It's Better Up Here Than Ever Before

In an age where both airplanes and luxury ships are consistently boasting, 'bigger and better,' it's refreshing to see things that aren't so concentrated on massive commercial growth and impersonal service. Regional airports are perhaps the greatest method of travel left for those desiring peace and a more efficient solution for their travel needs.

Many people think of major airports and cringe at the thoughts of lines requiring hours to get through, thousands of people going in different directions at once, constant worries of baggage and claim issues, and confusing parking policies. Yet, there is one way to fly that completely removes all these worries at the same time: the regional airport.

These smaller facilities are typically just as reliable as the major commercial airlines, but with many advantages. The fares are much more affordable and the lines are far shorter. Because these airlines serve fewer passengers, you will reach your destination faster and with less hassle. You are also less likely to be held for long periods of time for taking food onboard with you. Since smaller planes are used, more flights are safely allowed, and you are less likely to be marooned due to the common problems aboard large airlines.

The ease of parking in regional airports is another convenience many passengers enjoy. The lots are smaller and more organized, and it isn't common to literally lose your vehicle amid hundreds or thousands of others. Even large regional airports offer a better experience when it comes to automobile storage.

Regional airports offer services that will take you into large cities, but also offer options of bypassing more urban areas when the final destination is on the outskirts of a major metropolitan area. These airports use smaller planes, allowing greater access to additional facilities, regardless of where you travel. Many locations are limited to regional airports, and if you choose a major line, you will need to either board a second, smaller airplane to reach your destination or drive a considerable distance.

Regional airports today are as connected as major airlines through technology. Weather, security information and all other relevant details are available through regional airports, just as with major airlines.

For a fine example of the regional possibilities for travelers, take the beautiful island of Tenerife. This is one of the Canary Islands and offers lush, tropical beauty for all visitors. The Los Rodeos Airport, or Tenerife North Airport, is a wonderful example of how these smaller facilities can take you to new and exotic locations.

The Tenerife North Airport is one of two on the island of Tenerife and will take you safely and expediently to your destination. Tenerife is a paradise of the Canary Islands and is often referred to as, 'Paradise Island.'

Cesar Manrique, a renowned artist, designed a series of seawater pools for everyone to enjoy. Manrique designed his architecture around the natural vegetation of the island and created a magnificent living work of art. Tenerife also offers botanical gardens and a gorgeous view of Teide Volcano.

Using a regional airport does not mean you are missing out on any destination; it only means you are expanding the potential of your travels to reach far more exotic locations.

Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/It-s-Better-Up-Here-Than-Ever-Before/157120

Cutting Down Queuing Times at Manchester Airport

We have all experienced the nightmare of the check-in desk when travelling from any airport let alone Manchester. The long queues, slow check-in personnel and the family in front that have numerous children who are all excited about going on holiday and who"s parents cannot find their passports without emptying hundreds of bags first!

None of this helps to get your holiday off to a stress free start like you deserve. Manchester Airport is one of the biggest airports in the UK and along with the likes of Jet2, BMI Baby and various other airlines they have come up with various ways to reduce check-in times. Read on to find out how to beat the queues at Manchester.

Online Check-in

Online check-in normally opens 24 hours prior to flight departure and is available from various airlines that fly out of Manchester Airport, a list of which can be found in the resource section at the bottom of this article. This service is only available for passengers travelling with hand luggage only, and all the usual security restrictions still apply.

Express Check-in

Online check-in is the brainchild of the airlines whereas Express Check-in is Manchester Airport's contribution to speeding things up. This system is advertised by Manchester Airport as "no queues no hassle". All sounds too good to be true but in reality this service is a lifesaver and a long time in coming.

Express check-in kiosks can be found scattered all around the departure lounges at Manchester Airport and are brightly coloured for easy spotting. They are all touch screen and extremely easy to use. All you need to do is input your passport, e-ticket or credit card number, follow the on screen instructions and produce your own boarding pass. All that is left for you to do then is drop your luggage off at the designated drop off point and head straight for security.

Sounds too simple and puts a lot of people off as they are required to process their booking themselves. Fear not. The kiosks are designed with simplicity in mind and are all touch screen with clear and easy to follow instructions. A dedicated member of staff is always at hand to assist you in the use of these machines so there really is no need to worry about making a mistake.

Online and express check-in has categorically reduced waiting times at Manchester Airport and will continue to reduce them as long as people continue to use them. These services are not advertised nearly enough by Manchester Airport or the airlines so it is important to spread the word.

Long queues plague the airport industry globally. The UK is lucky enough to have a handful of some the best and most efficient airports worldwide, Manchester being one of them. Anybody who has travelled back from another European airport will no doubt agree with this.

I'm sure there are variations on Express and Online check-in throughout the world so let's hope that all airports take a leaf out of Manchester's book and adopt them sooner rather than later.

Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/Cutting-Down-Queuing-Times-at-Manchester-Airport/154302

Airline Price Wars Sees Malta Fares Tumble For 2008

The last two years have seen Malta's national carrier face a series of new competitors bring tourists to the airlines home base of Luqa Airport Malta, and the price of a flight to Malta from many European destinations has fallen as a result.

And as competition has increased and fares reduced, Air Malta has battled to retain her passengers, and sought to gain more with new routes, notably from Liverpool's John Lennon Airport in the North-West of England.

The UK is traditionally Malta's strongest market for tourists, and the first low cost flights to challenge the airline were from London's Luton Airport.

The low cost competitors have boosted Malta's tourist trade considerably, and it is thought that last year, 2007, might well have been the Mediterranean island's best year ever for the number of holidaymakers received.

As well as opening new routes from the UK, Air Malta has gone a step further to boost the number of people it carries to her home base for 2008 by doing a deal with a UK holidays company.

The Malta holidays company has agreed to use Air Malta for its flights, and will boost the number of flights the airline is able to offer customers from the all important London Gatwick to Malta route, strenghtening its position in the London market.

But the airline could well face even more competition for the holidays in Malta market for the summer of 2008 - of all the low cost carriers the best known UK one, easyJet, has been unable to fly to Malta having not reached an amicable agreement with the island. This is about to change however, and could see lower cost flights to Malta this year for the summer 2008 holiday season, a year when the Malta holidays industry is hoping to augment a successful 2007.

easyJet recently bought GB Airways who were franchised by British Airways to fly many of their European routes - including to Malta, with convenient afternoon slots out of London's Gatwick Airport.

'When we checked recently to book a BA flight from Gatick to Malta for early next summer, it was showing a flight at under 100 sterling, which is pretty competitive for a good time of day flight', comments one travel guide for Malta.

Rival low cost airlines might view easyJet's entry to the Malta market as a back door method, while others in the aviation industry will view the development as nothing out of the ordinary when one company takes over another, and the new routes are part of why a company would want to buy another in the first place.

The UK market for the Malta holidays industry, despite the diversification the island has enjoyed with more visitors from Germany and Italy, remains a vital one and provides more visitors than any other country.

Currently for London and the Home Counties, the economic powerhouse of the UK economy, low cost airlines fly from Luton, convenient for the northern counties and North London. Gatwick, which is more convenient for wealthy Surrey and South London, is served by regular carriers.

But it is Gatwick that easyJet will be flying from to Malta, and potentially is the most lucrative UK route for a low cost carrier.

Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/Airline-Price-Wars-Sees-Malta-Fares-Tumble-For-2008/152180

Air Travel With Baby: A Big Challenge For Mommies

When you are traveling with your baby, it is of utmost importance to have a plan ahead for the flight can be one of your toughest challenges when traveling with a baby.

All airlines offer pre-boarding for passengers with children. Take advantage of this, to give you extra minutes to settle yourself and your child on the plane as well as to relax and take a breath.

Your baby bag containing diapers, feeding bottles, wipes, blanket, baby clothes and plastic bags for trash should be easily accessible. Use a smaller bag for these items so that you could either stow it on the overhead compartment or underneath your seat for easy access. Pack for yourself as well an extra shirt or set of clothes in case of any accidents.

The back seats of the plane can be convenient for you as it is near the lavatory for easier access.

To help your baby's ears adjust to the cabin pressure changes during take off as well as during landing, you can encourage swallowing by breastfeeding or bottle feeding him. If it is impossible to do such things, you can give your baby a pacifier. Your baby's ears are very sensitive. Toddlers could suck on a candy or lollipop or could nibble on chips or biscuits. If your baby is sleeping, then it shouldn't be necessary for you to wake him up and disturb his sleep.

If you need hot water or you need to heat up baby's milk bottles, ask for the help of a flight attendant. Keep your baby hydrated with water, juice or milk as flying in a plane causes dehydration.

Changing baby's diapers will prove to be a challenge. While airplanes provide a changing table, such can be small and so it would be hard if your baby was bigger. Ask the flight attendant for another place where you could possibly change your baby's diapers.

It is very much possible for your baby to feel uneasy and uncomfortable and so it can't be helped if he will cry. While you may hear some snide and rude remarks from other passengers, ignore these and instead focus your attention on your baby and tend to his needs.

An ideal seat for mothers would be the aisle seat so that you could easily walk back and forth the aisle (when safe to do so) when your baby begins to fuss.

Don't rush off the plane if it isn't necessary. Let the other people disembark first. In this manner you won't have to stand in a slow moving line with your baby on one hand and carry on luggage on the other.

Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/Air-Travel-With-Baby--A-Big-Challenge-For-Mommies/149157