I’ve been on 400 flights – here are eight ways to travel like a pro
AS we hit peak holiday season, flying could be a challenge once more – with strikes at home and abroad as well as a return to pre-pandemic passenger numbers.
Aviation specialist Daniel Ross has flown half a million miles and taken 400 flights with 69 airlines in the past four years.
Here are his top tips to make sure any flights you book this summer go smoothly . . .
1. PAY attention to departure and arrival times before booking: Getting the cheapest Ryanair flight at 6am from Stansted might seem like a great idea at the time of booking.
That’s until you end up having to shell out double the cost of the flight for a taxi to the airport because the first Stansted Express won’t get you there until 5.39am.
Similarly, will public transport or taxis be available at your destination if you land late in the evening?
Suddenly the 10am departure for £30 extra seems more appealing.
Want to save money? Think outside the box and consider flying from a different airport.
Shopping around for flights from alternative hubs, including starting from European cities such as Paris and Dublin, can save you cash.
I recently booked a great-value business class ticket to New York for £1,360 because I started my trip in Helsinki.
2. Flexibility is key when looking for the best deal: The cheapest isn’t always the best value.
Adding hold luggage, seat selection, airport check-in, and even carry-on bags can turn what seemed like an amazing £20 fare into a total rip-off.
Before putting in your payment details, it’s worth checking if full-service carriers (like British Airways) are offering fares around the same cost as the new hiked-up price.
You’ll be surprised how similar they are when you add the fees up.
3. Don’t take it out on the crew – it’s not their fault: The only thing you can really blame your cabin crew for is if the toilets aren’t checked regularly.
Any other misfortune you may experience, such as running out of food and drink mid-flight, your uncomfortably hard seat, and especially a delay, is no fault of your crew.
Unfortunately, cabin crew are the only airline employees immediately available when something goes wrong.
This means they often bear the brunt of passengers’ anger, which is completely unjust.
With that in mind, it’s important to always treat cabin crew with the kindness and respect you’d expect from them.
They’re only doing their job and without them, you wouldn’t be on your way to £2 pints in Benidorm.
4. It’s always worth asking how much an upgrade is at check-in: I’ve had some great luck with on-the-day upgrades.
You get the most for your money if you upgrade from economy or premium economy to business class.
The best I snagged was a one-way upgrade from premium economy to business class with British Airways for £480. As we say in the North East: “Shy bairns get nowt.”
5. Google Flights is the best tool for searching: While there are plenty of flight comparison websites, Google Flights has long been my go-to when booking a trip.
Its intuitive search tools make it possible to hunt for the cheapest flights to all destinations within a period of six months at a few clicks of a button — great if you’re looking for a last-minute getaway.
Once you’ve found the flights you want, nine times out of ten there will be an option to book directly on the airline’s website.
6. Avoid using third-party websites to book, where possible: These sites for booking flights and travel in general seem to be ten-a-penny.
What’s not to love about their fares that are cheaper than booking directly with the airline?
Well, nothing — until you need to change your booking, or your flight is delayed or cancelled, and the third party wants nothing to do with you.
That’s if you can even get hold of someone on the phone!
7. Double and triple check your baggage policy: Paying more than the cost of your flight for your overweight suitcase is not the way you want to start a holiday.
Even if you are a frequent flyer, make sure you are aware of your allowances when you book so you don’t get a nasty surprise at the airport.
8. Always pack snacks and water: There’s nothing worse than being trapped in a metal tube at 39,000 feet with nothing to eat or drink.
Packing snacks and drinks will help take the edge off any hunger or thirst that’s exacerbated by situations such as being delayed on the ground before taking off, or your airline running out of supplies.