Planning and organizing a trip and booking a place, and buying tickets are extremely exciting. It is incredibly fantastic when you have a long-awaited vacation with your loved ones in a foreign country.

If you rarely fly, you can certainly feel a little confused about the choice of airline, flight, class, and when buying a ticket. It is easy to make mistakes that would cost you dearly.

But even if you travel often, mistakes are never ruled out. When you are in a hurry, you can go wrong and choose the wrong airline or flight that is not convenient for you to transfer.

Whether you are flying for the first time or the hundredth time, it is always good to be careful, especially when traveling abroad. In this regard, we have prepared a list of some of the most common mistakes observed in passengers. We hope you find this helpful and know what to look out for. 

Buying a plane ticket

Today, air travel is the most preferred way. One of the main reasons for this is the time savings and convenience that airlines offer. But when buying a plane ticket, make sure you don’t make any of the following mistakes.

Purchase a ticket directly from the airline’s website

It is increasingly said that the safest way to buy a ticket remains from the airline’s website. But this is not always the case. Very often, third-party sites can offer you some of the best airfare prices.

In addition, some of these sites take care to monitor and check different airlines and offer you only those that will guarantee you the best possible experience. As a bonus, you can easily compare the prices of other airlines.

Wrong use of credit or debit card

Using credit and debit cards has always been convenient. But you can often make mistakes. Also, check if your bank gives you some benefits.

Many banks give all kinds of opportunities to their customers to encourage them to use most of their services. For example, you can get Airport lounge access. That’s why we advise you to use your credit and debit cards over your digital wallet.

Which day of the week will you travel?

Did you know that plane tickets, which are between Friday and Monday, are in most cases much more expensive? That is because most people travel just then. If you have the opportunity, we advise you to choose a weekday for flying, because then you can find one of the best ticket prices.

Do you book tickets in a hurry?

When users often see great ticket prices, they rush to buy them to take advantage of the excellent offer. But it is in these moments that the most unpleasant mistakes occur. 

When purchasing tickets, make sure you choose the right destination and the dates you want. Keep in mind that no changes can be made in most cases or, if possible, they are expensive. To avoid that, always check the entered data. 

Choice of airline

Another key factor is the choice of airline. Today you will find a variety of airlines that offer tickets to various destinations. We advise you to be careful when choosing an airline, which can save you a lot of trouble and headaches. Here are some of the essential details to look out for.

Does the price match the quality?

One of the main things to check is whether it is worth paying the appropriate value for the airline’s service and quality. Especially when it comes to business class, you should not compromise. 

In this regard, we advise you to consult Trip Advisor, which will share with you which are the best airlines and which are the worst and help you find the best deals.

Pay attention to fees

Most airlines charge extra fees. In some cases, they are written in small print, so it is difficult to notice them. If your trip involves using several airlines, then check the possible fees for each of them. We are sure that you do not want to be unpleasantly surprised at the airport.

Compare different airlines

Each airline will claim that it can offer you the best deals, but we guarantee that even better ones are always. Therefore, always research and compare the offers of different airlines to find the best one for you.

Compare seats

If you have found two airlines that offer you great deals and you are hesitant about which of the two to choose, then compare their seats. Business Class should offer the best possible extras so that you feel great during your flight. 

Compare the size of the seats, as well as check which airline provides better food and entertainment. 

Flight selection

Photo source: Unsplash

Did you choose a suitable airport?

One of the main mistakes is choosing the wrong airport where you will land. Remember that some cities have several airports. Part of them are big and famous, and there are a lot of people there. It means that flights to them can be much more expensive than those to other airports.

Airport taxes

Did you know that some airports charge incredibly high fees for financing improvements or regional costs? For example, airports in Germany have high prices.

If you have a connecting flight, then carefully choose the intermediate airports that will be your stop. In this regard, large airports may charge higher fees than smaller ones.

Don’t give in to marketing strategies

Many sites use strategies, such as “only one seat left”, to get you to buy a ticket. We do not deny that there are often limited seats at a specific price, but still, many airlines use marketing tricks to sell their tickets faster.

Also, people often worry that if they delay buying tickets, they will become more expensive. Yes, this can happen, but not always. That is why do not give in to emotions, be reasonable and calm when choosing a flight. 

Choosing a travel class

Another critical issue that you need to pay special attention to is the choice of class. If you want to travel comfortably and have decided not to travel in premium economy class this time, you will remain between Business and First Class Flights.

These two classes are often confused, and it isn’t easy to distinguish between them, but we guarantee that there are. First of all, to choose the right one for you, you need to know what each of them can offer you.

Business-class

Business-class is an excellent opportunity, and the main thing it offers is:

• WiFi, desk, and office equipment
• all business class flights offer light dining, as some of them can also provide full dining service
• there is a bar service
• shared lounge for relaxing
• the perfect choice for business travelers
• wider seats and extra-legroom
• a fixed menu with gourmet dishes and a more limited menu of fine cocktails and wines
• larger cabins – it allows more people to take advantage of business class
• more affordable prices – compared to economy class prices are usually double but are much more affordable for most people compared to first-class ticket prices
• extra room, more privacy, and business services, etc.

First-class

First-class is the highest class of flights you can choose. You can expect everything that is offered in business class flights, and even much more. 

Some of the additional and improved services are: 

• high-class luxury experience fine dinners, including fine wine and whiskey
• some airlines offer private rooms and showers;
• concierge check-in, valet parking, and personal assistant are entirely possible extras;
• dedicated flight attendants
• the widest seats with the most space for your feet, and much more

Keep in mind that not all flights and not all airlines offer first class. 

Is it connecting or direct flights?

Whether to choose a direct flight or a connecting flight, on the one hand, is a matter of personal choice and depends on the final destination and the selected airline. There are cases where some airlines can offer both direct and connecting flights.

Usually, connecting flights are much cheaper than direct flights, and there is a relatively significant difference between the prices of the two types of flights. Indeed, connecting flights are not the most convenient and enjoyable trip, but you can save a lot of money.

That is why you need to be very careful and research well what the different airlines offer you. Quite a few connecting flights are super comfortable and organized so that you do not feel discomfort.

How to make a connecting flight?

The practice of connecting flights is used by most large companies that offer international flights. The risk of missing your connection is high. That is why you need to be extremely careful. In this regard, pay special attention to the destination you choose. 

Rule number 1 – avoid large and busy airports. Always choose smaller and quieter destinations for your connecting flight. 

First of all, the risk of missing your flight is extremely high, and quite often, the big airports lack good organization, and you can quickly get confused.

Another thing we could advise you is:

• check how much time you have between the two fields;
• fly with one ticket;
• when possible, stick to one airline;
• research in advance;
• avoid the last connection.

Indeed, direct flights remain one of the best options, but on the other hand, it is not always possible, and sometimes ticket prices are significantly higher.

That is why our advice is always to contact Trip Advisor. The specialist will be able to quickly and easily help you find the best flight for you. In addition, it will offer you the best airlines and the best possible connecting flights to ensure that everything will be fine.

Air travel pricing is a hot topic for everyone who is planning to travel. As coronavirus safety measures are becoming more lenient now, more and more people are willing to book flights.

If you are one of those that plan to fly during the Covid-19 pandemic, there are some things you need to consider.

Air travel immediately puts you into  close contact with many people and also different frequently touched surfaces on the airplane and at the airport. This fact can be very annoying, especially if you need to fly frequently.

If you are fully vaccinated, then you have  good protection against the coronavirus. This can help you be more flexible in terms of your air travel plans as you don’t need to worry much about catching the virus during your air travel.

However, wearing a mask and keeping a safe distance is still recommended for those people who are already vaccinated.

Those who are not vaccinated should take the necessary precautions when it comes to flying during a Covid-19 pandemic. Everyone who wants to fly now should take these precautions when booking their flight, spending time at the airport or when they are on their airplane.

If you want to have a safe air travel experience, in this article we will offer you several tips to guarantee yourself safe flying during times of pandemic.

Does Covid-19 pandemic affect airfares?

Everyone will agree that 2021 was marked by the coronavirus pandemics which influenced in one way or another a variety of industry sectors.

The Covid-19 pandemics affected the aviation industry considerably as well. For this reason frequent flyers are wondering whether the flight prices will rise as a result of coronavirus.

So, yes – there is an increase in airfares as a result of Covid-19 worldwide pandemic. According to travel experts airfares are expected to increase throughout 2021 after the pandemic waves decrease.

In general, airline pricing depends on several factors and airlines take them into consideration when deciding their flight prices.

Airline prices are closely linked to the customers’ current motivation to travel and the price they are willing to pay for a flight ticket.

The prices of flight tickets are determined depending on a combination of scientific combinations and models. This calculation is made with the help of machine learning  and algorithms by experts in airline pricing and revenue management.

They are also determined on the basis of the different airline products (whether we have business class or premium economy class), the different available airline itineraries, flight duration, departure time, arrival time.

This information is then compared with other airline information such as historical data, seasonality. Also  different market indicators are taken into consideration- upcoming local events, type of airline competition on a certain flight route and other indicators.

Airline pricing and revenue management experts take into consideration these indicators to create the most accurate prognosis of prices. But these models for calculation the airline industry has been using for years are now changing because of the Covid-19 global pandemic.

Airlines consider all of the above factors and  compare them with different indicators, one of which is airplane capacity. The purpose of this is to achieve a perfect balance that meets both the needs of the airline  and the traveler.

We offer you some helpful tips for a safe air travel experience during Covid-19 pandemic.

Tips how to fly in a safe and convenient way during a period of pandemic

Guarantee your safety when booking your flight

If you are flying on leisure and not on business, then you will have more flexibility when it comes to determining your flight itinerary. So, in this way you can avoid certain circumstances that put you in a higher risk of contracting Covid-19.

By being flexible you can have a safe flight no matter what destination you are flying to.

For example, when booking your fight try to avoid fights with long layovers, if possible. Also, choose a destination that is relatively close to your departure location. Choose the closest destination possible.

Another thing you can do is check the website of the airline you are flying with to get an idea about the safety measures they require from their passengers. You should also try to find out information about what safety measures they are taking  on airplanes and terminals.

One of the key things every airline should do during times of pandemic is to introduce basic proper safety measures to ensure maximum safety for the health of their customers. 

These include : 

• obligatory masks 
• maintenance of social distancing in different ways
• following special cleaning protocols 
• available options for a contact-free check-in method for travelers

Each airline introduces different safety measures regarding the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the measures are more strict and some are more lenient.

Most air companies achieve proper social distancing on their aircraft, at airport counters and waiting lines by introducing physical safety measures such as – protective barriers, plexiglass dividers between the aisles in  airplane cabins, keeping middle seats empty on each row of seats.

Some of the more advanced technological systems airlines use to ensure the safety for their passengers are airplane ventilation systems. They work by circulating and filtering the air inside an airplane cabin. In this way the spreading of any virus in the aircraft cabin is prevented.

Guarantee your safety before and during the flight

The requirement to wear a mask in the right way is something all of us know. So, forgetting your mask is one of the things you should try not to do when preparing for a flight.

Airline passengers are required to wear a mask during the entire flight except when they are drinking and eating.

The second important thing is to keep  good hand hygiene by  bringing with yourself  hand sanitizer and avoid touching your face.

The third important thing to do is to keep as much distance as possible while being at the airport terminal. Hundreds of people pass through an airport every day, so you will want to ensure your safety while waiting for check-in at your airline’s airport.

Enjoy a taste experience on the very highest level. Thanks to the skills of renowned top chefs, the quality of the freshest products and the service provided by an award-winning Swiss Air Business Class.

Their services are individual and based entirely on your requirements. After a drink to welcome you on board, you can enjoy our award-winning cuisine as a light Quick Meal or in several courses, accompanied by fine wines. And if you feel peckish in between, they have a selection of snacks and ice creams to tempt you.

Depending on the time of day, they will pamper you with an extensive breakfast, lunch or evening meal. Their dishes are made freshly and to the highest Swiss quality. To go with them, they offer you an extensive selection of beverages, including Champagne, and the personal service of the SWISS Business Crew.

SWISS Taste of Switzerland is served on all flights departing from Switzerland. This award-winning gastronomic concept lets top Swiss chefs interpret the culinary variety of their country in their own unique ways. The results are seasonal dishes from Swiss regions that impress and delight. 

Special meals

Flight guests with special dietary needs can pre-order selected special meals. The service is available in all classes of service on long-haul flights and in SWISS Business on selected European flights. 

A sealed meal is our newest addition, available on long-haul flights departing from Switzerland in the framework of a test. You can save your special meal preference in your ​online profile for future bookings. 

When booking your flight, you must be logged in under “Manage My Booking” so that your menu preferences are applied.

Air travel offers you amazing experience, especially when you have planned carefully everything in advance. Who doesn’t want to travel in a convenient and relaxing way? 

It’s not a good thing to feel worried about something before you have even reached your flight terminal. But it’s true that sometimes air travel can be stressful, especially if you are a beginner flyer. 

Fortunately, there are some things every traveler can do before their departure date that ensures a pleasant air travel without any obstacles. We offer you a couple of tips to follow, if you want to guarantee yourself an enjoyable air travel experience. 

Top tips for a hassle-free air travel

Book a business class flight

Choosing business class flights definitely guarantees you a high level of comfort, convenience and privacy. Business class cabins are equipped with everything a frequent traveler needs for a comfortable and trouble-free flight.

That indeed includes :

• convenient seat layout 
• lack of noise 
• quality food and drinks 
• complimentary amenities 
• in-flight entertainment

One of the reasons why the business class cabin is comfortable is that it offers comfortable seats with modern extras that can become lie-flat. And this definitely contributes to a better sleep during the flight.

Business class seats also offer more leg room, wide arm rests, pillows and blankets that can make any type of long flight more bearable.

So, if you can afford the price of a business class ticket or have enough airline miles to book a seat in business class, don’t hesitate to do it. Investing in a business class ticket is an investment in your own comfort, health as well as productivity.

Don’t forget the essentials

Preparation is a key part of every successful and enjoyable trip. Before heading to the airport to catch your flight make sure to check again if all the necessary documents such as passport, tickets and visa are with you. 

If you are flying to a country where you need a visa, make sure to bring with you a hard copy of your visa. Even if you are required to have a notification attached to your passport showing that you have a visa, it’s still recommended to bring a copy of your visa. 

A useful thing to do is to memorize the number of your passport in the case of theft or loss.

Pack a lighter baggage

When it comes to air travel you probably know that every little detail of your baggage matters as it can add a certain weight. As baggage weight is really important, the more minimalist approach you apply in packing your baggage, the better.

One of the main things that will help you achieve a lighter weight of your baggage is to pick up a lightweight suitcase. A lightweight suitcase will allow you to add a little bit more essential items to your baggage. It can also save you from the possibility of being charged for  excess baggage.

When choosing a suitcase design is recommended to pick such with 8 wheels and 360 degree technology. This will help you carry your baggage through the airport in an easy way.

If you aren’t going on a long vacation and you pack only cabin carry-on baggage, you won’t need to wait at the baggage reclaim area upon arrival.

And you will save much time when passing through the check-in counter. This means you will have an extra time to continue on your route to your destination and enjoy your vacation.

Download your airline’s app

Now almost all of the major air carriers have their own mobile apps. Airline apps offer frequent flyers convenience as you can use them on the go to find different information concerning flight dates. For example, you can check on an airline app if there are cancelations and flight delays.

Go early at the airport

Flying can be a stressful experience, especially the moment when you are in a hurry to catch a flight.

No matter where you are flying to, arriving at the airport up to 3 hours before departure is an old proven way that will guarantee you a peace of mind. 

Leaving yourself enough time will save you from stressful situations that air travel usually includes. Fortunately, you can check online to see how early it’s recommended to arrive for your flight. 

After you know the time you have to arrive, it’s good to arrive just a little bit earlier than time in case something unforeseen comes up.

Waiting for a shuttle to the airport is not always a convenient option, especially if you are in a hurry to catch your flight. Using a valet service is a better option instead. 

Frequent flyers can use a complimentary valet service, so you have another reason to join an airline’s frequent flyer program. If you choose a valet service, you just need to pull up your car to the terminal, give your keys to your airline’s valet and proceed to check-in.

Check in online

If you want easy and smooth air travel, then you should check in online rather than at your airport’s check-in counter.

When doing online check-in, you need to print your ticket or save it on your smartphone. If you choose this option, it’s recommended to check-in at least 24-48 hours in advance. 

This option also saves you valuable time when going through the check-in desk. After that you can continue quickly on your way to airport  security.

In case you forget to print out your ticket or save it on a device before arriving at the airport, you can print your boarding pass at an airport kiosk.

Skip the security line

It’s true that going in the airport security line takes time. Thankfully, there is one way you can avoid it and save your time to enjoy your air travel. 

By becoming a frequent flyer and acquiring an elite status on your air company, you can get the chance to skip security lines altogether when boarding your next flight.

To get advantage of this option, you need to acquire enough frequent flyer points . But what to do, if you aren’t a frequent flyer but you still want to save time when going through airport security. The answer is airline credit cards.

There are certain types of platinum credit cards offered by airlines that offer you status perks, even if you haven’t collected much air  travel points. By having such a card, you can simply skip your airline security airline after passing through check-in.

Get an exclusive lounge access

One of the best ways to make your air travel less stressful is to get free airport lounge access. Spending your waiting time between flights in a lounge is better than spending it at an airport waiting area. Airport lounges help you unwind in a relaxing environment before your flight  

Getting free access to an airline’s lounge depends on different factors. Flyers with an elite status and club members are among those passengers who get premium lounge access. 

You can get lounge access by the following ways :

• joining a loyalty program.
• booking a premium ticket. 
• paying for an annual membership. 
• entering a lounge as a guest of someone else who has already got exclusive lounge access. 

Another option is to buy a day pass for a certain lounge which costs around $50.

Airline lounges feature a cozy and comfortable setting plus a variety of amenities and premium services that make your waiting time enjoyable.

Priority lounge pass offers you many opportunities to spend your free time when waiting for a connecting flight. 

At airport lounges you can :

• enjoy a refreshing drink or a delicious meal 
• rest in comfortable lounge chairs 
• use free Wi-fi 
• get some computer work done 
• watch TV or read a magazine 
• get a shower 
• catch up on your sleep or even enjoy spa therapy

Prepare yourself

Pre-flight

Preparation is important when it comes to air travel. Before you reach the airport’s conveyor belt, you need to make sure that you have all the things you need within reach so that you won’t lose time trying to find them. Keep your most important things accessible.

When going through a check-in counter and then through the scanner at  security lines it’s convenient to carry all of your necessary items handy. 

Avoid wearing metal jewelry, a jacket, a hat or have spare change in your pockets when going through the scanner. It’s recommended to package the liquid part of your luggage in a small plastic bag.

In-flight

Another way to be prepared for any flight is to bring with you on board a separate small package of essentials (also called travel kit). Travel kits can help you survive a long-haul flight without any issues.

This small bag need to contain the most essential things you may need during your flight: 

• smartphone 
• noise-canceling earbuds 
• credit card 
• toothbrush and toothpaste 
• small packaging of moisturizing cream 
• eye mask 
• sunglasses 
• ear plugs 
• small packet of dry and wet handkerchiefs

When you take your seat, you can put your travel essentials bag in the seat storage compartment or on top of your carry-on baggage which is usually placed under the seat. 

In this way when you need a certain item, you won’t need to reach over to your overhead bin and start searching for it.

Most airlines offer their business class passengers different complimentary items such as – noise-canceling headphones, eye masks and ear plugs to help them spend a comfortable flying time. But it’s always good to bring your own essential items in your carry-on bag in case the air cabin staff doesn’t provide you with them.

Quality noise-canceling headphones can be a real life-saver when you are flying. Not all airlines offer business class passengers complimentary headphones that block the surrounding noise. For this reason it’s recommended to bring your own pair during your flight.

We will also recommend you to bring over-the-counter anti-nausea medications or medications against vomiting. Bringing a decongestant it’s also good, if you suffer from a blocked nose, as airplane air is usually dry because of the cabin’s filtration system.

Be proactive

If something goes not according to plan, it’s recommended to express your complaint with an airline. You should tell them not only what went wrong, but also what they should do to improve the situation. You can suggest an alternative option. 

The level of customer service depends on the airline but most flight attendants are willing to help.

Secure your valuable belongings

As you know safety is important when traveling. In order to feel safe during your long-haul flight, make sure to put your most valuable items such as your smartphone and wallet in a deep pocket inside your carry-on bag.

Another option is to place your most precious belongings in such a pocket that a thief won’t be able to reach without waking you.

Choose the aisle seat

When booking a flight most air companies and booking agents offer you the option to request a seat assignment. This is a great option, especially for those who are traveling on an airplane for the first time.

If you are scared of flying or you are prone to claustrophobia, it’s recommended for you to pick up the aisle seat. By choosing to sit at an aisle seat, you will be able to stand and move around the airplane cabin more easily.

In addition to that, you won’t bother your neighbor. And you will be far from the window where you will be more likely to watch views above the clouds.

Be picky about your media intake

If you feel anxious when thinking of flying, it’s good to avoid all types of news, movies, videos or even images related to airplane crashes before and during your flight. 

You should not forget that the largest part of all flights arrive safely. Try to remain positive and think about the things you have planned to do when you arrive at your end destination.

Dress comfortably

Comfortable clothes are something recommended when talking about long-haul flights. So, when getting ready for a flight, make sure to prepare your most comfortable travel outfit to wear during the flight. 

You should be able to sleep in those clothes. Pick up something that is both elegant and comfortable. It’s also recommended to bring a light jacket or a coat in case you feel cold in the airplane cabin.