A form of travel in vehicles such as airplanes, helicopters and so on.
34
votes
9answers
1k views
How can I do a “broad” search for flights?
Several airline and trip planning sites will allow you to check "I am flexible with my dates" or a similar option. Is there any way to also search more broadly for location?
For example, if you ...
56
votes
6answers
23k views
Flight tickets: buy two weeks before even during holiday seasons?
There is a common story that airline ticket prices rise significantly if you buy them less than two weeks before departure. And that any time before that will yield standard prices.
Is that advice ...
12
votes
2answers
16k views
Do I need a US visa to change planes in an American airport?
In Europe usually you don't need to go through immigration to change planes (unless you are entering/exiting Schengen). Is it the case in the US as well? May I catch a connecting flight on one of the ...
15
votes
1answer
307 views
Where can I find and book plane tickets on date not on destination?
I have a holiday coming up and I would like to travel with the family somewhere. I have specific wishes regarding departure and arrival times, but the destination is less relevant. Where can I search ...
21
votes
6answers
5k views
Do you have to take the second leg of a flight?
Say I want to book a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago. Say the airline also flies to St. Louis from Fort Launderdale but has a connecting flight through Chicago. If I book that flights from ...
43
votes
6answers
1k views
How can I avoid or minimize jet lag?
From my personal anecdotal experience, I've found it worse when travelling east around the globe. I also tend to stay awake most if not all of the flight, so sleeping time doesn't tend to matter as ...
26
votes
4answers
830 views
What should I know about “Around The World” flights?
I have heard rumours of such things, and have had a difficult time find information on "around the world" flights. Are they worth it (do you have a limit between usage, do you save money.. etc.) and ...
32
votes
12answers
2k views
What techniques, tricks or otherwise have you used to get upgrades on flights?
I've travelled a lot. Living in New Zealand or the UK means anywhere is likely a flight, but I've always flown economy. Twice between LA and Auckland I managed to get the exit row after talking ...
12
votes
6answers
1k views
One-way versus return airfare tickets
It seems like one-way tickets are always more expensive than buying round-trip. But what if I have two destinations? For example I would like to go on the following itinerary this March:
London ...
16
votes
5answers
5k views
What is the minimum time to consider with a connecting flight in the USA?
Given the extensive time taken for immigration formalities in the US, what is the shortest time to consider between connecting flights in the US, when coming from abroad?
Until now I have always ...
8
votes
2answers
8k views
Flying with a desktop computer (as checked luggage)
On an upcoming trip, I will be taking a desktop computer and monitor as checked luggage (on a United/Continental flight). What should I be aware of when doing this? What needs to be done to properly ...
18
votes
1answer
884 views
How can I travel to Germany with my dog?
I will be traveling to Germany (from the USA) in a few months and hope to bring my dog, a 10 lb Chihuahua-mix. I would like to do this with a minimum of difficulty, so I am hoping to hear the ...
15
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the connecting time to consider for International to International Transfers in US Airports?
There is a question on "the minimum time to consider with a connecting flight in the USA". In one answer it is said that "international to domestic transfers are always terrible and should be avoided ...
13
votes
3answers
725 views
Avoiding air travel sickness without Dramamine/Dimenhydrinate or other drugs
My wife is very prone to motion sickness, especially on air flights. In the past we've handled this with Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate), which helped quite a bit.
Unfortunately, my wife's reaction to ...
10
votes
2answers
888 views
What are the “rules” for multi-city flights?
As I understand things, airlines generally give discounts for round-trips that consist of a flight from A to B followed by a flight from B to A. How does this logic work for multi-city flights? As ...
7
votes
2answers
616 views
Flight with stopover: How to find a similar flight but with 1-week stopover?
Using some website, the cheapest Tokyo→Paris flight has a 5-hours stopover in Dubai.
I would like to make this stopover 7-days, so that I can visit around that place too.
I can't express this ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Is 50 minutes enough time to transfer between Terminal A and C at Newark (EWR)?
We'll be arriving at Newark airport (with two kids under 7) at Terminal A and our flight connection is in Terminal C. Is that enough time to catch the connecting flight?
Update: both flights are on ...
18
votes
2answers
2k views
What are some tricks you use to buy cheap airline tickets in Europe?
I have been flying with Wizzair, Ryanair and Easyjet for some time already and have found that there is really a lot to be learned about how to achieve the lowest prices. It was not uncommon for me to ...
29
votes
5answers
9k views
When to book tickets from travel sites rather than airline sites?
When booking plane tickets, I generally buy directly from the airline's website (as it is often the lowest or near-lowest price for the destinations I travel between). However, I know there are many ...
8
votes
5answers
266 views
Flight deals from the UK
Can someone recommend a good website with flight deals from London/UK, which I could subscribe to? I mean promotions in different airlines, e.g. bmi used to have a bmifriday promotion (not sure if its ...
18
votes
7answers
911 views
Is there any trick to checking in more weight on planes?
I soon have to move from France to Spain, one way no coming back. And as with most of the airlines carriers in Europe I am allowed at 23Kg checked-in and 10Kg on board with me. Packing lifetime stuff ...
9
votes
4answers
1k views
What is the LONGEST passenger flight (with a flight number) in the world?
For example, JQ151 from Sydney to Christchurch is around 3 hours. NZ1 however, is about another 7 to Hong Kong.
Will need a regular flight number to verify.
Definition is longest in terms of flight ...
5
votes
2answers
351 views
Is there any website or app to lookup flight paths?
Is there any website or mobile phone app that allows me to look up the flight path, given a specific flight number? (I'm thinking 'SeatGuru for flight paths' here.)
PS - I do know flight paths can ...
19
votes
6answers
12k views
Best way to make my ears pop?
What is the best way to make my ears pop when landing on a plane? The hold-your-nose-and-pitch method is very painful; are there any other methods to pop ears?
18
votes
7answers
583 views
How can you protect a fragile object like bottle of champagne in your baggage against breaking?
I tend to bring something quite fragile with me as cabin luggage. On my next journey I want to bring a special bottle of champagne (because of sentimental reasons). Unfortunately you can't bring a ...
18
votes
3answers
652 views
How can I protect camera equipment in checked baggage?
While I usually take my camera equipment in a carry-on when I fly (within the US), that's not always an option (small plane where no carry-on other than my purse is allowed, travelling with too much ...
15
votes
2answers
663 views
I need to fly today, where can I search for options?
A friend of mine needs to fly today. All typical aggregated booking sites don't allow searching for today. Anyone know where it is possible?
11
votes
3answers
487 views
Why do return flight costs vary depending on the country of origin?
I had planned for my wife, daughters and I to take a holiday from our home in China to the UK for a few weeks in July. Usually, when people visit us in China from the UK, the cost is around £450 to ...
9
votes
2answers
405 views
Travelling to Brazil without return ticket
Last year I was flying to Brazil with Condor. I don't need a visa, if I stay in Brazil below 90 days (regardless if tourism or business).
The check-in clerk asked me about visa or return ticket. I ...
13
votes
4answers
3k views
In the context of air travel, are layovers different to stopovers?
In a recent question somebody asked about a layover without mentioning how long the stop would be, thus implying it might perhaps be understood whether layover generally refers to a stop not requiring ...
13
votes
2answers
269 views
How can I get a flight with a supersonic plane?
My dream is to fly with a supersonic plane. Since the Concorde is no longer active, I don't think it is possible to do this with a regular plane. So how can I get onto board of a supersonic plane? ...
12
votes
7answers
732 views
Additional cabin handbag on flights
It's quite common, that in addition to cabin size hand baggage you can take also smaller bag like handbag or small laptop case to the plane. I'm interested in knowing if someone hasn't been allowed to ...
12
votes
2answers
1k views
What does a technical stop mean in air travel?
When I look at my flight itinerary, it says that the flight includes a technical stop. What does that mean compared to a layover?
12
votes
2answers
2k views
Flying UK to Canada via USA. Do I need to apply for ESTA?
I'm going to fly from the UK to Canada via EWR (Newark Liberty International Airport). Do I need to apply for a Visa Waiver through the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)?
10
votes
3answers
395 views
Are there any tricks to book multi-city international flights?
Generally, multi-city air fares are much higher than round trip fares. Let's say I'm getting these flights (A->B->C->B->A) and I am staying in first B and C. It is actually a round trip with ...
7
votes
2answers
503 views
Changing planes at Frankfurt
I am planning a trip to Rome, Italy from Bangalore, India.
Looking at the flight tickets, it will be 30% cheaper for me to book the Bangalore-Frankfurt and Frankfurt-Rome legs separately rather than ...
6
votes
2answers
378 views
Which airlines fly from Ulaanbaatar / Ulan Bator?
Looking at getting back to London from Ulaanbaatar (Ulan Bator), Mongolia in mid August, and trying to reduce the price. What airlines or crazy routes might exist?
Currently have found Aeroflot, ...
5
votes
2answers
352 views
What is overbooking (of flights), and why do airlines all seem to do it? [closed]
I know that they want to "fill every seat."
If you take this LITERALLY, then you'd want to overbook, because of the statistical percentage of "no shows." That, of course, leads to "bumping" when more ...
5
votes
4answers
150 views
Is there a web-application that provides the ability for interested people on the ground to “stalk” a flight?
I am about to emigrate to Australia. There are a number of people interested in tracking the status of my transit across the pacific.
Is there an online application that will serve to highlight the ...
2
votes
1answer
244 views
Consequence of not showing up for one leg of journey [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Do you have to take the second leg of a flight?
Recently i booked a flight using my points.
I am planning to fly to Seattle WA from Indianapolis Indiana. Stop over is ...
30
votes
7answers
2k views
What is the most comfortable way to sleep on a plane?
Some people have the amazing ability to doze off whenever and wherever they are. For the rest of us, sleeping on planes is a constant battle of trying to get comfortable in a cramped space. There are ...
13
votes
3answers
1k views
Last minute flight bookings - better to book online or at the airport?
We had a question here earlier on booking flight tickets in the weeks running up to holiday season, which covered ground on what happens to flight prices over the period.
What I'm interested to know ...
10
votes
5answers
1k views
Shoes for long flight
Does anyone have recommendations for great shoes for a long flight? I usually wear running shoes, but my feet often get very uncomfortable after a few hours.
20
votes
4answers
2k views
What is the most efficient way to pack a bag?
On trips of four days or less, I try to travel with a shoulder bag containing my laptop, electronics, etc. and a rolling, carry-on bag for everything else.
What is the best technique for packing as ...
17
votes
3answers
5k views
Does the rotation of the earth affect the travel time from Europe to Australia?
Assuming that a place in Europe is exactly on the opposite side of the earth than Sydney. Now I want to take a plane to travel there. Does it matter if the plan flies with the rotation of the earth or ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
Benefits of checking in online when checking bags
What is the benefit of checking in online for a flight when you intend to check bags at the airport? I understand some airports have special lines for people that are already checked in but are ...
14
votes
2answers
320 views
Trick to breaking down air routes
For example, last year I was looking at Bogota, Colombia to LON. This was quite pricey, but it turned out if I bought separate tickets - Bogota to Orlando, Florida, and then an Air Berlin flight to ...
11
votes
2answers
12k views
Which airlines provide free stopovers?
I have heard that British Airways provides free stopover in London i.e. a flight by British Airways via London costs the same as two separate flights from departure city to London and from London to ...
11
votes
3answers
1k views
How can I fly with a guitar?
During my upcoming holiday to the USA I'm thinking about buying a new guitar as the exchange rate is extremely favorable. Excuse my naivety but I have never flown with a guitar before. What is a ...
6
votes
3answers
350 views
Air New Zealand's policy on obese passengers
A friend had a rough experience from Honolulu to Auckland, as she describes below:
I was under the impression that they are required to purchase two
(economy) seats on flights or is that an old ...
