A form of travel in vehicles such as airplanes, helicopters and so on.
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 ...
55
votes
8answers
3k views
How to convince airport security that I am not dangerous when having metallic parts in my body?
I had an operation some time ago and now I have small screws in my shoulder which will not be removed anymore. When I decided to fly for vacation, I supposed that these will may bring me into trouble ...
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 ...
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 ...
33
votes
3answers
11k views
How big is “too big” for an airline seat? At what point will you be required to buy two tickets?
As I said in another question, I'm bringing my parents to visit me here in Sweden next year.
My mother is around 280-300 pounds and 5'6" (130-135kg, 1.67m). I am concerned that she might be asked at ...
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 ...
31
votes
3answers
3k views
What section of an airplane offers the smoothest ride?
I know in a bus, for instance, (well, at least on a school bus, when I traveled to out-of-town basketball games in high school) the farther back you are, the bumpier your ride tends to be. Is there a ...
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 ...
30
votes
3answers
1k views
Why do airplanes at every airport disembark at the left (port) side?
I travel by air a lot, and at virtually every airport I've ever been too, including where you disembark by stairs, as opposed to by jet bridge, the left-hand-doors are always used; and the ...
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 ...
28
votes
4answers
1k views
Can I take this on a plane?
I'm travelling to the UK in a couple of weeks to attend a wedding. While I'm away, I have a university assignment due, and I'm concerned that I might not be able to get it finished before I leave, ...
27
votes
6answers
1k views
Is it fair to buy a return ticket I know I will never use just because it's cheaper?
I am planning a trip to Asia and then back to Rio. The thing is that I am traveling on flexible dates, so I am thinking of buying a one way ticket to Hong Kong, and I was planning to do the same when ...
26
votes
4answers
836 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 ...
24
votes
4answers
2k views
Birth while traveling on-board an airplane
Yesterday, a friend of mine who works as a purser (chief flight attendant) helped a lady with delivering her baby during a flight to Manila, Philippines while over the ocean :)
I know that pregnant ...
23
votes
2answers
1k views
How to vomit during a flight?
Last time I travelled I wasn't feeling quite well just before boarding the plane. I either had eaten something wrong or a flu just appeared. The thought of having to vomit during the flight made me ...
23
votes
3answers
3k views
What do “Fragile” stickers on checked baggage do?
When traveling by air and checking bags, some airlines will let you declare an item as fragile and put stickers on the box or bag. How common is this policy? What do the fragile stickers do (i.e. how ...
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 ...
21
votes
2answers
812 views
What are the chances of success and the consequences of sneaking into business class?
I've read some people writing that they've seen people be caught sitting in First/Business class when they have economy class tickets. This was for international flights on big planes with several ...
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 ...
20
votes
4answers
1k views
What rights do passengers have when flights in the USA are delayed?
What rights do passengers on delayed flights in the USA have? In some countries, depending on the length and type of delay, passengers can receive a free phone call, meal ticket, lodging, booking on ...
19
votes
6answers
13k 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?
19
votes
3answers
966 views
What is the SHORTEST commercial passenger flight (with a flight number) in the world?
With the occasional debate about Oxford airport in the UK becoming a new London airport, and hearing of a flight that once landed at Heathrow due to fog, then flew on to Gatwick, I was wondering - ...
18
votes
7answers
914 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 ...
18
votes
7answers
594 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
657 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 ...
18
votes
2answers
1k views
What (if any) regularly scheduled airline flights pass over Antarctica?
We were just discussing at lunch if there are any such flights.
18
votes
2answers
3k 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 ...
18
votes
1answer
892 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 ...
17
votes
7answers
2k views
Using an Amazon Kindle onboard a flight?
Airlines don't let you use electronic devices when the plane is taking off/landing. Let's suppose I have a Kindle 3, and I have turned off wireless (i.e. both Wifi and GSM/3G is off).
Since you ...
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 ...
17
votes
4answers
903 views
Why did my flights make unscheduled fuel stops?
On 2 occasions about 20 years ago my trans-Atlantic flights made unscheduled fuel stops. Once from NY to Europe (Geneva IIRC), it stopped in Shannon, Ireland and once from Europe (Brussels IIRC) to ...
17
votes
3answers
5k views
What does “SSSS” on my boarding pass mean?
When I checked in for my American Airlines flight from Costa Rica back to the States, I noticed that my boarding pass had "SSSS" printed across the top left corner.
Nobody else in my party had this ...
17
votes
4answers
1k views
Can I drink stuff bought in duty-free shops onboard a plane?
I have to go into a trip while being slightly ill - doctors say I have to drink a lot. Can I buy water at a duty-free shop, bring it onboard and drink there?
17
votes
5answers
276 views
Am I going to have trouble flying with a reversed name on the ticket?
I'm flying to Peru with my girlfriend next week and I realized that her name is incorrect on the reservation.
Instead of Sally Marie Jones it's Jones Marie Sally.
We're flying into Houston, then ...
16
votes
7answers
722 views
Are there scheduled flight connections operated with a helicopter?
I know that you can charter a helicopter, it is expensive but possible. But can I go on a scheduled flight with a helicopter? If so, which connections?
16
votes
5answers
6k 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 ...
16
votes
5answers
3k views
What to do if drugs / a bomb are planted in your travel bag?
So the scene: You're flying from Bogota, Colombia to New York, USA. You arrive, pick up your bag from the carousel, and figure you'll stuff your netbook you used on the flight into your bag now ...
16
votes
3answers
674 views
Under what situations can a passenger be restrained by flight crew?
I came across a news story recently where a passenger was restrained using tape for unruly behaviour on an Icelandair flight.
Under what situations is a flight crew allowed to take such action, and ...
16
votes
4answers
2k views
Is it OK to take a disposable safety razor on a plane?
I'm travelling soon with cabin luggage only and I was wondering if I can take a disposable safety razor with me?
This page says it's OK, but it also says it's OK to take small scissors and I've ...
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 ...
16
votes
1answer
310 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 ...
16
votes
2answers
262 views
Do infants need their own seats on long flights?
What is the best way to approach a long (8+ hours) flight with a young child (1-2 years old)?
It seems I am not required to purchase a seat for a child under two years of age which would save some ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
“Flight mode” phone use banned on Ryanair. Is this a worldwide phenomenon?
On a couple of recent flights with Ryanair I've noticed that they require phones to be turned off during the whole flight even if they are in the "flight mode". Pretty annoying that you can not use ...
16
votes
4answers
379 views
Can you expect the flight attendants to tell the passenger in front of you to put his seat up in normal position?
My last (Swiss) long-haul flight was overnight and a lot of passengers tried to sleep. Nevertheless, the flight crews served dinner at the start of the flight and breakfast shortly before landing. ...
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 ...
15
votes
3answers
231 views
Is there a resource with the average load factor on a specific flight?
I almost always seem to be traveling on full flights. So almost never have the luxury to be able to change seats or even rows. Is there any way to find out beforehand if a specific flight is on ...
15
votes
2answers
1k views
How to get from Iceland to Greenland?
I'm planning to go to Iceland this summer. Since I've never been so close to Greenland before (except on a plane), I'm thinking about going to Greenland too. Is there any ferry or plane that goes from ...
15
votes
2answers
3k views
What happens if you miss a connecting flight?
What happens if you book tickets through an airline or travel agent, but on the travel date miss a connecting flight (either because the first flight was delayed, or because immigration/security took ...
15
votes
1answer
472 views
Planning to travel to Israel, what happens if Israel declares war on Iran?
I'm planning my second trip to Israel (being there Sep/2011), to visit my girlfriend's relatives again in February 2013 and stay a month there. This time we are planning to go with four people and we ...
15
votes
2answers
675 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?
