Don’t judge the final price tag too harshly. Think of the experience by how much you are offered in the time you are traveling to your destination. Does your 6 or 8 hour flight offer great food and wonderful entertainment options, or is the flight cramped with next to no entertainment, and when there is, the films are all outdated? Consider all that long-haul flights offer and pick the one that best suits your needs.

Making your connection is crucial. On long-haul flights, unless your final destination is a large hub such as Tokyo, London, Paris, etc., you will have to connect to another flight overseas to reach your destination. Connections overseas can run you down, so here’s what you should know: Pay attention to the connection time you are given. A connection may be classified as ‘legal’ but it may not be feasible for you specifically. Click on ‘Flight Schedule’ in the air display in the booking process and note how much time you have to connect to your next flight. Give yourself ample time for everything you need to accomplish, from check-in to boarding. A worst case scenario may see you rushing off the plane, picking up your bags at baggage claim, clearing customs, checking in for your new flight, re-checking your bags, going through customs and security again, and proceeding to your connecting flight’s gate. That’s a lot to do! Make sure you have the time you need.

It would be in your best interest to check to see if you are getting some sort of frequent flier benefit, whether it be miles or some other reward, for flying such a long flight and paying a lot of money to do so. You may want to select an airline with which you already have a frequent flier account, or an airline that belongs in the same alliance as the airline you frequently fly.

Dress comfortably. Keep in mind that you will want to fall asleep, take off your shoes, walk around, or stretch on a long flight. Dressing in stretchy, loose clothes and sneakers or slip-on shoes will be most comfortable.

Consider either bringing along your own tablet, buying one before your trip, or borrowing one from a friend. On the tablet, make sure you have a few of your favorite movies loaded so you have lots of things to keep you engaged not just on the flight over, but also on the flight back. Consider downloading a few books on tape, some episodes of your favorite TV show, and definitely a few hours worth of your favorite music. Download e-copies of your favorite magazines as well, so you have lots of variety to choose from.

Important!!!

Not all airlines are the same or offer the same amenities. In fact, you’ll find that there are perhaps the most discrepancies when it comes to how airlines handle long-haul travel. Here are three things that will definitely vary by airline on long haul flights:

Food

Nearly every long-haul flight offers a succession of meals, usually interspersed with light snacks. If you are concerned about the variety of food offered, or if you have a dietary restriction, it pays to research the long-haul flight menus for each airline you are considering. The airlines usually make this information public on their website; the website www.airlinemeals.net also details the food options from airlines across the world. In the end, it can`t hurt to pack some familiar snacks — things you would munch on while at home or at work. If you would have a granola bar at work, take some with you on the plane.

Entertainment

After you take some time to research your food options, take some time to look at the entertainment offered on your flight. After all, you will be spending a good amount of time in the air. Narrow down which choices are the best for entertainment and keep those airlines in mind. Also, choose seat-back screens instead of overhead monitors. Your neck will thank you, as you wont have to crane it upward for hours to view a film. Also, seat-back screens allow you to watch what you want, so you aren’t forced into watching a specific movie with the rest of the plane that you may not even like. .

Comfort

Speaking of SeatGuru, check out the configurations of each long-haul aircraft that flies your desired route. That way you can figure out which seats and which aircraft will be most comfortable for your journey. A 3-5-3 configuration of seats may be better than a 3-3 configuration, simply because a 3-5-3 will offer two aisles, extra lavatories, less waiting while the flight attendants come around for meal or drink service, etc. Plus, on long-haul flights it is recommended to walk around every so often, and a flight that offers more room to move around will be more comfortable for you. Also consider whether or not the seats recline, if there is enough room for your feet and legs, and if you will be seated in an area where lots of passengers will walk, like closer to the lavatories. Making the right decisions will ensure your comfort when flying overseas.
What Makes a Great Seat?

The best seats are usually considered to be the aisle seats, the window seats, seats on an exit row, and seats close to the front of the plane. For example, on a short flight, an aisle seat near the front may be best so you can get off the plane and to your destination as quickly as possible. On a red-eye flight, a window seat may be more ideal so you can fall asleep and rest your head on the window. People afraid of turbulence may like the seats over the wing, as they are not shaken up as much by turbulent wind patterns. Exit rows offer more legroom, but if you are traveling as a family, this would not be a feasible option. Children and infants are not allowed to sit in exit rows (infants are actually not allowed to sit in the rows behind or in front of the exit row either).

Another favorite seat assignment is the bulkhead seat, which is the very first row of seats after a barrier such as a wall or a curtain. No seats are in front of this row, so extra legroom is to be expected. Be careful, though, because on some flights the bulkhead row may not offer lots of space.

Make a note of the seat pitch; this is particularly important for taller travelers. A seat pitch is the measure of how much space there is between a seat and the one right behind it or in front of it. The higher the number means more legroom for you.

The middle seat is typically undesirable regardless of aircraft. Seats near the flight attendants or the lavatories will experience more foot traffic and you may find it is more difficult to fall asleep in those seats. Likewise, seats closer to the overhead screens may impede your path to rest.

Then there is the big question: If something bad happens, which seats are the safest? There is no clear answer to that question. TIME Magazine recently found that sitting in the rear of the aircraft will give you a higher chance of survival in case of a plane crash. Greenwich University found, however, that the safest place for passengers is toward the front of the plane, sitting within five rows of an emergency exit.

Pack non-essential items out of sight until needed on the plane.
Plan your parking in advance to avoid stress.
Be aware of parking availability, especially during high travel seasons and holidays.
Consider budget-friendly off-airport parking options.
Reserve your parking spot in advance if possible.
Research your destination airport beforehand.
Download terminal maps and locate hotel shuttles and rental car counters.
This research helps if someone is picking you up.
Know where to meet your pick-up person for convenience.
Being prepared minimizes stress and ensures a smooth trip.
Overall, preparation is key to a successful and enjoyable journey.

At the Airport – Before Check In

Make sure you remember the spot where you hid your identification, your boarding passes, and other important documents, because you will need to present these items at various points throughout the airport. Remembering your hiding place means smooth sailing for you and for airport workers accommodating you.
Take note of your luggage and make sure each piece is secured (aka zipped up). Note that you cannot lock your baggage. Do not pack medicine or other important items into your checked baggage in the unlikely event that your luggage does not make it to your destination with you. Instead pack such items in your carry-on bags. Before checking in, double-check the weight of your bags; many airlines charge an extra fee for bags over 50 pounds. You can make necessary adjustments at the curbside drop-off at many airports, or simply do so at home before leaving. Customize your luggage in some manner (for example, sewing a patch onto your suitcase) so you can distinctly identify it as your own.
•Small bags are fine to be carried on, but make sure all size requirements set by the airline have been met, or else the bag you planned on carrying on may have to be checked.

Checking In

Remember to be at the airport at least two hours in advance if you are checking baggage onto a domestic flight. If all you have are carry-on bags, arrive 90 minutes in advance. Allow for two or three hours` advance arrival at the airport if you are traveling internationally or to Alaska, Hawaii or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Also consider adding a half-hour to an hour during peak travel season in your area.
There are many different ways to make the checking in process easier and faster. First, you can check in via the airline`s website up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure. Second, there are unmanned self-service kiosks in the airport that will allow you to check in at your pace. If you check in using either of these services, a boarding pass will be printed out for you, e-mailed to you for you to print out, or available for download to your smartphone. By doing this, it means you will also have the best seat selection available to you, if you need another reason to take advantage of early check-in!
Do keep in mind that an airline can cancel your reservation if you are not waiting at the departure gate when the flight is scheduled to depart. Your seat may be given to another customer even if you have a boarding pass. Also, if you are late checking your baggage, there is no guarantee it will arrive on time with you at your destination.

Between Check-In and Airport Security

Stow everything except your boarding pass and your identification in your carry-on bag. This will allow you to go through security as smoothly as possible.
Make a mental checklist of the things you will need to do when you get to the front of the security screening line. Make sure you know all the things that need to be removed before screening, and what needs to be taken out of your carry-on bag (for example, many types of laptop computers). Once there, you will be prepared and getting through security will be a breeze.

On the Other Side of Security

Take a look at the departures board again. Unless you arrived very early, you will get a better idea of what delays your flight may have, if any. You`ll also see if your flight is scheduled to depart out of a different gate so you can plan accordingly. Even though the departures board will be of great help, go straight to your gate for any extra information. They will be privy to ‘breaking news’ about your flight before the departures board will have a chance to update. Plus, by heading to your gate first, you can make a mental note of how full your flight will be, and where the closest bathrooms, convenience stores or restaurants are compared to where your gate is.
Look up your airline`s toll-free number and program it into your phone. If, for whatever reason, your flight is delayed and your itinerary does not proceed as planned, you will need the number to call and figure out what your next step should be. If you have the phone numbers of all the flights that fly your specific route in your phone, you will find a solution a lot faster than if you did not save those numbers.

What to Expect at Airport Security

If you haven’t flown in the past few years, you will find that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has updated its screening process to include full-body scanners and ‘enhanced’ pat-down techniques. Metal detectors are still in wide use across the country, but full-body scans are becoming more and more prevalent. These scans use millimeter wave or back-scatter technology to create an image of a person`s body on a screen, similar in execution to an X-ray.
You may refuse to be screened using the full-body scanner, but that means you will receive an ‘enhanced’ pat-down by a security guard who is the same gender as you. The palms of the officer`s hands pat down the entire body, including the groin and the chest. You are also allowed to request that your pat-down be conducted away from the public and the eyes of all in the security line.
At all U.S. airports, you will need to remove your shoes, jackets, belts and anything in your pockets before going through the security process. Laptops will need to be removed from their carry-on bags and placed in a bin to be processed on a mini-conveyor belt. Tablets, phones, cameras and other electronic devices of smaller size than laptops can be left in the carry-on bag and do not need to be removed and placed in a new bin.
Keep in mind that toothpaste, shampoo, and other liquids, gels and aerosols will not be allowed for travelers to carry in carry-on bags unless the bottles are all individual-size and each weigh in at 3.4 ounces or under. All of these little containers need to be placed in a clear quart-sized plastic bag. Anything larger will need to be placed in checked luggage.

Amenities at the Airport

Amenities can vary depending on the airport. At large international airports, you can find many food options, duty-free shops, spas, Internet access, gardens, art installations, and even swimming pools. At smaller airports, a few shops and a couple of food choices may very well be all that`s on offer. Visit your airport`s website to see what amenities are available to you when you fly.

Delays and Cancellations

Make sure your flight is leaving as scheduled before you make your way to the airport. You can do that by going to the airline`s website directly; if you don`t want to check the website again, airlines will offer the choice of text alerts that will be sent to your cell phone in the event of a delay.
Airlines are not required to give compensation to passengers for flights that end up being delayed or canceled. Each carrier has a different policy, and no federal requirements are in place requiring an airline to compensate travelers who have had their flights abruptly canceled. Most airlines will seat you on the next flight to your intended destination. Others may give you vouchers for meals and accommodations if your flight is delayed overnight or in excess of 6-8 hours. You won’t know what arrangements your airline has in mind until you ask.
If the delay is caused by bad weather, or other conditions beyond their control, some airlines will not offer amenities. Compensation is only required if a flight is oversold (more on that in the next subsection). Many airlines are now informing passengers about the factors which caused delays in their flights, although they are not obligated to do so.

How to Avoid Being Bumped on a Flight

Arrive as early as possible to the airport and check in before leaving the house. The people who tend to be bumped involuntarily from flights are usually the last ones to arrive at the gate. If you are one of the first passengers at the gate, you will most likely not be bumped in the case of an overbooking.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, involuntary `bumps` account for just one out of every 10,000 airline passenger experiences. This probability will be higher during peak travel seasons, but in most cases, over bookings are solved by the request of volunteers to fly on later flights.

Reservations

If you have a confirmed reservation, you are indeed confirmed on the flight — even if the airline`s computer system says there is no record of your reservation. An agent cannot deny you a chance to board your flight if you have your ticket or a confirmed reservation print-out (unless you canceled the reservation either by actively initiating the cancellation or missing a confirmation deadline). If the day of the flight comes and goes without you in the seat, and you didn`t cancel your reservation, the airline will note you as a `no-show` and will cancel the rest of your itinerary.

Refunds

Remember these general rules, which tend to be the same across carriers, although the full list of refund guidelines will vary depending on the airline used for the journey. If you have to cancel a ticket classified as a non-refundable fare, you might be allowed to apply the cost of the fare to a future flight, after cancellation fees and price changes are taken into account. If your ticket is refundable and you must cancel it for whatever reason, the refund will be processed and credited to the same credit card used to reserve the tickets.

Check-In Times

It’s important to know that an airline can cancel your reservation if you are not present at the departure gate at the time of boarding, even if you`ve already checked in online or at the airport. Your seat may be given to someone else even if you arrive with enough time to spare to reach the gate before your flight leaves.

Also, if you do not check your bags in with enough time for them to be loaded onto the plane, the airline cannot be held responsible for the delay in your baggage arriving at your destination. Even if you have already checked in for your flight, an airline can cancel your reservation if you are not at the departure gate on time. Arrive at least two hours before your departure (earlier if you are flying at peak tourist season, during holidays, or internationally). Identification

All travelers over the age of 18 must present photo identification when checking in and boarding the aircraft. (Many minors do not have to present identification for domestic travel, but the rule varies by airline, so try to bring identification if possible.) Make sure the name on your identification matches the name on the ticket exactly.

Delays and/or Cancellations

Each carrier’s rules are different, but it is important to know that airlines do not have to compensate travelers if their flights are delayed or canceled. Most airlines will book you on the next available flight. With delayed flights, airlines may pay for meals or a hotel; this may not be publicized, so asking may be the key to getting. The only times airlines are required by U.S. law to compensate you is if you were `bumped` off an oversold flight.

You do have the right to compensation if you are traveling in the European Union and your flight is canceled or delayed — but only under specific circumstances, aka `extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken`. This means you are out of luck if security, weather, political rallies, strikes, etc. delay or cancel your flight. Visit the European Union`s website for more information regarding cancellations and compensation.

There are no federal requirements that govern delay times while passengers are waiting in the airport terminal, but there are indeed requirements which limit how long travelers can sit on the airplane while awaiting takeoff. No plane must be kept on the tarmac for more than three hours and if any plane passes the two-hour mark, drinking water and some sort of food option must be provided to passengers. The bathrooms must be functional while the plane is on the tarmac. If security is at stake, either inside the airport or as a result of the aircraft returning to the gate, the three-hour requirement can be waived. The longest delay an international flight on the tarmac can endure is a wait of four hours. If airlines do not comply with these regulations, they can face fines.

Overbooking/Bumping

To account for no-shows, airlines can, and often do, oversell flights (meaning they sell tickets to more people than can fit on the aircraft). If, in the event that every ticket holder shows up for the plane, some passengers will be asked to give up their seats, to be placed on a later flight. Those who agree to be moved to a later flight may receive perks such as future airline travel vouchers, accommodation vouchers, and cash money. These perks are negotiated with the airline before and after exiting the aircraft.

In the event that you are `bumped` — aka involuntarily taken off an oversold flight — the airline will explain your passenger rights in a written document. You will be allowed to keep your ticket to use on another flight to the same destination. You can be refunded for the price of the ticket (an `involuntary refund`) if you decide to make your own arrangements to get to your destination. The carrier does not have to compensate you if they can prove they can get you to your destination airport within an hour of the original aircraft. If a plane is swapped out for a smaller one, thus pushing a number of people off the scheduled flight, airlines do not have to compensate passengers in this event.

Delayed, Lost or Damaged Luggage

File a claim with your airline at the airport the moment you find that your baggage has not arrived like it`s supposed to. Airlines will typically agree to compensate `reasonably` until the luggage is found. This amount is negotiable and it may take some finesse on your part to get your fair share.

A second claim will be needed if your bags are not found. This claim will take a while to process (weeks or even months). In the U.S., airlines are limited to paying out $3,500 per person in the event of lost or stolen luggage. The liability limit may vary on international flights due to the terms set forth by the Montreal Conventions. The airline must refund the baggage fee if the bag ends up lost or stolen. Every check-in deadline must be met throughout the booking and boarding process, or you will find the airline is not responsible for the bag or the value of the items inside.

If bags arrive with you, but they (or its contents) are damaged, airlines may be able to compensate you. Fragile items may be excluded, as will heirlooms, money, and other important items that should have been packed in your carry-on.

Conditions of Carriage

Your rights may be referred to on the airline websites as the `Conditions of Carriage`, or the `Contract of Carriage`. You may have trouble finding it, but each airline is legally obligated to post such a statement somewhere on their website. If you want to know what you are entitled to as a paying customer, and what you`re not entitled to, these rights statements will spell everything out for you.

Disabled Passengers

According to the Department of Transportation and the Air Carrier Access Act, disabled passengers may not be denied the right to board an aircraft on the basis of their disability, nor must they have an attendant or medical documentation unless the circumstances are particularly unique. Also, airlines must provide free of charge:

1. Help with getting on and off planes and making connections, whether this means a wheelchair, a person, both, or other means

2. TTY devices in airport terminals and airline reservation centers

3. `Timely access` for any visually or hearing-impaired passengers to information on gate assignments, security and other publicly announced information

4. Access to the plane`s cabin for any necessary service animals (as long as they don`t block aisles or escape routes)

5. Permission to include wheelchairs as checked baggage without liability waivers (except for pre-existing damage)

The Airlines Rights

The most important thing to remember is that an airline is not necessarily indebted to you in the event of a flight delay or cancellation. Bad weather, ‘acts of God’ (extraordinary circumstances outside the airline’s control) and other factors may absolve the airline of responsibility. In many events, the airlines may refund your ticket (even if it is bought under a `non-refundable fare`), but will not take responsibility of your journey after that.

The following is a partial list of situations in which an airline may legally deny you boarding or remove you from a flight on which you are confirmed.

1. If the airline must comply with any government regulation or request for emergency transportation in connection with national defense.

2. If there is inclement weather or other conditions beyond the airline`s control.

3. If you refuse to be searched for explosives or concealed weapons.

4. If you refuse to provide positive identification or don`t have proper documentation for travel across international boundaries.

5. If your conduct is disorderly, abusive or violent, or if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

6. If you are barefoot or clothed in a way that might be offensive to others.

7. If you attempt to interfere with any member of the flight crew or jeopardize the safety of the plane.Filing a Complaint

Call or write the airline’s consumer office if you cannot resolve your problem while at the airport. Reaching out via social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) also helps to obtain a speedy response.

Can I request seats in advance?

In many cases, yes, but not always. Some airlines don`t assign seats in advance. Tripmasters will forward your request of preferred seating to the airline and you can check for confirmation on the Air Itinerary page. Note that you do have a confirmed reservation even if there is no seat assignment on the itinerary. If the airline is available to accommodate you, your seat assignment will be indicated in the itinerary. If, for whatever reason, you cannot reserve your seat of choice, check in early at the airport and see if there isn’t any way the counter staff can help you snag your desired spot.

NOTE: Seating on the bulkhead or emergency exit rows cannot be assigned before boarding; the airlines must qualify such passengers upon check-in. If you want a seat in either of these rows, it is advisable that you check in early.

What should I do if my flight is delayed or canceled?

Try to work with your airline and see if they will rebook your flight. Call us immediately afterward. Tripmasters is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you with your travel needs, including those caused by flight delays or cancellations. After you rebook your flight with your airline, call us with your updated flight information.

NOTE: Tripmasters is not responsible for flights delayed or cancelled, portions of trips missed due to such issues, or additional expenses incurred prior to joining your trip.

Do you have any tips to help ensure a smooth check-in?

Expect the unexpected: All of us want our trip to go smoothly, but expect that surprises may occur at any time throughout your time in transit.

Arrive early: Make sure you have allotted ample time for your journey, including giving yourself plenty of time for getting to the airport, making your way through check-in and security, and making your way to the departure gate.

Check your check-in times: Keep in mind that many airport websites now provide real-time information on flight delays. Whether you check online or call the airline, stay informed.

Know who your operating carrier is: You may be traveling with a different airline than the one listed on your ticket. At the airport, you will be checking in with the airline listed as your operating carrier.

How can I be sure that I have enough connection time between flights?

When a flight is booked, there is a `minimum connection time` that is set by the airlines; with the new booking, the airline must adhere to the minimum connection time that corresponds with the flights booked. These connection times may be shorter or longer than what you desired. Pay attention to the flight itinerary when booking, as we do recommend that you give yourself ample time to transfer flights in a calm and collected manner.

Can I earn Frequent Flyer miles on my Tripmasters flights?

How Frequent Flyer miles are earned varies from airline to airline. TripMasters has contracted special rates in order to give you the best value, but sometimes that means mileage accural can be prohibited. You can always check with the airline directly by adding your information directly on the airline`s website when you check in. If you are eligible to accrue Frequent Flyer miles, you may be able to receive them after check-in, depending on airline.

Will I receive a complimentary meal on my flight? If so, will the airline accommodate special dietary requests?

Only the international long-haul over-the-water flights include meals nowadays. Short-haul flights will not serve a meal. If you have special dietary concerns, please add all the concerns and requests to the special requests field during the booking process. If you have already filled out your booking, you can submit your request via e-mail to contact@Tripmasters.com and we will make the request on your behalf. You can also make the request directly with the airline by visiting their website.

Do I need to reconfirm my flights before I depart?

We recommend very strongly that you check in online, 24 hours before departure. When checking in, provide your cell phone number, so they can notify you of any changes. Typically airlines give the option for the traveler to be warned of upcoming changes either by a phone call or a text message.

Is there anything that should be done with my bags?

Set your bags apart from the others by tying a colorful ribbon, stitching a unique patch or affixing a large sticker onto each bag. As a result, you will see your bags as soon as they enter the carousel area, and people will know not to grab your bags in an attempt to find their own.

Do I need to remember my flight number?

Yes. Always. This may seem obvious, but keeping your flight number at the forefront of your mind will make things easier in smaller airports, or ones overseas, which may only list arrivals and departures by flight number and not city.

What is the Pre-Check program?

It`s very important and you should consider signing up for it. The TSA’s PreCheck ( www.tsa.gov/precheck ), a trusted traveler program, has spread to more cities across the U.S. and is now available at more than 180 airports. Members of the program are prescreened and can jet through security without having to take off their shoes or remove laptops from cases. The U.S. Customs Department’s Global Entry program (see www.globalentry.gov ) is another shortcut for frequent international travelers, especially as the federal government immigration and customs lines get longer.

How can I get in touch with my airline?

You can give their toll-free customer hotline a call, or you can visit their website. Select airline information can be found below.