Whether you’re travelling long haul or even on a short route, you’ll presumably have to book one flight, and maybe several. Picking the correct flight can genuinely affect your comfort and budget. Mentioned in this post are a few points that will help you master the art of selecting the right flight.
Whether it be business travel or a holiday, picking the right flight is essential if you wish to avoid tension and stress. When you affirm your destination and have chosen to fly to, it is the ideal opportunity for you to pick the best flight. But with so many flights available, each offering various sorts of services at different prices, it can become challenging to select the right flight.
Here are some of the tips which you can follow to choose your best flight.
- Value for Money: One of the main things to consider when searching for a flight is the value the flight provides vis-à-vis with its price. Whether you are opting for an expensive flight that provides services such as on-board meals, in-flight entertainment, or going for a low-cost carrier with nothing but the airfare included in the ticket, always compare the value you are getting in comparison to the price you are paying.
- Departure and Arrival Time: With so many flights flying out of the city to your preferred destination, it may be difficult to choose the right one. A good way is to sort the results by the departure or the arrival time. You can also sort results by the duration of the flight to choose one that takes the least time to reach your destination. Some cheap flights might be early in the morning, but it would usually entail reaching the airport early in the morning by paying an extra cab fare. Choose one that suits you. If you are not a morning person, avoid booking the first flight out, no matter how tempting it may seem. However, if you can manage the inconveniences, you might be able to save quite a bit on flight tickets.
- Baggage Allowance: Not all airlines are the same in terms of baggage allowance. While some flights (usually international) allow 25-30 Kgs of checked-in luggage, a few only allow you to carry cabin luggage with you. While the latter makes up for it by reducing the price, if you carry an extra bag, you will have to shell out extra, making it significantly expensive. Thus, don’t forget to look at the baggage restrictions before making your booking.
- In-flight Seating: Buying a cheap ticket feels like hitting the jackpot until you experience the cramped up seats. Some flights that may look cheap may charge you a significant amount for selecting a seat of your choice while doing the online check-in. Others may give you better options under the free seat selection quota. Full-service airlines don’t only offer more legroom but many times also better seats that are more cushioned and reclinable. If you go for only the cheapest ticket, you may have to compromise a bit on your comfort.
- Popular Flying Routes: If you are flying between popular flight routes, you can have the luxury of more options to choose from. For instance, a Delhi to Bangalore or Kolkata to Mumbai flight route will show you more options than the lesser-travelled Delhi to Leh or Lucknow to Jaipur route. One way to work around this is to book flights between popular routes and then complete the rest of the journey by train or road. However, this may add extra hours to your journey.
There are countless things to consider when booking a flight ticket. The decision should depend on your travel needs and budget. The right balance can be achieved when you prioritise your needs first and then the price to book your best flight.