranks top U.S. airports

Detroit AirportMuch like the Zagat survey results that were posted in November, that highlighted small airlines in customer satisfaction, J.D. Power and Associates have polled 12,000 travelers for the best airports. Smaller airports consistently took the lead in approval.

Three airports in the Midwest ranked highest. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County won best large airport, Kansas City International snagged the title for best midsized airport, and the Indianapolis International Airport won best small airport, and also best overall customer satisfaction this year.

Results were based on six factors: accessibility, check-in, baggage check-in, baggage claim, terminal facilities, security check, food and retail. The results also show that the biggest priorities for traveler happiness in an airport revolve around baggage deliver, ease of check-in, comfort in terminals, and rapid security.

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