Flight ticket

THE FLIGHT TICKET AND THE FLIGHT

Many of you have traveled by airplane more than once. Let’s be more specific about a flight ticket for those who haven’t. This minor contract between you and a particular airline comes in paper or electronic form and gives you the right to fly to a specific destination. You can use your air ticket to check in at the airport and receive your boarding pass for boarding the plane. 

TABLE OF CONTENT

BOOKING THE FLIGHT TICKET

How to book flights:

    • You can book tickets online (with or without payment);
    • on the official websites of the desired airline;
    • intermediary airline ticketing websites.

Depending on the website’s conditions, a ticket’s validity may vary from 12, 24, 72, or 7 days. Usually, such a ticket does not change the price during this time (i.e., they authorize you to ‘freeze’ the tariff while you think).

Some airlines allow you to book tickets on their website for a group of 10 people or more (usually, intermediary websites make reservations for up to 9 people).

Attention! When booking a flight ticket online, we can pay online or afterward by traveling to the company’s office or travel agent where you made the booking. 

Necessary: Some websites only allow you to book tickets while purchasing. 

You can make reservations at the offices of tour operators or airline ticketing companies.

Where can I buy flight tickets?

    • Intermediary websites that sell tickets from different airlines;
    • Official airline websites;
    • Airline offices;
    • Tour operators’ offices.

What documents to buy with 

You can purchase airline tickets:

    • By providing the details of your national identity document, you can fly to your desired destination.
    • For international travel, use a passport. It is usually biometric, with a chip containing personal data translated into English. It is one of the most used documents when purchasing tickets for international flights.

What to consider when buying tickets online

Be careful when choosing the website where you want to purchase your tickets. If it’s the airline’s official website, you can be safe, but you must be extremely careful if it is an intermediary website. What to consider in this case:

    1. Choose popular and well-known ticketing websites (e.g., Skyscanner, eDreams, KAYAK, Momondo, Booking, Expedia, Travellink).
    2. See genuine reviews of the company website in the press (if any).
    3. Pay attention to whether the connection to the site is secure when you log in (see what’s in front of HTTPS).
    4. Remember that not all bank cards you can pay for your ticket, even if the card has an international payment system (e.g., VISA MasterCard, etc.). You may be rejected if the bank card is not issued in the country where the online purchase is made.
    5. When you book & buy tickets online, enter the passport number you will travel with. If your alphabet differs from the Latin one, use the correct transliteration of details (look carefully into your document).

When can I book flights? When is it best to do so?

    • The ticket price is often high, starting from the week before departure.
    • Statistically, buying a ticket 21 days, 1.5 months in advance, for a long-distance flight and two months in advance for an international one is more helpful.
    • Getting tickets for 4-5 months in advance is not always economical. You can use the statistics on the popularity of those dates to check the best moment to purchase them.
    • Sometimes it’s possible to buy round-trip tickets with an “open” date for a return. This means that it will be feasible to come back within a year. But not all airlines have such an option.
    • The tickets are on sale a year or a few months before departure. The minimum time depends on the destination. For some flights, you can purchase the tickets up to 2 hours before departure; for others, at least 6, 8, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours before departure.

Can I change the dates or the itinerary on a flight ticket?

    • It will help if you read your ticket’s fare rules and the airline’s policy to clarify such an issue. The introductory fares allow you to do this without restrictions. But sometimes, special tariffs do not grant you to change dates or the itinerary on the ticket. (For fares, see below).
    • If the fare provides for such changes, make them as far in advance as possible. You can do it online or by contacting an employee of the airline.

Is correcting errors in name, surname, or passport number possible?

    • If you need to modify your first name/surname/passport number, this is often possible with no problems.
    • Changes have to be made in advance. Sometimes at least 48 hours before departure.
    • There is usually an additional charge for making changes. You can do and pay for changes by contacting the desired company’s operator by phone, email, or via their account on their website.

Can I choose my seat on the plane?

Yes, it is possible. There are two options:

    1. Many low-cost airlines offer a seat selection option when buying a ticket online. This option is very convenient when you are traveling with children. There is a fee, and the cost varies from airline to airline.
    2. You can choose your seat during online check-in. But some seats may already be occupied by those who have used the option above. This service is often for a fee when traveling with low-cost airlines and sometimes free when flying with major airlines.

Can I get my ticket back?

If the ticket is returned, the refund amount will be negotiated with the company where the ticket was purchased. It may be lower than the amount spent on the ticket, as cancellation fees may be deducted. Before booking your ticket, you can read the purchase terms on the company website.

Attention! There are fares for which airfares cannot be refunded.

If you miss your flight

If you miss your flight and your check-in is completed, your flight ticket will be canceled. So when you see that you will be late, contact the airline staff to determine whether you can reschedule or refund your ticket.

If you buy a return ticket but don’t make the outbound flight, is it possible to use the return ticket?

    • The airline will cancel the return flight when you purchase a return ticket and do not use the outbound flight.
    • When your fare allows you to change your travel dates, or refund your ticket, contact the airline and check with them about what you can do.

WHAT DOES THE PRICE OF AN AIR TICKET DEPEND ON?

Many factors influence the cost of a ticket; let’s briefly go over the main ones:

Days of the week

If you plan to buy your ticket during the week, it may be cheaper, for example, on a Tuesday or Wednesday. On Fridays, Sundays, and public holidays, airfares are more expensive.

Departure time

The more comfortable the departure and arrival times at your destination, the more expensive the ticket will be. Often, tickets for the night and very early flights are cheaper.

Airline fare

Here it is worth clarifying that fares come in several types. Also, different airlines can offer their personalized rate to their customers (see below).

One-way or round-trip ticket

Oddly enough, most times, round-trip tickets cost the same or less than a single ticket.

Time of purchase

It is best to purchase your ticket a few months in advance, especially during the holiday season. An earlier booking can save on the cost of the ticket. Sometimes there are also good deals just before departure.

Seasonality (month of departure)

There are months when few people fly to a particular destination, or conversely, many. This dramatically affects the price of tickets. Depending on the season, they may be more expensive or cheaper.

Type of airline

Some “five-star” airlines have relatively high ticket prices: Korean Air, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific Airways, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Hainan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, ANA All Nippon Airways, and Asiana Airlines. And then there are the low-cost airlines, which have fewer services and facilities, but the tickets are cheaper.

Baggage

Here it’s simple – the more luggage, the more expensive the price, especially if it is oversized or valuable (see below).

Airport taxes

The bigger the airport, the higher the airport charges, affecting the ticket price. Low-cost airlines are based on “cheaper” terminals or airports.

Tourist taxes of a particular country

Each country sets its amounts, consequently affecting the ultimate cost of airfare.

The popularity of the destination

Some destinations are not very tourist. There are often a few airlines flying. They may set their overpriced fares because of the lack of competition and the low number of passengers. Conversely, there is stiff competition in popular destinations so that you can find reasonably priced tickets.

Other reasons

Sometimes other reasons, such as currency fluctuations in the financial markets or increased fuel costs, can also affect a ticket’s price.

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AIRLINE FARES

As we have written, each airline may offer different fares, affecting the ticket use’s cost and conditions.

Let’s take a brief look at the top global rates:

Published IATA fares 

These are international benchmark fares that are not affected by airlines. They are set by the International Air Transport Association  (IATA)

Published airline fares

They first receive encouragement from IATA, and they are usually quite expensive. You can buy a flight ticket at least a week before departure, and it is impossible to return it.

Confidential airline fares

Such fares are cheaper than published fares but have certain conditions and restrictions. Tickets for these fares are sold only in the city where the departure will occur.

Some special offers can also be highlighted:

Standard (basic) tariffs 

These are very convenient—mainly first (F), business (C), and economy (Y) classes. There are a few restrictions. A ticket can be booked up to a year in advance. It is possible to change the dates and itinerary free for the trip duration. Tickets at these fares are refundable, and the rate is almost entirely refundable with no penalty (only the service charge applies).

Excursion rates

Such fares have minimum and maximum stay requirements at the destination. The minimum time is from one day (often Saturday to Sunday) and up to one week. The maximum is from one to six months, and as a general rule, you can change your ticket’s date and route with no penalties or restrictions. It is also possible to buy tickets with an open date. These are usually shown by the two letters EE.

Special rates

These are the cheapest tickets available. Most passengers use them, but it must be noted that there are restrictions. Rarely can you get a refund; if you do, you will only get half the ticket price. Changing your departure and arrival dates is also tricky, and you may be fined. There is a fee for data changes.

Most popular special rates:

Children’s rate

Applies to a child’s ticket. It is free (without seat assignment) for infants from 0 to 2 years old; it is free (without seat assignment), or 10% of the basic fare. For kids from 2 to 12 years old – with individual seats – 25, 50, or 75% cheaper than a regular ticket. All airlines have a discount policy.

Youth rate

Depending on the airline, this fare may apply to persons under 24, 25, or 26 years old. Often this fare applies to average and excursion fares. Usually, ticket dates are fixed, but sometimes you can buy a ticket with an open date.

Family rate

This fare applies only to flights to certain countries. It entitles you to a 50% discount on the ticket for accompanying spouses and children aged between 2 and 25 years. This ticket is valid for one month.

Pension tariff

Not all airlines have this fare. If the passenger is 55 or 60 years or older, there’s a 25% to 30% discount on airfares. It also does not apply to all destinations, and it is often impossible to change departure and destination dates or return the ticket.

Spousal tariff

Again, this fare is unavailable on all airlines and not all destinations. A 50% discount is available for the second spouse in the first business or economy class. This flight ticket is challenging to refund and is valid for one month.

APEX fare 

With the APEX fare, the departure and arrival dates are strictly fixed, and it is possible to rebook or refund the ticket, but for a fee. Such a ticket is valid for a few days up to 3 months. It must be purchased at the time of reservation, a specific date before departure.

PEX fare

The round-trip departure dates are fixed. Reservations and redemptions are made at the same time. The dates on the ticket can only be changed after additional payment. There are also restrictions on departure days and periods of stay, including penalties for not using it. The validity under this fare is a maximum of 3 months.

SUPER SAVER fare 

This is the cheapest group of tariffs. Given this, this fare has many limitations; for example, it is valid only on certain days, and the deadlines for purchasing a ticket are more often 3, 7, 14, and 21 days, and vice versa, not earlier than 3, 7, 14, or 24 days. This group includes:

    1. SUPER APEX – If you miss your flight, there is no refund.
    2. SUPER PEX – It is hard to change the ticket’s departure date, and there is also a minimum length of stay. The ticket is valid for up to 3 months. It can be returned the day before the flight.

PROMO rates

Similar to SUPER SAVER fares, each airline develops its rates. They have stringent conditions for refunds or changes of dates and itineraries.

Group rates

These are intended for tourists, sports, or school groups. There are restrictions on the length of stay and the number of people. Very common:

    • tourist group fare (number of people from 4 to 20, limited stay)
    • school group (from 10 children with a teacher, aged between 12 and 19, and the trip must be educational).
Special Offers or Promotional rates

Low and unpredictable fares are often inconsistent and appear in the off-season on different airlines. Each company sets fares’ conditions and prices independently and can be quite favorable for the passenger.

THE FLIGHT TICKET FOR CHILDREN

Flight Ticket Fare

As for the cost of children traveling by air, it depends on the age of the child:

From 0 to 2 years old (fare INF)

Many airlines charge no fees for a child carried by an adult without a seat (but some rare exceptions require that you pay 10% of the ticket price). It is also compulsory to get a separate ticket for the child.

    • If you sit in the front row, you may sometimes be offered an overhead cot for the infant.
    • Only one infant (sometimes two) per adult is covered with a free flight.
    • When you do not want to hold an infant in your arms the whole flight, you can buy a separate seat at the fare for minors from 2 to 12 years old. BUT. The infant must be put in a cradle or car seat to install it in the plane.

Attention! Some airlines allow infants at least two days old, seven days old, or 14 days from birth to travel.

Important! If you fly with a newborn baby less than seven days old, you may be required to present a doctor’s certificate confirming the infant’s physical fitness to travel by air. 

From 2 to 12 years old (adult fare)

A child travels at the child fare with a separate seat. Such a flight ticket can cost 25-50 % cheaper than usual.

From 12 years old (adult fare)

The rate is the same for an adult with a separate seat on board.

Attention! If you buy round-trip tickets for children of 2 or 12 years old on the departure or return dates, the infant or child fare may not apply. As for the 2-year-old, the child tariff will have to be purchased for a 12-year-old, which means the adult fare. Some airlines make concessions and allow you to fly with the previously purchased price or use another one for a return. 

Important! Children under a certain age (often up to 12) may not sit alone in a row, i.e., at least one adult must sit in the seat next to them or across from them. 

Unaccompanied flying by children

Many airlines provide an escort for your child during the flight. The flight must be direct and with no transfers. An employee of the airline will accompany your child to the aircraft. There, the flight attendants will take care of your child. A staff member will accompany the child from the plane to the receiving end on arrival. Unaccompanied minors usually are between 5 and 14 years old. But even older children (up to 18) can request this service.

You must book the escort service in advance (at least a few days before departure). Keep in mind that this is a separate, chargeable service. It costs approximately US$50 to US$150. The ticket price for a child will be the same as for adults.

Many companies also allow teenagers to fly independently, but your child needs a parent’s consent to cross the border if it is an international flight. It should state the country and the duration of the planned stay.

Important! A parent or legal guardian must accompany children from 0 to 2 years of age. 

The exact age and conditions of such flights must be checked with the individual airline.

What children from 0 to 2 years old may take for free:

  1. A bag with water, food, toiletries, nappies, a change of clothes, and toys for the baby. Food can be warmed in the microwave by the flight attendants. The bag’s dimensions must not exceed 115 cm in width, height, and weight and 10 kg.
  2. Baby carriage. It can be handed in before entering the aircraft on the street or in the telescopic gangway.
  3. Car seat. Check with the airline in advance if it is specifically for the cabin. If you check it in, take it to the overweight baggage compartment after check-in.
  4. Many airlines also allow “baby” luggage up to 10 kg, sometimes up to 23 kg.

Documents for a child when traveling

The following documents may be required for a child to travel abroad.

    • Valid passport (with visa, if required).
    • Documents proving your parental relationship if you and your child have different surnames (e.g., passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.).
    • If the child is traveling with other relatives or only one parent/legal guardian (and there is a second parent), passport control may ask for notarized consent for the child to travel to that country from the second parent/guardian or both parents.
    • If required by the country of arrival: insurance, child vaccination card, or other documents depending on the country.

PREGNANT WOMEN ON A PLANE

There are a couple of things to consider for flying when pregnant:

    • For safety reasons, they are not given seats at the emergency exits. 
    • She may also be asked to provide a doctor’s recommendation for flying during the last four weeks of pregnancy (or the previous eight weeks for certain pregnancies) and the first week after delivery. 
    • Some airlines refuse to fly a pregnant woman in the last weeks of her pregnancy. 

FLYING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Our world is developing rapidly, and now people with disabilities fly over any distance, which is a welcome development.

Currently, many airlines adhere to international regulations for transporting such a passenger.

Let’s take a step-by-step look at what to do in this case (this information applies to both adults and children with disabilities):

Booking

    1. Before booking your air ticket, contact the tour operator or an employee of the chosen airline; clarify that it is being purchased for a person with a disability.
    2. The booking should be made in advance, preferably at least a week or a few days before departure.
    3. Also, call the airline the day before departure to check whether they have made all the arrangements.
    4. Usually, airlines will confirm that a person with a disability is ready to be transported a few days before the flight.
    5. The company will note this passenger and take additional measures to ensure a safe and comfortable flight when boarding and disembarking.
    6. The airline may also ask for a certificate from the attending physician stating that the person with a disability can fly.

Important!

    • Some airlines offer promotions once a year for children with disabilities, providing a free flight to another country for treatment. You must prove the need for travel with additional documents to request such a ticket.
    • There are government programs and social discounts on flight tickets for people with disabilities (especially children) in many countries. These discounts can be substantial, up to 50% off the ticket price. Check with the social workers in your country to find out what benefits are available. 
    • Deaf people can also count on discounted travel, although special equipment on the plane may not be needed.

Before Departure

    1. Some companies may offer an employee to accompany a passenger with a disability.
    2. It should be noted that children who cannot move around on their own may only travel with a parent or legal guardian.
    3. If the person is in a wheelchair, an airport wheelchair is provided, and they are sent to the luggage compartment if required.
    4. All formalities before departure, including check-in and boarding, occur out of turn.

Attention! If the airline does not safely carry the person with disabilities on the plane, they may refuse to accept them. 

In the Cabin

    1. A wheelchair, stretcher, or other large mobility aids for a person with a disability are deposited in the luggage compartment; they do not count as luggage towards the ticket and are carried free.
    2. The person with a disability is seated in the cabin in a comfortable seat but not in the emergency exit and front row seats.
    3. People with disabilities can also take the following free onboard: cane, crutches, walker, and oxygen cylinder.
    4. The medication he needs is allowed into the cabin.
    5. It may bring a guide dog for passengers who cannot see and must have all the supporting and veterinary documents. The dog must be muzzled and tied to the owner’s seat.
    6. The flight attendants will pay extra attention to the passenger during the flight.

Disembarkation

    1. Once the aircraft has landed, the person with disabilities is the last to leave.
    2. He is accompanied to collect his luggage and get to the people who meet him. 

CHECK-IN FOR YOUR FLIGHT

You can check in for your flight:

  1.    Check-in online

Airline website or App. Usually, such check-in opens 24 hours and closes 1 hour before departure. You can get the boarding pass using the terminal at the airport, or you can do nothing else at all, as the airline will email you an already prepared ticket. To use it on your smartphone, many airlines offer to download their App. 

Necessary: With some airlines, you must collect your boarding pass at the airport check-in desk even after online check-in. 

Attention! Some airlines (especially the low-cost ones) require you to check-in online before your flight. If you don’t book your trip well in advance (2-3 months before your flight date), you may notice, for example, that you will have to pay some extra money for the amount you spent on your flight ticket. And these requirements are not always imposed by the same company in every country. You may have to check in online in some countries, while you may not find such an obligation in another country. 

  1.    At the airport 

You need to check in at the airport at the check-in desk. It starts 2 – 3 hours and ends 1 hour / 45 minutes before departure. 

An airline employee will help you or check-in yourself at a specific electronic terminal. After such check-in, you will receive your boarding passes. 

Important: You must come to the registration:

    • 2 hours before departure for national flights,
    • Three hours before departure for international flights. 

BAGGAGE AND HAND LUGGAGE

Each airline sets its baggage allowance.

    • If you decide to take more luggage than planned, most airlines allow you to add and pay for extra baggage to your purchased ticket by calling the airline’s call center or emailing them. You can also add more at the airport by contacting the airline employee assigned to this service.
    • At all airports, all items are subject to mandatory screening for security reasons.
    • The baggage allowance depends mainly on size and dimensions, class of service, range, and destination.

Baggage 

This is the luggage you check in at the check-in counter. These are your heavy bags and suitcases.

Sometimes passengers do not have any luggage with them, just hand luggage.

There are two systems for determining free baggage allowance worldwide:

  1.    Piece concept (quantity)

A passenger of any class is allowed two pieces of baggage, weighing from 23 to 32 kg per piece (the weight of two suitcases rarely adds up), and with dimensions not exceeding 203 cm (in total: width, height, length) for First and Business Class and 158 cm for Economy Class. This baggage allowance is often found on intercontinental flights and upgraded fares. The number of free baggage items shown on the ticket is usually 1PC for one baggage item, 2PC for two baggage items, and 3PC for three baggage items. If your fare does not include a free baggage allowance, it is shown as NIL.

  1.    Weight concept (weight)

The general rule for free baggage allowance by weight varies between 10 kg per passenger. Most expensive airlines try to adhere to the following norms:

    1. First-class – approx 40 kg
    2. Business class – approx 30 kg
    3. Economy class – approx 20 kg
    • This may include the total weight of luggage and the weight of hand luggage.
    • These rules apply to airline tickets for adults and children from 2 years old. For children under two years, up to 10 kg of luggage may take on a ticket without a seat.
    • If there is excess weight, you must pay a surcharge. All airlines have different rates for extra weight.
    • Please note that most low-cost airlines do not include this baggage in your flight ticket price and require you to pay separately. But they allow you to take a small bag in the cabin for free (see below).
    • On code-share flights (see below), baggage allowances are usually dictated by the operating carrier. If you fly with different airlines on round-trip flights, you may have to pay separate baggage fees.

The dimensions of your luggage also have important features. For example, in the sum of all sizes (width, height, length), the baggage must not exceed the following figures:

    • First and business class – 203 cm
    • Economy class – 158 cm

Hand baggage

You will take this luggage on board the aircraft (e.g., a small backpack, men’s bag, women’s purse, laptop bags, etc.)

Your cabin bag dimensions must not exceed 115 cm (width 20, height 55, length 40). Some standard airlines allow larger cabin baggage dimensions (e.g., 203 cm).

By weight, hand luggage on many airlines may not exceed 10 kg for economy class and 15 kg for first class and business class. More budget-friendly companies set a limit of 8 kg or even 5 kg. Above the limit, you usually have to pay a surcharge.

For the exact parameters and weights, check the website of your airline company.

Important! Some airlines do not include free carry-on baggage in your air ticket price. 

Please note: Low-cost airlines may count a small personal bag as one carry-on bag. So if you also have a backpack you plan to take in the cabin, pay extra for it. So choose your pack carefully for these journeys. 

Additional item

Besides hand luggage, many airlines allow you to bring the following items in the cabin:

    • a handbag, a men’s briefcase, or a laptop bag (not on all airlines!);
    • a video camera and a photo camera;
    • umbrella and cane;
    • laptop, tablet, phone;
    • binoculars;
    • flower bouquet;
    • hygiene products;
    • a carrycot or car seat weighing up to 10 kg;
    • food and baby food;
    • warm clothes (jumper, socks, pashmina, etc.);
    • a suit in a portmanteau;
    • medicines (see if you need a doctor’s prescription for some drugs, and a bottle of liquid medications should not exceed 100 ml, except for essential medicines);
    • liquids, aerosols, and gels classified as non-hazardous (in a transparent bag, each container not exceeding 100 ml and not exceeding 1 liter per passenger in total);
    • some alcoholic drinks for personal use in a bottle not exceeding 100 ml
    • alcohol purchased at Duty-Free in a bottle larger than 100ml (preferably on a direct flight, and the bag should be sealed. Some Chinese airports do not even allow alcohol from Duty-Free above 100ml in carry-on luggage);
    • electric shaver;
    • disability aids (canes, crutches, walkers, folding wheelchairs, or other necessary orthopedic aids).

Oversized and irregular luggage

It is luggage that does not fit into the general parameters of weight or size (e.g., skis, bicycles, surfboards, musical instruments, traveling golf bags, diving equipment, etc.). You will typically be charged a fee for this baggage, and its transport must be arranged in advance with the airline. To do this, send your request to the airline and provide the flight number or reservation, details, the size, and the weight of the luggage you plan to take with you.

Special Item

Valuable, fragile items and musical instruments are carried in the cabin. If the dimensions allow it, they may be counted as regular hand baggage (when the passenger has no other hand baggage). If not, some airlines offer “cabin baggage” with a separate seat assignment. A fee is charged for this service.

Some airlines also oblige you to buy a full ticket for such baggage. There are no discounts or reduced fares, and no other luggage is included in the ticket. The passenger will pay for a new one if their baggage only occupies one seat and does not weigh over 75-80 kg. If its dimensions are too large, the luggage will be carried in the luggage compartment. When the parameters are exceeded, paying for the seats required for transporting non-standard baggage is necessary.

As for sports equipment and large-sized musical instruments, it is also necessary to inform the airline a few days in advance and make a reservation for the luggage.

Remember that some airlines offer free sporting equipment on top of the flight ticket if you don’t have an extra suitcase.

Non-standard baggage that does not require special handling (or is very bulky) will be carried in the aircraft’s baggage hold. The service for such baggage is also likely to be chargeable.

Fares and costs vary from airline to airline. The conditions for handling such luggage also differ, which you can read about on the company’s official website.

Baby pram: 

It’s free. You can drop it off at the aircraft ramp or telescopic arm. Some remarks:

    • the pram must be foldable (i.e., be a cane pram travel stroller);
    • weight max 20 kg;
    • and not be in the factory packaging;
    • As for the child car seat, it can be carried for free. If you take it into the cabin, inform the airline in advance. If you drop it off in the hold, take it to the oversized baggage area (ask the check-in agent where you drop it off), but only after you have checked in and cleared all your luggage. The car seat’s weight must not exceed 10 kg, and its dimensions must not exceed 115 cm.

Unaccompanied Baggage

This luggage is handled without the passenger by a separate consignment note. An individual owns it and crosses the border separately from the owner (this may be at different times or places).

What can you carry in your checked baggage?

Besides your belongings and documents, you can carry in your baggage that belongs to your air ticket:

    • Medicines (some may require a doctor’s prescription);
    • Stabbing and cutting objects (e.g., needles, forks, razors, scissors, knitting needles, etc.);
    • Wine corkscrew;
    • Knife (if it is a hunting knife, carry it in a sheath, notify the airline in advance, and show and present the document with the knife number at security check);
    • Liquids in containers over 100 ml (e.g., shampoo, shower gel, hair, body cosmetics, water, juice, etc.);
    • Food (unless specifically restricted by the host country);
    • Alkaline batteries (they can also be carried in hand luggage);
    • Alcoholic beverages (approximately 1 liter, but each country has its conditions and restrictions on the importation of alcohol);
    • Tobacco and cigarettes (quantity depends on arrival country, mostly one carton of cigarettes and 200 grams to 1 kg of tobacco; the passenger must be of legal age).

What is strictly forbidden to take in luggage and hand luggage?

    • Toxic, corrosive, and poisonous substances;
    • Flammable solids and liquids;
    • Radioactive materials;
    • Explosives, blasting agents, and objects filled with them;
    • Compressed and liquefied gases;
    • Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides;
    • High-capacity lithium-ion batteries;
    • Lighters;
    • Mercury thermometers;
    • Pyrotechnics (e.g., gunpowder, firecrackers, sparklers);
    • Gyros and other small personal mobility devices;
    • Disabling agents, such as a pepper or nerve gas aerosol;
    • It is forbidden to bring plants and their parts into Russia without documents certifying their safety, and seeds of cultivated and wild plants, soil, and plants with soil, fresh fruit, and vegetables, nuts, root crops, bulbs, and pulses;
    • Many African countries, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Ireland, prohibit the transport of solid foodstuffs, candy, berries, fruit, and fish;
    • Fresh meat, fish, and dairy products cannot be imported into the European Union;
    • It is also prohibited to carry in your hand luggage piercing and cutting items (e.g., nail scissors, nail files, reusable razors for shaving, etc.) and weapons simulators, including toy guns;
    • It is forbidden to take any items that potentially threaten the public everywhere.

What to do if the luggage is lost or delayed 

    1. Keep all flight documents related to your lost luggage (flight ticket, boarding pass, and especially your luggage tag).
    2. Contact the baggage handlers immediately BEFORE you leave the arrival area. Their office is usually near the baggage claim area.
    3. If you have had separate insurance for your luggage, telephone your insurance company to reimburse the damage you have suffered.
    4. At the lost luggage office, fill in a specific document to give all the information about your lost luggage.
    5. You will be given a unique request number by which you can track the status of your lost luggage on your airline website. You can also contact the airline’s telephone numbers and ask about the search for your luggage and whether it is among the lost items at the airport.
    6. Locating your luggage takes 5 to 30 days (all airlines have different deadlines).
    7. If your luggage is found, airline staff will contact you to find where and how to collect it. You may file a written complaint with the airline if your baggage is still not found. Monetary compensation to you will be decided based on the country’s rules and regulations where the airline is located.

Claim for Delay

You can also make such a claim if your luggage is delayed. A clarification should accompany it:

    • the amount of damage and an inventory of all belongings;
    • invoices (cheques) confirming expenses (original);
    • luggage tag (original);
    • baggage malfunction report (PIR);
    • the passenger’s contact details (address, telephone number, email address).

A request for compensation can often be sent from 15 days to 2 years after the luggage’s loss/delay. All companies have different deadlines that must be clarified when making the search request.

Important! If your luggage has been damaged during transit, you can also request compensation from many airlines. You may have your luggage repaired (e.g., bag, suitcase, tools, etc.). If this is not possible, be reimbursed for the cost of the damage. Besides the claim, you need to send the following:

    • a statement showing the value of the damaged luggage;
    • the year of its purchase;
    • the luggage tag (original);
    • a receipt for the purchase of the bags (original);
    • an invoice for repairs if it has been repaired elsewhere (original);
    • a certificate of defective luggage (PIR);
    • passenger contact details (address, telephone, email).

MEALS DURING THE FLIGHT

As for food on board, it depends on the particular airline. The cheaper your flight ticket and the more budget-friendly the airline, the less likely you will receive a meal during the flight. If your flight is less than 1.5 hours, you should also not expect to receive free food. 

    • So most low-cost carriers are relatively modest if they offer a meal. But sometimes, you can even choose from two menus to pick from or pre-order a vegetarian menu. 
    • There are also airlines where meals are not included in the airfare but only provided for a fee. You can choose a meal from the catalog, pay for it, and eat it. 
    • If it’s an international airline and the tickets are not cheap, meals are more likely to be provided, even on short flights (drinks and snacks are more common). 
    • Many airlines provide meals for babies from 0 to 2 years old at the passenger’s request and special meals such as vegetarian, dietary, or religious meals.

TRAVELING ON A PLANE WITH PETS

The conditions for transporting pets (usually dogs and cats) vary from airline to airline. It is advisable to check the company requirements you want to travel with on its website. 

However, when buying a flight ticket with pets in mind, it is essential to know some general rules:

    • You may only take your pet on board after obtaining approval from the airline. You must submit your pet’s request 72 hours before your flight. It must state:
      1. species and breed of animal
      2. its total weight, together with the cage
      3. the size of its container
      4. your contact details
      5. the flight booking number. 
    • The airline may issue a positive or negative decision on your request. 
    • Remember that most companies do not include pets in the ticket price and are a separate, chargeable service. 
    • If the request is positive, take care in advance to get all required vaccinations and all necessary documents for the animal (e.g., veterinary certificate, veterinary passport, etc.), as required by the veterinary authorities where you wish to transit. You will be asked for these documents at check-in and may also be asked upon arrival. Please get in touch with the airline or consulate of the country’s destination or transit country for the required documents. 
    • You will also need a cage or container with a waterproof bottom to transport your pet. Your pet should feel spacious in it, i.e., stand upright and turn around 360 degrees (around itself). 

OVERBOOKING

An airline may sell more tickets for seats on a plane than there are. For example, there are 80 seats, and the company has sold 85 tickets. Sometimes overbooking occurs when a plane is changed to a smaller size, or there is an urgent need to carry extra passengers. It happens because statistically, about 10% of passengers are late for their flight or do not arrive.

This strategy is usually employed on frequent popular flights, of which there are several a day, and when it is quick and easy to rebook a passenger onto a new flight.

In case of overbooking, a customer who does not have enough seats may be removed from the flight. This happens forcibly or voluntarily when the passenger accepts a seat on the next flight.

What to do to avoid being overbooked

    1. Complete online check-in before arriving at the airport;
    2. Be among the first to arrive at the registration;
    3. Do not misspell your first and last name when booking your ticket.

What to do if you do not have enough space on the plane 

    • It is possible to refuse a voluntary solution, and you will be forcibly denied a seat. You may claim compensation from some airlines. Sometimes it goes to court, but this is not always pleasant or beneficial for the passenger.
    • You can voluntarily give up your seat, ask for a refund of the flight ticket’s cost, or get a new one for the next flight. Suppose the wait for a new flight is very long. In that case, the airline may issue a voucher for meals, hotel, and sometimes monetary compensation (read more about indemnification below).

Important: If you plan to request a refund, ask the airline to stamp your boarding pass or itinerary receipt to confirm that you have been denied a seat on the plane. 

CODESHARE AGREEMENT

Many airlines have various ancillary agreements, including codeshare agreements (each airline has a specific IATA code). This allows them to share the same flight. For example, a passenger has bought a ticket from airline “A” but flies on the airline plane “B.” The departure board will show two IATA codes, airlines “A” and “B.” Sometimes, two flights with the exact departure time and the same route are shown side by side. 

Various airline alliances often use Codesharing to save on airfares and use award cards more often. 

Here are three of the most popular alliances:

What else you need to know about codesharing

    • The airline from which you bought the ticket and whose code is shown on the ticket number is the marketing partner and sets the rules for refunds and exchanges.
    • If a company provides its aircraft and operates the flight, it is called the operator. This airline handles flight delays, your comfort in the cabin, and your luggage.
    • Be careful! When you wait for such a flight, do not miss the codeshare number, as in these cases, the board often shows several airline codes, and it is not always clear.
    • Often, with codeshare flights, online check-in does not work.
    • A significant advantage of these flights is that you can buy inexpensive tickets with a connecting flight or a complicated route.
    • Most times, you do not need to collect your luggage when transferring on codeshare flights; it will be sent onward by staff at the transit airport.

TRANSIT FLIGHT

Some nuances should be considered if your flight is a transit flight (i.e., with a connection to another city or country). Let’s look at the main ones:

    • Before traveling, check the airport’s map, the transit area, and where you will connect. This is to understand how transit will be handled. Sometimes passengers get confused and do not find the transit corridors, which are very convenient and can use them to get to their next flight rather quickly. 
    • It would help if you also clarified in advance how transit is handled:
      1. Through passport control and crossing the border, then again through passport control to fly on (you may need a transit visa, which can be arranged before travel at the consulate of the transit country);
      2. Or you go straight into a transit zone, where no one needs a visa for a brief stay.
    • Transit flights should choose either carrier to the end of the route or a couple of them (but members of the same airline alliance) to avoid delay. Otherwise, in case of force majeure, buy a new air ticket or change your existing one if the fare allows.

TYPES OF AIRLINES

There are various national or international airlines globally, which come in several types and have some differences.

Major airlines

These are the airlines we all know, and they are found in almost every country in the world. Let’s look at some general facts about them:

    • They are part of various alliances and have codeshare agreements with each other.
    • Often offer various discounts and promotions.
    • Give out loyal customers bonus cards.
    • Often have over one class of service on board.
    • The planes are not always new; they are often between 5 and 15 years old.
    • They have a flexible policy when canceling or changing your ticket.
    • It is often possible to take the luggage and hand luggage free.
    • Many flights offer free meals or snacks, even for short distances.
    • They often make offers with favorable rates.
    • If an aircraft has to be replaced, standard airlines have no problem with this.

Low-cost airlines (low-cost carriers)

These are the same budget airlines on which you can fly relatively cheaply to many cities worldwide. They often offer cheap tickets. But they have quite a few nuances. Let’s look at the following:

    •  
    • You usually pay for your seat assignment on the plane and buy an air ticket without assigning it. You cannot change your seat on some low-cost airlines, even if the flight is half-empty.
    • Food is served either for a fee or not at all.
    • They often have new airplanes or two to five years old.
    • Baggage is free with significant weight limits or fully chargeable. Hand luggage must be relatively small.
    • Flights are often delayed or late.
    • The airline may have a problem if the aircraft has to be replaced.
    • The cabin is quite cramped (Boeing 737 and Airbus 319 & 320), and the seats don’t recline and are close together.
    • All seats are in economy class only or premium economy class.
    • Airline tickets on such airlines are often non-refundable or with only a portion of the purchase price refunded.
    • All additional services provided by the airline are usually subject to a fee.

Charter flights

The charter flight is a full or partial rental of the aircraft from a standard airline by a tour operator. The airline does not worry about the tickets sold; the payment is for the plane’s rental. We can say that these are flights for holidaymakers. We would also like to highlight the following about charters:

PROS

    • Attractive pricing conditions for baggage, including overweight luggage;
    • They often offer food and drinks to their passengers during the flight.

CONS

    • Charter flights are often late, postponed, or canceled;
    • The flights occur during certain months (i.e., not regularly), mainly during the holiday season;
    • Tickets are sold only on particular tourist websites;
    • No transfer is possible in this case. These are direct flights;
    • Different alliance or codeshare agreements do not apply;
    • Usually, only one class of service is present;
    • Aircraft on charter flights are often old.

CLASSES OF SERVICE ON THE AIRCRAFT

There are several classes of service, which vary in their cost:

    1. First-class
    2. Business-class
    3. Economy class

Let’s look at the differences and advantages of each.

First-class

It’s the most luxurious class of service. An air ticket in this class costs much more than the economy, but the comfort level is off the charts.

First class is usually found on long-haul intercontinental flights but occasionally on continental flights. At the front of the plane, before business class.

Services

Besides business class facilities and services, you can watch films, listen to music and play video games. There are often showers and separate toilet facilities.

Meals

According to the restaurant menu, the food is excellent and served in porcelain dishes. Various meals, snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available. Some airlines have chefs specifically for this class, and visiting the bar is possible.

Seat

The seat in this class is very comfortable: it has a massage function and is made from expensive, high-quality materials. It may look like an enclosed compartment or cabin on some airlines, with a bed and shower inside. The distance between every row is 150 – 250 cm, and the width is 60 – 80 cm.

Boarding the plane

First-class has a separate check-in desk and lounge. It offers the following plus:

    • comfortable sofas;
    • Internet;
    • snacks and drinks;
    • shower and work area;
    • boarding is done on a priority basis with an individual premium car for each passenger;
    • Shuttle service to or from the airport is also often available.

Baggage

Baggage allowances are much higher, more comfortable, and better than in business class.

Business-class

This is the second most common class of service. Tickets in this class cost two or three times as much as economy class, but the comfort level is much better.

Business class involves small additions to the menu and more attention from the airlines’ flight attendants.

Business class is not available on all aircraft. It is usually located before economy class, at the beginning of the airplane, or in the middle.

Services

There are recliners and pockets for magazines; you can also ask for a plaid with a pillow and socks. Some airlines may also offer headphones, a hygiene kit, an eye mask, earplugs, a press, and, occasionally, Wi-Fi.

Meals

Meals in business class are an order of magnitude better than economy class. Food is served in porcelain dishes. It is always present and accessible. You can choose the main courses from the menu and various snacks and drinks, including alcoholic ones.

Seat

The seating arrangement is more spacious, usually four seats in a row, sometimes six (depending on the aircraft configuration), but with more space between them than in economy class. The distance between rows is approximately 85 – 200 cm, and the seats are 50 – 60 cm wide. They are comfortable and can be reclined to 160 or 180 degrees.

Boarding the plane

A separate check-in desk is available for business class. Passengers are also provided with a separate lounge where complimentary refreshments and meals can be included. Boarding is preferential or by a different transfer.

Baggage

The weight of your free hand baggage is increased. This may be 5 or 10 kg more than the norm for economy class. Also, some airlines allow you to use two pieces of hand luggage. Often business class passengers get their luggage first on the belt.

Economy class

If you fly with a low-cost airline, it is most likely that economy class is the only one in the cabin. It is the most popular and cheapest of the service classes. If there are other classes on the plane, the Economy Class is in the middle and back of the aircraft.

Some airlines have economy premium or economy plus fares, which mean economy class but with more comfort, such as wider seats or boarding via a business class counter.

Services

You can’t expect any frills in this class. If you’re cold, a folding table, a magazine pocket, a blanket, and a pillow are provided. Some airlines may also offer headphones, an eye mask, earplugs, and a hygiene kit on long flights.

Meals

Meals are usually available on long flights (over 1.5 hours). Short flights may offer tea, coffee, water, and snacks. In some companies, meals are offered only at extra cost or not at all. Food in economy class is served in disposable containers.

Seat

A single row can have six seats

    • Three on the left and three on the right

or

    • Ten seats (3 on the left, 4 in the center, and three on the right).

They are closely spaced, and the distance between the rows is 75-90 cm. The width is also minimal, around 45 cm. They can be reclined but not too far back. In some aircraft, it is impossible to do that because of their tightness.

Boarding the plane

The check-in counter for economy class is standard. You will often have to queue long for seasonal flights or popular destinations. Boarding is via a telescopic gangway, or passengers are taken to the plane by bus. Sometimes, you must walk to the plane (often in Western European countries).

Baggage

The airlines usually set weight limits for freehand luggage, which should not exceed 5kg, 8kg, or 10kg. Some companies do not include it in the flight ticket price, and you must be paid separately.

For luggage, the maximum weight allowed free is 23-25kg. Most low-cost companies charge a separate fee for baggage.

PLACES ON THE PLANE

Many passengers have their favorite seats. For this reason, many companies offer to reserve a seat in advance when buying a flight ticket. Let’s briefly examine the pros and cons of the different areas onboard.

The nose section of the aircraft

    • These places are statistically considered the most dangerous;
    • The front row has cradle mounts for infants (this can be a plus or minus);
    • When you sit in the front seats, you will get off first. Don’t forget that you will have to wait for all passengers on the gangway or the bus afterward;
    • You will be the first to be served drinks, food, and press;
    • This part does not feel as much turbulence during the flight.

Aircraft tail section

    • Statistically, the safest seats are those in the aircraft’s tail section.
    • If there is a technical gangway, it will be possible to get out of the plane’s back among the first to go. However, you have to wait on the bus for all passengers.
    • The last rows usually have two toilets, and sometimes there is a queue of people, which can be uncomfortable if you sit closer to the corridor.
    • The seats in the last row never recline.
    • Turbulence is felt more strongly than elsewhere on the airplane.

Places by the wing of the aircraft

    • If an emergency exit is behind the seat, such a seat’s backrest does not recline.
    • The view from the porthole is not very good here.
    • Sometimes, there is more space between rows, which is a plus.

Seat Position

As for the location of the seat, then:

    • A seat by the porthole can be handy for sleeping. You can control the porthole and close it if external light disturbs it. Or enjoy the magnificent views out the window. But it’s a bit colder, and you can’t stretch your legs. You’ll also have to repetitively ask your neighbors to let you go to the toilet.
    • You have neighbors on both sides. Few people like a seat in the middle. You can’t look out the window, and you can’t close it. To go to the toilet, you also have to go to your neighbor. In short, it’s a disadvantage, especially if strangers are around.
    • The seat next to the aisle can be handy for frequent bathroom goers, as you don’t have to ask anyone to let you in. It also allows you to stretch your legs if they are very stiff. But don’t forget that you must also let the rest of your neighbors go to the toilet. You can’t look out the porthole, and the service trolley or the hand of people passing by can hit you.

Emergency Exits

As for places near emergency exits, there is usually more space, but there are specific nuances:

    • Pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities may not be seated in these seats.
    • There is often no porthole.
    • All hand luggage must be placed on the upper shelves, not under the seat.
    • The passenger must speak English to listen to the instructions on how to use the emergency exit.
    • The seats in front of those next to the emergency exits rarely recline, which is a plus.

If the airline is NOT a low-cost one and a seat assignment is NOT a paid option, you can change your seat only if there are available on the plane.

To select a seat on the plane, you can use the SeatGuru website.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT FLIGHT DELAYS, POSTPONEMENTS, AND CANCELLATIONS

  • If your flight is delayed, rescheduled, or canceled, each airline has its own rules governing dealing with this. Most accepted norms have been successfully applied in many countries, protecting travelers from unforeseen circumstances.
    • The Montreal and Warsaw conventions are often applied to international and European airlines.
    • Also, in the European Union, Morocco, and on flights operated by airlines in these countries, EC Regulation No 261/2004 is used.

Let’s look at what you can expect in a particular situation.

Flight delayed, rescheduled, or canceled – Possible scenarios

Situation 1

If the airline has informed you in advance that a flight is being rescheduled or canceled, you can

    1. Get a new free ticket and fly on a different flight
    2. Get a refund for the air ticket.

Situation 2 

The plane you are flying on has been diverted to another airport

This is a reasonably unusual situation, but sometimes it can happen. Usually, planes are redirected to another airport

    • because of weather (e.g., snowfall or a hurricane)
    • civil emergencies (e.g., a fire at the airport, runway malfunction, etc.)

The airline provides additional transport (taxi or bus) to the city or airport the passenger originally traveled to. When the situation requires it, the airline will reimburse the hotel and meals (sometimes, depending on the airline, the ticket).

Situation 3

Flight delayed or canceled (applies to European Union countries, including Russia, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Réunion, Saint Martin, and the Americas)

Options for action:

It is possible to use the free services at the airport. 

  • Passengers are usually provided with refreshments after a waiting time of 2 hours (in EU countries, the journey must not exceed 1500 km) and meals after 4 hours. After 6 / 8 hours, you can request free transport to your hotel and check-in. You may be refused a hotel room if you stay in the same city. Remember that you can be provided with drinks and snacks after 2 hours if you are already on the plane. If you haven’t boarded yet, you may be refused in the case of flight cancellations in the United States. Here everything will depend on the policy of a particular airline. This also applies to hotel accommodation. In the EU, you are entitled to 2 free phone calls and an email. 

It is possible to leave on another flight without the surcharge offered by the airline.

  • You will be offered a flight ticket at the airline’s expense.

It is possible to receive financial compensation for waiting time or overbooking.

  • The amount of payment varies depending on the country. For European flights, waiting for redress can be 125 to 600 Euros. There are 25 rubles per hour of waiting time on Russian flights in Russia and at EU rates if the flight is operated by a European airline. In the US, you may qualify for monetary compensation if you ‘lose’ your ticket because of overbooking on a US airline flight and miss your destination by more than an hour. It is also essential to know that there is no monetary compensation provision if the cancellation or delay of a national flight. Still, you can claim compensation under the European Regulation or the Montreal Convention if the flight is international.

Getting a full refund for the ticket (in Europe only after a 5-hour wait) and deciding what to do next is possible.

Flight delayed or canceled (applies to Asian and African countries)

In most countries in Asia and Africa, you can take a different flight at no extra charge offered by the airline.

You can also get your money back for the ticket.

As far as free airport services are concerned, each country and airline independently regulate these rules. For example, many leading airlines in India, Morocco, South Africa, and Europe offer you drinks and food if your flight is delayed by 2 – 4 hours. If your flight is rescheduled to the next day, you will receive a free overnight stay in a hotel.

In some countries, you can expect to receive financial compensation. For example, many large airlines pay monetary compensation in China if the flight is delayed by 4 – 8 hours (about 200 RMB) or over 8 hours (400 RMB). Some small Chinese airlines will only pay a 200 – 300 yuan refund if their flights are delayed by over 8 hours. Also, there are companies where such compensation is not provided.

Important! According to European Regulations, you can count on monetary compensation for flights from Europe.

India

In India, the air carrier must notify you of the cancellation two weeks before departure. It must give you another ticket for the new flight no later than 2 hours from the canceled flight if notified later. In case these conditions are not met, the airline must refund you the total price of the air ticket + monetary compensation:

    • Rs 5,000 for a 1-hour flight,
    • Rs 7,500 for a flight of 1 to 2 hours,
    • and Rs 10,000, where the flight lasts over 2 hours.

Also, in India, you can count on compensation if you run out of seats because of overbooking and the next flight has to wait over one hour.

Morocco

In Morocco, all airlines are subject to European Regulation 261/2004. So, you may count on compensation according to the European standard.

South Africa

In South Africa, big airlines often compensate for overbooking by giving the passenger a voucher for a meal or buying another ticket.

Egypt and Madagascar

In Egypt and Madagascar, you can expect compensation only if you are not warned and not offered an alternative flight that departs within two hours of the canceled one. Also, in Egypt, you can count on compensation in some situations because of overbooking.

What else to consider:

    • You can ask the airline staff why your flight is delayed, for how long, and for your rights.
    • In some countries, you must get the airline’s stamp on your boarding pass for the delayed/postponed flight to exercise your rights in such a situation.

Important! If you are entitled to monetary compensation by law, you can only receive it if the airline is at fault (for example, the plane has broken down). If the flight is delayed because of weather, security risks, political unrest, or an unforeseeable strike at the airport, you are unlikely to receive money.

    • When traveling with a child under seven, many airlines provide a mother and baby room where children can play, eat, and sleep.
    • If you have bought two tickets for two flights and the first is canceled, the second flight ticket will have to be refunded at its fare, if possible.
    • Assuming you have a round-trip ticket issued on the same form, the airline should refund both ticket costs.
    • Different countries have their time limit within which you can claim monetary compensation from the airline after an incident. It varies from six months to two years. There are countries where you can ask for offset after six years (e.g., UK) or ten years (Luxembourg).
    • If you plan to cancel your new flight and not wait for another one offered to you, inform the airline before leaving the airport.
    • Keep all receipts for expenses spent during the waiting period.

REIMBURSEMENT AT THE CHILD FARE

If the child flies free, there is no refund, BUT if you have paid any fee, the child is entitled to a refund for the canceled or rescheduled flight. 

If your child’s ticket was not at full fare but cheaper, they are still entitled to a full refund from the airline. The amount of compensation depends on the booking fee, the flight’s distance, and the delay length. 

INSURANCE

You can purchase separate insurance before you travel:

    • for delayed or lost luggage (such insurance is inexpensive)
    • in case a flight is delayed or canceled
    • in the event of cancellation because of severe circumstances (the ticket and the hotel accommodation will be reimbursed)

MORE TIPS

Some additional tips:

    • Many airlines offer their loyal customers unique reward cards. You can use them to collect points and spend them on new flights or hotel stays. 
    • It is sporadic, but it can happen that a company will ask you to present the bank card you used to pay for your ticket before checking in for your flight. You can give me a copy of the card.
    • Monitor your passport’s expiry date; some countries may refuse your entry if your ID is less than six months old. 
    • Some medications (especially psychotropic drugs) must be declared in the red baggage lane. For some drugs, a doctor’s prescription is required. Some medicines may be prohibited for use and distribution in the country of arrival, so they may not be allowed to be taken. Com for more detailed information on the transport of medicines, please get in touch with the airline you plan to fly with. 
    • Smoking is strictly prohibited onboard. E-cigarettes are also banned in most airlines. 

CONCLUSION

To summarise, let us say again:

    • Booking and purchasing a flight ticket online is straightforward, as long as you choose a reliable website.
    • If it is important to you to sit during the flight, choose your seat in advance while buying your ticket.
    • Do not forget that on some flights, you can check in online without waiting in line.
    • If you often fly with the same airline, subscribe to its loyalty card.

Enjoy your flight! We hope our article was helpful to you. Don’t forget to take the right amount of luggage and prepare all the documents before your trip.

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