Get cheap airline tickets and avoid the crowds
The
Air Transport Association is predicting that 2006 will see record
numbers of passengers; especially during the summer season. With nearly
207 million passengers boarding commercial airplanes in the United
States this year, terminals are going to be crowded and people are going
to be crabby. Additionally, due to the rise in gas rises, which
especially affects airlines, the domestic capacity will be down this
summer, leaving fewer planes to carry more travelers. Don't let this
discourage you from traveling though; you just need to plan ahead.
Follow these few travel tips and you'll make airline travel less
stressful and make summer vacations moreenjoyable.
Booking your tickets: How to get cheap airline tickets and avoid the crowds
Trying to book airline tickets is always stressful. There are so many
things that need to be considered, especially the price. Just break down
the decisions into steps and the task will be less formidable. The more
flexible your travel plans are, the better deals you will get. First,
when are you traveling? The best deals can be found if you leave during
the week and stay through Saturday. Second, the time of day you leave is
almost as important. Often less popular times like early morning or
late night departure times will be less costly. Also, the airport will
be less crowded during the times and alsoduring the week.

If the
prices still are high, try looking at departing or arriving at different
airports. Sometimes neighboring airports will offer better deals. For
example if you are vacationing in
San Francisco, arriving in Oakland or San Jose may save you hundreds
of dollars. Additionally, if you are looking to save money, nonstop
flights can oftentimes be more expensive. If layovers are not too
bothersome, they can oftentimes save travelers money. The more you shop
around - the better deals you will find. Visit multiple airline ticket
sites like Priceline or Travelocity. Another great place to find cheap
airline tickets online is Studentuniverse.com. This Web site offers
cheap airline tickets for students and educators.
Picking the best seat
So, you've found the best deal out there, now you get to choose where
you are sitting -- this is one of most important airline travel tips.
The first decision is front, back or middle. If you are in a hurry or
have connecting flights that need to be made, a seat near the front of
the plane is your best choice. If you are traveling with children, the
bulkhead seats are a good choice because it allows for more legroom, but
these seats also do not have seats in front of you to store items
under. Children are not allowed to sit in the exit rows. So, if you want
to keep clear of children, the exit rows are a good choice to sit in.
They also have more legroom, but you are responsible for opening the
exits and assisting if there is an accident. If you get airsick or just
hate turbulence, the seats over the wings offer the smoothest ride for
airline travel. The last decision is window or aisle seat. If you want
to sleep the window seat allows you to lean against the side for comfier
snoozing. If you have large legs or have to get up and move a lot to
get things from your carry on bags, the aisle seat will be the best
choice to make airline travel more comfortable
Check-in: Airline travel tips
Once again, the crowds will be smaller during the earlier departure
times and during the week. However, to expediate the whole check-in
process there are several things you can do. First, if you have an
electronic ticket, make sure to have your confirmation number and you
may want to call ahead and confirm with the airline to avoid any last
minute problems. Departure delays and any other flight information can
be found on-line prior to leaving for the airport. To ensure you do not
miss your flight, arrive at the airport at least 1 ½ hours prior to
departure or earlier if it is a busy flying season like holidays.
Electronic check-in kiosks are the quickest; make sure you have a credit
card and your ID handy. If you have luggage that needs to be checked
in, make sure there is an attendant at the electronic check-in to do
that. One way to beat the check-in line is to use the curbside check-in
service. There usually are no lines outside. The only downside to
curbside check-in is if you're checking luggage that it may not get to
your destination as quick, and it is not available for international
travel. However, I have never had trouble with my luggage getting lost
with curbside check-in and it always saves me plenty of time.
The
second check point before boarding the plane is security. After
September 11, security has been enhanced, but if you know what to expect
you can breeze through the security without any problems. First, no
lighters, scissors or knives are allowed so don't bring them with. Most
airports will you require to take your shoes and belt off, before going
through the metal detector. Also, laptops need to be taken out of the
case and placed in their own receptacle. Have your ID and ticket ready
at all times, because it will be checked here as well. Once you're
through with security it's time to find your terminal. If you are
unfamiliar with the airport, it is beneficial to print a map off on-line
or at least look at it before departure.
No Elbow room: How to deal
With fewer planes and record numbers, planes are going to be crowded.
According to the Air Transport Association planes may be at as high as
85 percent capacity. So, when choosing your seat keep in mind that the
plane may be overcrowded. If you're sitting in the middle or window
seat, make sure that you have everything from your carry-on bag that you
will need so you do not have to get up frequently. There is nothing you
can do about bad airplane food, bad movies or the fact that you are
stuck in the middle seat next to a fat guy, with an annoying kid behind
you, so prepare for it all. Pack a snack or eat before you leave and
bring plenty of things to entertain yourself with. Earplugs always are
nice too, if you want to mask out the screams of small children. Most
importantly though, just remain calm and do not stress out, you are on
vacation.
Elvis has left the building After being
crammed on an airplane for hours, leaving the airport as quickly as
possible is most surely on your mind. Plan your exit travel plans before
leaving. Some hotels offer airport pick-up service, so when booking
your hotel ask if that option is offered and plan a pick-up place. Some
airlines also offer package deals with airline tickets, car rentals and
hotel reservations. If you're traveling with your family this is a great
deal, especially if you have lots of children and need a larger vehicle
to fit them all. The Transportation Security Administration said it is
expecting nearly 200 million air travelers nationwide between Memorial
Day and Labor Day, so in order to avoid the crowds as much as possible,
get cheap airline tickets and make travel less stressful, follow these
simple airline travel tips and you'll be on your way to fun.
Jillan Scheeler makes it easy to provide cheap airline tickets
and also provide the ways to avoid the crowd while traveling.To recieve
your free 4 part minicourse visit the cheap airline tickets website.