Flying Made Easier 2023 edition
It is very difficult to figure out what you should take with you on an airplane. That gets even more complicated once you notice how many options are available to you. In this article we hope to narrow down some options to help you experience a smoother trip the next time you fly. This could be from what you pack to knowing your rights as a customer trying to board an airplane.
When planning a long trip, consider what you should take there, whether by flying, riding a bus, or boat. Some of these things include some gadgets that may be useful for when you arrive at your dream destination. If you want to buy anything online, it is best to look into the devices you may or may not want to buy if you decide to order anything online. Before leaving for your trip, it is helpful to look at getting an electronic sim card or talking to your phone provider, as they might have international data plans to explore, so you won’t have to worry about not having any Wi-Fi. There are many options available that are user-friendly and affordable. A few other things that are handy depending on where you are traveling are a portable charger that you can use throughout your travels and a universal travel adapter, as many different countries will have other wall plug-ins. One of the most challenging parts of a trip is the traveling itself, especially if it is more than just a few hours. In this case, a pair of noise-cancelling headphones can be a fantastic thing to have. Whether you want to get some shut-eye or enjoy some quiet from outside noise, headphones of these types can work exceptionally well. Many flights have in-flight access to entertainment, which you can access by downloading an app corresponding to that airline on your phone. This can be very useful for longer trips, and many airlines will have this information on their websites with extra details to give everything you need to know to get you started. Many airplanes also have Bluetooth connections to download all your favorite music and movies. Some require you to bring a Bluetooth airplane adaptor.
No matter what gadget or app you have. You can’t change the crew and the seats in your aircraft. What you can pick, however, is which company you want to travel with. There are two simple recommendations: if possible fly with either an Asian airline or a Middle Eastern airline and try to fly with one airline alliance.
Both Asian and Middle Eastern airlines have consistently ranked amongst the best airlines in the world. Not only are they more likely to offer the lowest prices for long distance travel, but their cabin crew is also some of the best trained. ANA and Singapore airlines are two of the leading Asian airlines and Qatar and Fly Emirates are the best Middle Eastern Airlines. Additionally, if you face any trouble during your travels, these companies are guaranteed to follow through and solve your problems to almost perfection. If you have a layover over 12 hours, these airlines also offer accommodation and food coupons for your stay.
Now the reason you should pick an airline alliance is because of miles. If you ever get a credit card for an airline you could use the miles earned on other airlines that are part of the same alliance. For example, any miles you earn on Air Canada could be used to buy a ticket with ANA to Japan. So your daily shopping could end up becoming a ticket to your next destination. If you are feeling fancy you could even upgrade to business class using these miles. Furthermore, limiting down your alliances could earn you user ranks. This grants you access to lounges all across the globe. You could be flying economy from Singapore to JFK on United but still have access to their first class lounge if your rank is high enough. This is usually earned from frequent flying or purchases made with a specific credit card.
Did you know that if your flight gets canceled or delayed for more than 3 hours, airlines are legally obligated to provide compensation for your inconvenience. In most cases, airlines are required to rebook you on the next available flight to your destination for no additional cost, but you can also receive money from them. For flights from and within Canada including connecting flights, the compensation an airline must pay you is determined by the length of your delay. For large airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet, the amount is $400 – $1000 and for small airlines such as Sunwig and Flair, the amount is $125 – $500. However, if you choose to get refunded instead of being rebooked, the airline must still pay you the minimum amount. The compensation must be in monetary form, for example cash, cheque or a deposit into your bank account. Airlines can also offer other forms of compensation such as vouchers or rebates, but it must have a higher value than the monetary required and cannot expire. In order to receive compensation for flight delay or cancellation, you would need to make a claim for the airline within 1 year of the incident date. The airline must respond within 30 days by either issuing a payment or giving a reason why they believe compensation is not owed.
Now you are ready to fly whenever and wherever you chose to go. We hope that this article made it easier for you to chose and search for your next destination. Until next time, have a nice trip.
Reference
Compensation for flight delays and cancellations. (2019, July 15). Air Passenger Protection. https://rppa-appr.ca/eng/compensation-flight-delays-and-cancellation
