Beplan u vlug - Planning your flight

Hierdie artikel maak deel uit van 'n reeks wat die standaardprosedures, reëls en ander basiese beginsels van per vliegtuig reis. Gebruik die pyltjie hieronder om na die volgende artikel te navigeer: Op die lughawe →

Vir sommige mense is vlieg 'n geleentheid om die wêreld te sien en dit in styl te doen en bo die aarde te styg, maar vir ander is dit nie die geleentheid om ure in die nabyheid van honderde ander mense te sit nie. Ongeag u siening van hierdie vorm van vervoer, dit is 'n moderne reisverskynsel. Op sommige roetes het die blote bestaan ​​van lugvaart bykans alle alternatiewe reiswyses uitgeskakel, veral oseaan voerings en dus is sommige bestemmings op geen ander manier prakties bereikbaar nie.

Die keuse van 'n vlug

As u oorweeg om te vlieg, kan u kies tussen verskillende roetes, vlugte en lugdienste.

Lughawens

Sien ook: Metropolitaanse lughawekodes

Kyk na alle lughawens binne redelike afstand oor land. In stede soos Londen hou groter lughawes soos Heathrow en Gatwick bied meer volledige diens (internasionale) vervoer, met sitkamers en lugbruggies, terwyl die nuwer Luton en Stansted lughawens bedien korttermyn-begrotingsdienste, met minder winkels en betaalde sitkamers, en is verder van die middestad af. Met sommige kaartjiesstelsels kan u 'n kode soek wat meer as een lughawe dek.

Spoor- en busvervoer kan selfs vir lang afstande prakties wees; byvoorbeeld Tokio Narita-lughawe het spoorverbindings na die grootste deel van Japan. 'N Goed gekoppelde lughawe kan selfs vir buurlande die beste opsie wees. Wene Internasionale Lughawe dien nie net Oos-Oostenryk nie, maar ook nabygeleë provinsies in Tsjeggië, Slowakye en Hongarye.

Bestemmings

Dit is gewoonlik die moeite werd om te kontroleer of die kaartjie wat u gekoop het, vir 'n vlug na u werklike bestemming is, aangesien baie stede en dorpe dikwels dieselfde naam kan deel. San Jose kan byvoorbeeld verwys na 'n stad in die Verenigde State, 'n stad in Mexiko of die hoofstad Costa Rica. Daar was selfs gevalle van passasiers wat op pad was na Sydney, Australië, wat verkeerdelik 'n kaartjie gekoop het vir Sydney, Kanada, wat 17.056 km (10.598 myl) daarvandaan geleë is. Kyk die Lughawekode van u bestemming sowel as vertrekpunt en oordragte.

Ononderbroke, direk of vervoer

Direk teenoor ononderbroke In die lugdienswêreld is 'n direk vlug beteken dat dit dieselfde vlugnommer gebruik, maar daar kan nog steeds 'n tussenstop wees - dit beteken dat u die vliegtuig met u kajuitbagasie moet afklim en in lande soos die VSA selfs deur immigrasie moet gaan. Soek vir 'n sonder ophou vlug as u in een vlug van punt A na punt B wil kom.

As die vertrek- of die bestemmingslughawe 'n verkeersentrum is en die bestemmings nie aan die ander kant van die wêreld van mekaar is nie, is daar 'n kans om 'n ononderbroke vlug te vind. Die alternatief is 'n deurgangsroete, waar u tussen twee of meer vlugte verbind.

'N Ononderbroke vlug is gewoonlik die vinnigste en gerieflikste roete. Dit kan egter nie goedkoper wees of beter by u skedule pas nie, byvoorbeeld as daar nie gereeld vlugte is wat nie stop nie. Deur vervoerroetes sal u êrens stop op pad na u bestemming. 'Aansluitende' of 'transitovlugte' vereis dat u die vliegtuig verlaat en na die lughawe se hek gaan vir 'n ander, sonder om op u ingecheckte bagasie aanspraak te maak.

Die vlugverbindings is waarskynlik heeltemal gefokus op die maksimum vlugekonomie, en dit sluit soms in verskillende lugdienste, selfs verskillende lughawensland byvoorbeeld in San Fransisco, Kalifornië (SFO), met verdere reis vanaf Oakland. Kyk sorgvuldig na so 'n aanbod:

• As 'n ander lugredery op dieselfde lughawe (tensy hulle saam deel), moet u minstens 'n paar uur tussen aankoms neem om u bagasie op te eis, om dit weer by die ander lugredery na te gaan en weer deur die sekuriteit te gaan.
• Oorweeg dit om te oornag as u na 'n ander lughawe moet gaan; die uitdagings aan sulke oordragte kan 'n gemiste vlug beteken ... wat die aankoop van 'n nuwe kaartjie moet ... as die vlug plek het.
• Die versuim om aan een van hierdie komplikasies te voldoen, kan beteken dat die hoop op ekonomie verlore gaan.
• Wanneer u u reisplan beplan, doen dit as u afsonderlike kaartjies vir elke vlug koop nie kombineer vlugte met te min tyd tussen die geskeduleerde aankoms van u eerste vlug en die vertrek van u aansluitingsvlug. Dit is veral belangrik vir interkontinentale vlugte tussen groot en besige lughawens, waar daar baie faktore is wat vlugte kan vertraag en u kan verhinder om op die aansluitende lughawe te kom. Begroot minstens 2-3 uur om voorsiening te maak vir 'normale' vertragings. As alles volgens plan verloop, sit u 'n ekstra uur of twee rond, terwyl u te min tyd begroot en u verbinding mis, kan u moeite en koste verwag, en u sal langer sit.

Tyd van vertrek en aankoms

As u vlugdatum soepel is, en nie vertrek of bestemming in die middel van nêrens is nie, kan u dikwels kies tussen daaglikse vlugte. 'N Besige roete het baie vlugte per dag.

Wanneer u vlug bespreek, moet u in gedagte hou dat wat die vlugbeplanning betref, 'n nuwe dag om 12 middernag begin. As u vlug byvoorbeeld op 1 April om 00:10 moet vertrek, moet u op 31 Maart om 22:10 op die lughawe wees om aan te meld. Baie reisigers het vlugte gemis weens hierdie verwarring deur op te daag om te kyk plaas eerder op 1 April om 22:10.

Terwyl 'n sakereisiger of naweekreisiger min opsies het, kan 'n geduldige reisiger gewoonlik 'n goedkoper vlug vind. As 'n duim reël, is daar Maandagoggende, Vrydagaande en groot vakansiedae en gebeure oorbodig; hierdie tye is nie net duurder nie, maar ook minder aangenaam aan boord, op die lughawe en na lughawe-oordrag.

Tyd van vertrek en aankoms beïnvloed die beskikbaarheid van lughawe-oordrag en geriewe. As u in die middel van die nag vertrek of aankom, kan u ure op enige lughawe gestrand wees, met enkele winkels en restaurante oop, indien enige.

As u goed in vliegtuie slaap, of u besigheidsklas kan bekostig, bespaar 'n oornagvlug tyd, sowel as die koste van 'n hotelaand. Pasop vir tydsones en vlugvoosheidegter.

Lugrederye

Sien ook: Vlieg op 'n begroting # Legacy Airlines, Goedkoop vlieg # Goedkoop lugdienste

Terwyl lugdienste verskil in prys, kwaliteit en reputasie, kan hulle ongeveer in hierdie kategorieë verdeel word:

• A nalatenskap draer, ook genoem a groot lugdiens of volledige diensverskaffer, is 'n lugredery waar koste en diensvlak bogemiddeld is, selfs vir 'n ekonomiese klas (al is daar winskopies). Passasiers kan ekstra betaal vir sitplekke in die sakeklas, en sommige vliegtuie het 'n eersteklas. Baie van hierdie lugdienste het 'n erfenis uit die dae toe vlieg 'n luukse was.
  • A vlagdraer of nasionale lugdiens is 'n nalatenskapdraer wat deur 'n nasionale regering besit word, of vroeër was. Sommige is baie oud (KLM en Avianca vlieg al sedert 1919), maar sukkel om vandag mededingend te bly. 'N Vlagdraer domineer gewoonlik hul tuisveld, waar hulle dalk 'n hele terminale op hul eie het. In sekere streke, veral die Persiese Golf, is vlagdraers steeds in besit van of nou aansluit by die nasionale regering, en waarskynlik die begunstigdes van baie oop en verborge subsidies. Veral die Golfondernemers het hulself as luukse handelsmerke verkoop.
• A begroting lugredery, laekostedraer, opstart lugdiens of sonder fieterjasies bied 'n minimum land- en vliegdiens aan. Ekstra fooie vir besprekings- en inklokdiens (behalwe as u aanlyn bespreek en vooraf betaal), versekering, bagasie, sitplekkeuse, etes en selfs water kos in totaal meer as die kaartjie self. Hierdie vervoerders maak gewoonlik nie deel uit van 'n lugrederyalliansie nie, en bel gereeld minder lughawens, ver van die nominale bestemming. Gewoonlik verkoop goedkoop lugdienste slegs punt-tot-punt-kaartjies, sonder enige verantwoordelikheid wat aanvaar word vir gemiste verbindings. As u beplan om laat in die nag aan te kom, is lugvervoer moontlik vir die dag sonder vergoeding gesluit. As die vlug vol passasiers is, is daar die moontlikheid dat van die bagasie nie saam met die passasiers sal vlieg nie en later op 'n ander vlug sal aankom.
• A plaaslike lugdiens werk op minder gereisde roetes, gewoonlik met kleiner vliegtuie. Sommige hiervan is die eienaar van of geassosieer met 'n legaat diensverskaffer. Verwag dat die pryse op sulke roetes hoër sal wees as die pryse tussen die belangrikste hubs vir dieselfde afstand.
• A handves lugdiens laat vliegtuie aan 'n kliënt uit, soos 'n reisagent. Terwyl hulle die oord vliegmark, word vlugte deur die reisagentskap geadverteer, en die lugdienshandelsmerke is nie onder die publiek bekend nie.
• Algemene lugvaart sluit alle soorte onbeplande burgerlugvaart in, soos sakestralers en bosvliegtuie. Dit is nuttig vir 'n VIP wat haastig is of om geïsoleerde plekke te bereik.

Die naam van 'n lugdiens kan misleidend wees: Noors is nie die vlagdraer van Noorweë nie, maar 'n onafhanklike goedkoop lugdiens (alhoewel 'n ordentlike), en Hong Kong Airlines is nie die vlagdraer van Hong Kong nie (die eer kom Cathay Pacific toe). China Airlines is in Taiwan gevestig.

In ekonomieklas word die grens tussen verouderde en goedkoop lugdienste toenemend vervaag, en veral op vlugte binne die Verenigde State en, in 'n mindere mate, Europa, wat in 'n ekonomiese klas vlieg op 'n legaat vervoerder, bied gewoonlik dieselfde vlak diens as 'n begroting draer, en jy sal eerste of besigheidsklas moet vlieg om die volledige dienservaring te kry.

'N lugredery alliansie is 'n netwerk van lugdienste wat internasionale verbindings bied. Alliansies word gereeld gebruik kodeling, waar vlugte bespreek deur een lugdiens deur 'n ander, met 'n wesenlik ander vliegtuig.

Daar is verskeie kwaliteitsgraderings vir lugdiens (soos Skytrax) wat u kan help om te verstaan ​​hoe lugdienste in diensvlakke, tydigheid en gemak vergelyk. Sulke graderings is een aanwyser, maar sommige beoordelings het onder kritiek deurgeloop deur lugversekeraars, byvoorbeeld die Cranky Flyer, of waar gebruikersopmerkings / -beoordelings nie met 'n algehele stergradering saamstem nie.

Wat veiligheid en sekuriteit in die besonder betref, hou die Europese Unie 'n lys lugdienste dit verbied uitdruklik sy lugruim, en hoewel sommige van hierdie verbiedings waarskynlik aan politiek gekoppel is, gee dit wel 'n goeie aanduiding dat lugdienste moontlik nie volgens die Westerse standaarde van veiligheid voldoen nie.

Vliegtuigmodelle

As u vir 'n roete besluit het, is daar meestal nie veel keuse tussen verskillende vliegtuigmodelle nie, aangesien die vliegtuiggrootte hoofsaaklik afhang van die afstand en die verkeersvolume. Korter en stiller roetes is geneig om te gebruik nou liggaam vliegtuie met een gang en tot 6 sitplekke op die hoogte; terwyl langer en besiger roetes tent gebruik breëliggaam vliegtuie met twee gange en 7 tot 10 sitplekke op die hoogte. Op sommige relatief kort, maar hoë digtheidsroetes (soos transkontinentale vlugte in die Verenigde State, vlugte tussen twee lugrederye / alliansie-hubs en baie vlugte tussen groot Oos- en Suidoos-Asiatiese stede), kan kleiner en groter vliegtuie gevind word. Die groter vliegtuie is gewoonlik gemakliker, met breër sitplekke (selfs plat in die sakeklas en hoër), vermaak tydens die vlug en selfs etes. Die neem van 'n groter vliegtuig is gewoonlik nie duurder as 'n kleiner vliegtuig in dieselfde lugdiens nie, maar dit is nie altyd die goedkoopste opsie nie.

Lugrederye bied tans selde hul modelle aan, tensy dit nuut is, soos die Airbus A350 of die Boeing 787. Alhoewel nuwer vliegtuie oor die algemeen 'n bietjie gemakliker en stiller is, is daar maar min passasiers, maar die entoesiaste sal die verskil sien. tussen hoofstroomvliegtuie.

Daar is net twee groot rolspelers in die groot kommersiële vliegtuigmark: Airbus, gevestig in Europa met sy A3xx-lyn (A320, A330, A350 en A380), en Boeing, gebaseer in die Verenigde State met sy 7x7-lyn (737, 747, 777 , 787). Op 'kort hop' en 'plasse-springers' vind u ander vervaardigers soos ATR, Bombardier en Embraer. In die laat 2010's is Embraer deur Boeing oorgeneem en Bombardier het die meeste van sy lugvaartprojekte aan Airbus en Mitsubishi verkoop. Tog kan daar steeds vliegtuie onder die name van daardie vervaardigers sowel as vervalle maatskappye soos McDonnell-Douglas gevind word. Bush vliegtuie en ander algemene lugvaartvoertuie word steeds vervaardig deur 'n wyer verskeidenheid maatskappye, met Cessna en Gulfstream wat die bekendste is.

Koste

Sien ook: Vlieg met 'n begroting

Dit is natuurlik duur om eerste en besigheidsklasse te ry, maar selfs ekonomiese kaartjies op dieselfde roete kan soveel as een faktor verskil. U kan kompromieë ondervind, insluitend

• Geleenthede vir herskedulering of terugbetaling
• Bagasie toelaes, of groot fooie vir bagasie
• Sitplek binne 'n kajuitklas
• Maaltye, drankies en diens aan boord
• Inklokfasiliteite, of bagasie na die eindbestemming
• Vlug kilometers of punt aanwas

Selfs ou diensverskaffers vra dalk vir ander geriewe en dienste, selfs al het u 'n volle prys ekonomiekaartjie. As u vooraf hierdie dienste of geriewe aanlyn bespreek, kan dit goedkoper wees. Tensy 'n aanlynpromosie of verkooppunt in die Europese Unie of die VSA gebaseer is, mag die geadverteerde prys nie belasting en ander toeslag insluit nie. Hierdie pryse kan gepaard gaan met toeslag vir bagasie, etes en ander dinge. Oor die algemeen is "ekstra's" soos sitplekbespreking, etes, bagasie, prioriteitsinstap, ensovoorts goedkoper as u dit saam met die kaartjie bespreek, en duurder wanneer u dit later of by die hek bespreek.

Vind goedkoop kaartjies

Lugrederye probeer om volle vliegtuie te vlieg om die inkomste vir elke vlug te maksimeer; dan neem vraag en aanbod, opbrengsbestuur en mededinging oor. Die resultaat kan groot variasies in vliegkaartjies wees, afhangend van die vlugdatum, tyd van bespreking en betaling, en die kaartjieklas.

• Bespreek vroegtydig. Namate die winskopies en goedkoop tariefklasse vinnig vol raak, word kaartjies mettertyd duurder. Ook, u het geen eis oor 'n spesiale transaksie voordat u vir u kaartjie (s) betaal het nie. Die dae van ultra goedkoop laaste minuut aanbiedinge is nie heeltemal verby nie, maar dit is meestal beskikbaar deur handelaars wat geld wil verdien op hul gesinkte belegging van ongebruikte voorwaardes, en dit is miskien net die moeite werd om dit saam met akkommodasie of ander goed wat nie verband hou met die vlug self nie. As u buigsaam genoeg is in u bestemming en kan saamleef of u glad nie meer vlieg of meer betaal as wat u gehoop het nie, kan u op die laaste oomblik soms 'n paar winskopies maak.
• Vakansies is tye van groot aanvraag. Wêreldwye biggies sluit laat Desember tot vroeg in Januarie en Julie – Augustus in. Pas op vir plaaslike vakansiedae, soos die Goue Weke in Sjina en Japan of die Paasweek (semana santa) in Latyns-Amerika. Vlugte op die werklike vakansiedae, soos Kersdag, word dikwels verdiskonteer, asook vlugte teen die piekreisvloei, soos vlugte uit Saoedi-Arabië tydens Hajj.
• Transito-vlugte kan dikwels goedkoper wees as 'n direkte roete, veral as die direkte roete gewild is.
• Maandagoggend en Vrydagaand is baie gewild by sakereisigers, en tot 'n mate Sondagaandvlugte deur terugreisende reisigers.
• Begrotingsdienste bied goedkoop kaartjies aan. Bykomende fooie kan egter die finale koste verhoog.
• Oorweeg die koste, tyd en moeite van lughawe-oordrag - spoorwegalliansies kan baie vertreklughawens teen geen of lae ekstra koste oopstel, terwyl goedkoop lugdienste u kan dwing om 'n uur lange busrit na die lughawe te neem om na hul lughawe te kom.
• Negatiewe nuus oor 'n bestemming beïnvloed natuurlik die reisprys daar. Alhoewel dit dwaas sou wees om na 'n oorlogsgebied te vlieg, en u sou self wou oordeel of u na 'n plek wil vlieg waar die menseregterekord versleg het, is daar dalk winskopies vir plekke wat die afgelope tyd baie slegte pers gekry het - selfs al is dit nie geregverdig nie.

Daar is derdeparty aanlyn dienste wat vliegpryse vergelyk. Baie lugdienste waarborg die goedkoopste tariewe op hul webwerwe, en onafhanklike webwerwe kan 'n fooi vir hul dienste hef.

• Om 'n goedkoop vlug te vind, kan dit goed wees om een ​​van die vergelykingsinstrumente na te gaan, soos bv. flylowcostairlines.org.
• Vir internasionale reise kan u die beste aanbiedings kry deur 'n agent by die beginpunt te bespreek. Maar probeer reissoekwebwerwe soos Momondo en Vayama om die koste, vlugfrekwensies, roetes, verbindingstye en totale tye onderweg te verstaan. As u 'n student is, of jonger as 26 of ouer as 65, is sommige reiswebwerwe en agente aangepas om lae tariewe aan u te bied.

Die gebruik van verskillende vlug-soekwebwerwe kan verskillende resultate lewer, byvoorbeeld: sommige webwerwe hef fooie vir bespreking deur hulle. Probeer ook altyd die lugdienswebwerf self. In sommige gevalle kan vlug-soekwebwerwe goedkoper wees, maar lugdienste wil toenemend die goedkoopste prys vir hul eie kaartjies op hul eie webwerf aanbied.

Gereelde vlieërs

Sien ook: Gereelde vliegprogramme

Baie lugdienste bied 'n gereelde vlieër lojaliteitsprogram, waardeur beskermers op grond van segmente, punte, myl of vlugkoste. Besigheids- en eersteklaspassasiers kan bonusmyl ontvang vir elke reis.

Oorweeg dit om aan te sluit by 'n gereelde vliegprogram - veral as u baie vlieg. Die prys is dat u data geprofileer en gebruik word vir advertensie. Brosjures word by die lughawe, 'n lugredery se sitkamer of 'n vliegtuigkaartjie uitgedeel. Meest gereelde vliegprogramme vra geen fooi nie, maar sommige soos die Marco Polo-klub van Cathay Pacific, in ruil vir enkele voordele, soos toegewyde inklokbalies en prioriteitsinstap.

Belonings met gereelde vlieërs kan insluit:

• Gratis vlugte en opgraderings. Miskien moet u steeds belasting en toeslagen betaal. Lugdiens beperk dikwels die aantal sitplekke of opgraderings wat deur 'belonings' verkry kan word ... veral op vlugte op besige roetes.
• Die aflossing van gratis goedere (soos verbruikersgoedere en hotelverblyf) by ander nie-vliegvennote.
• Met baie punte kan u 'n elite lid, en ontvang byvoordele soos inklok by die eerste / sakeklas-toonbank, vroeë instap, prioriteit in waglyste, komplimentêre opgraderings en toegang tot lughawesitkamers. Sitkamers is ook beskikbaar vir houers van sommige kredietkaarte.

Nie alle tariewe kan myl verdien nie. U kan kilometers eis vir vlugte tot 12 maande nadat u dit geneem het, solank u lid was toe die vlug onderneem is, maar u moet instapkaartjies vir instapkaartjies bespaar. Dit is makliker om aan te meld met u frekwensie-nommer voordat u bespreek.

Travelgrove's is 'n meta-soekenjin vir kilometers wat vir elke vlug verdien kan word. In samewerking met MileBlaster is ekstras soos kredietkaartbonusse, hotelbonusse, spesiale aanbiedings ook beskikbaar. Uitslae kan bestel word volgens die persentasie van die gratis vlug wat verkry kan word deur die gegewe vlug te bespreek.

Lugredery alliansies kan oordrag van kilometers tussen lugdienste moontlik maak.

U kan punte van eis ander bronne; veral kredietkaarte. Hotelverblyf, motorhuur en selfs selfoonrekeninge kan u ook punte verdien.

Bespreking en kaartjies

Fonetiese alfabet - dit is nuttig Wanneer u 'n lugredery of reisagentskap skakel om veranderinge aan te bring, is die vinnigste manier om u kaartjie te vind deur die besprekingsagent te vertel dat u dit aan u sal gee Passasiernaamrekord (PNR), en spel dit uit met die Navo-fonetiese alfabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Ekies, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, Ekndia, Juliet, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Olitteken, Papa, Vuebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uuniform, Victor, Wsy sleutel, X-straal, Yankee, Zulu). Dit is baie makliker as om u van te probeer uitspel, en u sal dadelik respek kry om na 'n pro te klink.

Die bespreking van 'n vlug op die ou skoolweg, oor die toonbank of oor die telefoon, is 'n proses van twee stappe.

Eerstens maak u 'n bespreking. Die lugdiens sal hou 'n sitplek vir u tot 'n gegewe datum, gewoonlik vir 'n week of so. As u nie voor die vervaldatum betaal nie, word die bespreking gekanselleer. Besprekings kan verander en vryelik gekanselleer word, wat nuttig is as die reisplan onseker is. U kry 'n alfanumeriese kode met ses karakters, genaamd die passasiersnaam verwysing of PNR wat u aanhaal om die kaartjie te koop.

• 'N Gereserveerde sitplek sal gelys word as bevestig in u bespreking, en sal nie weggeneem word voordat die tydsbeperking verstryk het nie. U kan egter nog nie vlieg voordat u die kaartjie gekoop het nie. U kan per kaartjie slegs een sitplek in elke rigting bevestig.
• As 'n vlug vol bespreek is, maar u wil probeer om daarop te klim, kan u 'n waglys bespreking. As die waglys "skoonmaak" (iemand anders kanselleer en u sit), word die bespreking op die waglys bevestig en u voorheen bevestigde sitplekke op ander vlugte word gekanselleer. U kan gewoonlik verskeie vlugte op die waglys sit, maar goedkoop, onveranderlike kaartjies laat moontlik geen waglys toe nie.

Om van 'n bespreking 'n werklike kaartjie te maak, uitreiking 'n kaartjie, vereis betaling of aflossing met gereelde vliegpunte / kilometers. Afhangend van die tipe kaartjie - sommige of al die volgende beperkings kan nou van toepassing wees op u kaartjie:

• onveranderlik/nie-bespreekbaar: u kan nie die vlugtyd en -datum verander nie (sonder om 'n groot wisselkoers te betaal). In die geval van herbesprekbare vlugte, of u nou 'n fooi moet bespreek of nie, u moet steeds die tariefverskil betaal.
• nie-verpligtend: u kan nie 'n ander lugdiens vlieg as u lugredery probleme ondervind nie (as u vlug gekanselleer word, word dit gewoonlik deur plaaslike wetgewing oorheers)
• nie terugbetaalbaar: u kan nie u geld terugkry as u nie vlieg nie (in Noord-Amerika kan die tarief teen 'n fooi gebruik word as krediet vir 'n ander kaartjie; op baie ander plekke word die hele tarief verbeur)
• onomkeerbaar: u kan nie na 'n ander roete verander nie, selfs al is die bestemming dieselfde
• onoordraagbaar: u kan nie kaartjie aan iemand anders gee of verkoop nie
• nie kilometers opboubaar nie: u kan nie gereelde vliegmyl op die kaartjie verdien nie
• nie-opgradeerbaar nie: u kan nie opgradeer na 'n meer premium klas met gereelde vliegmyl nie

Hoe hoër kaartjieklasse, hoe minder geld hierdie beperkings. Gewoonlik het 'n goedkoop ekonomiekaartjie al die bogenoemde beperkings, terwyl 'n eerste- of besigheidsklaskaartjie minder is, hoewel tariewe wat nie terugbetaalbaar en nie-bespreekbaar kan word, relatief algemeen is.

Aanlyn besprekingvia die webwerf van die vervoerder of deur 'n derdeparty-konsolidator soos Travelocity en Expedia, het gewoonlik geen opsie om te bespreek nie. Normaalweg kan besprekings en kaartjies gelyktydig plaasvind, dus die besprekingsdiens vereis voorafbetaling deur middel van debiet- / kredietkaart, PayPal of soortgelyke diens, faktuur of aflossing van gereelde vlieëniers. Sommige goedkoop lugrederye hef 'n diensfooi vir kaartjies wat telefonies of persoonlik bespreek word, en sommige winskopies word slegs aanlyn aangebied. Sommige diensverskaffers, veral in Europa, kan ook 'n klein bedrag hef vir kredietkaarte en / of PayPal-besprekings wat nie van toepassing is op debietkaarte wat deur VISA of MasterCard gemerk word nie.

As u nog steeds op die lys is vir 'n vlug waarop u wil instap, of as u 'n vroeëre of later vlug wil neem as waarop u bespreek is, kan u probeer om te vlieg staan ​​by. Dit beteken eenvoudig om by die lughawe-inklokbalie op te daag en te vra om op die volgende vlug te sit. As daar genoeg plek is, sal u daar regstreeks aanmeld. As die vlug egter vol lyk, moet u wag tot die vlug is gesluit (gewoonlik 30-60 minute voor vertrek) en die lugdiens kan tel hoeveel sitplekke daar is. Moenie op spesiale kaartjiebesparings reken as u bystandvlieg nie en omgekeerd, en reken nie op vliegstandby as u kaartjie baie beperk is nie.

As u nie teen sluitingstyd inklok nie, word u as 'n verklaar Geen vertoning. U sitplek kan nou gegee word aan iemand wat gereed is. Die resultaat hang af van u kaartjiebeperkings en -voorwaardes, wat die totale verlies van u tarief kan beteken, of van buigsame kaartjies wat u net na die volgende vlug kan bespreek. Om 'n nuwe kaartjie vir dieselfde dag of dag daarna te koop, kan baie duur wees, byvoorbeeld tot $ 3000 vir 'n transatlantiese vlug, dus moet u die vlug nie misloop nie.

Alhoewel 'n bespreking u sitplek waarborg, waarborg dit nie die tarief wat gekwoteer is nie. Daarom kan die tarief tydens die bespreking verskil van die tarief wat tydens die kaartjie gegee word. Die gekwoteerde tarief word slegs gewaarborg as u dadelik gereed is om te bespreek. Alhoewel die meeste aanlyn-vlugte dadelik betaal moet word, kan 'n paar aanbieders die opsie bied om 'n aanlyn-bespreking in te sluit en tot 'n week te betaal teen 'n klein bedrag bo die totale tarief.

Vlugbeperkings kan drakonies wees - sommige maatskappye verbied selfs veranderinge in bystand - dus u sal (soms duur) moet betaal om enige verandering aan te bring; sommige laat ook nie terugbetalings toe nie. Gaan u toestande noukeurig na.

Skryf jou naam

Baie lugdienste vereis dat die naam op die kaartjie identies moet wees aan die naam op die paspoort se paspoort of ID, soms sonder ligte spelfoute. Lugdiens vra dikwels baie om die naam te verander. Dit word veral streng toegepas vir vlugte wat vanaf Amerikaanse lughawens vertrek, waar die TSA alle instapkaartjies en identifikasiedokumente inspekteer om te verseker dat die spelling van name presies ooreenstem.

• Slegs die voornaam en familienaam moet opgeneem word, nie die middelnaam nie.
• As die voornaam nie daagliks gebruik word nie, moet die voor- en daaglikse gebruik plus die familienaam opgeneem word, byvoorbeeld Hugh Laurie moet James Hugh Laurie skryf, aangesien sy volle naam in die paspoort geskryf is Hugh Calum Laurie. As daar twyfel bestaan, hou by die naam soos op die paspoort geskryf (behalwe die middelnaam).
• As u 'n dubbele familienaam het, moet albei ingesluit word (met 'n koppelteken vervang deur spasie)
• Briewe met diakritiese tekens (soos É of Ä) moet geskryf word soos in die wit masjienleesbare sone in die paspoort, wat normaalweg beteken dat u alle punte moet stroop, maar dit kan beteken dat bv. Ä is AE geskryf. Koppeltekens moet vervang word deur ruimte en apostrofe moet weggelaat word. As 'n visum of ESTA gebruik word, moet alles op dieselfde manier geskryf word.
• Byname moet nie gebruik word nie, selfs al word dit daagliks gebruik. Byvoorbeeld, Bill Clinton moet William Jefferson Clinton skryf aangesien dit in die paspoort staan.
• As u 'n vlug beplan wanneer u naamsverandering doen, soos by a troue, die naam wat u gebruik, moet steeds ooreenstem met die naam op u paspoort of ID. Gebruik die ou naam as die paspoort nie voor die reis vervang word nie. Verskeie wittebrood is so vernietig.
• Babas moet nie voor die geboorte bespreek word nie, tensy die ouers seker is van die geslag en naam, of bereid is om die koste van 'n naamsverandering te betaal, indien dit moontlik is (dit moet nagegaan word).
• U kan u die moeite spaar om u naam elke keer as u bespreek, in te stel deur 'n rekening op te stel wat gebruik kan word op die webwerf van die lugdiens (of reiskonsolidator) of deur in te skryf vir die frequent flyer-program van 'n vervoerder. Wanneer u inskryf, moet u natuurlik seker maak dat die naam wat u verskaf ooreenstem met die naam wat in u paspoort aangedui word. Terselfdertyd kan u ook ander tersaaklike besonderhede verstrek, wat u tyd bespaar wanneer u bespreek.

Jou kaartjie

Die meeste lugdienste gebruik elektroniese kaartjies (e-kaartjies); elektroniese rekords van elke besprekingsbesonderheid. Voorheen het passasiers 'n papiertjie gekry, bestaande uit 'n boekie vliegkoepons. In die meeste gevalle is 'n reisbewys met u vlugbesonderhede voorberei en per e-pos of gedruk word vir u verwysing. Dit bevat 'n unieke ses-karakter Passasiernaamrekord (PNR), wat gebruik word om u bespreking te identifiseer.

Die reisbewys gee die kaartnommer, bagasietoelaag, berekening van die tarief en toeslag, betaalwyse, ensovoorts. Dit kom ook saam met die vervoervoorwaardes, insluitend u regte indien daar iets gebeur met die vlugte waarmee u bespreek is.

In teorie kan u met 'n e-kaartjie slegs 'n geldige ID by die inklokkaart toon. Om veiligheidsredes benodig sommige lughawens 'n afdruk van die reisbewys as bewys van u bespreking voordat u die lughawe binnegaan en / of met die inklokdatum. Daarbenewens benodig immigrasie-owerhede bewys dat hulle verder reis of terugreis. Bring altyd 'n afdruk van die reisbewys saam.

As u 'n vlug oor die internet met 'n kredietkaart bespreek, is dit vanweë die vervoerder nodig om dit te doen wys die kredietkaart gebruik om die kaartjies op die lughawe of hul kaartjiekantoor te koop. As die kredietkaarthouer nie deel is van die reisgeselskap nie, moet hulle die kredietkaart sien, nie die gemagtigde handtekening van die kredietkaarthouer nie. Versuim om dit te doen, kan daartoe lei dat die kaartjie weer met dieselfde (of hoër) tarief uitgereik word, en dat die oorspronklike kaartjie na baie weke of selfs maande terugbetaal word (indien terugbetaalbaar; terugbetalingsfooie kan van toepassing wees).

In die seldsame geval dat u 'n papieren kaartjie ontvang, sal u moet bied dit aan as u vir u vlug aanmeld. Pas u kaartjie op; jy kan nie daarsonder inklok nie. As u die kaartjie verloor, verwag u baie papierwerk en / of rompslomp: u sal moontlik 'n ander kaartjie vir die vlug moet koop en later 'n terugbetaling moet aanvra, of 'n herkaartjiegeld moet betaal. Om nie te praat dat sommige jurisdiksies van u vereis om 'n polisieverslag in te dien. As u dus bang is om u papieren kaartjie te verloor of te vergeet, vra dan waar moontlik vir 'n e-kaartjie. As u 'n afdruk van die reisbewys verloor of verkeerd plaas, kan u altyd 'n ander kopie uit u e-pos vryelik en maklik uitdruk of die vervoerder / reisagent versoek om dit weer aan u te stuur.

U reisplanne kan verander word sonder om 'n nuwe kaartjie te druk en af ​​te lewer. As u lugredery aanlyn of selfdiens-kiosk-incheck aanbied, kan u dit gebruik om instapkaartjies af te druk en sodoende tyd op die lughawe te bespaar.

Die grootste nadeel is dat u vlugbesonderhede in een spesifieke lugdiens se rekenaars is, sodat ander lugdienste nie toegang daartoe het nie. Dit is nie 99% van die tyd 'n probleem nie, maar dit kan 'n groot kopseer wees as u na 'n vlugkansellasie moet oorskakel na 'n vlug met 'n ander lugredery. As dit gebeur, moet u 'n 'onderskryfbare' papierkaartjie by die oorspronklike lugdiens kry as rugsteun voorheen op pad na die toonbank van die ander lugdiens. Net so ook vir ingewikkelde reisroetes waarby verskeie lugdienste betrokke is (soos rondom die wêreldvlugte), moet u kies vir 'n papieren kaartjie, veral omdat e-kaartjie-ooreenkomste tussen lugdiens nog nie so algemeen is nie.

Nie alle bestemmings wat deur vervoerders aangebied word, kom in aanmerking vir e-kaartjies nie. Maar vir die bestemmings wat per e-kaartjie in aanmerking kom, kan u lugredery 'n toeslag hef as u verkies om 'n papieren kaartjie te koop. Lugrederye reik gewoonlik nie meer papierkaartjies uit vir die meeste reise nie.

Dokumente

U het 'n instapkaart vir lugdiens om op jou vliegtuig te klim ... gewoonlik net om lug toe te gaan. U kry dit deur a aan te bied papierkaartjie (as daar een aan u uitgereik is), en a foto-identifikasie (miskien minder vir kleuters). As u vroeër 'n instapkaart gedruk het, kan lugdienspersoneel die pas bevestig en u handbagasie nagaan.

As u na 'n ander land reis, benodig u 'n paspoort met 'n vervaldatum ten minste ses maande na die keerdatum. Afhangend van bestemmings- en verbindingslande, het u dalk ook een of meer nodig visums. Hulle moet gewoonlik verkry word voordat u begin. Inklokpersoneel kan u toestemming om in te stap weier as u nie 'n nodige en behoorlike visum het nie.

Kontak vooraf met u agent of lugdiens. Sonder al die nodige dokumentasie kan u reis in gevaar wees. Die kredietkaart wat gebruik word om u kaartjie te koop, kan ook benodig word vir instapkaartverifikasie, so bring dit ook.

Enige owerheid wat na vliegtuigkaartjies, instapkaartjies, paspoorte of ander identifikasie kyk, sal die name deeglik ondersoek. Hulle benodig dikwels sleutelpapiere weerspieël u volle naam presies. Sorg dat elkeen wat u reis akkuraat bespreek, elke volle naam op die besprekings en kaartjies invoer.

Het dokumentasie dat alle medisyne aan u behoort, e.g., labeled bottles, copy of the doctor's prescription...for some countries, even more. After any international flight route is set, consult official sources that describe limitations on carrying medications and medical devices set by the country of your destination and all en route stops. In some countries, the consequences for carrying illegal items without permission can be substantial, even severe, e.g., in the Middle East, Singapore, Japan. Some Wikivoyage country and airport articles may help with this.

If you bought reisversekering, bring something a copy of the insurer's description of the coverage, the policy number, and how to contact the insurer wherever you are. Share that information with someone at home who would help you use the coverage, or benefit from it.

Verbindings

Sien ook: Met die vliegtuig aangekom

Flying from point A to point B often involves a transit of a connection in point C, where you have to disembark, find your connecting flight's gate, and re-board, and maybe pass a border checkpoint at the airport. If both flights are on the same ticket, the airlines are responsible for broken connections and will try to get you on the next flight if you miss your flight. This may also be the case if you fly the same airline or alliance, and you have allowed the required connection time between flights.

In 2016, some airlines/alliances were considering an extra baggage fee on connecting flights. To collect the fee, some may require you to exit the secure area of the terminal at the connecting airport, claim your checked baggage, re-check it on your continuing flight, and again go through security check to reach the gate for your next flight. This requires considerable time. Check with the airline regarding any such fee and need for extra time for flights you find interesting. Answers may be cause for you to look for other arrangements.

If you book separate flights on separate tickets (especially on different airlines), making the connection is solely your responsibility. If you are flying on an airline or fare type that doesn't permit last minute changes, you may lose your fare when one airline's delay makes you late for the next one. Paying a little more for a flexible fare on the final connection may not only avoid this risk, but can also let you catch an earlier flight if you make the connection ahead of schedule.

Airlines may consider a connection as tight as 35 minutes to be valid; which might be reasonable if you don't have to clear customs or security checkpoints, and the arrival and departure gates are within the same building. However, you can get unpleasant surprises at unfamiliar airports; gates could be at opposite ends of the terminal, or even in separate terminals. In that case you should have at least 90 minutes from landing to take-off. Add time for border checkpoints; preferably an hour for each. You can use slack time to eat at the airport, where the food is likely better than what you may (or may not!) get in the air. For that matter, if you at your final destination need to get on a scheduled ground transport (especially one with infrequent departures), you should reserve enough time to get through immigration, customs and baggage delivery if applicable, an extra half hour or so for plane delays, plus possible time for standing in line at a busy ticket counter.

On-line travel searchers/arrangers show statistics on how often a given flight arrives on time. Generally, the last flight of the day into a given destination will be delayed more often than earlier flights, as the airlines use that flight to "sweep" travelers whose inbound connecting flights run late. While the statistics alone won't tell you whether jou particular flight is likely to be delayed, but it's still useful data.

With separately-booked flights, you are responsible for claiming checked baggage, taking it to the next check-in counter, and checking it for the next flight leg.

Border checkpoints

Sien ook: Vermy reis deur die Verenigde State, Grensoorgang, Visums

With international connecting flights, check to see if the country where you will be making a connection requires a transit visa to go through their airport. Some countries require all passengers to pass through customs and immigration even if they are just transferring between international flights, e.g., the United States, Canada. You may find it easier if you can avoid passing through these destinations, particularly the United States which has the same requirements for a transit visa as for a tourist visa. Others, such as Hong Kong and Australia, require certain nationalities to obtain a visa even if they plan to remain in the sterile area. You are responsible for procuring all the necessary visas before you fly; request them as early as possible.

Seating

Sien ook: Vliegtuig sitplekke

Comfort is mainly determined by cabin class.

• First Class is at the front of the largest aircraft, with top-level comfort and service.
• Business Class is near the front. Seating is comfortable, and meals and drinks are usually included.
• Premium Economy might have more leg-room than Economy Class; usually at exit rows.
• Economy Class (standard economy of coach) makes up the bulk of aircraft seating.

Most airlines assign you a seat at booking. In some cases, you can change it. If you check in at the counter with no seat yet assigned, you can ask if a seat is still available. Budget airlines usually have a surcharge for assigned seating.

• Window seats give a view, and better sleeping comfort, but are further from the aisle, and have less floor space. The wall can be cold.
• Aisle seats may have more leg space, and make it easier to get up. Sleeping comfort is worse, though.
• Middle seats have the disadvantages of both aisle and window seats.
• Large aircraft have 2-3 outer seats near the windows, with 3-4 (or even 5) between the aisles.
• Some seats in each row may have entertainment electronics installed underneath. These intrude on foot room for those seated behind.

There are also some special seat rows:

• Exit row seats have more legroom and easier access to the aisles; some airlines brand them "Economy Plus". There are some drawbacks: armrests are fixed, and you may need to store baggage overhead. Passengers must be able to help operate the exit in case of an emergency evacuation, so passengers with disabilities, pregnant women and children will not be seated in these rows. Tall passengers might be assigned these seats, but there is no guarantee. Ask at check-in and state the reason you want/need one.
• Upfront seats are the first few rows of an airline's economy class section. Passengers seated here may have the advantage of disembarking first, which is useful for international flights and passengers with tight connections.
• Bulkhead seats have no seat in front of them. You may have to store your baggage overhead. They are often reserved for families with small children. You might snag one on check-in or even at the gate, but count on sitting next to a baby. They have the tray table in the armrest. Some bulkhead seats have a bulkhead behind, meaning that the seat cannot be reclined.
• Window seats near the end of the plane may have more elbow room. However, "window seats" in the back row may in fact have no window. In most jet aircraft, seats in the back get more noise. They increase the chance to survive a crash. Rear-end rows often have no middle seats, and more room to spread out.
• Seats in the middle of the aircraft vibrate less from turbulence, decreasing risk for air sickness. The view from window seats in the middle is obstructed by the wings.
• Seats just before the exit row and at the end of a section may not recline.
• Seats near toilets may be affected by odors, and have people queuing outside.
• Seats near the galleys may be exposed to noise, smells, and lights.
• A row of unoccupied seats might be used as a makeshift bed. Watch for such rows as the last passengers are taking seats. The flight attendants are also aware of these rows, and may use them to relocate people.
• Aircrafts that normally have three seats in a bloc may have a few rows that have two seats. These are found near exit rows and the rear of the aircraft as well as the upper deck of some carriers' A380 aircraft.

Websites with seating details are SeatExpert, SeatGuru, en Seatmaestro.

Sitting in extra legroom seats, upfront seats, and two-seat blocs largely used to be free but carriers have realised that not all economy class seats are created equal, and charge more for the privilege of sitting in such areas. These can be paid using credit cards or frequent flyer points. Expect to be charged on the spot if these premium seats have not been reserved/allocated and you wish to sit on them. However, members of an carrier's frequent flyer programme who belong to the upper tiers or who have a premium credit card (e.g. gold and platinum) associated with that airline may be able to book these seats for no extra cost or a reduced rate.

Amending trip details and special requests

Sometimes trip plans fall through for whatever reason or you may have additional requests (e.g. seating or meal preferences). If you purchased your ticket from a travel agency or a consolidator website, contact them or visit their website first before getting in touch with the carrier directly. This is especially the case if you purchased your ticket as part of a package (which includes accommodation and other tours). If you purchased your ticket directly from the carrier, you should contact them directly or go to their website to manage your booking. Legacy carriers support special requests on their web sites.

Once you have confirmed your flights, be sure to let the carrier or your travel agent know if you have any special requests. Typical examples include:

• special meals (vegetarian, kosher, medical restrictions, allergies, etc.)
• special seats (exit row seats for tall people, bulkhead seats for baby bassinets)
• airport assistance (wheelchair or unaccompanied minor)

You can check to see what meals to expect on Airlinemeals.net.

Airlines not providing meals in the price of your ticket can be viewed hier.

With some airlines, you need to remind the crew about your special meals order before the meals are served, to save them from browsing the passenger list and finding you in the cabin (or even finding your special order after serving you regular meals). Travel agencies have a tendency to lose track of the many requests they get, so if it's regtig serious it's wise to contact the airline directly and make sure the message has gotten through, and to mention it at check-in.

Special meal requests

Special meals are a variation from the standard food offered by the airline. They generally match a variety of dietary or religions requirements, such as kosher, halal, Hindu, vegetarian, diabetic, Low salt etc. Children's meals are often also available as special meals.

Special meals are offered by some airlines, often they can be ordered as part of the online booking process, or subsequently by managing the booking online. Special meals always need to be ordered at least 24, and sometimes up to 72 hours in advance, and the chances of getting one at check-in or when on the plane are slim (although it can never hurt to ask, as occasionally there are special meals on the plane from people who failed to board).

Special meals are usually served before other meals, this can be especially useful for children's meals. They can be of higher quality, but can also be lacking in some aspects, for example a vegetarian meal could be a vegan meal such as plain vegetables and rice (rather than that spinach and ricotta pasta they may have been hoping for). Kosher meals (which were among the first special meals to be widely available) have a notoriously shoddy reputation in the US, but again, what you'll get will vary widely by airline and on some carriers you'll automatically get a meal that conforms to certain dietary standards. Israeli flag carrier El Al for one has never served a non-kosher in flight meal in all its existence. Similarly, the carriers of most Muslim-majority countries, including the big three Middle Eastern airlines Emirates, Qatar Airways en Etihad Airways only serve halal meals on their flights.

Unaccompanied minors

Sien ook: Reis met kinders

Unaccompanied minors are children, typically 12 or younger, for whom the airline assumes some duty to care for them. They will disembark last, and will only be handed over to the person identified on a check-in form. If the assigned person does not meet the child from the flight, the airline reserves the right to return the child to the origin immediately at the guardian's cost.

Some airlines (mainly budget airlines) will not accept unaccompanied minors, and might require that children 12 or under must be accompanied by a guardian 18-years or over. Online booking and child discounts might be unavailable for these children. Generally a child must be over 5 to be accepted as an unaccompanied minor. Sometimes the minimum age for a connecting flight is 8 years or over.

Help with complexities

If all the above planning, flight trade-offs and ticket purchasing seems complex (especially for international travel), look for assistance.

• You may have friends with practical experience. Ask them what they've done to plan, choose airlines, make such arrangements, and prepare for your kind of trip. Objectively balance their experiences with your on-line and other research.
• Consider using a travel agent. Jy mag pay a premium, but it will often be worth avoiding the considerable work and hassle of finding and booking the best, practicable tickets by yourself. And the agent may fully or partly pay for his/her services by finding special savings at sites you cannot access, e.g., he/she has access to air travel brokers and consolidators not usable by the public, at times offering better deals. He/she can also arrange special requests (special diets, baby bassinets, wheelchair assistance, etc.) directly with the airline. If you wish, they can advise you on accommodations, airport transfers and guided tours that may save you money (perhaps as a package) compared to arranging each need separately. As above, the fee (if any) you pay for such services is real but often "built into" better airline fares and flight selections.

Bagasie

Sien ook: Vlugbagasie

There are two basic types of flight baggage. Checked baggage, check-in baggage of hold baggage is handed to airline staff at check-in, loaded into the hold of the aircraft, and picked up on arrival. Cabin baggage, hand baggage of carry-on baggage is carried by passengers in the cabin.

Baggage limits

Baggage allowance is stated on your ticket. Weight and size limits differ between airlines and ticket classes; full-service airlines, higher ticket classes and longer flights tend to be more allowing. The airline's website can tell about fees for additional baggage. Cabin baggage is included with the ticket, except for some budget airlines.

Usually, one piece of check-in baggage is included in business class ticket, or at an intercontinental flight. Each additional bag has a fee, usually less when paid in advance. Weight limit for international flights and domestic US flights is usually 23 kg (50 lb) per piece, not to exceed 60 inches (152,4 cm) total for length, width and thickness. Within Europe, it is often 20 kg (44 lb), with total size varying by airline. Checked items may be limited by total weight of all checked pieces, rather than each piece.

Met codeshare flights, baggage allowance may differ from the airline indicated by the flight code, and frequent flyers' increased allowance might not apply.

Cabin baggage

On most aircraft (except the smallest), each passenger can bring one piece of baggage within 55×40×20 centimeters (9×14×22 inches; exact dimensions vary between airlines). A cabin suitcase is designed with these dimensions. Though weight is rarely checked, nominal weight limit is sometimes as low as 7 kg. Most airlines also allow a small bag, such as a purse, handbag, or laptop computer bag, and an umbrella but some low-cost carriers may count these against the one hand luggage allowance passengers are entitled to. Passengers can also carry their own outdoor clothing.

Never put high-value or irreplaceable items in your checked baggage. Most travel insurance and airlines will not cover such items when placed in checked baggage. Checked bags do get misplaced/misrouted, or emergencies may happen during flight, and you may need immediate access to something.

Liquids and dangerous objects

IATA guidelines apply the 3-1-1 limits to all international flights. They impose 100 ml (3.4 oz) limits on liquids, gels and pastes in cabin baggage, including aerosols, toothpaste, deodorant, drinks and water. Containers must fit in a single clear bag/pouch smaller than 20cm x 20cm or 1 quart. Each container inside must meet the 100ml/3.4oz limit. Exceptions are possible, e.g., for medication or baby care items.

Duty-free items purchased airside mag be allowed on board. In the worst case, en-route terminal changes may force you to re-check through security. Even if sealed in a tamper-proof sack, containers of liquids originally bought "airside" elsewhere may not be allowed through "re-check".

Place medications and liquids where they can be easily seen at security check. Ensure that medications are kept in original containers and clearly labeled. Place other liquids in your checked baggage. You may need to demonstrate the harmlessness of any liquid you carry on request by security officials. Expect to discard liquids and gels that don't meet regulations. Bottled water might be bought airside, or refilled in an empty bottle from a bathroom tap.

Sharp or weapon-like objects are prohibited, including pointed scissors, messe, metallic tools, baseball bats, martial arts weapons, as well as "convincing looking" toy weapons. Pack sharp items in your checked bags in ways that don't create risk for baggage inspectors.

The United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have strict rules regarding bringing in food. All food must be declared to customs and inspected, even if the items are permitted, and failure to do so is punishable by fines and a possible jail sentence.

Toerusting

• Headphones with electronic plug adapters. For long flights, some carriers provide them, often for a fee.
• The airline's web site should list permitted electronic devices; on board, look in the in-flight magazine to find the "rules". Perhaps even better than all this, treat yourself to a good book... hardcopy or electronic.
• A light jacket, vest, wrap or small blanket.
• On longer flights, a neck pillow or other kind of pillow, something to pad the small of the back
• Slippers
• Nicotine gum for smokers
• Earplugs or noise-canceling headphones
• Sanitizing wipes
• Newspaper. Can be used to insulate against the cabin wall.
• Health kit for minor "incidents", e.g., cuts/scratches, stomach upset, slight infections.

Baggage with electronic devices is more likely to be inspected; so pack them to be easily seen. In most countries, laptops and tablet computers are scanned separately; you have to remove it from any cabin baggage holding other items. Make sure its batteries are charged at least enough to "boot" it up for a simple demonstration.

Airport security may confiscate carry-on items they feel are "suspicious", often without recourse. At that point, you would not be able to put those items in your checked baggage, because by then it would already be waiting to be loaded aboard your aircraft.

Carry-on only travel

If you need less baggage, consider taking carry-on only. You don't have to wait to claim baggage, and you might save a baggage fee. Check your ticket for baggage restrictions. However, you can only bring items that pass through airport security. Consider to buy clothes, toiletries and other equipment at the destination. Due to the proliferation of low-cost airlines where the baggage fee sometimes exceeds the ticket price, there are various videos or guides online showing how to fit a week's vacation into a "jacket" and cabin sized backpack. Keep in mind that you may attract more scrutiny trying to pull something like that and checking non pre-booked luggage in at the airport usually costs more than booking it with your flight.

A few airlines actually charge for anything beyond the "personal item" of your hand luggage. If you fly with such an airline paying for checked bags is usually better value anyway.

Alternative baggage delivery

If you want to travel with carry-on only but also have check-in baggage, you can use luggage delivery service. Alternatively, you can use a wardrobe management company like The Traveler's Closet^{[voorheen dooie skakel]}.

Consider shipping baggage as cargo, also known as unaccompanied baggage. Many airports have companies that will arrange this for you, and aggregators like xsbaggage can find one for you. Fees can be quite high, and your bags will be shipped separately ...necessarily a few and perhaps several days earlier. Instead of claiming them at your destination airport, you'll have to arrange collection or delivery somewhere else. For international locations, you may need to do customs declarations/claims for them.

Baggage to be checked

Sien ook: Pak lys

Checked baggage allows more weight and volume than your hand baggage, and allows restricted items such as knives and liquids. It is however more exposed to theft, weather, and forceful baggage handling.

Pressurized containers, explosives, hazardous materials and weapons (or items that look like weapons) are prohibited, both in cabin and check-in baggage. For the USA, see the TSA's guide to Transporting Special Items. Note also "Carry-on Contents" below.

Consider customizing the outside of your checked baggage with tape, colored belts, etc., so you can find it easily at baggage claim...and no one else can claim it "erroneously".

If you take as much as you are allowed, purchases on your trip may make your bag(s) overweight on your return trip, requiring extra fees. One alternative might be to donate or discard enough used clothing before returning home to offset your purchases. If you plan a lot of shopping, consider packing a collapsible bag for your return trip. Outbound it should induce little weight and so no fee in you check bag(s); homeward bound it can prevent a piece from becoming overweight. To ensure no weight overage, you might use a bathroom weight scale at home. Later, an accurate handheld scale can be useful; lacking that, ask about a scale at the hotel having just packed for your return.

Most airports have baggage carts for rent, but you often need local currency, usually coins. In some countries, you cannot take these carts through security checkpoints. Some airports offer free carts, more often in areas for arriving flights. Most airports and hotels have porters, usually working for tips. Elsewhere, you'll likely be entirely on your own.

Other concerns

On small aircraft, you might need to check in standard-dimension hand baggage. Most airlines don't charge for such checking, but it increases risk of theft. With airlines that charge extra fees for all checked bags, baggage costs can become punitive. If in doubt, check in advance with your agent or airline for each leg on your itinerary.

Some low cost carriers (e.g. Ryanair) have no free checked baggage allowance and charge per kilo. Large items such as sport equipment might induce more fees, special baggage check-in, and extra time to be claimed on arrival.

Overweight baggage

For checked baggage, every kilo (or centimeter) over the limit may be charged some fixed fee or a percentage of the airfare. This can get expensive, especially on budget airlines.

• Once you place your bag on the scales at check-in, some airlines will not allow you to take out contents; even if they do, it is an embarrassing hassle.
• If you were close to the allowed weights outbound, make sure you wear the same (weights of) clothes back home.

If you know your bags will be definitely overweight, consult your airline. They may offer baggage upgrades before arrival at the airport for less than excess-baggage fees at the airline counter. Pre-booking excess baggage online can come with discounts.

Most airlines have an absolute maximum weight limit for a single checked item, often 32 kg; this is for the health and safety of the baggage handlers loading the aircraft.

As an alternative to excess baggage, consider sending your excess items by post or courier.

Medication

Have documentation that all medications belong to you. Take no more meds than you need on your trip. Keep all in their original containers (over-the-counter and Rx) so that baggage inspectors (especially customs) will have an indicator of what's inside. Make sure that no substance is illegal in any country you will visit or transit. For some countries, you need government permission to carry the meds within its borders.

• Some countries (e.g., Japan) may have unexpected restrictions on basic medications, even at-home over-the-counter items, e.g., anti-histamines. They will be confiscated if discovered.
• Die consequences for unauthorized medications can be severe, e.g., immediate confiscation, fine, arrest, possible prison.

How to pack

Pack as much as possible of check-in baggage contents in resealable plastic bags. They help security inspections and repacking, and protect against rain or being soiled. If you choose to seal them (e.g., if zip-lock bags), "burp" them of excess air; otherwise, at altitude the bags may burst. They are equally useful returning, e.g., to keep soiled items separate from other content.

Checked baggage is often tossed about in transit. Fragile items should be carefully packed, or preferably carried in hand baggage. Applying a FRAGILE sticker to checked baggage is rarely sufficient to change the way baggage handlers care for bags. Place heavy items toward the bottom of bags. Do not mix heavy and fragile items in the same bag. Any content likely to trigger a manual inspection should be placed where it will be quickly seen as the bag is opened.

For containers of substantial liquids, choose rugged screw-capped bottles with tops not designed to pop open, even if you must buy them separately and manually fill them at home. Otherwise, use new/unopened bottles of product still sealed. Consider taping any pop-open cap tightly to the rest of the container as well as the opening. Put each bottle in a separate, burped and sealed plastic bag to protect other baggage contents. Even better, if your destination(s) have such products for sale, you can save weight, space and bother by buying them there.

Glass containers and other fragile items must be packed well. Put them individually in plastic bags and seal with a knot or their zip-lock. Wrap them in clothes or towels and place them in the middle of your bag between other soft items. The overall bag needs to be tightly packed.

Never put unprocessed film in checked baggage. X-rays destroy unprocessed film. Magnetic tape may be affected by repeated exposure to strong x-rays.

Preventing and recovering lost baggage

Place identification on both the outside and inside of your bag. Rugged, well-attached baggage tags are crucial...with at least name, address, phone. Prefere those that have a flap to cover your identity.

• Copies of your trip itinerary inside and in an outside pocket can be equally useful, including name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, flight number(s) and your itinerary. Airlines or others must have this to locate you or forward your baggage if your tag or the airline tag comes off or baggage gets mis-routed.
• If packing a box, put your name, address and phone numbers in big block letters and numbers on at least 2 opposite sides, plus an itinerary sheet inside. Do not use a return address unless you are shipping something as air freight. Checked baggage should have only ONE address.

If an airline "loses" bags, it often loses one rather than all, except for major delays and flight cancellations. Distribute clothes and other equipment for everyone in the group between bags, so everyone has something to use until the "lost" bag is found. Delayed baggage coming in on a later flight is far more common than truly "lost" baggage (over 24 hrs.) Take a photo of all your checked baggage for identification; this is useful to cross language barriers. Lost or delayed baggage is more common if you depart from a larger airport than a smaller one. This includes transfers en route; the size of your arrival airport is less important. Non-stop flights decrease the risk of baggage hassles.

• As a last resort, airlines can search a worldwide database of the contents of bags that have been misdirected... based on passenger declarations of contents at lost-baggage offices. They do not catalog each item inside a bag, so declare one unique, easily-seen item in your bag to help the airline find it. All the more reason to place copies of your itinerary inside and outside your checked bags.

Two ways to reinforce baggage, are:

• Tightly applying brightly-colored baggage straps. Ensure any strap-ends are well-secured/tucked-in so they won't be snagged in handling. The colors will help you find your checked bags.
• In major departure airports, you may find a baggage-wrapping diens. For a fee, they will wrap a piece of baggage in multiple layers of plastic sheeting. (Such wrap is not permitted if your baggage will go through U.S. and some other countries' security screening; they must be able to quickly inspect contents manually.) Wrapping occurs before you present the baggage at the airline counter to be checked. Make sure the weight of the wrap doesn't make the item overweight. Also make sure your name tag is clearly visible...preferably outside the wrap.

Securing your bags

A few steps can help deter damage and theft, but can be compromised because items must be ready for security inspections.

Airports do electronic and/or manual inspection of bags. At a manual inspection, the bag is opened. If locked by other than approved locks for that country (e.g., by TSA for the U.S.), inspectors must cut or break them (and perhaps the zipper-pulls they're applied to) to get inside. If you check hard-shelled suitcases with "built-in" locks, consult the airline or your travel agen for usability.

After manual inspection, bags are re-packed and re-secured by inspectors, with your lock, your baggage strap and/or a plastic tie joining the zipper-pulls. If plastic ties have been applied, you might need a cutting tool. Put it in an outside pocket of the suitcase. Inspectors usually leave a note inside an inspected bag.

You may be directed to check one or more bags (that you expect to carry-on) at the ticket counter, aircraft gate or as you step board. Reasons can include:

• You have over-packed one or more of them, or have too many. This can involve a major fee.
• Part of your journey is on a small plane with limited cabin space.
• If one of the last to board, the cabin might run out of space. They announce that those not yet seated must allow large carry-on baggage to be taken to the hold; items will receive special tags. Carry-ons are much more likely to contain valuables, and so are often targeted by thieves. You should lock them after passing the personal security check. If practicable, snugly apply a baggage strap. You'll usually claim "checked carry-ons" at the baggage claim. For smaller aircraft, you may have gate- or ramp-checked your carry-on, and it may well be returned to you as you depart the aircraft.

Some travelers take extra precautions with checked bags...some expensive:

• To locate their bags at baggage claim, they fasten flashers/beepers to the outside that they can trigger by a device they carry.
• Others may place GPS tracking devices inside their baggage that indicate its location...helpful if lost or misrouted.

Special luggage

It is usually possible to bring special oversize luggage, in top of your main check-in bag. This can be sports equipment (golf, skis, bicycle etc), musical instrument etc. They should be prebooked, and you should ask before booking your main ticket if they are allowed. Some flights don't allow such luggage. If you travel with expensive sports equipment (SCUBA gear, parachute, etc.), chances are you might be allowed to take them into the aircraft cabin. Chances are higher if your destination is used to that kind of equipment. Taking SCUBA gear to Egypt and a parachute to Dubai should be hassle free, but the other way around, taking it on board might be declined.

There is an extra fee, which can be $400 for a long-distance return ticket. Wheel-chairs and baby-strollers are normally allowed without extra cost, but should also be prebooked.

Kleredrag

Sien ook: Kleredrag

The days of wearing one's "Sunday Best" on a plane are now mostly gone and even business travelers or celebrities will nowadays dress for comforts more than looks. That said, there's no need to be disheveled or forego a shower. Even if you sleep at the airport, there's usually an option to clean yourself. Outside baggage allowance, passengers can wear as much clothes as they prefer, including heavy outdoor clothes... within reasonable limits. Cabin temperature may vary in-flight, especially when flying overnight. Dress in adjustable layers.

• Use a soft jacket for warmth.
• Blankets and pillows are usually offered on long flights, and/or in business class. Other passengers can consider to bring them.
• Warm socks/slipper-socks can be useful. Wear your shoes when walking to the toilet, as their floors may be wet, even filthy. Cabin walls and cabin air near exit doors can get cold. If you have a window seat, you'll likely need something to insulate against the wall...even a few sheets of newspaper can help remarkably. If near an exit door, you may need all the clothing layers you can access, especially if you can't get a blanket.

It has been said that passengers who fly in a business suit receive better service. While wearing a suit instead of packing it can save baggage space, you risk soiling it.

Airplane interiors can be filthy, especially on budget airlines. Consider wearing something in-flight that you can doff soon after disembarking to wash/clean it later. As traveling for business, put at least one business outfit in your hand baggage.

When leaving a cold region for a warm one, you can leave winter wear at home if air transit is short. Consider leaving winter garments with friends if they take you to the airport and pick you up on return.

For travel to a cold region from warm, use layers and carry at least a lined jacket; it may be some time before you get the clothes from your checked baggage.

Bly veilig

Sien ook: Raad vir senuweeagtige vlieërs, Flight and health

While the risk for lethal accidents is very low on commercial airlines, delays and cancellations are frequent.

• Check government sources and reliable news sources for travel warnings. If they show potential for trouble (strikes, political unrest, natural disasters, etc), check with your agent, airline or airport (e.g., website) about your travel. Whether or not you are a U.S. citizen, you may be interested in the U.S. State Department's travel warnings and those by other relevant governments. Those warnings can affect departures from U.S. or other airports to areas having a warning, en departures from such locales to your country.
• Oorweeg die safety record of the airline, the aircraft it uses, and airport reputations if flying into smaller airfields or developing countries. Also look for flight segments you've been offered under a code-sharing arrangement, where you book on a reputable airline but actually fly on a different one for any part of your trip. You may then be flying an airline or aircraft with a poorer or unknown safety record, or that has baggage capacity less than you may need for your trip. Note that airlines from developing countries (such as Air Zimbabwe) can have outstanding safety records, so don't make assumptions. Die Europese Unie bans a bunch of airlines from its airspace. The list is a matter of public record, but the reasons are sometimes arguably political. That said, you may want to follow the EU's lead in not using an airline even if the reason is "political".

If you have health issues, consult your doctor and ensure the airline knows about any condition that might be problematic for flying well before the start of the trip – even before you pay for tickets. Airlines can often help you if you have physical limitations or some medical condition.

Fifty countries worldwide, including China, South Africa, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand require that insecticides (usually residual types) be used on planes. If the airline (e.g., Hawaiian Airlines) does not use residual insecticide, the plane may be sprayed in-flight. If you are sensitive to such chemicals, ask in-advance what is used.

Insurance

Hoofartikel: Reisversekering

Travel insurance cost depends on trip cost and duration, age of travelers, level of coverage requested for certain problems, and destination country.

Airline insurance purchased with the ticket will often focus only on the airline's responsibilities, while a quality, overall travel policy will cover most/all risks of your end-to-end trip. You may obtain better rates for a general policy by buying a it through or from an association you belong to, e.g., AAA, AA, AARP. Very-frequent travelers should consider long-term (annual) policies; coverage can be equivalent while costing much less per trip.

Flight insurance (for death or major dismemberment while flying to a single destination) has also become a very poor investment. The probability is extremely low that you or your relatives will receive enige benefit...because flying has become so safe.

Pre-flight checks

Reconfirming your flight

In general, it is no longer necessary to call the airline to reconfirm flights, as reservation systems are fairly reliable. Check the reservation online, and call the airline only if there are problems.

The main exceptions are when you are flying way off the beaten track on an airline that doesn't (or looks like it doesn't!) do computerized reservations, especially when there won't be another flight for a week. Off the beaten track in Indonesië, for example, it's wise to reconfirm not just once but twice — although you may still get bumped off if a VIP and his harem show up at the last minute.

Checking your reservation

Double-check that your itinerary is still correct. Not only can you check that everything is order, but also you can see whether any waitlists have cleared, flight times have changed, your special requests are recorded, etc. Most legacy carriers offer checking through a website, smartphone app, and telephone. Check in good time, as in case of flight cancellation or overbooking, you might be able to catch an earlier flight. If your carrier changes the itinerary. they or your agent will try to contact you, but they may not reach you in time. There are a number of online services for reservation checking; however, you'll have to figure out which reservation system was used to do the booking. This is usually printed at the top of your itinerary, but if all else fails you can always ask the agent.

• Abacus/Sabre
• Amadeus
• Apollo/Galileo
• Though Worldspan also offers such information, it is now accessible only to those with a valid Worldspan server installation, and ready to use ID and GDS for sign-on.

Budget airline flights often will not show up in these systems.

In cases of severe weather (e.g. blizzard, fog) or recent airport closures, get in touch with your airline before you leave home to see whether your flight is delayed or cancelled. If your flight is cancelled, and you have been put on the waitlist for a future flight, don't come to the airport, until the airline informed you that you can fly on the flight for which you are waitlisted. Check occasionally to learn of any progress.

Aanlyn inboek

Sien ook: At_the_airport#Check-in

Most carriers now offer online check-in of some form where passengers can at least initiate the check-in process on an internet-enabled device (e.g. personal computer, smartphone, tablet) before arriving at the airport. The online check-in window opens anytime from 24 hours (especially for flights involving the US) to 30 days (for low cost carriers based in Europe) before departure. Nowadays, online check-in may be the only way to initiate the check-in process for some low-cost carriers (e.g. Ryanair). To begin online check-in, passengers have to log on to their carrier's website or open their carrier's mobile app (which can be downloaded from their device's app store). They will need the booking reference or their username and password for the airline's website (if they booked the flight while logged on using their account) and follow instructions from there. For international flights, passengers may also need to supply details found in their passports. They can select their preferred seats, add extra bags, provide their frequent flyer number for mileage accrual, and purchase other extras (depending on the carrier). At the end of the process, passengers may be given the option to print their boarding card or download it to their phones.

Vir sommige vlugte is aanlyn-aanmelding moontlik nie moontlik nie, of hou dit beperkings in, selfs al bied die lugdiens gereeld aanlyn-aanmeldings aan. Dit is veral die geval as die passasier op 'n roete vlieg waar personeel addisionele dokumente (bv. Visum) moet sien en addisionele veiligheidskontroles moet uitvoer. Selfs as aanlyn-inklok moontlik is en passasiers nie tasse kan aflaai nie, kan die vervoerder steeds van hulle vereis om na 'n aangewese lessenaar op die lughawe te gaan vir meer tjeks.

As 'n passasier om watter rede ook al nie aanlyn kan inboek of sy / haar instapkaart kan afdruk of aflaai nie, werk die inkomkiosk op die lughawe op dieselfde manier en gee 'n instapkaart uit. Nadat die aanlyn-inklokgedeelte voltooi is, kan passasiers met tasse dit by 'n aangewese lugdiensbank op die lughawe aflaai om die proses voort te sit.

Die spesifieke meganika van aanmelding wissel per vervoerder; gaan na die webwerf van u diensverskaffer voordat u die huis verlaat.

Ander inskrywingsmetodes op afstand

Sommige lugdiensondernemers bied ook in by stasies buite die lughawe. Die fasiliteite wat aangebied word, is soortgelyk aan wat in a tradisionele inboek stasie op die lughawe, maar kan dikwels teen 'n ekstra koste betaal word, of slegs gebruik word deur passasiers wat op sekere maniere na die lughawe reis (bv. lughawe-trein). In toenemend seldsame gevalle kan sommige vervoerders ook SMS'e of telefoniese inklok aanbied waardeur 'n passasier na die lughawe na 'n aangewese lessenaar gaan.

Sien ook

• Reisbeginsels

Klaar? Gaan na die volgende gedeelte van hierdie gids: Op die lughawe →