Friday, February 29, 2008

The Best Strategy For Getting That Next Free Airline Ticket Using Travel Reward Credit Card

The best strategies for getting that next free airline ticket with the help of your airline rewards or frequent flyer travel reward credit cards boil down to seeking out all the incentives that have been created for specific airlines and their partners, including those provided by your airline rewards credit card issuer.
The quickest route to free travel is to fly as often as possible and charge the tickets on your airline rewards credit card since this can potentially generate tens of thousands of miles in a year. Leisure travelers can take advantage of everyday spending opportunities such as charging groceries, gasoline and setting up automatic recurring payments on their card to add up their miles.
The Immediate Action Plan
Enroll into United Mileage Plus Program - 15,000 - 20,000 Bonus Miles. Apply once a month, three month in the row - 45,000 - 60,000 miles for each adult member of the family -
http://www.cardoffers.com/manage/track/e.asp?ID=100156757

Use United Mileage Plus Card to purchase Charter One MasterCard Gift Cards - $1,500 per household per month. This transaction is a purchase and not a cash advance.
Purchase money order with this Gift Card and make mortgage, car or any other payments.
It takes 50,000 frequent flyer points to fly to Europe. You can earn them in less then 6 month and save up to $1500 per ticket.
Charter One MasterCard Gift Cards -

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1249,00.html
Frequent Flyer Basics
The frequent flyer program (FFP) is an incentive program operated by an airline to reward customers for their continued loyalty. As a traveler, you earn free miles for the miles that you fly on a particular airline. The concept behind frequent flyer programs is that the airlines want their passengers to become lifetime customers. It is much more costly for the airlines to get new customers than it is to retain the ones they already have. So how do they reward you? The more frequently you fly with them, the greater your awards.
Your frequent flyer miles reside in your account; much like your dollars in the bank. They accumulate as you travel, although unfortunately they don't earn interest. At this time, most of the larger domestic airlines use a fairly uniform policy: mileage does not expire, but there must be some activity in your account once every three years. The airlines may change their mileage expiration policies, so you should read their most current guidelines. When the mileage total reaches a certain amount, you can "redeem" them for an award, usually air travel.
Managing Miles
If the ticket would cost less than $300, you're probably better off buying it outright than using your miles. Frequent-flier miles typically expire after three years of inactivity.
Convert Miles
Points.com lets you take all your orphan miles or points from participating plans and consolidate them into one of your own choosing. Points.com allows 3,600 different exchanges for airline miles, hotel stays, free flowers, Starbucks coffee and gift certificates at Barneys New York, Crate & Barrel and 180 other retailers. Company charges $5.95 per individual transaction, or $19.95 for a year. The average exchange ratio at Points.com is just under 1.7-to-1, critics claim it is far more costly.
Convert miles to cash:
You can turn extra miles and points into cash via of mileage brokers. Just keep in mind airline rules prohibit such conversions. As the brokers on Dallas-based MrMileage.com clearly state on their Web site, "It's not against the law for you to sell your frequent flyer miles or awards, but it is against airline policy." MrMileage.com pays 1.5 cents per mile for the first 25,000 miles, or $375. Terms aren't posted on the site, but you can call a toll-free number.

G. Allen is a travel expert, webmaster for Vacation-Addicts.com blog and Iberostar-Board.com. Vacation-Addicts.com is a valuable informational resource for detailed information for over 400 all inclusive vacation resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico. The unofficial Iberostar Message Board is a an intriguing place where Iberostar lovers can share their ideas and experiences. Iberostar Hotels and Resorts - #1 All Inclusive Resort Chain - Top Quality and Comfort on The World's Most Beautiful Beaches.



Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/The-Best-Strategy-For-Getting-That-Next-Free-Airline-Ticket-Using-Travel-Reward-Credit-Card/18595

How To Get Cheap Flights To Las Vegas

Copyright 2006 Karin Manning

Are you after a cheap flight to Las Vegas?

You can start your budget trip to Vegas by getting the cheapest flights to Las Vegas.

If you are prepared to put in a little effort you can find cheap Las Vegas flight deals. Thankfully the Internet makes that really easy for you.

Let's start scouting the best airfare deals now.

Online Discounters

Look for airfares on http://expedia.com. They have a lot of package deals and get reduced tickets from many large airlines. They are a fast way to see what prices are available, though they won't necessarily have the lowest prices for you. It's a great base to start from.

Here are some more online discounters:

Cheap Tickets Expedia Travelocity Best Fares Lowest Fare

Online Consolidators/Auction

http://www.Hotwire.com and http://www.Priceline.com are great places to get reduced airfare prices, provided you are flexible with the times and days you want to fly to Vegas. You won't get the full details until you have paid. And don't commit until you have found the lowest rates.

Some airlines advertise internet specials so check out airlines that fly to Las Vegas where you are just in case.

You'd be amazed to find out how much airline tickets fluctuate in a 24 hour period. If you see an airfare you are interested during the day, check again after midnight. Chances are that the price is cheaper.

If all else fails here are a few tricks for getting cheap flights to Las Vegas.

Stay overnight on a Saturday. Flights during the week are always dearer because people are assumed to be high rolling business big shots who fly anywhere during the week.

If your city has more than one airport try the smaller airport. Sometimes they can offer cheaper fares

Be flexible about the time of day you want to fly and the exact date. Look an airline deals for the day before and day after your preferred travel date

The dreaded red-eye flight to Las Vegas. Flying overnight can save you a heap of cash. If you don't like the idea of flying to Vegas on a red-eye then fly one home. Chances are you'll be so pleasantly exhausted after your fun Vegas vacation that you will enjoy the extra sleep on the plane.

Never accept the first fare quoted. More often than not a less expensive deal will come up within hours of your booking.

Sometimes it may be cheaper to buy two round trip tickets - one for the day you want to leave home and the day you want to leave Vegas - than buying one regular round trip fare.

Book your flight well in advance. Airlines usually sell tickets much less the earlier you book it.

If you book a flight with an airline and subsequently see them advertising cheaper flights call the airline and complain demanding a refund for the difference

What is the best way to get a stand-by seat?

Reserve an economy seat for your flight. Arrive at the airport the day you want to leave and see if you can get a standby ticket (the best standby days are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). If you can get a standby seat then become a no-show on your economy ticket for a full refund.

$$$$$ Have you heard of Karin Manning? She's a leading Vegas travel expert. Just one of her Vegas travel secrets can help you save hundreds, even thousands, on your next Las Vegas vacation. Don't book your Las Vegas vacation without first visiting www.cheap-discount-vegas-vacations.com today. Karin will take you by the hand and show you how you can find cheap hotels in Vegas, cheap airfares, cheap Las Vegas car rentals and unlimited free things to do in Vegas. You'll be glad you did. You could even plan your trip today and start saving straight away! You will also find a more extensive list of Vegas FAQs answered. $$$$$



Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/How-To-Get-Cheap-Flights-To-Las-Vegas/22712

Air Flights Last Minute - Using The Internet To Find Them

If you are looking for some air flights last minute, there is no better place than the Internet to find tickets if available. Airlines know fully well the scope of the Internet in furthering their businesses and hence they expend a lot of their resources in maintaining their websites. In fact, a major bulk of their business is carried out through the websites of the services. Hence, the Internet could be a very good option to check for availability.

You must first directly visit the website of the airlines you are accustomed to. If the airline has any unsold or canceled tickets, then you are sure to find them on the website. They will be advertised as deal tickets because no airline will ever want to admit that they are saddled with last minute tickets.

However, if you do find tickets on the website, then you must not waste any time in booking your ticket pronto, because each hour matters here. Within the hour, there will be more people wanting the ticket and the prices will rise. So, if you check a ticket in the morning and if you come back in the evening to book it, you will find that the price will have rised significantly.

Most airlines websites have toll-free numbers advertised on their websites. These numbers can be used to call the airport booking offices and check up on their air flights. If there are tickets, you can confirm a seat on the telephone itself, and then get the tickets issued to you when you turn up at the airport.

That is why it is always worthwhile to become members on some airlines websites. You can ask for email alerts whenever they have some air flights last minute tickets available, which they will pass on as deal tickets. If you happen to be an air miles rewards holder also, then you can save a very good price on the total price of your ticket.

Then there are websites that specialize in advertising air flights last minute tickets. Expedia is an example of such travel booking websites. These sites have a whole list of tickets that are available and clicking on the link provided, you are taken to the website of the airline.

If you make a search on Google for air flights last minute, or some other such similar keyword, then you will be provided with several links to websites that have tickets of various airlines. These tickets will be cheap too. You will find tickets for all destinations and of almost all airlines on these sites.

Hence, if you are ever in search for air flights last minute, the Internet is the first place you must look. You will surely get your tickets there, and you must not waste any time in booking them, since there are always several people out there looking out for the same kind of tickets.

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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Air-Flights-Last-Minute---Using-The-Internet-To-Find-Them/101134

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Air Show Boost For Late Malta Holidays

Malta holidays are to get a late season boost from the island's air show which is set to be the best ever this year, with tens of thousands of islanders and tourists attending the event over the weekend of September 23 and 24.

Making the event a truly international one, as well as the Armed Forces of Malta participating, the French, Italian, Dutch Swiss and Spanish will all have planes and crew in attendance, plus the British Royal Air Force and US Air Force.

Among the planes taking part are two Alpha jets from France, one of which will be doing an aerial display, six F-16's with two Dutch F-16's flying, and from the RAF two Harriers and two Tornados, with one of the Harriers expected to do an aerial demonstration.

Ticket prices for the Saturday or Sunday are low compared to many international air shows, ensuring access is available to many of the Maltese population as well as enthusiasts and veterans who travel from around Europe for the weekend. Prices this year are 4.5 Maltese (around US $12) for either day, with public transport to the show available throughout the island.

With the tourist season beginning to slow down, many of the hotels in Malta see the air show as a tourist attraction and organise transport to and from the event.

An advantage of holding the show in the second half of September is that the Malta weather can almost be assured to be good, with the all important clear skies allowing viewing of the participating planes.

Malta Hotel Boost

The air show is seen by many in the Malta holidays industry as evidence that Malta can produce events which will not only prove an attraction to those tourists already on the island, but also as part of a package of other attractions to draw new tourists to the island.

The first half of the year has been a disappointing one for the Malta holidays industry, with a drop in tourists for the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year.

Commenting on the recently released figures showing a drop in visitors, one independent travel guide for Malta http://www.yourmalta.com believes that events like the air show should be promoted more.

'Malta needs good news', they say, 'and if potential tourists could see on a Malta map of events quality displays such as the air show it would be a good reason to visit the island.

The island needs to compete against other destinations in the Mediterranean, but while most of them are seeing an increase in visitor numbers, Malta is showing a drop'.

Many hoteliers and others in the holiday industry are hoping that cheap Malta flights might become a reality in the near future. There has been talk of low cost carriers from the UK and Ireland providing services to the island for some time now, but no deals have been struck yet.

Unemployment on the island is high at over 8 per cent, and tourism is a major employer, but many feel that the government is reluctant to see the national carrier Air Malta face potentially subsidised competiton. But by doing nothing the island faces the danger of the whole tourist industry suffering.

'Malta can be a high quality destination with low cost fares', comment the travel guide. 'We already have good accommodation like the Malta Hilton, so potentially we can do it'.

Malta is hoping that the air show is a step in the right direction.



Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Air-Show-Boost-For-Late-Malta-Holidays/23657

How to Choose your United Kingdom Destination

If you are interested in traveling to the United Kingdom you are not alone. There is tons of fun to be had in the United Kingdom, as well as many different business districts that may be of interest to you. But regardless of why you are interested in visiting the United Kingdom, you will need to make a decision on which area to visit. This is not always the easiest thing to do because of all the popular destinations in the area. But with a bit of research you should be able to make a decision on which United Kingdom destination best suits your needs.

The first thing that you need to do is ask yourself why you want to visit the United Kingdom. Are you interested in traveling to a United Kingdom destination on vacation? Or do you need to go for work? After you know why you want to visit the United Kingdom it will be much easier for you to make a decision on which destination to frequent. If you are not sure of which United Kingdom destination is best for you, it is important to do some research into each area. Luckily, you can find plenty of information on the United Kingdom by searching online or by purchasing a travel guide.

The next step is to look into the details of your trip. For instance, do you want to visit the United Kingdom so that you can take in some of the tourist destinations? If so, you may want to head straight for London. This is one of the most popular United Kingdom destinations, and when you visit London you will always have something to do. If you know what you want to do while in the United Kingdom, you will be able to better choose which destination best suits your needs.

Also, do not overlook the fact that you can visit several United Kingdom destinations in one trip. Even though you may want to fly into a bigger city such as London, it does not mean that you have to stay there during your entire trip. You can stay in the city for a few days, and then take a train or other transportation to another location. Many people make the mistake of choosing one destination, when actually they would have more fun if they traveled around the area a bit.

When trying to choose a United Kingdom destination look into your own personal situation. This will allow you to make a decision as to what you want to see, as well as how much time you have. From there, you should not have any problems choosing the best destination. The United Kingdom has a lot to offer; have fun!



Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/How-to-Choose-your-United-Kingdom-Destination/28177

Cory Lidle-What Really Happened and why?

Cory Lidle and Tyler Stanger, his flight instructor crashed into a high rise apartment building this week. What does his death teach us about good solid decision making in our own lives. First of all, accidents resulting in death in private plane accidents are fairly common, and certainly much more common than you would normally believe.

First you need to know some of the facts in the Cory Lidle story. The Yankee pitcher was flying north along the narrow East River. As you fly north the East side of Manhattan where the United Nations is located is on your left while Queens and Roosevelt Island are on your right.

Competent pilots avoid this narrow 2000 foot wide river at all costs. It is like flying in between mountains. In this case, the pilots had buildings and other structures on both sides of them while flying North at 112 miles per hour at an altitude of 700 feet. Here's the problem. Once you get to above the 96th Street in Manhattan on the East River, you are not allowed to continue to head north without contacting flight controllers to ask permission.

This is because commercial passenger aircraft could be flying right across your path as they head for a landing at LaGuardia Airport 2 minutes away. The commercial flights travel across Manhattan over the East River, and head for LaGuardia in Queens. If there are no commercial aircraft on the flight path, LaGuardia gives permission, and you continue up the East River.

Prior to taking off, Teterboro Airport flight controllers had inquired as to whether they should put Lidle in contact with LaGuardia controllers. He indicated no that there was no need because he expected to head North up the East River, and then South down the same river. This means Lidle expected to do a U-Turn over a river that was 2000 feet wide.

We know that Cory Lidle's plane chose not to violate the air space immediately in front of him. We don't know whose hands were on the controls, but that plane suddenly turned west above 72nd Street, and was heading over Manhattan. We do know that his co-pilot Tyler Stanger had only been up that river once in his career; keep in mind he was a California pilot. He was here to help Cory fly his plane back to California for the rest of the year. We don't know if Cory, or his 26 year old friend Tyler was flying the plane.

The decision that resulted in death for both pilots was made the moment the plane banked left, and was headed towards Manhattan. Here's why. At 112 mph, that plane is doing 9,855 feet per minute, or 164 feet per second. You have a thousand feet on each side of you on that river. You are in between building structures on both sides. If you turn left you have a shade over 6 seconds before you have buildings in your face. You divide 1000 feet of air corridor by 164 feet per second, and you get 6 seconds.

The plane was at an altitude of 500 feet when it banked left. We know this from reconstructed radar reports that were tracking the plane. Six seconds is your DECISION WINDOW (DW). A DW is the amount of time you have to make a decision. If you do not make the decision during the time that the DECISION WINDOW is open, than the decision is already made for you by you not making a decision.

Whoever was at the controls panicked during the time of the DECISION WINDOW. They saw structures and building right before their eyes, and they couldn't handle it, or it was too late. In my opinion, the moment that plane banked to the left while it was in the river corridor was the moment that their fate was sealed.

Even a test pilot, the kinds of guys who become astronauts would have had problems handling what happened after that turn was made. In the case of Cory Lidle and his instructor, there was just no shot at survival. His associate, Stanger had only been up that river once before. Neither gentleman had the experience in that specific situation to make this left turn happen.

There is nothing that compares to a reservoir of experience, when you run into trouble. There's more, Lidle was not at a point in his training where he was flying with unconscious expertise. Do you remember when you first learned to drive a car? You had no idea how much to turn that steering wheel unless you were actually in the process of turning it. We call this conscious, and unconscious incompetence.

You have to consciously turn that steering wheel while in the turn. For the next few weeks, every time you go into a turn, you are still consciously turning that wheel trying to figure out how much to turn it. You are becoming CONSCIOUSLY COMPETENT. After a couple of weeks, you get the hang of it, and your fingers know just how far to turn that wheel. You are becoming UNCONSCIOUSLY COMPETENT. This means you know how to do what you do without having to think about it. Your unconscious controls the turns.

It's the same with a new pilot. For the first 100 hours of flying after you get your license, you are still trying to learn to be consciously competent. You have to think about how to do everything. It obviously takes longer to do things while you are gaining this conscious competence. Cory Lidle was still at the point of developing his conscious competencies when he made that turn. It would have taken him longer to react than a pilot with more experience. This also cost him his life.

At the time of the crash, this young man had 70 hours of flight experience. This is a major contributor to the fatal crash. The real danger for a pilot comes at about a 100 hours of experience, up until about 400 hours of experience. The 100 hour barrier is when a pilot becomes unconsciously competent. He thinks he knows how to fly an airplane.

A new pilot becomes COCKY at 100 hours, and cocky pilots die at the controls. As the captain of the aircraft carrier said to Tom Cruise in the movie Top Gun, son, "Your ego is writing checks that your body can't cash".

Our hearts go out to the families of these two men, may we all learn from their tragic experience.

Richard Stoyeck's background includes being a limited partner at Bear Stearns, Senior VP at Lehman Brothers, Kuhn Loeb, Arthur Andersen, and KPMG. Educated at Pace University, NYU, and Harvard University, today he runs Rockefeller Capital Partners and StocksAtBottom.com Value Investing at StocksAtBottom.com



Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Cory-Lidle-What-Really-Happened-and-why-/28591

The Story behind the Navy F-4 Phantom Fighter

There was an aircraft that used to fly across our skies that was affectionately called the Phantom II or the Navy F-4 Fighter. It was a very powerful aircraft that seemed to prove the theory that you could make a rock fly if you put big enough engines on it. It was a MIG Killer in Vietnam and used extensively in every theater of the world. It had two huge engines that delivered 25,000 lbs of thrust and when the afterburners were lit up, it would rock the ground for miles away. The early versions like the F-4C could be seen for miles as they had a huge smoke trail, this was later modified in the F-4D and F-4E versions. There were also versions used for air recon missions that had photo cameras on the bottom. The F-4G was called the Wild Weasel and had the capability of taking out enemy air defenses, which proved to be very valuable during the attacks against the North Vietnamese air defense system. The Phantom had two seats and that pilot was in the front seat, and directly behind him was the weapons officer otherwise called the WISO. These aircraft have been featured in many movies such Top Gun or Hamburger Hill to mention just a few. The aircraft is now retired from active service, last flown by the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves, and now can usually be seen as static aircraft all over the US. The testament to the glory days of a true fighter, and though it was hated by maintenance personnel it carries a special place in the hearts of those of us who worked on it.

The Phantom was definitely a loud and leaky aircraft that loved to fly, in fact if you flew the aircraft constantly it would rarely break, but let it sit for even a few days and it took a major effort to get the plane back up again, such was the legacy of the Phantom. There was also a unique thing that all maintainers came to know as well called the Phantom bite, as this aircraft had many jagged and protruding drains that would inevitably cut or hurt you. Still it was a badge of honor to get it, but if you were lucky you just lost a uniform and no skin. The Phantom had light strips on the sides and when it was sitting on the end of the runway and lit up the afterburners it was truly an amazing sight. That has been captured by many photographers, but it had to be seen to be believed. Luckily there are some F-4's featured in various air show acts and if you are fortunate to see one, be sure to watch it on take off, that is where the legacy of the Phantom was born, the power and might of McDonnell-Douglas engineering in all 5,195 of the Phantoms that were produced from 1958-1979.

I was stationed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines in the late 80's and got to work on these mighty beasts called the Phantom. Our aircraft, of course had Shark Teeth painted on the nose and were feared immensely by our good friends up there in North Korea. The meaning of the teeth painted on the nose was to represent fear to the Asian people, but I appreciated it from a strictly artistic prospective. The Phantom ruled the Pacific those days and even those up and coming F-16 Falcons had to bow in respect when the F-4 Phantom II rolled by, and it was not until the F-15 Eagles started to replace the aircraft in the inventory that signaled the end of an era. Phantoms of the Air Force now live on in our memory only.



Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/The-Story-behind-the-Navy-F-4-Phantom-Fighter/30714

ID Cards and Airport Security, What is Required?

ID cards and airports have become a scary combination. Being in the industry, I take daily calls from individuals who want to get a photo ID card for themselves or their family member because of an upcoming flight. Whenever I get a call like this I start to cringe, because it makes me realize that many airports only require an employee ID card or some kind of photo identification to allow them past security. As I begin to question if the card would even be acceptable, many have responded that they have already talked with the airport and were told that any form of photo identification would be acceptable.

Many companies and clubs simply have members and many of these organizations produce ID cards as well. I've got a couple of photo security badges in my wallet along with a PADI card and a few others cards with my picture on them. Is this all that's needed to board a plane? I mean today we aren't allowed to have to take a coke on the plane, but I'm allowed to get aboard with my newspaper ID card?

To make matters worse, it has become easier and easier to produce high quality identification cards in small quantities. There are sites all over the web that will not only produce an employee ID card, but will also produce a fake identification card for the right price.

According to a poll taken by Travelocity.com Inc, frequent travelers are most likely to favor implementing a National Travel Card System by some 71%, and they are more likely to use it. More detailed than a driver's license or passport, the card could contain encrypted information including the traveler's photograph, fingerprints, flight history and facial or retinal (eye) characteristics. As described in the survey, the voluntary program would allow cardholders to avoid extensive luggage searches. But what does this mean about those that don't want to use such a card. Does that mean that they can get on board with their new club of the month ID card?

Most people in the ID card industry feel it's important not to produce fraudulent identification cards; but who is going to verify the identify and membership of the plant of the month club? After discussing this in our offices, there is only so much we can do when it comes to producing ID cards. Sure we stop anything that looks as if they are trying to duplicate or produce a fake ID card, but when it comes to a fishing club, sorority or computer club it's simply beyond our economic responsibility.

It really comes down to identification companies taking a proactive role to protect their industry. This is a market where we will either be self regulated or destroyed. Creating simpler ways of doing things in a professional matter is a result of a proactive marketplace, or it could it be a tool of marketplace destruction? Over 6 billion plastic cards were produced last year alone. I would say it's worth protecting.

About the Author Allen Richardson lives in Texas and is the founder of Virtual Tournament Director, a company handling registration and ID cards for amateur sports participants around the nation, and www.fullidentity.com a company that provides similar services to the business community. He also serves as consultant to Southwest Airlines, Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway as well as several other companies in the United States. Additionally, he is the author of Personal Discipline: Tools for Consistent Success.



Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/ID-Cards-and-Airport-Security--What-is-Required-/29152

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Last Minute Cheap Airline Ticket Specialist-3 Posted By : Sunny Khurana

Are you tired of your work? Do you want to get rid of the day to day monotonous activities? Then you must think about some kind of relaxation. Take a small vacation and plan for a trip, which will be full of fun, relaxation, and enjoyment.
To fulfill your expectations and for a hazardless trip, here is Eros Tours and Travel (ETT) with their 24 years of experience. Unlike other travel agencies, they give you the last minute ticket in the cheapest rate. You can get a discount as much as possible. No need of waiting, their employees are always there to help you, even after business hours.
You can go anywhere within USA and abroad also like Caribbean, Hawaii, Canada, Europe, Asia, South Pacific, Mexico, and South Central America. Being the wholesale agent of Air Tran Airways, you can save up to 45% on all your last minute domestic travel. Being the wholesale agent of Air India we can provide generally the best over seas travel bargain to international destinations including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and also Nepal. Thereby you can save up to 70% on international flights, whether traveling in Coach (Economy Class), Biz (Business Class), or First Class. No advance purchase is required for most of the fares.
ETT has their own booking engine where you can have a free membership and can get deals from time to time via email. Even for nonmembers also it offers a host of different options, some of them are...............
• Search flights with different dates and with different airlines.
• Make online reservations with all major credit cards and debit cards too.
• Save on Flight booking, Hotel, Car rental, Cruise reservation, and Vacation packages.
• For deals on direct flights between Atlanta (ATL) and Los Angeles (LAX), ATL and San Francisco (SFO), and ATL and Las Vegas (LAS), please call us at our direct line 1-213-955-9695.
• For cheaper flights available online you are prompted to call our toll-free number 1-800-247-4775 while making online reservation of flight.
• For assistance with a live person you call us during 8:10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (PST) California Time (Monday-Friday) and 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (PST) California Time on Saturday.
• We quick reply for any query for customer, we keep the full care of the travelers of any kind services.
• We receive the customers request on world span, telephone as well as email also.


The Author and innovator of this wonderful site www.airtkt.com has more than 27years of experience in the travel industry both as a travel agent himself having the vast knowledge of all leading booking software's Worldspan, Sabre, Amadeus, and Apollo, Working with all major Airlines, visited most of the Countries and handling the passengers from long time make the job very easy, also being the President of the Eros Tours and Travel, Inc. established in 1990, member of the ARC ( Airline Reporting Corporation) and IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agent Network).www.airtkt.com www.erostours.com www.latinfare.com



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Source: http://www.rightarticle.com/Article/Last-Minute-Cheap-Airline-Ticket-Specialist-3/100410

Saturday, February 23, 2008

What Are The Benefits Of Charter Flights?

Most people like to travel, and each one of us would like to travel more and see more of the world. Traveling is in the human nature, seeing other parts of the world and new experiences make our sprit soar.

Besides that ask anyone who has traveled a lot around the world, traveling gives you a unique perspective, and gives you a better appreciation of your home.

The biggest problem with traveling has always been its cost. Traveling has always been very expensive, since the time of Columbus to these days. Sure, the airplane tickets have become much cheaper but they are still very expensive. In fact, the cost of plane tickets is what keeps most of the people from traveling in the first place.

Therefore, if your plans do not include suddenly winning a lottery and becoming rich, you are going to need a plan how to travel much cheaper. One of the best ways for this is to look for discount charter flights.

Why are charter flights cheaper?

Charter flights can afford to charge less for their services because they operate in a different way from the regular airline flights. Usually regular airline has a number of fixed routs connecting two or more cities or countries.

No matter how many passengers board the plane each time the route remains constant, provided naturally that airline does not lose money on this route. Because of this, airlines need to charge more for each passenger seat in order to leverage the costs of each flight.

Because of this, most airfares are expensive. You can easily see the difference if one route is traveled a lot or not. Highly traveled routes will have numerous companies competing for it and the prices will bee much lower.

Charter company however has the ability to offer tickets at much lower prices because it operates in a different way. For charter flights entire airplane is chartered or leased from the airline, but for just one exact date.

Because of that, they receive a huge discount, and can often but not always, fill up the entire plane. After that, charter companies offer seats on the plane with much lower prices then regular flights. Besides that, most charter companies use highly traveled routs, most often being tropical vacation destinations.

Charter flights are also more dependable then other ways of getting cheap airfare. In addition, as the date of departure approaches the prices will drop, because charter company wants to sell as many seats as possible in order to make money.

However there is also the possibility that a charter company will cancel the flight in case that not enough tickets has been sold. In addition, if you travel with regular airline and there are some problems, airline in question will do anything possible to get you to your destination as fast as they can.

Charter companies unfortunately do not have that ability and you could find yourself stranded. Naturally, you are going to receive a full refund but waiting for a day or maybe two until the next charter flight can ruin any trip.

That is the reason why you should rely on dependable, big charter companies. They may not have discounts as big as some of the smaller companies but with large companies, you will enjoy the benefit of reliability.

With flexibility and willingness to buy an airflight ticket at a very short notice, you can get numerous low cost flight deals from many charter companies.



Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/What-Are-The-Benefits-Of-Charter-Flights-/35016

Airline Reservations and Ticketing Tips

* If your travel plans fall during a busy period, call for reservations early. Flights for holidays may sell out weeks - sometimes months - ahead of time. Don't buy a standby fare or an 'open return' ticket if you need to fly during a high-demand period. You could be stranded for a week or more before a seat becomes available.

* Ask the reservations agent to give you the on-time performance code for any flights that you are considering. This is a one-digit code in the reservations computer that shows how often that flight arrived on time (within 15 minutes) during the most recent reported month. For example, an "8" means that flight arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time between 80% and 89.9% of the time. If you are deciding between two flights with similar schedules and fares, you may want to choose the one with the better on-time record. (Only the largest U.S. airlines are required to maintain these codes.)

* When you make a reservation, be sure the agent records the information accurately. Before you hang up or leave the ticket office, review all of the essential information with the agent - the spelling of your name, the flight numbers and travel dates, and the cities you are traveling between. If there is more than one airport at either city, be sure you check which one you'll be using. It's also important to give the airline your home and work telephone numbers so they can let you know if there is any change in their schedule.

* Your ticket will show the flight number, departure time, date, and status of your reservation for each flight of your itinerary. The "status" box is important. "OK" means you're confirmed. Anything else means that the reservation is not yet certain (e.g., waitlisted).

* A "direct" (or "through") flight can have one or more stops. Sometimes flights with only one flight number can even involve a change of planes. Ask about your exact routing.

* If you are flying to a small city and your flight number has four digits, you may be booked on a commuter airline that has an agreement with the major carrier in whose name the flight is held out. If you are unsure, ask the reservation agent about the airline and the aircraft type; these flights are identified in the computer.

* When a reservation agent asks you to buy your tickets by a specific time or date, this is a deadline. And if you don't make the deadline, the airline may cancel your reservation without telling you.
* Try to have your tickets in hand before you go to the airport. This speeds your check-in and helps you avoid some of the tension you might otherwise feel if you had to wait in a slow-moving ticketing line and worry about missing your flight. Using an e-ticket speeds up the process also.

* If your reservations are booked far enough ahead of time, the airline may offer to mail your tickets to you. However, if you don't receive the tickets and the airline's records show that they mailed them, you may have to go through cumbersome lost-ticket procedures (see the end of this chapter). It is safer to check the telephone directory for a conveniently located travel agency or airline ticket office and buy your tickets there.

* As soon as you receive your ticket check to make sure all the information on it is correct, especially the airports (if any of the cities have more than one) and the flight dates. Have any necessary corrections made immediately.

* Bring a photo I.D. when you fly, and have your airline ticket issued using your name as it appears on that I.D. Many airlines are requesting such identification at check-in in order to reduce the re- selling of discount tickets. (Airlines don't permit tickets to be sold or given to other persons.) On international flights, make sure your name is the same on your ticket and your passport. If your name has recently changed and the name on your ticket and your I.D. are different, bring documentation of the change (e.g., a marriage certificate or court order).

* It's a good idea to reconfirm your reservations before you start your trip; flight schedules sometimes change. On international trips, most airlines require that you reconfirm your onward or return reservations at least 72 hours before each flight. If you don't, your reservations may be canceled.

* Check your ticket as you board each flight to ensure that only the correct coupon has been removed by the airline agent.



Please Rate this Article


Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Airline-Reservations-and-Ticketing-Tips/101222

Advantages of Booking Online Travel from One Site

If you are going to be traveling you will surely need to take care of many details. In addition to your own personal belongings, you will also have to be responsible for your travel arrangements. Even though this may sound easy enough, as things begin to pile up you may run into some problems. The good thing is that as long as you concentrate on staying organized you can get everything done to your satisfaction, and with 100 percent accuracy.

One of the most difficult parts of planning a trip is booking all of the necessary flights, hotels, rental cars, etc. If you do not put the appropriate amount of time into this you may end up getting behind in the long run. Not to mention the fact that if you forget one detail, you may end up ruining your entire trip. After all, you are not going to get very far if you forget to book your flight or a hotel room.

The best way to avoid any booking troubles is to do everything from the same online website. Even though you do not have to go this route, it will surely work to your advantage. When you book all of your details from the same site you will never have to worry about forgetting anything. The service that you are using will remind you of what you need to do, and will even keep track of your entire trip.

In addition, when you book online you will be able to search around for the best possible prices. And who does not want to save a bit of money when they are traveling? This is one of the biggest advantages of booking online from the same site. All you have to do is supply information on where you are going and what you are in need of, and the service will take care of everything else for you. This sure beats having to search for the best prices on your own. You will have the peace of mind of knowing that you received the best price if you decide to book everything from the same online site.

Overall, the advantages of booking online travel from one site are nearly endless. Not only are you going to be ensured of remembering everything, but you will be able to save money as well. Plus, when you book online you can save a lot of time as well.

As long as you know where you want to go and what you need, an online booking service will be able to help you get there. Give them the details so you can sit back and relax. This will make your trip one that you will remember for a long time.



Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Advantages-of-Booking-Online-Travel-from-One-Site/29262

Friday, February 22, 2008

Airports of Paris, France

Paris is served by three airports;

* Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
* Orly (ORY)
* Beauvais (BVA)

Charles de Gaulle

Contact numbers

Customer service: +33 (0) 48 62 22 80 (24h)

Medical center:
+33 (0) 48 62 28 00 (24)

Lost and found:
Paris - CDG1 : +33 (0) 48 62 12 34
Paris - CDG2 : +33 (0) 48 16 63 83

Breakdown service (24h):
Paris - CDG1 : +33 (0) 48 62 63 63
Paris - CDG2 & 3 : +33 (0) 48 62 21 17

Police:
+33 (0) 48 62 31 22 (24h)

Customs:
+33 (0) 48 62 62 85 (24h)

Getting to and from the airport

Taxi
Taxis charge around 55€ from the airport to central Paris. Limousine Service for around 120 Euros. Depending on traffic, a taxi takes between 35 and 60 minutes to get to central Paris.

Bus
Roissy Bus service departs from all three terminals every 15 minutes between 6am and 7pm, and every 20 minutes between 7pm and 11pm. The bus goes to Place de l'Opera in Paris, and takes between 45 and 60 minutes. A single fare costs 8.50€.
There are also many shuttlebus companies in Paris, who will provide a door to door service. Prices are typically 18€ per adult.

Rail
The RER train (Line B) takes you from Terminal 1 and 2 to the following stops in Paris; Gare Du Nord, Ch?let- Les Halles, Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame, Luxembourg, Port-Royal, and Denfert Rochereau. From the RER stop at the airport however, all these stations are referred to as Paris, although there isn't a stop called Paris or gare du Paris etc. Tickets are 8.10€ per adult and the trains leave every 10 to 15 minutes. Travel time is about 30 to 45 minutes.
Airlines

Aer Lingus
Aeroflot
Aerolineas Argentinas
Aeromexico
Air Canada
Air China
Air Columbus
Air Europa
Air France
Air Gabon
Air India
Air Inter
Air Jet
Air Madagascar
Air Mauritius
Air Moldova
Air Seychelles
Alitalia
All Nippon
American Trans Air
Ariana Afghan Airlines
Austrian Airlines
Aviaco
Avianca
Azzurra Air
Balkan Bulgarian
BMI
Brit Air
British Airways
CAE
Cameroon Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Continental
Cyprus Airways
Czech Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Deutsche Lufthansa
Emirates
EVA Air
Finnair
First Choice Airways
Garuda Indonesia
Gemini
Iberia
Icelandair Cargo
Istanbul Airlines
Jat Airways
Swiss
TAS Airways
TEA Italie

Orly

Contact numbers

Customer service: +33 (0) 49 75 15 15 (6am -11h45pm)

Medical center:
+33 (0) 49 75 45 12 (24h)

Lost and found:
Orly-Sud : +33 (0) 49 75 34 10
Orly-Ouest : +33 (0) 49 75 42 34

Breakdown service:
+33 (0) 49 75 56 50 (24h)

Police:
+33 (0) 49 75 43 04 (24h)

Customs:
+33 (0) 49 75 09 10 (24h)

Getting to and from the airport

Taxi
A taxi to central Paris costs about 45 Euros. Depending on traffic, a taxi takes between 35 and 60 minutes to get to central Paris.

Bus
Orlybus takes you to Denfert-Rochereau, where the metro can be taken to central Paris. Tickets are 6€ per adult and travel time is 30 minutes. Buses leave every 15 to 20 minutes.
There are also many shuttlebus companies in Paris, who will provide a door to door service. Prices are typically 18€ per adult.

Rail
The Orly shuttle takes you to the Antony RER stop, and costs 7.20€ per adult - however if you're travelling into central Paris, buy a ticket to 'Paris' which costs 9.20€ per adult. Departure times are every 4 to 7 minutes, and travel time is 8 minutes. From Antony the RER (line B) takes you into central Paris, stopping at Denfert Rochereau, Port-Royal, Luxembourg, Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame, Ch?let- Les Halles, and Gare Du Nord. From Antony however, these stops are grouped at Paris - Center, and these isn't a single stop called Paris or Gare du Paris etc. Trains from Antony leave every 10 to 15 minutes. Travel time is about 30 to 45 minutes.

Airlines

AOM-Minerve
Air Atlantique
Air Charter
Air Europa
Air France
Air Inter
Air Liberte
Air Littoral
Air Malta
Air Normandie
Airlinair
American Airlines Cargo
Arkia
Aviaco
Biman Bangladesh
British Airways
Corsair
Cubana
Deutsche Lufthansa
Egyptair
El Al
Fast Air
Gandalf Airlines
Iberia
Icelandair Cargo
Iran Air
KLM
Lauda Air
MEA
Olympic
Regional
Royal Air Maroc
Royal Jordanian
Royal Nepal
SkyEurope Airlines
SNCargo
Syrian Arab
Tampa
TAP-Air Portugal
TAT European
THY-Turkish
Tunisair
VIVA Air
Volareweb.com
Yemenia

Beauvais

Contact numbers

Customer service: service.clients@cci-oise.fr

Flight timetable: +33 (0) 892 682 066

Baggage: +33 (0)3 44 11 46 00

Police: +33 (0)3 44 45 25 79

Customs: +33 (0)3 44 45 08 92

Getting to and from the airport

Taxi
Taxis from the airport to the train station in Beauvais charge 10€ during the day and 13€ at night and takes about 15 minutes to reach the station. Taxis also commute to Paris and charges range from 100 to 120€ during the day and 140 to 160€ at night. Journey time to Paris takes from one to one and half hours depending on the destination and traffic.

Bus
A shuttle bus service (tel: +33 (0)158 050 845) is available to and from Paris-Beauvais Airport and Paris-Porte Maillot. Buses depart from Beauvais airport 20 minutes after the arrival of each flight and from Paris-Porte Maillot buses leave 3 hours before the departure of each flight. Tickets cost 13€ per adult and travel time is about 60 minutes - the easiest way to buy tickets is online, otherwise tickets are sold at Beauvais airport and Bd Pershing (near Porte Maillot). Buses leave every 15 minutes.
There is now a new shuttlebus service from the airport to Beauvais. This is currently 4€ per adult, although this is a promotional price at this time.

Rail
There is no direct train to and from Beauvais airport, although the local station is not far (see the taxi information above). From Beauvais station the SNCF trains take about 60 minutes to reach central Paris, and cost about 12€.

Airlines

Braathens
Ryanair
Sterling
Wizz Air



Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Airports-of-Paris--France/37892

Fear of Flying Questions

Practical Tips For Fear Of Flying

Anyone with a fear of flying will dread going to airports. There are some practical things that you can do to help prepare yourself for this.

These are just a few tips to get you going. At the end of the article are some other ideas to help your fear of flying.

1. Get everything ready well before hand. Do not leave anything to the last minute. Check passport dates are in date. Let your airline Special Assistance department know that you are a nervous passenger so they can tell the crew onboard.

2. Get to the airport really really early as Security is so much tougher now. I would even suggest staying at a hotel the day before so you are nearby and don't have to rush to the airport. When you get to the airport, you can choose whether to join the shouting, rushing frustrated family who don't know where they are going or take your time.

By the way, someone once told me that worked for the British Airport Authorities that all their research into passenger behaviour proved that people don't or can't read airport signs. Passengers become sensory overloaded with all the neon suspended signs everywhere so they blank them out. In a state of panic, this becomes even worse. Like I say, you can join the mad masses or get their early, learn the layout, get a coffee and relax into the environment.

3. Wear comfortable clothes. Airports and aircraft are multi temperature zones. Where what can easily be added to or removed. Isn't a shame that shell suits went out of fashion? Sorry UK joke.

4. Drink water and lots of it. Air conditioned environments drain you of moisture. When you are in the air, this increases the effects of alcohol by two or three times. The crew are told to drink two litres of water on a flight to counter this.

5. When onboard, move your legs around. Get up and walk around during the flight. When you are not moving around, fasten your seat belt. In Turbulence the aircraft is not bothered by it and you will be safe if you are strapped in.

6. Look out of the window so that you can keep your sense of perspective. Closing your eyes and clenching strips you of some of your primary human senses that help with balance.

Hope that helps you?

Other things that people we have helped with their fear of flying or claustrophobia is to work on the mental side too. For instance, there are many approaches out there that can help you.

For example, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy really helps with the thinking side of fear. A lot of people with fear of flying or other phobias often have unhelpful thinking patterns. Cogntive approaches give you some help and things to think about whilst you are queuing.

Other approaches that work for nervous passengers are Relaxation techniques so that you can practice visualising good things happening instead of disaster!!! We use this on our courses plus another technique which I am about to mention which is NLP - Neuro Linguistic Programming.

This is a technique to help people to deal with the unhelpful thought patterns they are using.

Another technique I have come across which people have found very useful is TFT - Thought Field Therapy.

Good luck!



Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Fear-of-Flying-Questions/38512

When we crash, do my clothes fall off?

This newsletter I thought we might look at some of the questions our fear of flying customers ask. Also, we would like to demonstrate how skilled our customers are at imagining disastor!

As always, none of our newsletters are poking fun at you. One of the founders of this programme used to have a fear of flying so we know what we are talking about...

One particular skill we have noticed that people with a fear of flying are able to do is to imagine their death in intricate detail.

People on our fear of flying courses ask us things like the following:

When we crash, how quickly do we die?

Or

When we crash, do our clothes come off?

I am not poking fun at people with fear of flying phobias.

It might be worth examining these questions just for one moment. One of the key statements we tend to emphasize is that, you get more of what you pay attention to.

First of all, the question starts 'WHEN we crash...'

Using this language is like telling your brain it is a forgone conclusion. Changing it to IF is slightly hearlthier albeit it is still very very unlikely.

Then, 'How QUICKLY do we DIE?'

This is now telling our brain that not only do we die but it may not be quick - it could be slow.

The answer to this predicament is nothing to do with the answer. It is to do with the question.

I am not picking fault with you good people.

We are training our brains to become very good at visualising death. People without a fear of flying would never allow themselves the luxury of even asking that question. Why would you?

If it is okay to ask that sort of question of ourselves and to tie ourselves up in knots, then we must bring it into other parts of our lives.

For instance. How quickly will I die when I am hit by a bus on the way to work?

How quickly will I die when I crash driving my car today?

Most people don't ask these questions and as you read this you may be saying, 'Of course we don't - that is ridiculous.'

So why does flying get such special attention. The worst thing that happens to people who fly a lot is boredom.

I believe that flying gets a bad rap because it is new. As our Captains say on our courses, humans have only been flying for about 40 years really. Humans are not really designed for flying like birds are. It feels uncomfortable to us as we are not used to weird 3D movement. Our stomachs can lurch. Our ears can feel all blocked up.

Humans feel odd in aircraft. There you go I have said it. It is probably not natural to us with our old fashioned balance organs in our ears. Just because it is uncomfortable it does not mean it is dangerous. Far from it.

Commercial Airlines are so regulated and safe it is staggering.

Everyone that travels in an aircraft, including the pilots, feels the weird sensations of flight.

The difference between the fearful and the fearless is the interpretation we make of the weird feelings.

The fearful and phobic feel every move of the aircraft and accentuate them. The fearless feel every move of the aircraft and ignore them.

It all comes back to the saying, 'You get what you pay attention to.'

If we dare to allow ourselves imagine dying and our clothes flying off, we can scare the life out of ourselves. If we practice really hard, we could get really good at it.

It does take practice but if you persevere, you can get yourself to a level of fear whereby just mentioning Aircraft can make us come out in a cold sweat. Quite a gift really. Well it would be if we used this particular talent like athletes do.

Picture the scene. 10 atheletes line up ready to run the 100 metres. As they look at each other before the event, they visualise the other guy winning. They look at how big his muscles are realise that they probably aren't going to do it today. Today is not THEIR day.

They would never entertain such thoughts. They are no different to us. They know that this sophisticated piece of equipment called the brain is so sensitive to every passing thought that they control it.

They might say STOP to themselves if they think of anything negative. They then replace it with images of winning of getting there first safely.

If you don't believe me, practice the following guaranteed technique when you are going for your next interview.

Before you go in, say out loud or even just in your head the following mantras:

I don't deserve this job. The other person is much better suited to it than me. I look really tired and worn out today. It probably won't go right today.

Well I think you get the point.

We, at the flying without fear course, are not in the happy clappy skip off into the sunset positive thinking school of thought. We are much more pragmatic than that. You really cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought because you just get more of what you pay attention to.

Hope that none of this has offended and only helped as that is always our intention. We know that the people that come on our courses are intelligent normal human beings that are just not able to live their lives fully due to this fear.

Take care

Paul Tizzard



Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/When-we-crash--do-my-clothes-fall-off-/41218

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Understanding How Aviation Headsets Reduce Noise

Purchasing aviation headsets is a crucial step in protecting your hearing and flying safely, especially in smaller aircraft. Some people simply choose by reputation, buying either a Telex headset or Peltor headset because these are well-known brands popular in the aviation industry, but it isn't that simple.

Both brands produce quality products, but they also each offer a variety of headsets that work in different ways and may suit different needs. To choose the right style and model of aviation headset, you need to first understand what the manufacturers are talking about when they describe how their products work.

Both Telex and Peltor headsets come in a wide range of styles that offer varying levels of hearing protection. In fact, each offers different types of hearing protection as well. The three types are usually referred to as Passive Noise Reduction, Active Noise Reduction and Digital Noise Reduction. Some people refer to noise reduction as "noise attenuation," but the terms are interchangeable.

Passive Noise Reduction - These are sometimes referred to as NNR headsets, and are the least expensive. They use insulation and thick padding to cut down on cockpit noise. The earphones are designed to create a tight seal around the ears. With these, you'll receive about 25 decibels of noise reduction. Most of this will be high-frequency noise.

Active Noise Reduction - Like NNR, active noise reduction (ANR) headsets use insulation to protect hearing. In addition, there is an electronic signal that "cancels out" incoming noise to provide noise reduction in the low-frequency range. The electronic signal is not an audible sound, but a frequency pulse that matches incoming sound as an opposite signal. Quality ANR Peltor Headsets can provide up to 30 decibels of noise reduction depending on the brand.

Digital Noise Reduction - The most expensive option also gives you the most protection because it adds a final level of protection beyond even ANR. In these, electronics monitor the actual surrounding sounds and mimic them with opposing signals to cancel the noise. Telex headsets and most other quality brands also feature a filtering system that prevents cancellation of non-repeating noises so that the wearer will be aware of changes in engine sound that could signal an emergency. Digital noise reduction provides the most protection in the mid-frequency ranges.

You should find out what decibel level of noise you are going to routinely be exposed to before shopping for any kind of aviation headset. (Smaller aircraft generally produce more noise than larger craft, and any prop plane will be significantly louder in the cockpit than a jet airplane) This will help guide you in your choice, since all Telex headsets and Peltor headsets clearly indicate the level of decibel protection provided.

You will also want to consider the type of microphone you prefer, the fit of the ear cups and other factors. If you visit aviation supply websites, you can also download detailed specifications for any number of headsets, including the most popular brands such as Peltor and Telex headsets; so that you can compare features side by side to find out which ones best suit your needs.

Tony King is an avid flyer. He purchases his equipment & supplies at SkyGeek.com . SkyGeek is an online retailer offering a huge selection of low-priced aviation parts and material by the top manufacturers in the industry. SkyGeek is based out of the Styles family's Sky Acres airport in upstate New York. Visit SkyGeek today & view their products.



Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Understanding-How-Aviation-Headsets-Reduce-Noise/44776

What to do if your flight is cancelled or delayed.

Airlines don't guarantee their schedules, and you should realize this when planning your trip. There are many things that can-and often do-make it impossible for flights to arrive on time. Some of these problems, like bad weather, air traffic delays, and mechanical repairs, are hard to predict and beyond the airlines' control.

If your flight is delayed, try to find out how late it will be. But keep in mind that it is sometimes difficult for airlines to estimate the total duration of a delay during its early stages. In so- called "creeping delays," developments occur which were not anticipated when the carrier made its initial estimate of the length of the delay. Weather that had been forecast to improve can instead deteriorate, or a mechanical problem can turn out to be more complex than initially determined.

If the problem is with local weather or air traffic control, all flights will probably be late and there's not much you or the airline can do to speed up your departure. If there's a mechanical problem with the plane for your particular flight or if the crew is delayed on an incoming flight, you might be better off trying to arrange another flight, as long as you don't have to pay a cancellation penalty or higher fare for changing your reservations. (It is sometimes easier to make such arrangements from a pay phone than at a ticket counter.)

If you find a flight on another airline, ask the first airline to endorse your ticket to the new carrier; this could save you a fare increase. Remember, however, that there is no rule requiring them to do this. If your flight is canceled, most airlines will rebook you on the first flight of theirs to your destination on which space is available, at no additional charge. If this involves a significant delay find out if another carrier has space, and ask the first airline to endorse your ticket. Finding extra seats may be difficult, however, especially over holidays and other peak travel times.

Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers waiting at the airport; there are no federal requirements. If you are delayed, ask the airline staff if they will pay for meals or a phone call. Some airlines, often those charging very low fares, do not provide any amenities to stranded passengers. Others may not offer amenities if the delay is caused by bad weather or something else beyond the airline's control.

Contrary to popular belief, airlines are not required to compensate passengers whose flights are delayed or canceled. As discussed in the chapter on overbooking, compensation is required by law only when you are "bumped" from a flight that is oversold. Airlines almost always refuse to pay passengers for financial losses resulting from a delayed flight. If the purpose of your trip is to close a potentially lucrative business deal, to give a speech or lecture, to attend a family function, or to be present at any time-sensitive event, you might want to allow a little extra leeway and take an earlier flight. In other words, airline delays and cancellations aren't unusual, and defensive counter- planning is a good idea when time is your most important consideration.

When booking your flight remember that a departure early in the day is less likely to be delayed than a later flight, due to "ripple" effects throughout the day. Also, if an early flight does get delayed or canceled, you have more rerouting options. If you book the last flight of the day and it is canceled, you could get stuck overnight. You may select a connection (change of planes) over a nonstop or direct flight because of the convenient departure time or lower fare. However, a change of planes always involves the possibility of a misconnection.

If you have a choice of connections and the fares and service are equivalent, choose the one with the least-congested connecting airport, so it will be easier to get to your second flight. You may wish to take into consideration the potential for adverse weather if you have a choice of connecting cities. When making your reservation for a connection, always check the amount of time between flights. Ask yourself what will happen if the first flight is delayed; if you don't like the answer, pick another flight or ask the agent to "construct" a connection that allows more time.



Please Rate this Article


Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/What-to-do-if-your-flight-is-cancelled-or-delayed-/101224

Flying from Gatwick airport - add a little luxury to your holiday

Are you fed up with overcrowded airport terminals, no where to sit and everywhere you turn there's a queue, a queue to buy your coffee, a queue for the loo, a queue to buy a newspaper. With the increased security surrounding the UK's airports things can only get worse, or can they?

Well, there is a solution... one that doesn't require loads of cash, but will take the strain out of your wait, add a little luxury to your holiday and allow you to relax before flying...an airport lounge.

Beyond the hustle and bustle of the airport terminal lie the airport lounges. Once regarded as an expensive extra for business travellers, they are no longer beyond the reach of everyday travellers. Airport lounge prices start from as low as just £12 making them well within the grasp of even the budget traveller.

These little havens let you escape from the overcrowded terminals with their screaming kids, the assault course of baggage and stretched out bodies that are trying to grab a quick shut eye before taking off.

Airport lounges and the facilities they offer vary from airport to airport, some permit children, others only allow children over the age of 12 and opening times vary too, so it's well worth checking to see if all your requirements are catered for.

Currently at London Gatwick airport there are two lounges - one at the North Terminal and one at the South.

Located airside on the upper level in the South Terminal is the Servisair Lounge. This lounge is open from 5am to 9.30pm and permits children under the age of 12, making it perfect for families. Facilities in the Servisair lounge include: air conditioning, refreshments (soft and alcoholic, newspapers, magazines, television, flight information monitor and shower facilities. For the business traveller and passengers requiring internet access there is fax, telephone and Wi-Fi access. The lounge has a strict dress code of smart casual with no shorts and its facilities are available to ticketed passengers only.

The Aviance Executive Lounge is situated after security on Level 1 at the North Terminal and facilities offered include air conditioning, alcoholic and soft refreshments, disabled access, fax, internet, newspapers and magazines, telephone and television. The lounge is open from 6am to 9pm daily and is available to passengers holding a valid flight ticket. Only adults and children over the age of 12 are permitted access to the Aviance Executive Lounge and a smart casual dress code is observed with a ban on shorts.

Both lounges are available for a maximum of three hours.

To avoid overcrowding, tickets to airport lounges are limited so it is advisable to book your airport lounge early. Tickets must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance and can be purchased on the internet.

With the great facilities on offer, Gatwick airport lounges offer a great way to escape the crowds, have a drink, catch up with last minute emails, watch TV or just simply relax prior to your flight.



Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Flying-from-Gatwick-airport---add-a-little-luxury-to-your-holiday/71635

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Why Travel By Private Aircraft?

It may seem a bit extravagant but there are many advantages of travelling by private jet charter regardless of whether it's for business or pleasure. People go on holidays a lot more than they used to a couple decades ago and work related travel is also on the increase. However, business trips may not necessarily involve travelling abroad as it's very common for people to commute around the UK for work purposes.

One of the advantages of travelling by private jet charter is that you avoid the traffic on the roads. Trying to get to a meeting or conference can be stressful enough let alone when you are stuck in traffic and are therefore going to be late. Flying by private jet charter means that you don't have to worry about getting stuck in traffic and you can ensure you will get to where you need to be on time.

Recent security alerts have led to increased security checks which means that travelling time is becoming more stressful and unpredictable. As well as this you have to check in hours before you leave which means you have to sit around the airport being bored until you can board your flight. When travelling by private jet charter you don't have to worry about any of these problems so you can ensure a fast and efficient journey.

A lot of people assume that travelling by private jet charter is going to be ridiculously the case. However, this isn't necessarily the case and it is actually a lot cheaper per passenger mile than what people would think. This may be particularly beneficial to businesses who are going to save a lot of time by sending their employees by private aeroplane.

A lot of time can be saved when travelling by private jet charter because there are no security checks and long waits at the airport. As well as this private planes can normally drop off very close to arrival and departure points. This saves a lot of time commuting to and from airports especially during peak times.

Businesses find that it can actually save them a lot of money because their staff are travelling for less time than they would be if they travelled by more traditional methods. Some people also like to travel by private charter jet because it's a special and unique experience that can help to make a holiday more unforgettable. With so many advantages of travelling by private jet charter it is not surprising that many people are opting for this method of transport.

Aeromega is one of the leading helicopter hire companies in the UK. private jet charter Aeromega also offers helicopter charter, private aircraft charter, helicopter pilot training and helicopter hire.

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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Why-Travel-By-Private-Aircraft-/102433

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Fly The Unfriendly Skies Of United Posted By : lar

United Airlines (UAL) recently announced that it will be charging customers twenty-five dollars for their second checked bag. They will start this beginning on 5 may 2008.

Right now you can check two bags, each weighing fifty pounds for free. Anything more and you have to pay extra depending on the weight.

You are also allowed one, maybe two, carry-on bags. This also depends on the size, weight, and airline.

This additional tariff will not affect Mileage Plus or Star Alliance customers. And, from what I have read, this only affects domestic flights. I have not read anything about overseas flights.

Supposedly, this will discourage passengers from bringing an additional bag, making the plane lighter. Therefore, the plane will burn less fuel saving the airlines money and keeping fares from rising.

As a frequent traveler, I can personally say that I will do my very best to avoid flying on United. If I do have to fly UAL, I will scream, kick and bite before I pay an extra twenty-five dollars for a bag.

I think if all travelers shout loud enough, the airline will be forced to stop this silliness. Then, they would be forced to raise air fares, which would hopefully make you look for another airline.

First, the airlines took away your in-flight meal. Now, we have the additional luggage tax. What is next?

Some may say that getting rid of the airline food is a good thing. But charging five bucks for a measly snack is ridiculous.

I work for the US government and we are required to fly on American carriers. I understand the rule and the reasoning behind it, but most of my flights are to Asia and Asian carriers have far better service, prices and schedules than American carriers.

So, if I am forced to fly American and get stuck on United, I will do everything in my power to switch to one of the other carriers that doesn't charge this ridiculous fee.

We need to band together and refuse to pay this fee. Otherwise, the airlines will start charging for pillows, blankets, aisle seats, window seats, and who knows what else.

If you have a choice between United and any other airline, please choose the other carrier.





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Source: http://www.rightarticle.com/Article/Fly-The-Unfriendly-Skies-Of-United/98461

Paying For And Getting A Refund For Your Airline Ticket Posted By : lar

* If you plan to pay in person and with your own bank check, take at least two forms of identification with you like a driver's license, major credit card, or employee I.D. card. Particularly when you purchase tickets far from your home town, airlines, travel agencies and other ticket outlets will want to confirm your identity.

If you paid for your ticket with cash and you have a refundable fare, you can often get an immediate refund from the issuing airline or travel agency. If you paid by personal check, the refund will generally have to be mailed to you.

NOTE: In some cases tickets purchased overseas in foreign currency can only be refunded in that same currency and country, due to foreign government monetary restrictions. Keep this in mind if you are considering buying a ticket in a foreign country.

* When you pay by credit card, your charge account is billed-whether you use your tickets or not. You won't receive credit unless the original unused tickets are returned to the airline. You usually can't get cash refund for a credit card purchase.

* If you buy your tickets with a credit card and then change your flights, the ticket agent may want to credit the amount of the old tickets and issue another set with a second charge to your account. You may want to insist that the value of your old tickets be applied to the new ones, with the difference in price charged or credited to your account.

While this creates a little extra work for the airlines, it prevents double-billing to your charge account.

* There are different rules for different types of airfares. You can purchase discount fares or pay full fare. Check with your airline to find out the rules and cost of different types of fares.

Payment by credit card provides certain protections under federal credit laws. When a refund is due, the airline must forward a credit to your card company within seven business days after receiving a complete refund application. If you paid by credit card for a refundable fare and you have trouble getting a refund that you are due, report this in writing to your credit card company. If you write to them within 60 days from the time that they mailed your first monthly statement showing the charge for the airline ticket, the card company should credit your account even if the airline doesn't. This procedure is particularly useful if your airline ceases operations before your flight.





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Source: http://www.rightarticle.com/Article/Paying-For-And-Getting-A-Refund-For-Your-Airline-Ticket/97620

Last Minute Cheap Airline Ticket Specialist-3 Posted By : Sunny Khurana

Are you tired of your work? Do you want to get rid of the day to day monotonous activities? Then you must think about some kind of relaxation. Take a small vacation and plan for a trip, which will be full of fun, relaxation, and enjoyment.
To fulfill your expectations and for a hazardless trip, here is Eros Tours and Travel (ETT) with their 24 years of experience. Unlike other travel agencies, they give you the last minute ticket in the cheapest rate. You can get a discount as much as possible. No need of waiting, their employees are always there to help you, even after business hours.
You can go anywhere within USA and abroad also like Caribbean, Hawaii, Canada, Europe, Asia, South Pacific, Mexico, and South Central America. Being the wholesale agent of Air Tran Airways, you can save up to 45% on all your last minute domestic travel. Being the wholesale agent of Air India we can provide generally the best over seas travel bargain to international destinations including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and also Nepal. Thereby you can save up to 70% on international flights, whether traveling in Coach (Economy Class), Biz (Business Class), or First Class. No advance purchase is required for most of the fares.
ETT has their own booking engine where you can have a free membership and can get deals from time to time via email. Even for nonmembers also it offers a host of different options, some of them are...............
• Search flights with different dates and with different airlines.
• Make online reservations with all major credit cards and debit cards too.
• Save on Flight booking, Hotel, Car rental, Cruise reservation, and Vacation packages.
• For deals on direct flights between Atlanta (ATL) and Los Angeles (LAX), ATL and San Francisco (SFO), and ATL and Las Vegas (LAS), please call us at our direct line 1-213-955-9695.
• For cheaper flights available online you are prompted to call our toll-free number 1-800-247-4775 while making online reservation of flight.
• For assistance with a live person you call us during 8:10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (PST) California Time (Monday-Friday) and 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (PST) California Time on Saturday.
• We quick reply for any query for customer, we keep the full care of the travelers of any kind services.
• We receive the customers request on world span, telephone as well as email also.


The Author and innovator of this wonderful site www.airtkt.com has more than 27years of experience in the travel industry both as a travel agent himself having the vast knowledge of all leading booking software's Worldspan, Sabre, Amadeus, and Apollo, Working with all major Airlines, visited most of the Countries and handling the passengers from long time make the job very easy, also being the President of the Eros Tours and Travel, Inc. established in 1990, member of the ARC ( Airline Reporting Corporation) and IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agent Network).www.airtkt.com www.erostours.com www.latinfare.com



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Source: http://www.rightarticle.com/Article/Last-Minute-Cheap-Airline-Ticket-Specialist-3/100410

Fly The Unfriendly Skies Of United Posted By : lar

United Airlines (UAL) recently announced that it will be charging customers twenty-five dollars for their second checked bag. They will start this beginning on 5 may 2008.

Right now you can check two bags, each weighing fifty pounds for free. Anything more and you have to pay extra depending on the weight.

You are also allowed one, maybe two, carry-on bags. This also depends on the size, weight, and airline.

This additional tariff will not affect Mileage Plus or Star Alliance customers. And, from what I have read, this only affects domestic flights. I have not read anything about overseas flights.

Supposedly, this will discourage passengers from bringing an additional bag, making the plane lighter. Therefore, the plane will burn less fuel saving the airlines money and keeping fares from rising.

As a frequent traveler, I can personally say that I will do my very best to avoid flying on United. If I do have to fly UAL, I will scream, kick and bite before I pay an extra twenty-five dollars for a bag.

I think if all travelers shout loud enough, the airline will be forced to stop this silliness. Then, they would be forced to raise air fares, which would hopefully make you look for another airline.

First, the airlines took away your in-flight meal. Now, we have the additional luggage tax. What is next?

Some may say that getting rid of the airline food is a good thing. But charging five bucks for a measly snack is ridiculous.

I work for the US government and we are required to fly on American carriers. I understand the rule and the reasoning behind it, but most of my flights are to Asia and Asian carriers have far better service, prices and schedules than American carriers.

So, if I am forced to fly American and get stuck on United, I will do everything in my power to switch to one of the other carriers that doesn't charge this ridiculous fee.

We need to band together and refuse to pay this fee. Otherwise, the airlines will start charging for pillows, blankets, aisle seats, window seats, and who knows what else.

If you have a choice between United and any other airline, please choose the other carrier.





Please Rate this Article


Source: http://www.rightarticle.com/Article/Fly-The-Unfriendly-Skies-Of-United/98461

Paying For And Getting A Refund For Your Airline Ticket Posted By : lar

* If you plan to pay in person and with your own bank check, take at least two forms of identification with you like a driver's license, major credit card, or employee I.D. card. Particularly when you purchase tickets far from your home town, airlines, travel agencies and other ticket outlets will want to confirm your identity.

If you paid for your ticket with cash and you have a refundable fare, you can often get an immediate refund from the issuing airline or travel agency. If you paid by personal check, the refund will generally have to be mailed to you.

NOTE: In some cases tickets purchased overseas in foreign currency can only be refunded in that same currency and country, due to foreign government monetary restrictions. Keep this in mind if you are considering buying a ticket in a foreign country.

* When you pay by credit card, your charge account is billed-whether you use your tickets or not. You won't receive credit unless the original unused tickets are returned to the airline. You usually can't get cash refund for a credit card purchase.

* If you buy your tickets with a credit card and then change your flights, the ticket agent may want to credit the amount of the old tickets and issue another set with a second charge to your account. You may want to insist that the value of your old tickets be applied to the new ones, with the difference in price charged or credited to your account.

While this creates a little extra work for the airlines, it prevents double-billing to your charge account.

* There are different rules for different types of airfares. You can purchase discount fares or pay full fare. Check with your airline to find out the rules and cost of different types of fares.

Payment by credit card provides certain protections under federal credit laws. When a refund is due, the airline must forward a credit to your card company within seven business days after receiving a complete refund application. If you paid by credit card for a refundable fare and you have trouble getting a refund that you are due, report this in writing to your credit card company. If you write to them within 60 days from the time that they mailed your first monthly statement showing the charge for the airline ticket, the card company should credit your account even if the airline doesn't. This procedure is particularly useful if your airline ceases operations before your flight.





Please Rate this Article


Source: http://www.rightarticle.com/Article/Paying-For-And-Getting-A-Refund-For-Your-Airline-Ticket/97620

Friday, February 8, 2008

A Specialty Of The Budget Airlines Posted By : Wolfgang Jaegel

A special administrative region of China, Hong Kong has been long regarded as the gateway to the nation. Hong Kong is a sprawling cityscape providing a feast of attractions to visitors touring the city in the form of a variety of museums, theme parks, and natural attractions, among many others.

However, its magnificent attractions are the not only thing that draw people from across the world here. The city also provides excellent options for business and educational activities. Many travelers including Americans and Europeans can savor the first taste of Asia by landing at the international airport in Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong.

Traveling to Hong Kong has never been so easier, with a plethora of budget airlines in the scenario. Earlier, air travel was just confined to upper class people including top class executives as well as business magnets. But, with the birth of the budget airlines, anyone could dream of a comfortable air journey. In other words, budget airlines have now become a convenient alternative over shaky buses, inept trains, and traffic-jammed highways.

Budget airlines, otherwise known as no frills airlines, low cost carriers, or low cost airlines, are airlines or flight carriers providing flight services for exceptionally low rates. Sometimes you can travel with a budget airline for more than 50% discount.

The concept of no-frills airlines originally originated during the beginning of 1990s in the US, which later spread to Europe and gradually to Asian destinations. Now the budget airlines are popular throughout the world, and many of the leading as well as reputable airlines in the industry render low cost airline services and that too without sacrificing the quality of the services.

In budget airlines, the pricing of air fares vary depending upon the duration of time between booking and departure. Mostly, the earlier you make bookings for airfare, much cheaper would be the airfare. Likewise, in order to fill the unsold seat in the plane, some airlines would slash the price prior to a few days before its departure.

A specialty of most of the budget airlines is that they cater to almost all types of travelers. For instance, some airlines operate budget flights according to the convenience of the business travelers. There are certain airlines providing incredible deals on air fares for students as well as leisurely travelers. In most cases, budget airline fares are flexible, al though, in some instances, these airlines may charge a nominal fee to make changes in flight reservations.

A number of airlines are in the industry to render you the best in budget travel. With these excellent airlines providing bespoke services. A budget airline provides almost the same superb services that a standard airline offers, such as excellent dining options, superb entertainment facilities, and comfortable as well as soft cabins. Additionally, some of the budget airlines render special services for passengers such as elderly travelers, children traveling alone or not accompanied by their parents, pregnant as well as passengers flying with infants, and passengers who have visual, speech, or hearing imparity.

With the introduction of the internet, it has become quite easy to find a budget airline. Many of the airlines have their own websites with facilities for online ticket booking. This in turn is very convenient. It is not only beneficial for hassle-free bookings but also enable you to know whether they provide any kind of discount or deals for traveling within a stipulated period or during a particular season such as Christmas or New Year.

All you have to do is to just log into their website and inform them regarding the destination you are going to travel and date of departure. All of the rest they will take care. In addition, airfare bookings online is economical, as it enables you to save pennies on issuing tickets. The airlines, in most cases, sent confirmation through a simple document containing flight details as well as booking reference. When you make payments and bookings online, it allows you to easily take a print out of this document as soon as the booking process is completed. In short, with just a click of a mouse you can make bookings for a comfortable air journey.



Please Rate this Article


Source: http://www.rightarticle.com/Article/A-Specialty-Of-The-Budget-Airlines/91118

A Specialty Of The Budget Airlines Posted By : Wolfgang Jaegel

A special administrative region of China, Hong Kong has been long regarded as the gateway to the nation. Hong Kong is a sprawling cityscape providing a feast of attractions to visitors touring the city in the form of a variety of museums, theme parks, and natural attractions, among many others.

However, its magnificent attractions are the not only thing that draw people from across the world here. The city also provides excellent options for business and educational activities. Many travelers including Americans and Europeans can savor the first taste of Asia by landing at the international airport in Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong.

Traveling to Hong Kong has never been so easier, with a plethora of budget airlines in the scenario. Earlier, air travel was just confined to upper class people including top class executives as well as business magnets. But, with the birth of the budget airlines, anyone could dream of a comfortable air journey. In other words, budget airlines have now become a convenient alternative over shaky buses, inept trains, and traffic-jammed highways.

Budget airlines, otherwise known as no frills airlines, low cost carriers, or low cost airlines, are airlines or flight carriers providing flight services for exceptionally low rates. Sometimes you can travel with a budget airline for more than 50% discount.

The concept of no-frills airlines originally originated during the beginning of 1990s in the US, which later spread to Europe and gradually to Asian destinations. Now the budget airlines are popular throughout the world, and many of the leading as well as reputable airlines in the industry render low cost airline services and that too without sacrificing the quality of the services.

In budget airlines, the pricing of air fares vary depending upon the duration of time between booking and departure. Mostly, the earlier you make bookings for airfare, much cheaper would be the airfare. Likewise, in order to fill the unsold seat in the plane, some airlines would slash the price prior to a few days before its departure.

A specialty of most of the budget airlines is that they cater to almost all types of travelers. For instance, some airlines operate budget flights according to the convenience of the business travelers. There are certain airlines providing incredible deals on air fares for students as well as leisurely travelers. In most cases, budget airline fares are flexible, al though, in some instances, these airlines may charge a nominal fee to make changes in flight reservations.

A number of airlines are in the industry to render you the best in budget travel. With these excellent airlines providing bespoke services. A budget airline provides almost the same superb services that a standard airline offers, such as excellent dining options, superb entertainment facilities, and comfortable as well as soft cabins. Additionally, some of the budget airlines render special services for passengers such as elderly travelers, children traveling alone or not accompanied by their parents, pregnant as well as passengers flying with infants, and passengers who have visual, speech, or hearing imparity.

With the introduction of the internet, it has become quite easy to find a budget airline. Many of the airlines have their own websites with facilities for online ticket booking. This in turn is very convenient. It is not only beneficial for hassle-free bookings but also enable you to know whether they provide any kind of discount or deals for traveling within a stipulated period or during a particular season such as Christmas or New Year.

All you have to do is to just log into their website and inform them regarding the destination you are going to travel and date of departure. All of the rest they will take care. In addition, airfare bookings online is economical, as it enables you to save pennies on issuing tickets. The airlines, in most cases, sent confirmation through a simple document containing flight details as well as booking reference. When you make payments and bookings online, it allows you to easily take a print out of this document as soon as the booking process is completed. In short, with just a click of a mouse you can make bookings for a comfortable air journey.



Please Rate this Article


Source: http://www.rightarticle.com/Article/A-Specialty-Of-The-Budget-Airlines/91118