Traveling on the Plane
Air France A-380 at Charles de Gaulle Airport/Paris
When traveling abroad or within a country there are many types of transportation you can take. Plane travel is so much part of our life and is one of the most popular means of transportation. The speed, frequency of flights, number of airlines all combine to make it the choice of almost all who must, or wish to, travel. Air travel is one of the few areas in which prices have actually gone down.
First-class seat on Singapore Airlines - space is premium on a commercial airliner
Accommodations
Airlines split the cabin into basically two main classes of air travel, premium and coach - first and business being premium, and economy class, coach. Smaller and "low-cost airlines" or LLC's may offer only one class of service - coach. On some long-distance routes, some larger "legacy" airlines give you a choice of a hybrid economy/busiiness class cabin, or an "economy plus". Regardless, all classes fly on the same plane, economy taking up about two-thirds of the rear of the plane, or in the case of the double-decker A-380 (pictured above) the entire bottom part. Classes are typically divided movable partition. In the premium cabin, meals/snacks are included in the fare as well as alcoholic drinks are free.
IFE (In-Flight Entertainment) on an airplane, giving the choice of hundreds of games, music and movies.
Service in coach is somewhat slower than in the premium sections as two or three flight attendants (no longer called steward or stewardesses) must take care of a full plane. On longer flights, most airlines now have IFE (In-Flight Entertainment), every seat having a monitor, in all classes. There is a large difference in cost between classes and for this reason most people put up with the discomfort of more crowded conditions on a flight that rarely lasts more than a few hours. The amount of money that could be saved for a few hours of discomfort could make up for the comfort of having the extra money to spend when you arrive to your destination.
Travel light - the days of having a porter available are over. Luggage fees can add hundreds of dollars to a family.
IFE (In-Flight Entertainment) on an airplane, giving the choice of hundreds of games, music and movies.
Service in coach is somewhat slower than in the premium sections as two or three flight attendants (no longer called steward or stewardesses) must take care of a full plane. On longer flights, most airlines now have IFE (In-Flight Entertainment), every seat having a monitor, in all classes. There is a large difference in cost between classes and for this reason most people put up with the discomfort of more crowded conditions on a flight that rarely lasts more than a few hours. The amount of money that could be saved for a few hours of discomfort could make up for the comfort of having the extra money to spend when you arrive to your destination.
Travel light - the days of having a porter available are over. Luggage fees can add hundreds of dollars to a family.
Luggage
When packing for your trip or vacation your luggage should be, above all else, light. There are strict rules about how much weight you are allowed, that vary according to class and whether the flight is domestic or overseas. Also, in an era of being nickel and dimed to death by the airlines, luggage fees may apply to your itinerary, which have to be paid at the airport. If your luggage is over weight, you will have to pay for the excess at a specified rate per pound. The ideal luggage is a light-weight, with a metal skeleton, such as aluminum, or a composition with a durable fabric. Airlines now weigh almost every piece of luggage, even some airlines weigh what you carry with you onto the plane! You are allowed to bring on two pieces on the plane, a personal item like a handbag and then a small piece of luggage that must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
Check-in counters at O'Hare - from 5am to about 10pm it will be hustling
When packing for your trip or vacation your luggage should be, above all else, light. There are strict rules about how much weight you are allowed, that vary according to class and whether the flight is domestic or overseas. Also, in an era of being nickel and dimed to death by the airlines, luggage fees may apply to your itinerary, which have to be paid at the airport. If your luggage is over weight, you will have to pay for the excess at a specified rate per pound. The ideal luggage is a light-weight, with a metal skeleton, such as aluminum, or a composition with a durable fabric. Airlines now weigh almost every piece of luggage, even some airlines weigh what you carry with you onto the plane! You are allowed to bring on two pieces on the plane, a personal item like a handbag and then a small piece of luggage that must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
Check-in counters at O'Hare - from 5am to about 10pm it will be hustling
Arriving at the Airport
On overseas flights, you are requested to arrive at the airport between two to three hours ahead of departure time, as opposed to one to two hours for domestic flights. This provides extra time involved in checking your bags in, going through security, etc. especially if your departure is over the holidays. When arriving to the counter of the airline you are flying you must await your turn to have your ticket validated. Depending on the class of travel and the status you hold on that airline, there are different counters to check-in. Many airlines today assign seats as the passengers arrive. If you purchase your tickets on the internet you might have the option of choosing your own seat.
Dessert a la Singapore Airlines First Class
Dessert a la Singapore Airlines First Class
While in the Air
The number on thing: BE MINDFUL. The stress of travel is incredible, packing, running to the airport, paying all the fees, going through security, may place us in a mood.
Be sure to wear comfortable clothing since you will be on the plane for a certain number of hours. I bring a loose sweater, pants and slippers would be wise as the temperature on the air-conditioned plane can be quite low. Obey the signs that flash above you such as the "Fasten Seat Belt". Smoking is not allowed on any flights going to/from the United States as well as EU. Some airlines still allow smoking on flights and only cigarettes are allowed on planes.
Airlines are all different when it comes to their rules about about animals in the cabin for the exception of service animals. The washrooms or lavatories have the same rules as on any public transportation. One this I have learned the hard way, wear your shoes. You must wait your turn and try to take as short a time as possible - unless you are the last. Leave the washroom in perfect order; complete neatness shows good manners and you should never leave any unpleasant trace of untidiness anywhere. Be considerate of others on the plane that are trying to rest. For those who like to talk make sure to have a general spirit of friendliness. If you wish to be avoid conversation saying "I'd rather not talk; I'm very tired," is never resented.
Make sure you hold on to your passports, boarding pass, baggage claim ticket and other documents
Be sure to wear comfortable clothing since you will be on the plane for a certain number of hours. I bring a loose sweater, pants and slippers would be wise as the temperature on the air-conditioned plane can be quite low. Obey the signs that flash above you such as the "Fasten Seat Belt". Smoking is not allowed on any flights going to/from the United States as well as EU. Some airlines still allow smoking on flights and only cigarettes are allowed on planes.
Airlines are all different when it comes to their rules about about animals in the cabin for the exception of service animals. The washrooms or lavatories have the same rules as on any public transportation. One this I have learned the hard way, wear your shoes. You must wait your turn and try to take as short a time as possible - unless you are the last. Leave the washroom in perfect order; complete neatness shows good manners and you should never leave any unpleasant trace of untidiness anywhere. Be considerate of others on the plane that are trying to rest. For those who like to talk make sure to have a general spirit of friendliness. If you wish to be avoid conversation saying "I'd rather not talk; I'm very tired," is never resented.
Make sure you hold on to your passports, boarding pass, baggage claim ticket and other documents
Following these general rules of travel by plane will assure you a worry free, secure and safe flight.
Posted by Eugene Vodovoz at 30 August 2011, 11:23 AM 
Categories: My Thoughts, Etiquette, Fashionability
Tags: travel plane LLC first class business class first zaharoff airbus legacy carriers luggage
Categories: My Thoughts, Etiquette, Fashionability
Tags: travel plane LLC first class business class first zaharoff airbus legacy carriers luggage
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