Various aspects are there to consider when choosing an airline for your travel. The most important thing is to achieve a balance between comfort and affordability. Another point to consider, for example, is the purpose of your travel, for if it is business travel, you would probably need a degree of privacy and quiet, especially when you have important papers to read or work to finish during the flight. Traveling for the sake of pure joy and on holidays is another thing that requires different considerations. Besides, generally, picking the right airline that suits you in different ways is the best way to avoid anxiety and stress. Following, we present to you seven main factors for choosing the best airline for your travel.
1 Easy check-in and efficient customer service
The more flexible the check-in process is, the better. We live in a fast-paced world, and many airlines started to pay attention to the fact that the check-in process needs to be as flexible, quick, and straightforward as possible. Airlines like Air India provide web check-in, which can be made a short time before departure, between 48 hours to 2 hours. Plus, Air India offers online seat selection, sometimes for free and others at nominal fees. Also, to facilitate the process, look for an airline with well-reputed customer service. They could also provide answers for different inquiries and fix situations like lost baggage and flight delays. It is a significant factor to consider, for a few things can be more irritating than a complicated check-in and an apathetic customer service attitude, especially if the issue is the airline’s fault.
2 Keep the travel dates flexible
The price is one of the most vital factors when it comes to choosing a suitable airline. You consider different aspects, but ultimately you go for what you can afford. One way that could get you extra discounts is to maintain your travel dates flexible. A lot of online travel companies offer two booking options on their websites: Must travel on these dates, or My dates are flexible; some of them provide considerable discounts to those who choose the flexible option. Another aspect of flexibility is to avoid traveling on the holidays because you are probably going to pay more when booking a flight in a holiday season. Plus, if your travel date is close to a holiday, book the flight a while before the holiday approaches.
3 Loyalty programs
Loyalty programs are one more significant factor in selecting the best airline for your travel, especially if you are a frequent traveler for business or any other reason. Airlines offer various frequent-flyer programs, FFP. These programs are based on accumulating points, also known as miles. When you collect a certain number of points, they are redeemed for air travel or other kinds of rewards. So, when you are selecting an airline, go for one that offers a good loyalty program and valuable rewards. This demands proper online research. Go through websites of different airlines and view their loyalty programs; call them if you have further inquiries regarding their discounts and program. Another valuable source of information in this regard is a friend or colleague who travels frequently and has actual experience in different airlines.
4 Compare between travel websites
It is usual for each travel site to say that it has the best deals. However, to reach the real best deal, do not go for the first result that shows up on your search page. We cannot stress enough on the importance of doing a proper search before settling for a specific airline and travel site. While comparing different sites, you may find different prices from which you pick the most suitable for your budget. Just remember that you need to be patient to find a good deal. If you are a newbie, ask for the help of a traveler friend or even a professional travel manager.
5 A vast route network
It is a top factor when selecting an airline. A large route network allows you to find direct, non-stop flights to your destination easily. It is quite essential, particularly for those who travel for business. Direct flights are way more practical and time savers; they save travelers difficulties like rechecking baggage and missed connections on separate tickets. Emirates Airlines, for example, provides 421 routes, which is quite a big number.
6 Special cases
Among the individual cases that you should not forget to consider is the available legroom on the airplane; some airlines provide narrow legroom spaces, which can be a serious issue for tall people and on long flights. Another special case to consider is if you are taking a pet with you. In this case, you need to check which airlines allow pets into their airplanes because not all of them do. Then, compare the pet-friendly airlines and pick one that provides the best condition for you and your pet. For example, some airlines provide pet cabins, and others go a further step, rewarding travelers who accompany their pets with extra points.
7 Luxuries
After you are done with the primary factors, it is time to consider the presence of some luxuries and amenities, including comfortable seats, especially if it is a long flight. There is also the seat position, food, and in-flight entertainment. You can find information about all this on the airlines’ websites. It is important to do so because some airlines offer further complementaries such as snacks and good movies on show while others lack them, yet both have the same price.
There is a lot to deal with when you decide to travel. The primary thing is to choose the best airline for your travel. Make sure to address the previously mentioned factors to make the most suitable decision for your needs. Safe travel!
