A Cheat Sheet to Book Flight Tickets

Global air travel has increased eight-fold in the last four decades, with the number of people traveling on air planes increasing from 421 million in 1974 to 3.21 billion in 2014, according to an article in Bits of Science. Increased capacity, establishment of new routes and a decline in average fares are some of the reasons for this increase in global passenger traffic. The improving economic scenario, rising incomes and growing awareness of the benefits of air travel are also some of the factors inducing more and more people to opt for air travel for their vacation and business trips. Here are some tips to book flight tickets at attractive rates.

Tips to Save Money When You Book Flights

Flight ticket prices can rise to astronomical levels, depending on the demand for them, especially during the festive or holiday season. However, there are some ways through which you can avoid having to pay a high price for your tickets. Here’s how:

• One can avoid paying through their nose for air tickets by being a little methodical and planning one’s trip in advance. But never book too early or too late if you wish to avoid high fares. Once the travel dates are finalized, you can check for flight tickets on a regular basis (once a week or every two-three days) and book them when you see the prices fall. You also should know that airlines change their fares constantly, sometimes multiple times in a week, so timing the booking is very important.
• Another option is to keep a watch for various flight deals & offers that airlines offer from time to time and book flight tickets during that time. Airline operators offer significant discounts on various routes at different times of the year. Grab these offers and book your tickets in advance if your schedule is final. You can save significantly with these offers.
• Flight tickets are generally costly at the beginning and end of holidays, so if you are planning to travel during that time, book in advance or choose a travel date that is one or two days before the holidays start or end. Similarly, a lot of people travel to their home towns over the weekends and return on Monday, which means Monday early morning tickets are in high demand and thus costly. So, if you plan your travel date mid-week, you can avoid the premium prices.
• Several airlines award you miles or bonus points every time you travel with them and you can use these points to get discounts on your tickets next time. In fact, it is better to book directly from the carrier’s own website and avail great offers than to book through aggregator sites.

In case you are a regular air traveler, you can subscribe to an airline’s updates and message services that inform clients about any upcoming flight deals and discounts well in advance. This will help you book tickets at attractive rates and save more.

How to Travel Smart

Air travel is fast emerging as the preferred choice of commuting for a large section of working Indians, mainly because it is faster, more convenient and much more affordable than it was in the past. This is reflected in the fact that Indian carriers flew nearly 100 million passengers on domestic routes in 2016, according to the DGCA data. Also, the growth in domestic air travel demand in India was the highest in the world in 2016, for the second consecutive year, according to the IATA. One major reason for the growing preference of Indians for air travel is the domestic flight booking offers from the various airlines that make the option of flying highly affordable.

Tips on Making Your Air Travel Smooth and Smart

Air travel is fast and smooth, and one can even make it more comfortable and cost effective by doing some good planning and taking some smart measures. Here are some tips and tricks that can make your air journey smooth and comfortable.

• Book Tickets in Advance: The first thing is to keep a lookout for the various domestic flight booking offers and check whether your destination city is included in the list. If yes, grab the opportunity and book domestic flight tickets. However, this tip works only if your trip is planned well in advance. Otherwise, you need to check an airline’s website or a travel website to get the best option available at the time of booking.

• Check Schedules: Once your travel date approaches, check the airline’s schedule to know if your flight is on time. Also, do not forget to take a printout of your tickets. You can even do a web check in 24 hours before your flight or go to the airport and do the formalities there.

• Check Baggage Rules: Remember to check the baggage rules. While some airlines allow you to carry 25 kg per person, others allow only 15 kg. So, pack your bags accordingly. Also, all airlines allow one cabin bag of up to 7 kg per person. Ensure that your baggage does not include any prohibited items like knives, scissors, etc. Always reach the airport around two hours before the time of departure for your domestic flight, so that you are able to complete all the necessary formalities in time and don’t have to rush.

• Carry All Documents: Always carry an original identity card during air travel. This is required to be shown at many places in the airport. Keep all your documents, tickets, ID cards, travel insurance, etc., in your hand baggage and ensure that its tag has been stamped after the security checks.

• Be Alert: Staying alert will not only help you know about your boarding gates or any other information about any delays in your flight, but also help you keep your things safe. Any doubts that you may have need to be resolved at your airline’s counter, rather than asking another passenger or random official at the airport.

• Follow Instructions of the Airline Staff: Once on the flight, do listen to the safety instructions carefully and follow them.

So, the next time you plan to travel by air, follow these tips for a hassle-free journey. And don’t forget to check for domestic flight booking offers before buying air tickets.

Next Time Your Flight Halts at Kolkata - Here's What You Can Do

You have reached Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, travelling on one of those flights from New Delhi to Kolkata, but have to catch another flight to your final destination again in a few hours? What do you do to spend the time? Do you sit around at the airport, endlessly waiting for the next flight or take a tour of Kolkata instead? You might be wondering how you could experience a city like Kolkata in a mere 5-6 hours. Well, here’s a list to help you do just that!

5 Things to do in Kolkata in 5 Hours

 

1.      Dakshineswar Kali Temple: If you like to visit temples, the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, which is about 9 km from Netaji Subhas Chandra Airport, could be your first stop. It is a Hindu temple built in 1855, honouring the deity Bhavatarini, an aspect of Goddess Kali. The temple has the Hooghly River flowing on the west.  

2.      Howrah Bridge: Now it’s time for an awesome bridge that gives you a spectacular view of the Hooghly River. Located just 12.5 km from the airport, Howrah Bridge is a brilliant piece of architecture that connects Howrah to Kolkata. Although photography is not allowed here, you can take a boat ride from Princep Ghat to see the Howrah Bridge in all its glory.

3.      Kolkata Trams: Trams are the perfect way to connect yourself with the roots of Kolkata. Trams used to be a comfortable, inexpensive, eco-friendly and non-polluting mode of transportation in the city, but with time, the trams have lost their charm and given way to faster means of commuting. They are now almost obsolete and are categorized as endangered. You can get a tram ride just 5.0 km from the airport.

4.      Eden Gardens: The famous cricket ground of Kolkata, located around 15 km from Netaji Subhas Chandra Airport, Eden Gardens is the city’s pride. Many memorable matches have been played at this amazingly high capacity cricket stadium. This stadium is also the home venue of the Bengal cricket team and the Kolkata Knight Riders of the IPL.

5.      Victoria Memorial Hall: Located around 16 km from the airport, Victoria Memorial is a large marble building, dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria. It was built between 1906 and 1921, and is now used as a museum, attracting tourists from across the globe.

Visiting the above mentioned famous tourist destinations can make give you good feel of the city and must just tempt you to book yourself on those domestic flights just to visit this city for a longer period of time.

Have a Cool Summer: 5 Amazing Water Sports in Goa

Visiting Goa at least once in a lifetime always finds a place in the bucket list of any adventure enthusiast, especially those who love water sports. In 2014, 40,58,226 domestic and international visitors managed to fulfil their wish, says data released by the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa. This represents a 30 percent rise from the previous year. The craze for Goa is such that in 2015, the city managed to cross the five million mark in terms of visitors, playing host to 5.30 million tourists. 

The thrilling water sports in Goa attract tourists from all over the world. Here are the 5 best sports that could compel you to check domestic flights to Goa, especially the frequent ones from Mumbai.

5 Amazing Water Sports You Should Enjoy in Goa

 

1.      Banana Ride: Sitting on an unpowered, inflatable recreational banana boat meant to be towed, is an experience in itself, which no one should miss. Baga and Candolim beaches are the perfect destinations to enjoy banana boat ridesm in which you can be joined by your family and friends as well. Prefer summers for these rides, while equipping yourself with safety handles and life jackets.

2.      Windsurfing: A great surface water sport, windsurfing is a combination of sailing and surfing. For this, you need to balance yourself on a surfboard, while cruising through the heart pumping waves. If you are new to windsurfing, visit Dona Paula Bay, where you can learn the craft from scratch.

3.      Jet Skiing: Did you know that Jet Ski is the brand name of a personal watercraft manufactured by Kawasaki? You can sit on a Jet Ski alone or with a partner and guide yourself through the water at high speeds. Visit Candolim, Vagator and Baga beaches to find a buffet of Jet Skis for you to choose from for an enthralling ride.

4.      Surf boarding: Don't be surprised if standing individually on a surf board while riding on water and surfing the waves can make you feel like a bird. Quite a popular sport in Goa, surf boarding is a skilful water sport that requires the use of body balance and heart to tackle the high waves.

5.      Kayaking: Now it’s time for a narrow watercraft that is propelled by a double-bladed paddle. The boat we are talking about is called Kayak, and rowing this boat through the water is known as Kayaking. This water sport is highly popular in Goa and interests both locals and tourists alike.

Don't waste any more time thinking of how to have a memorable holiday. Book your tickets on one of the numerous Mumbai to Goa flights now!