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Showing posts from November, 2021

THE 10 WORST PROBLEMS YOU CAN RUN INTO IN AN AIRPORT (& HOW TO SOLVE THEM) | FLIGHTLAYAWAY

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Airports can be exciting because it means to travel, but they can also be stressful. Because of the nature of flying, there are many things that can go wrong from check-in to boarding and then, even at arrivals. Even the thought of these problems can cause anxiety, but there's no need to be nervous if you know exactly how you'd solve them if they did happen. Just remember — every problem is fixable! That airline wants you to fly with them again and airport staff is there to help so if there's an issue, they want to solve it as much as you do. Well. Almost. 1.  You Can Get Lost The main, obvious problem that can happen in the larger airports is that it's far too easy to get lost. Some airports have multiple terminals, with gates spanning in every direction, and finding your gate can often seem like a daunting task for those who are directionally challenged. Stay calm and follow the signs — every airport is signposted. And if all else fails, stop someone who works...

IS AIR TRAVEL TAKING LONGER THAN BEFORE? | FLIGHTLAYAWAY

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As we get older, it’s common to feel like the passage of time is speeding up. Events that used to take much longer now seem to fly past. When it comes to air travel though, the opposite is actually happening. Flight times are getting slower, it’s a fact. For example, in the 1990s, a flight from New York to Chicago took 2 and a half hours. Today it takes roughly 2 hours and 50 minutes. That’s an increase of 20 minutes for the same distance. This isn’t an isolated case either. Shorter flights take longer than they used to as well. In 1995, London to Edinburgh took 1 hour 15 minutes instead of the 1 hour 25 it takes now. With the technological advancements of the last few decades, it seems bizarre that flight duration should slow and not speed up. The airlines make the difference So we can all agree that flight times are increasing. But are planes spending more time in the air, or are they adding extra time at the start and end of each journey? In reality, it’s both. There’s a technical w...

THAILAND REOPENS FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURISM: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW | FLIGHTLAYAWAY

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For the first time in over 18 months, Thailand has reopened for international tourism. After previous pilot programs permitting limited, highly local tourism, government authorities announced that the country was ready to lift all restrictions starting on November 1. However, there are just a few simple rules to bear in mind. Read on for the full details about Thailand's reopening to international tourism. Your Guide to Thailand's Reopening Though the COVID-19 situation around the globe is improving, the pandemic is still very much an issue that requires attention and concern. To be able to visit Thailand as an international tourist, you must: Come from a nation included on the list of 63 approved countries (this includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, and all of Western Europe). You must have spent at least 21 days in one of these countries.         Show valid proof of being fully vaccina...

STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE WHEN YOU'VE LOST YOUR LUGGAGE | FLIGHTLAYAWAY

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Shortness of breath and feelings of slight hysteria. It’s simply nerve-wracking to sit idly by, waiting for your luggage to come streaming down the conveyer belt at the airport. Lost luggage can be no less than incredibly frustrating, especially when you’ve been flying for hours and just want to get home already. This inconvenience may be trumped only by having to make do with the bare necessities on what should be an enjoyable vacation. The lack of control at the moment can prove to be no less than infuriating. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to make sure that you eventually get your luggage back—even if you have to pack your patience in order to do so. Report it missing While there is little you can do to make sure that your luggage isn’t lost in the first place, the likelihood that it will be returned is actually rather high–only 3% of bags are unrecoverable. Also, the total amount of bags that were lost in 2013 was down 17%. The first thing you will want to d...

WHICH U.S. AIRPORTS HAVE THERAPY DOGS? | FLIGHTLAYAWAY

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If air travel makes you nervous, you might be wondering which U.S. airports have therapy dogs on hand to make the experience easier. These special animals, trained to help calm and soothe people experiencing stress and anxiety, can be found in airports across the United States. The trend of bringing certified therapy dogs into spaces like airports has been on the rise in recent years. Given the added stress and uncertainty that comes with flying on a plane during a pandemic, there's never been a better time to exchange your pre-flight drink with a cuddle from a four-legged friend instead. A Brief History of Airport Therapy Dogs Following the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001, therapy dogs were brought into airports as a means of easing anxiety and fear around flying. The reach and popularity of airport therapy dogs have been on the rise ever since. Given their massive success, the programs were expanded to even more airports across the country. Unlike trained service animals, cer...

8 RIGHTS YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN FLYING WITH KIDS | FLIGHTLAYAWAY

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Do you plan on flying with your kids anytime soon? We know that simply getting your whole family on board a plane without incident can be a monumental task. Flying is stressful, and as every parent can tell you, it’s so much more stressful if you have a crying, colicky baby with you. Add a delayed or canceled flight on top of that, and you’re really in for a rough day! Navigating through a crowd with a stroller, your luggage in one hand, and a diaper bag in the other, trying your best to comfort your baby while waiting for hours for your next flight — it’s a nightmare! To make things a bit easier for you, there are some rights that you have as a family when you fly. To make flying with kids a little easier, it’s important to know what your rights are, including when things go wrong. Here are a few things that you should remember: Your Rights When Flying with an Infant You can fly with young infants — but the age allowed varies among airlines. One question that parents often...

WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST PLACE TO FLY IN THE US? | FLIGHTLAYAWAY

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There is no doubt that travelers are eager to venture out and travel in 2021. You may face some new challenges, such as a limited number of destinations, because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; however, keep in mind that lower than usual demand for travel also means that you can save significantly on airfare, in some cases.   So, travel is back in full swing in 2021 and on the cheap, as well. This is because the flight deals for most trips so far have been out of this world. If you are looking for the cheapest destinations to fly to in the US, the cities on our list are great fun, and some are also stunningly beautiful throughout the year. If you are itching to travel this summer or beyond, here are some notable and gorgeous places you can visit without blowing your whole budget on expensive plane tickets. The Cheapest Place to Fly in the US Las Vegas, Nevada With many resorts being compelled to close because of slumping demand, note that the Entertainment Capital of th...

10 MUST-VISIT CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN EUROPE | FLIGHTLAYAWAY

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Planning to spend the holiday season in Europe this year? Though it's very different from the warm summer months, winter in Europe has its own special magic, especially if you plan to visit the Christmas Markets in December. We put together a list of the top 10 Christmas Markets in Europe that you should visit at least once in your life. Enjoy! What are Christmas Markets? These special markets are local fairs that take place in European cities throughout the winter holidays, generally starting in December, to celebrate the arrival of the Christmas season. Local artisans decorate their stands with twinkly lights and sell holiday-related or themed goods that make ideal Christmas gifts. Typically these include local delicacies, traditional food, and drink that are consumed during that time of year. For example, in northern Europe, you'll often see Glühwein, or mulled wine, on offer. Beyond the goods for sale, the Christmas Markets are fun and engaging for the whole family,...