Don't go bottom fishing for airline tickets. Cheap seats are often cheap for a reason, they are less comfortable and include nothing.
Your favorite airline, should be the one that has the largest number of flights in and out of your primary airport. Poo happens, and when it does that airline will have the most capacity to get you out or get you home.
You probably don't want to book basic economy. You want to be able to select a seat and check a bag without paying extra. Seats matter, no one looks forward to sitting in the middle seat, unless you are wedged between two hot lovers. I prefer a window seat on the right side, or an aisle seat on the left.
Check a bag - ALWAYS. Unless you are going out and coming back the same day, check a bag. I have free checked bags on my two most used airlines as a credit card perk. Yes I pay a fee for those credit cards, but if I fly one flight a year with free checked bags, it more than saves me the fee. And I get earlier boarding. Carry on bags are always a hassle, on every flight you worry about overhead space, you have addition stress at security - is your toothpaste tube too large? When you check a bag you don't have those worries.
Get to the airport early. Two to three hours before flight time. This gives you plenty of time to check in, check that bag, and clear security. Once you are through security, release the stress.
In the USA, sign up for TSA Pre-Check, if you travel internationally sign up for Global Entry - it includes Pre-Check and gets you the express lane at customs and immigration. The security screening is simpler. It is less stressful.
Learn to enjoy airports. Airports are a great place to walk, to people watch, and read. Don't stress over a couple of hours in an airport, have breakfast or lunch and relax.
If you can afford it, book business class, or first class. I don't do this often, but if it is $50 or $100 more each way, I will. On international flights I have paid $250 extra, and it was so nice. The seats are bigger, the food is better, the service is better, you board earlier, there is more overhead bin space. It is less stressful.
In major airports, avoid any connection that is less than an hour long. It often takes 15 minutes to get off the plane, 15 minutes to sprint through the airport, and the boarding closes 15 minutes before departure time, all of sudden a 45 minute connection time becomes a missed or nearly missed flight. At a minimum you want 5 minutes to stop and pee. I just suffered through a 45 minute connection in Atlanta, fortunately the connecting flight was delayed 10 minutes and was still boarding when we arrived.
All sound advice, most of which I use ... I rarely check a bag but then I travel light most of the time.
ReplyDeleteI have my own version of not waiting in line and his name is Carlos. With his vision difficulties we get on planes first and always are offered to skip the TSA lines.
I should call him Pre-Check.
Sometimes I think about carrying the folding cane.
DeleteSome thoughtful advice here. I very much agree with you about giving yourself plenty of time.
ReplyDeleteRushing through airports is no fun.
DeleteI fly American once a year to Houston to visit my middle son and his family. I always get to the airport early but I bring a carryon because I don't need much. Your advice sounds good for busy travelers!
ReplyDeleteIt should be a nice direct flight.
DeleteI rarely check a bag anymore. My bag is so small it's no big deal. Even when I was 16 nights in London last year, I still only had that small bag. I'm a pretty minimalist packer.
ReplyDeleteWith the exception of when I am flying out for a cruise, I only carry on a small personal item.
DeleteAll good advice. And I always check my bags. I hate carrying anything and like you said one more thing to stress you out and make worry.
ReplyDeleteI never have understood the fetish for carry on bags.
DeleteAgree with your points about the legacy carriers. Also, when one has a choice, book for an earlier/middle of the day flight on an airline that has fairly frequent service. That way if everything goes to heck in a hand basket, there may be a possibility of the 'next flight'. If something goes wrong and the service is only once a day, you are screwed. All of a sudden that bargain fare is going to cost you a lot more.
ReplyDeleteSince WN started charging for checked bags, I've started taking the train. It is a longer day, but less stressful.
Will Jay
Trains work well here from DC to NYC.
DeleteUgh. Easy Jet. $30 from Amsterdam to London was not worth the price. I'd have rather walked.
ReplyDeleteI can understand that. I have taken a ferry across the channel. .
DeleteOne thing I always want to go in a bar at an airport.
ReplyDeleteIf you can afford better seats, it will change your entire experience. But so many people can’t afford anything more than basic economy and that has gotten so much worse over the years.
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