Tips for booking air travel

Posted by

Kristin Staley

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  • Search for Flights
    Use tools like Google Flights, the Hopper app, Expedia, or other flight aggregators to search for the best options. Filter by time of day, total travel time, number of stops, total cost, and other preferences to find the flights that work best for you.
  • Book Directly with the Airline
    Always book flights directly through the airline’s website. This ensures you have the most control over your booking and allows you to contact the airline directly for assistance with changes, delays, or cancellations.
  • Timing and Seat Considerations
    • If you’re not flying first class or premium economy, you’ll likely be seated farther back in the plane. This means it will take longer to deplane, which can affect tight layover schedules.
    • Choose flight times and layovers accordingly to avoid stress.
  • Timing of Flights
    • Remember that you should plan to arrive at the airport 2-3 hours prior to flight time to account for parking, bag check, security, and finding your gate.
    • Hotel check in times are generally 3-4pm and check out times are usually 10am-12pm. Planning flights to arrive about 1-2 hours prior to check in time and 2-3 hours after check out time allows you to maximize your time at the hotel while not having to wait around without a room for too long.
  • Layover Recommendations
    • Domestic Flights: Aim for layovers of 60–90 minutes.
    • International Flights: Allow 2.5–3 hours for layovers. This accounts for slight delays, deplaning, finding your next gate, and navigating customs, immigration, or security checks if applicable.
  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
    • If you primarily travel domestically, TSA PreCheck can save time at security checkpoints.
    • For frequent international travel, Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and speeds up re-entry into the U.S.
    • Mobile Passport is another option for speeding up customs and immigration if you do not have Global Entry.
  • Additional Tips
    • Check baggage policies for each airline, especially if you’re flying on multiple carriers.
    • Monitor flights for schedule changes as your travel date approaches.
    • Download the airline’s app for real-time updates, mobile boarding passes, and easier communication.