Flying is cheaper — sort of.
True, low-cost fares (the ones advertised) have declined over the years, but the price of “full fare” seats has increased dramatically. TIP: Book early — airlines sell only a limited number of seats at their lowest prices, and they sell out fast.

Go to the head of the classes.
Behind the curtain shielding first and business classes from coach, there’s more happening than free drinks. On Virgin Atlantic Airways, Upper Class passengers have a bar and lounge, plus massage and manicure services. TIP: Use frequent-flier miles to upgrade.

Making time fly.
People want more entertainment these days, and the airlines are accommodating that need. &nbspVirgin Atlantic features seat-back videos for every passenger. American Airlines introduced DVD players in first and business class on selected international flights. Even little things keep passengers amused: Air Tahiti Nui hands out Tahitian punch and tiare blossoms.TIP: BYOB — books, that is; a book on tape can make a flight go super fast.

Angst in the air.
Passenger complaints are at record highs, up a staggering 86.6 percent from 1998, according to the Department of Transportation. Reported “flightmares”: delays, lost baggage, being bumped off the flight. You’re best off if you expect a full airplane and delays.  TIP: Avoid rush hours. These tend to be fully booked — or overbooked. Also, protect your positive attitude. Bring along the things you’ll need in case of emergency: your travel agent’s card and the airline’s 800-number (in case a flight is canceled or delayed), and a snack (in case a delay ends in a blood-sugar crisis). 

The squish factor.
Try this: Place a foot-long ruler on your lap. Add on two inches or so on each side. Tah-dah! You are looking at the width of an economy-class seat. TIP: Ask for bulkhead or exit-row seats, which have a few extra inches of legroom.

Decreased competition.
Mergers, partnerships, alliances, code-sharing: all these buzzwords mean that there are fewer airlines today. Some ramifications are good — &nbspcode sharing agreements between U.S. carriers and foreign airlines allow passengers to travel abroad with a single ticket, for example. However, reduced competition can add up to higher prices. TIP: If you’re flying abroad, ask if you’ll be transferring to a “partner” airline en route — it can be a long jog from one airline’s terminal to the next. 

Surfing the skies.
An estimated 40 percent of travelers are using the Internet for trip planning — but, interestingly, only about 2 percent of all airline tickets are bought online. TIP: Use a good travel agent — you’ll save time and money. As more customers seek out the “cheap seats,” they’ll be harder to secure. 

Ticketless travel.
Some domestic airlines report that up to half of all passengers now use e-tickets (electronic tickets), where you show up at the airport with your credit card instead of a paper ticket to claim your seat. &nbspUsually, e-tickets work just fine — unless a flight gets cancelled and you have to change airlines. But IBM and the airline industry are collaborating on technology that would eliminate these snafus. TIP: Be prepared for the occasional e-ticket glitch; leave extra time.

On the horizon.
With air travel now a popular mode of transport for people all over the country, we can expect airlines to branch out and start flying to more of the smaller airports. Ticket prices in all classes will continue to increase, but first-class amenities will make flying down-right deluxe for those who are willing to pay: some airlines are evaluating the possibility of adding perks like health clubs, showers, rooms and private bedrooms (on the plane!) for their longer flights. &nbspNot a bad way to travel!

by Risa R. Weinraub

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