Here you will find answers to all of your questions, whether you're planning a business trip, trying to choose a holiday destination--or anything in between. Learn more about travel. We'll give you destination advice and tips for traveling more efficiently.
Flying is often the most stressful part of traveling, but there are several steps you can take to get the most of your experience. The following tips for air-travel have been compiled by our experts to help you minimize tension, stress and discomfort while flying. Enjoy your flight...
Airlines try not to bump their high-paying business and first-class passengers. But airlines routinely oversell their flights, and no one is entirely immune from being bumped. Aside from paying top dollar, there are a few more things you can do to avoid the hassle of being denied boarding.
When airlines bump passengers, they usually begin with the people who checked in last (even if they arrived before the check-in deadline). This is why it's important to get your name punched into the computer as soon as possible. Even if you already have a boarding pass, or don't need to check luggage, it pays to check in at the ticket counter if the line is short. Remember, it may take you 10 minutes or more just to walk to your departure gate.
Airline personnel are required by law to ask for volunteers to be bumped before they start choosing people to bump. If you are being bumped against your will, be sure to insist that gate agents ask for volunteers first.
Reconfirming domestic flights is not mandatory anymore, but always call your airline to reconfirm international flights.
Since airlines routinely sell more seats than are available on each flight (factoring in a certain number of no-shows), it's no surprise that flights are overbooked on a regular basis. When this occurs, airlines have no choice but to bump people from flights.
If your schedule is flexible, you can turn an overbooked flight into free miles, tickets, or upgrades. Before you volunteer to be bumped from a flight, make sure you're clear on the specifics of your compensation and your new flight arrangements. Find out whether or not you'll be confirmed on the next flight or if you'll have to go standby. Also make sure to find out about the expiration and blackout dates for the free miles or ticket you'll receive in exchange for being bumped.
Additionally, find out how long before departure you can book your free tickets--sometimes with these special tickets, you can only book a seat a relatively short time in advance of travel.
If you decide to give up your seat, be sure to ask the airline for as many amenities as possible while you wait for the next flight. Typical perks include meals, phone calls, hotel rooms, and transfers to and from the airport if you're stuck overnight.
If you are bumped involuntarily or if your flight is canceled, you might be better off avoiding the often-crowded ticket counter when you need to rebook your ticket. Instead, head for the nearest phone and call the airline or your travel agent.
The safety of passengers is the key concern of airline operators around the world. Evidence shows that excessive cabin baggage can increase the chances of accidents occurring on board the plane.
Under this regulation each passenger will be allowed the following: Quantity : 1 piece* Dimension : Length + Breadth + Height (including protrusions) must not exceed 115cm (46 inches) in total subject to stow ability Weight : Up to 7 kgs *First and Business Class passengers may be allowed two items, subject to specific aircraft cabin space and stowage availability.
Keeping within the allowance specified in the Cabin Baggage Regulation ensures that exits are less likely to be blocked, thus allowing swift and safe evacuation in an emergency; all cabin bags can be safely stowed in the overhead lockers.
In addition, it will mean sufficient baggage space in the overhead locker or under the seat regardless of passengers' boarding sequence; a clutter-free cabin for easier movement by passengers and more efficient service by crew; faster boarding for on-time departure and smoother disembarking on arrival.
In addition to the allowable baggage defined in the Cabin Baggage Regulation, other items allowed, subject to space availability, are: laptop computer, lady's handbag, overcoat, crutches/walking stick, reasonable amount of reading material, Infant's food/carrying basket, fully collapsible baby stroller (with traveling baby), umbrella small camera.
Please ensure that the quantity, weight and dimension of your cabin baggage meet with the regulations as excess cabin baggage will not be allowed in the aircraft cabin.
Cabin baggage gauges are normally conveniently positioned near the check-in counters at the airport. We strongly advise that you use the gauge to ensure your cabin baggage meets with the requirement.
Should your cabin baggage exceed the allowed limits, personnel at the Departure/Transit Hall may have to refer you back to the airline staff at the check-in counter. This will result in unnecessary personal inconvenience. We urge you, therefore, to comply with this regulation. Please note also that bulky items purchased from shops in the transit area will not be allowed in the cabin.
Queasy travelers should look into various motion sickness inhibitors such as pills or patches--to be taken or put on prior to take-off--to settle those jittery tummies.
Keep in mind that it's not a good idea to board a plane with a growling stomach--food service could be delayed by turbulence or you might not like what's being served. If you're hungry even before boarding, play it safe and bring your own brown-bag meal.
If you are assigned a seat in coach, you might volunteer to sit in one of the emergency-exit rows. These rows have more leg room than a regular row and often have fewer seats. This row is also a safe haven for those who prefer a kid-free flight experience, as children are not allowed to occupy exit rows. (Another good way to avoid small children is to avoid bulkhead rows, which are often occupied by families.) Be aware, however, that seats in emergency-exit rows sometimes do not recline.
If you're choosing among several flights, inquire as to how full each flight is and then select the least crowded. Once you arrive at your gate, ask the agent to place you next to an empty seat if one is available. If the flight is not full, the agent can often accommodate this request.
To thwart ear pain, make sure you're awake before the plane begins its descent. This will allow you to gradually equalize the changing pressure in your ears. Yawning, wiggling your jaw, swallowing, and chewing gum can help immensely.
Dehydration--which can cause sore throats, muscle aches, and dry eyes--is a concern when flying. Be sure to have a plentiful supply of bottled water and moisturizer for dry skin. It also helps to abstain from alcohol and caffeinated drinks, which promote dehydration.
Low cabin pressure can cause your feet and lower legs to swell. If you slip your shoes off during the flight, you'll find it easier to put them back on after the cabin doors are opened upon landing, when pressure equalizes once again. To minimize swelling, periodically rotate your feet at the ankles, elevate your feet if possible, and walk about the cabin. This will also help keep your muscles and joints from getting stiff.
Smokers probably already know that smoking is banned on most international and all domestic flights. Non-smoking seats are usually available on international flights. If you're particularly sensitive to smoke, request a seat far away from the smoking section.
Sleeping on an airplane can be difficult, but there are ways to relax. If the flight's not booked solid, try to get a seat next to an empty space. Bring an eye cover, small pillow, and ear plugs to help shut out the rest of the world. An inflatable neck pillow can be a great device--you can inflate it easily to your desired firmness, yet it folds away quickly at the end of the flight. Be sure to buckle your belt loosely over your blanket, so that the flight attendant will not wake you to see if you're strapped in should a bout of turbulence strike.
Queasy travelers should look into various motion sickness inhibitors such as pills or patches--to be taken or put on prior to take-off--to settle those jittery tummies. Keep in mind that it's not a good idea to board a plane with a growling stomach--food service could be delayed by turbulence or you might not like what's being served. If you're hungry even before boarding, play it safe and bring your own brown-bag meal.
If you are assigned a seat in coach, you might volunteer to sit in one of the emergency-exit rows. These rows have more leg room than a regular row and often have fewer seats. This row is also a safe haven for those who prefer a kid-free flight experience, as children are not allowed to occupy exit rows. (Another good way to avoid small children is to avoid bulkhead rows, which are often occupied by families.) Be aware, however, that seats in emergency-exit rows sometimes do not recline.
If you're choosing among several flights, inquire as to how full each flight is and then select the least crowded. Once you arrive at your gate, ask the agent to place you next to an empty seat if one is available. If the flight is not full, the agent can often accommodate this request.
Even though they may seem benign in the home or workplace, many everyday items can prove dangerous when transported by air. Shifts in elevation, pressure, and temperature can spark fires, cause products to leak or explode, or generate toxic fumes. To avoid these and other serious hazards, be aware that it is illegal and extremely dangerous to carry on or check any of the following items:
Aerosols and other compressed gases--polishes, cleaners, tear gas, oxygen cylinders, full scuba tanks, self-inflating rafts. (Each passenger may bring one personal-protection type spray, which must be packed in bags carried in the aircraft cargo compartment.) Corrosives--acids, lye, mercury, wet-cell batteries (electric wheelchair batteries may need to be dismounted).
Flammables--paints, thinners, lighter fluid, liquid-reservoir lighters, adhesives, cleaning solvents. Poisons--weed killers, pesticides, insecticides, rodent poisons, arsenic, cyanides. Infectious Materials--medical laboratory specimens, viral organisms, bacterial cultures. Explosives--fireworks, sparklers, flares, signal devices, loaded firearms, gunpowder, ammunition, blasting caps, dynamite.
Weapons--Unloaded firearms may be transported in checked luggage if declared to the airline agent at check-in and packed in a suitable container. Handguns must be carried in locked containers, while boxed small-arms ammunition for personal use may be transported in checked luggage. Knives with a blade length in excess of four inches are not allowed on board aircraft in the United States. Weapons such as throwing stars, swords, or other items commonly used in martial-arts competitions are also prohibited. Rules in other countries will vary.
Miscellaneous--large amounts of dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide), gasoline-powered tools, camping equipment with fuel, chemical oxygen generators (either used or unused).
In certain instances, there are exceptions to the hazardous-materials rules (oxygen tanks, for example) only when personal care and medical needs are at issue. In these cases, check with the airline's freight department to see if transportation arrangements can be made. Otherwise, carrying hazardous items carries serious civil and criminal penalties
