9 Conviction about Airport & Airline Travel

As laymen , we often assume lots of things and ignore the most vital aspect of the Airline Travel and Airport. Recently , I met one of my friend, who didn't take his scheduled flight and didn't even bother to call the Airline to cancel his flight in advance due which he was reported as a no show on that flight and system cancelled his entire ticket and onward journey. Eventually he had to buy new ticket to fly back to his home.

There are myths around Airline travel. In this blog, I would help you in understanding the common problem around Airline Travel and the way around the same :

• No show means that you can travel on other flight : This is very common mistake that lot of us tend to make or assume. In case of a no show ,the Airline would only protect and book you on the onward flight in case there was strike in the area or your earlier flight got late or if there was emergency at your place. However, no booking would be done if you report late at the gate or you decide not to travel but didn't notify the airline in advance. Changes might or might not be possible on your ticket
• Compensation incase of flight cancels : No that's not true. You would not get any reimbursement in case its bad weather or earthquake or any natural disruption. However yes, you are entitled for the compensation if there is problem with the aircraft machinery or if its time for the crew rest
• All the tickets are changeable and refundable : No, its entirely depends on the terms and conditions of your ticket. Tickets with flexible rules allow full refund and date change even if you are a no show on the flight. However, the restricted ticket would not allow any change at all and you have purchase altogether a new ticket
• Airline staff would wait for all the booked customers : No , please plan in such a way that you leave your place and reach the Airport at least 2-3 hours before the departure of the flight. Flight would never wait for the all customers to check -in. The Airline would depart at the scheduled flight irrespective of the fact if the booked passenger has taken the flight or not.
• Disruption means booking on the next available any carrier : No, in case of disruption Airline cannot book on any carrier, the airline has agreement with different carriers and is not necessary that can book on all the carriers.
• Late check in means upgrade : No it doesn't hold true at all. Many of us are under impression that checking late would give free upgrade to next cabin. Even if the airline is oversold then the upgrade option would be given to the customers with more tiers or are frequent flyer with the Airline.
• It not permitted to get your cigarette lighters or bottle of water in your hand bag
• Traveling with an Infant would always get you bassinet seat : No that's not true, If you are traveling with an infant then you can request for the bassinet seat but there is no guarantee that you would 100 % get those seats. Therefore all the customers traveling with the infant should check in early as the bassinet seats are assigned on first come first serve basis
• If your stop is more than 06 hours then you are entitled for the free hotel : No , many of the passengers, who are transiting London or any other major country and stopping more than 06 hours are not entitled for hotel or known as STPC in airline language. The hotel accommodation entirely depends on the class of travel and its open for the frequent fliers and passengers travelling in business or first class.

I hope that these small but useful tips would help you to understand the Airline Travel in better way and this time you would definitely call the airline before reporting as a NO-SHOW on the flight..

Promise to come back again with other useful Airline travel tips..