The Cost of Comfort
If you have an upcoming trip, picking a flight can be a hectic and confusing process. There are so many different airline companies, flight lengths, and seating options to choose from, it can be hard to find the right place to start.
It doesn't have to be, though. First understanding your own needs can help you navigate the abundance of options available to you, and ensure you find a flight that balances the cost and comfort you are looking for. As a travel advisor, understanding my clients as people first has helped create lasting memories: "We'll be talking about this trip for a long time".
Let's start exploring the factors you should consider when picking out a flight, and how to decide which tradeoffs are really worth your time, money, and peace of mind.
What Really Matters to You When Traveling?
For a time that is meant to let you relax and escape from the stressors of the world, making sure that every step of the journey gives you peace of mind is so important. Knowing your personal and lifestyle needs is crucial for making flight detail decisions.
Managing Flight Discomfort and Accessibility Support
One of the biggest complaints you will hear about flights is having to sit in a cramped seat for hours at a time. This discomfort can be exacerbated for travelers with disabilities or medical conditions. When I work with clients with conditions like these, I am always eager to arrange the right assistance throughout the trip, helping make their travels as accommodating as possible.
If you, or another member of your travel group, has a condition that causes them increased discomfort while traveling on planes, there are options available. Starting at the airport, you can request the assistance of a TSA Passenger Support Specialist (PSS) who can assist you during security screening if your ailment prevents you from completing the standard procedures.
After that, airports are required by the Department of Transportation to provide assistance and accessible facilities to individuals with disabilities and similar medical conditions. This includes relief for service animals, accessible walkways between gates, and personnel attending wheelchair facilities.
Finally, for assistance embarking and disembarking your plane, most airlines ask that flyers submit a request for assistance before their flight. American Airlines, for example, has many options for travelers to add assistance to their booking regardless of whether they have already booked yet or not.
For the travelers not living with a disability or medical issue, there are other ways to stay comfortable before upgrading to a higher seating class. Northwestern Medicine emphasizes that moving your body as much as possible before and during the flight can help reduce discomfort and pain from sitting for an extended period of time. Doing stretch exercises, drinking water, and wearing loose, comfortable clothing can all help make a long flight more tolerable. For recommendations on stretches that are airplane accessible, Athletico published an article listing ways to increase blood flow and reduce aching.
If you are someone who is frequently uncomfortable on planes, or has a condition that makes air travel a challenge, there are options out there for you to receive accommodation and enjoy more of your trip. Using your resources and knowledge of your health, you can determine which airline and seating options best fit your needs.
Staying Productive or Avoiding Boredom When Flying
"Are we there yet?" Whether you're on a business trip or vacation, the urge to get back to civilization is hard to ignore. Being connected to the internet can be tricky on planes, leaving you feeling disconnected from friends, family, and whatever responsibilities you're still keeping tabs on during your trip.
Based on your level of work-life balance, planes can either be an escape from the responsibilities you're leaving behind, or an anxiety-inducing marathon as you think of tasks or emails piling up online.
For the more relaxed traveler, it can be important to ward off boredom and distract yourself from the roaring of the engine or the snoring of your neighbor.
Frequent flyers who enjoy watching movies, TV shows, or other online entertainment should be aware of the options for offline viewing on their favorite platforms when planes do not provide a reliable (or justifiably priced) internet service. Some popular platforms have these options:
Netflix: Download movies, episodes, or seasons for offline viewing
YouTube: Download videos for offline viewing with a Premium subscription
Spotify: Download your songs, playlists, and podcasts with a Premium subscription
Audible: Download titles or podcasts for offline listening
If you are looking to get some work done, read, or enjoy a hobby while on your flight it is important to make sure you have the right amount of carry-on space to bring your setup.
You can look ahead of time to see your airline's policies around bringing carry-on bags, and determine if there are any discounts or free offerings for passengers to bring extra luggage to the cabin. Additionally, it is good practice to do a test run of packing your carry-on.
As for the internet, you can also read up on the internet access you are offered by an airline. Other good resources are forum posts from previous flyers to see how other people felt about the strength and quality of internet connection they experienced.
Whether you are working on the go or just looking to stimulate your mind, airlines have options for you to stay connected, productive, and entertained. Based on your lifestyle, you can decide what amount of amenities you will need in order to make the most of your experience in the air.
How Do You Manage the Tradeoffs When Booking a Flight?
While there are many types of flight path and accommodations that airlines offer, these features come with a price tag that may make you pause and reevaluate whether it's really worth it.
Your flight cost primarily depends on how far out you book, airline competition, and seasonal demand. The cabin class may make your journey more relaxing, but can drive up the price you pay for your booking. It is important to consider these factors when determining how much comfort you need and how willing you are to get it.
Finding the Best Route Possible
When it's time to sit down and figure out how to get from your hometown to your destination, it is important to decide how much time you are willing to spend on the journey. This ultimately determines how much you might have to pay, and depending on other circumstances surrounding the booking, may require careful planning.
To understand how you may be able to secure a flight that gets you to your destination and doesn't leave you dreading the total, it is important to review certain travel elements beforehand.
Starting with the physical length of the trip, the number of connections and route that the flight takes will determine how long you are switching between airplane to airport. For some travelers, getting a break to walk, eat, and enjoy the amenities of an airport between flights is part of what keeps them relaxed on their journey. But for other flyers, the timing of connections may be too unpredictable of a factor. When airlines have delays, the amount of time spent at the connecting airport is reduced, increasing the anxiety you may feel about getting to your destination on time.
On the topic of flight scheduling, it is a good rule of thumb to book the earliest flight of the day. But what if you are not a morning person? Condé Nast Traveler suggests that for individuals looking to avoid the pressures of waking up early for a flight, red eye flights are a sound option. Additionally, Skyscanner remarks that setting up price alerts on airlines if you are a frequent flyer is a good way to keep track of how airlines adjust their prices on a weekly basis, helping you pick a day that suits your schedule and budget.
Finally, your level of travel throughout the year is an important factor in determining how much to invest in a flight. Individuals who are traveling frequently are more likely to enjoy the benefits of a rewards program or airline credit card. According to NerdWallet, people who travel frequently with one airline and check bags on almost every flight are the ideal customer for airline credit cards. The benefits can elevate your travel experience: discounts on in-flight services, priority boarding, and lounge access.
By taking initiative researching airlines and flight options, you can find the booking that fits your schedule and earns you rewards for more flights to come. Staying aware of your preferences and habits can make the process of booking a flight feel much less stressful.
What Level of Luxury is "Just Right"?
Like the Three Bears in the story of Goldilocks, comfort is unique to everyone. Some amenities may be "too much" or "too little" for you, and knowing your preferences can help you find your "just right".
To make the most of your air travel experience, you should have an idea of which flight class best aligns with your needs, budget, and inclinations. There are many to choose from and each has their own unique attributes that suit the tastes of different flyers.
Starting with Economy Class, the amount of amenities and quality of service you receive during the flight is the least among the classes, but the cost to you financially is also the least. Depending on your needs, an economy class flight can be perfect for flights booked on short notice or for those people who do not require much in the way of in-flight service.
Premium Economy is an increasingly popular class for flight seating, and provides an experience that is slightly elevated from Standard Economy Class, but is more budget-friendly than a Business or First Class seat. According to CLEAR, the Premium Economy Class provides some benefits that alleviate some of the primary complaints about Economy Class: wider seats, extra legroom, and a free checked bag. For people who are looking for a slightly more comfortable ride to their destination, Premium Economy may be the perfect match.
Business Class is the next step up from Premium Economy, and offers a much more relaxing air travel experience for those customers who select it for their trip. The accommodations of a Business Class seat are best suited for those individuals who are looking to spend their time in the sky relaxing with excellent service, often redeeming loyalty points to do so.
Finally, First Class is the final, and most luxurious, flight experience. While it is decreasing in popularity, First Class flights are best enjoyed on international travels. In addition to the early boarding and extra baggage, Travel + Leisure highlights the perks of private seating, amenity kits, and lounges to escape from the bustling airport. For the customer looking to create vacation memories that will last a lifetime, First Class is where it's at.
Now It's Time to Decide
It can be overwhelming to book a flight, whether it's your first or your fifteenth. There are so many factors to consider when deciding which flight to take, which airline to trust, and where to sit; but by keeping the focus on you, flying doesn't have to be so intimidating.
If you're ready to book your next flight, I would love to hear about where you want to go! As a travel advisor, it is my job to understand you and your vision for your next trip, and help bring it to life. As my client, I will help you book the best flight for your needs, making sure you can focus on the destination, not the details.
Tell me your route, and I'll tell you which cabin is worth it. Let's get the conversation started here!
Looking forward to hearing from you!