How to Make Air Travel Arrangements

Kossy: Flickr.com

Making air travel arrangements is the first step to planning an adventure. Whether you're traveling first-class or coach, making air travel arrangements is simple. Learn how to make air travel arrangements so you have plenty of time to concentrate on the more exciting details of your trip.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step 1

Search for the best deal on airfare online or in print media. Unless you're looking to accumulate or use up frequent flier miles, finding a good airfare is one of the most important components of making air travel arrangements. While you can search each airline's website individually for affordable fares you can save a lot of time, money and frustration by using a travel aggregator like Expedia, Travelocity or Priceline.

Step 2

Purchase your ticket. You can purchase your ticket online through the airline or travel aggregator website, or you can purchase the ticket through your local travel agent who has access to the same fares through her computer reservations system. If purchasing your ticket online you will be required to use a major credit or debit card. If you are purchasing your ticket through your travel agent you can pay by major credit or debit card, cash, check or money order.

Step 3

Contact the airline directly if you will be checking special baggage like skis, snowboards, surfboards or other sports equipment. Because most airlines allow their passengers only one complimentary piece of checked luggage, you may be required to pay an additional fee when checking sports equipment.

Step 4

Notify the airline if you will require any type of special meal during your flight. Most airlines provide low-calorie, no-salt, kosher, vegetarian or children's meals upon request for no additional charge.

Step 5

Check in online the day before your flight. These days most airlines offer online check-in for domestic flights. While checking in online you can see updates or changes to your itinerary, pay for additional pieces of checked luggage, review carry-on guidelines or pay to upgrade your ticket to first class.

Tips & Warnings

To find the best price on airfares, shop for your ticket at least 21 days before your desired departure and at the beginning of the week.

Before purchasing your ticket be sure to read any restrictions or penalties for changes or cancellation.

Resources

Article Written By Megan Mattingly-Arthur

Megan Mattingly-Arthur has been writing professionally since 1998. She has contributed to various publications, including "Teen Voices" and "Positive Teens" magazines, as well as a book, "The Young Writer's Guide to Getting Published." Mattingly-Arthur is studying travel and tourism through Penn Foster Career School.

Editor's Pick

5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

Springtime brings a sense of new beginnings and new life as flowers begin to bloom and fill the air with their sweet and pleasant fragrance. Luckily we can see wildflowers all summer long, since spring hits at different times throughout North America. See flowering cactu...
More National Parks...
Popular Article

National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

Coping with crowds at national parks can get tiresome, especially during the peak tourist season. If you want to escape from the herd, or just take a breather from the bustle of bigger attractions, the United States has plenty of less-visited but still worthwhile spots t...
More National Parks...
Featured Destination

Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

When you're hiking you're going to want to make sure you stay found. What I mean by that is that you've put an itinerary in the car, you know the area that you're hiking to, you know the route and the trail you plan on being on, you know what the trail markers are going ...
More Camping Basics...