Cheap Plane Tickets-Why Consider Non-US Airlines?

Unless you are a die-hard nationalist who is willing to empty your coffers to the US airlines, there is no reason why you shall not consider flying on non-US airlines. This is not to say that you shall not fly on US airlines but just to bring to your notice that there could be much cheaper and much more convenient flight choices available for travel on other airlines.

The best way to find the cheap plane tickets for international travel is to consider flying on the carriers of that particular country or some nearby country. For example, if you are flying to Dubai, why just consider flying on AA or Delta or United, why not check for Emirates, Etihad, Saudia or Qatar Airways? Similarly, if you are flying on a destination to Europe, say London, Paris or Berlin, why not fly on BA, Air France, Lufthansa, or for that matter, even on Norwegian. There are good chances that these carriers would be offering cheaper rates to passengers because these would certainly like to fly back with fuller seats. If you are ruling out flying on these carriers, then there are good chances that you are missing on lower airfares.

There is another dimension to why you shall enjoy flying on different carriers, not just sticking to the American ones. It is the nature of cabin experience you will be getting in these carriers. The crew members and their behavior is reflective of the culture of the country. The meals served could be interesting and to your liking. You will surely have a totally different cabin ambiance to experience. Seat layout, comfort level of seating, entertainment options, in-flight magazines and a whole lot of stuff would throw up a totally different experience.  Most of these international carriers offer free check in baggage allowances, better loyalty points earning and redemption chances and might also have lower ticket cancellation charges than American ones.

These are some of the things which would be to your liking. There could be many more. You just need to explore a bit with wide range of choices.

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What You Need To Check When Flying With Musical Instruments?

In general, airlines allow carriage of two types of baggage. One is the cabin bag which can be carried on person and taken along in the cabin. The other is the check-in baggage which needs to be handed over to the airline staff at the airport for putting in the aircraft luggage hold. A luggage hold is a specially designated area where baggage of all passengers on plane is kept. Airlines have clear policies on size, weight and number of baggage which can be carried on its planes. The baggage policies are defined by airlines on the basis of per passenger. Apart from these two types of luggage, the airlines also have policies for special baggage. This special baggage is something which is not like a normal luggage but is a special article. Some examples of this type of baggage are the sporting equipments, musical instruments, medical instruments, arms and ammunition and likewise. So, if you are taking any of these special articles, then you do need to check the airline policies. Here is what you shall be doing when you are bringing with you, say, a musical instrument-

1.       Note down the weight and dimensions of the instrument you would be carrying. This has to be told to the airline executive.

2.       Speak to the airline customer service executive about your plan to carry the instrument, preferably at the time of booking air tickets. Else, you can check the airline policy online on its website.

3.       Checkwhether this would be allowed to be carried in the plane in the first place. If yes, find out whether this can be carried in cabin or in check-in. You would certainly like to carry it along with you in the cabin, so need to check with the airline if this could be carried in cabin. However, most of the airline would allow carriage of only those musical instruments in cabin which meet the dimensions criteria of the cabin baggage. However, if these do not meet these criteria, then the airlines might ask you to buy a separate seat for your instruments by paying the full fare. Even in this case, there are restrictions on weight and maximum size of the musical instrument to be carried. So, these policies need to be checked.

4.       Some of the musical instruments might be allowed only in check-in baggage. You shall find whether these would be allowed as a part of the allowance or will be charged for separately. Please note that most of the US airlines charge for bringing check-in baggage. Therefore, these instruments, if a part of the check-in baggage, will have to be paid for.

Some other airlines might not consider these as a part of regular check-in baggage and might require you to pay for these.

5.       In case of connecting flights, you also need to check whether the baggage will be through checked-in to final destination or not.

6.       Lastly, do check for the fee you might have to pay for carrying the instrument with you.

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Travel Destinations in London

London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom with a history stretching back to Roman times. It is always in top travel list of people and attracts more than 27 million visitors every year. It is a diverse city with a rich history and one of the most outstanding cultures in the world. It’s impossible to get bored in London as with some of the world's best art, shopping, dining, entertainment, and history there is always to do and see something in London. The city is well connected with all the major national and international airports in the world from where many direct and connected flights to London.

Let’s explore some of the top 6 travel destinations in London.

1) London Eye

The air-conditioned 32 passenger capsules which are 443ft Ferris wheel offers the best panorama view of the beautiful city. The rotation lasts for about 30 minutes and you can enjoy the luxury add-ons like chocolates and champagne which are available after the ride.

2) Buckingham Palace

It is the home of the British Royal Family since 1837 and has 775 rooms with the largest private garden in London. Changing of Guard outside the palace is a typical event happens four days a week. You can see a little piece of royal lifestyle at some of the palaces which are open to visitors.

3) Museums

London city is famous for its museums and you can enjoy many of them at no cost. Natural History Museum is famous for its ancient fossils and stuffed animals. At the Science museum, you can investigate some of the scientific progress throughout the ages. If you like to know about the cultural history then Victoria and Albert Museum is the best bet. Finally, pay a visit to the British Museum to watch mummified remains and centuries-old archeological discoveries.

Natural History Museum

Science Museum

4) Harrods

It is the most famous departmental stores known for serving the elite and super rich. There are a number of floors and themed halls where you can indulge some fresh meat, cheese, marmalades, and pates. You can find Egyptian hall which sells fashion clothes where you can feel like a pharaoh.

Harrods

5) Oxford Street

It is London’s busiest shopping street with over 300 shops and daily 500,000 visitors every day. Shop till you drop your last penny in some of the world-famous designer stores and international departmental stores which offer a large variety of various materials which change with each season. At Christmas, you will find many illuminating lights and glitter in the evenings.

Oxford Street

6) Thames Cruise

There is a number of companies offering cruises across the Thames. Thames River is the lifeline of London and at 215 miles it’s one of the longest rivers in London. Every 30 minutes you will find a cruise which passes through several sightseeing locations like Tower Bridge, House of Parliament and the London Eye. You can also dig some food or tea while enjoying the unique view of the city at night.

London is a vibrant city both during the day and night. It has many lovely tourist spots around the city. It depends upon you how much time you spend in London. Some of the other attractions are Bond Street, Platform 9 ¾, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Electric Avenue, Chinatown, Brick Lane, The O2, Brixton Academy, Baker Street, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, Hampstead Heath and the list is endless. 

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Check for These Charges While Booking Flights Online

There is always a scramble for cheap air tickets. This is an undeniable fact. All sort of tactics is used by smart passengers to reduce the cost of flights as much as possible. Experienced passengers do not stop at this. They go a few steps forward and check for other charges which they might have to pay apart from tickets. If flight booking is done online with the agency, then these charges must be asked for. However, if this is done with the airline, then their policies mention these clearly. So, what are these charges which shall be known beforehand or during the course of flight booking online?

a)      Charges for taking the service of ticket booking from agency- Sometimes, the agency would charge a flat rate for a ticket. This rate could be per passenger based. This needs to be checked beforehand with the agency.

b)      Cancellation charges- If you have plans to book a refundable ticket, you must know what you will get back if you happen to cancel the ticket. These deductions are your loss and adds to the cost of ticket which you will be buy next.

c)       Ticket modification and itinerary change charges- If you want to change the date of travel or reroute the flight choices, then there could be charges for the same as well. If you think that there could be a chance that there itinerary would need to be changed, then the charges need to be known.

d)      Preferential seating charges- Airlines could even add special charge on certain most demanded seats. Usually the ones with more leg room, near the aisle or windows are charged more. However, the other ones are not charged for. Whether American airlines follow this practice shall be checked but many low cost carriers around the world do follow this practice.

e)      Check-in baggage charges- If you are carrying a baggage with you, then it is pertinent to check whether the baggage is going to cost you anything or not. Charges for check-in baggage depend on the route you are flying on, your frequent flyer membership status, whether free allowance is granted against redemption of frequent flyer points or not, and whether you are a specially person or not.

f)       Charges for refreshments- It will not take long to just look into the menu of the airline you are flying with and what all complimentary refreshments are included in your ticket price. If you have to take some other meals, then a quick price-check can tell you the costs.

In general, these are the broad charges which the passengers looking to fly on the airline shall watch out for. These can together inflate the cost of your travel significantly.

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Why Airline Will Not Offer Cheap Flights, Rather Fly With Empty Seats?

Whether the last minute flight deals are for real or not is dependent on the wishes of the airline. Typically, the airline opens its bucket of flight seats for the travelers in installments. The ones which are offered in the first instance are priced low in general so that the first passengers get the incentive of booking ahead of others. Typically, these are the people who have firm travel plans done in advance. For this reason, the surest way to lay hand on discounted airfare tickets is to book in advance.

Now, when the flight time is closing in and the airline still finds that there are seats to offer, a quick calculation is done on whether sufficient revenues on sale of tickets has been earned or not. If this has been done and there is still a demand for the tickets, then the prices of remaining seats may not be reduced to dirty cheap level. However, if the revenue target has not yet been met and the demand for seats is also not very high, there is a need for reducing the ticket prices to try and fill up the seats. There is a third possibility as well. This possibility banks on the general policy of the airline. An airline might not offer the empty seats to passengers at all, as a matter of policy. This would then mean that the cheap flights at the last minute is no longer a possibility which passengers shall look forward to.

Now, why on earth the airline will not offer its last remaining seats at throwaway prices? After all, it can still make more money. But, the reality is that this does not happen. Why? This is essentially because the airline would not like to cultivate this habit among passengers that they will be able to get cheap flights at the eleventh hour. If the airline becomes quite predictable by selling tickets at reduced prices just before the flight time, it will mean that people will not book in advance and would instead wait till the very end. And, if this happens for a good percentage of seats and too often, there will be a marked decline in revenue of the airline.

Besides, there will be operational issues at the airport. This will lead to a scramble at the airport for these tickets. The flow of passengers through security and check-in will become delayed and haphazard and there is likely to be confusion all around. Overall, the situation will become unmanageable if other airlines also begin this practice.

For these reasons, the airline prefers to fly with empty seats. Although, in vast majority of cases, this does not happen often because the airlines have a declared policy of overbooking of flights which is contradictory to the scenario of flying with empty seats.

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Quote-Travel Makes Man Wise Man Better

"Travel makes a wise man better, and a fool worse"-Thomas Fuller

With flights adding to ease of travel around the world, the numbers of wise men growing better and fools getting worse would have increased multiple times.  But, the world does not seem to be getting any better. So, you are free to conclude whatever you want to 😇.

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8 Popular Tourist Places of Interest in Halifax

Halifax is the capital city of Nova Scotia in Canada. It is best to visit in summers as in winter the coldest day ever recorded was -29.4°C. In Halifax, 59% of the population is under 45, making it demographically young. So, here you find many degree-granting universities like Dalhousie University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Saint Mary’s University, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Nova Scotia Community College and The Atlantic School of Theology. Seafood like Lobster, Atlantic salmon, and Digby scallops are some of the popular things you will find here in abundance.

A number of airlines, including the American, Canadian and European, provide international flights to Halifax from different cities of US. These flights are direct (non-stop) as well as with one or more connections. People fly to Halifax for enjoying their vacations and for work-related reasons

The top 8 tourist attractions of Halifax are as follows -

1) Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk - It is open 24 hours a day and is considered one of the best city walks in Canada. You can start your walk from Halifax Seaport towards Casino Nova Scotia which is 3 kilometers towards the north. Along the walk you can visit Halifax Buildings build in the historic period, Garrison Brewery, Halifax Farmer's Market and Cable Wharf.

2) Pier 21 - It’s a national museum now but between 1928 and 1971 around 1 million immigrants passed through the terminal. This museum is dedicated to 500,000 + Canadians who departed from port to fight in World War II. Through various exhibitions, events, and ceremonies tourist came to know the story of how people immigrated to the country by sea.

3) Halifax Citadel - It’s one of the most visited places where you will step back in time and even can become a soldier for a day. There is a free 45 minutes guided tour in which you can explore the National Historic site by being dressed in an authentic military uniform and learn to fire a Snider-Enfield rifle.

4) Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse - The red and white lighthouse is Nova Scotia's most visited attractions and it’s still operational and used by the Canadian Coast Guard. It is considered one of the famous lighthouses in the world and most photographed structures around the globe.

5) Halifax Public Gardens - These finest Victorian Gardens are situated in a 6.5-hectare area and consist of many trees, shrubs, and flowers that are set aside of fountains and statues. It was given a title as a National Historic Site in 1984.

6) Winter Activities - If you visit Halifax in winters then you get a chance to visit Emera Oval which is an outdoor skating rink and it’s the size of three NHL hockey rinks. Over 2000 people come here every day in winters to enjoy speed skating competitions, biking, rollerblading and roller-skating and here you will find skating lessons too if you want to learn this sport.

7) Historic Village - 20 minutes from downtown Halifax you will enjoy the charming Fisherman's Cove which is a restored 200-year-old fishing village. It’s a great way to get a glimpse of the city's past. You will find many shops and fresh seafood or you can enjoy sipping a coffee with a slice of cake and visit the shops of some local artists. These shops are set up on old boathouses that are lined along the shoreline.

8) McNab Island - It is a great time to enjoy the scenery and hike through this island which is 395 hectares of area. You can enjoy the National Historic Site of Fort McNab and watch many seasonal birds in this island. Over 22 Kilometers of trails are set up which is covered with beautiful coastal and forest settings.

The local people in Halifax are very helpful as whenever you lost your way or any belonging chances are there you find some volunteer to guide you on the right path. Want to click a photo then ask any person for a hand. If you still planning a trip or you are already here then don't forget to check our other travel blogs for inspirations, travel tips and all things travel.

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10 Fabulous Attractions of Calgary

It is situated in the Canadian province of Alberta with numerous skyscrapers and one of the major Centre of Canada's oil industry. You can usually find many airlines like United, Delta, Alaska, American and Air Canada which flies from the US to Calgary on a daily basis. Here in Calgary, you find some youngest crowd as the population of Calgary consists of more young people.  Many well-known National parks, makes this city an excellent choice for those people who love skiing, hiking, and sightseeing. Some of the top 10 attractions of Calgary are mentioned below. Check out the cheapest flights to Calgary to explore these destinations.

1) Calgary Stampede- It is one of the greatest outdoor shows on earth which takes place in Calgary for 10 days and is considered to be a multi-million dollar rodeo. Agricultural exhibition and western party takes place every July. The best entertainers from around the world participate in this event and showcase many amazing games and rides, amusements, neck-breaking chuck-wagon races, Bull riding, Steer wrestling, Tie-down roping, and many other cultural events.

2) Calgary Zoo and Prehistoric Park - The Calgary Zoo is situated near St. George’s Island in the Bow River and was founded in 1912. The zoo is the home of the very rare and threatened species of animals, a butterfly conservatory, and botanical gardens. The zoo authority brings newborn animals in the springtime. There are more than 1000 animals in this zoo.

3)  The Calgary Tower - It is 1228 meters above the sea level and you can get a 360-degree view of the city from this tower. You can enjoy the uninterrupted view from the first observation deck and later on can enjoy the cocktail and appetizers at the second observation deck with the best view of the town.

4) Royal Tyrrell Museum - Here you can travel back in time like 65 million years and check the richest dinosaur deposits on earth. 30 of the most complete dinosaur skeletons in the world are found here and many experts will guide you with this truly prehistoric journey.

5) Calaway Park - It attracts a young crowd as this is one of the largest outdoor amusement parks. A 3D theatre and around 32 rides, 23 carnival games and plenty of food vendors to help each family fed well. It also gives the traveler an astonishing view of the Rocky Mountain.

6) Expo Latino - It is Canada's largest outdoor Latinfestival which is busted with fun, colorful festivals, parades, and picnics. Every August Calgarians look forward to this event which consists of many dance workshop, beautiful handicrafts and you can eat great food with live performances by local and national members.

7) Fort Calgary - This museum shows the beginning era of Calgary from 1875 at the shores of Bow and Elbow River. Here you will learn the rich history of Calgary with the ample opportunity to experience and explore the prehistoric past.

8) Horseback Riding Tour - Every Calgarian are cowboys and cowgirls at heart. Spend your day riding on horseback in the Rocky Mountains to the east and west and feel the real deal to explore wider open spaces on this horseback riding tour.

9) Fishing Expedition on the Bow River - It is a one of a kind of expedition as the water here is very pristine and clear with a serene awe-inspiring scenery. May to the end of September is the best time for this fishing expedition. Expert fishing guides will help you to go home with some great catch.

10) Military Museum - This military museum in Canada weaves the story of bravery during the darkest time of modern history. Canadians have the most significant victories in the first and second world wars. Visitors can get an insight of that wartime like the implications of people who live at that time, and how military acted together to bring about the peace.

We hope with this article we helped to develop a better understanding of the many things this great western city can offer to its visitors. In Calgary, there are many unique things to do so this city is definitely an investment worth considering. You can find some of the most amazing online flight deals for Calgary which can help you save money on travel. 

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15 Busiest US Airports by International Traffic in 2017

John F. Kennedy International Airport	JFK	32,232,269
Los Angeles International Airport	LAX	24,296,522
Miami International Airport	MIA	20,195,479
San Francisco International Airport	SFO	13,127,656
O'Hare International Airport	ORD	12,743,652
Newark Liberty International Airport	EWR	12,217,711
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport	ATL	11,659,891
George Bush Intercontinental Airport	IAH	10,081,750
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport	DFW	8,147,773
Washington Dulles International Airport	IAD	7,488,692
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport	FLL	7,040,347
Logan International Airport	BOS	6,788,201
Orlando International Airport	MCO	5,644,748
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport	HNL	5,326,383
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport	SEA	4,851,648

There are many other international airports, apart from the ones listed above, from where you can take international flights or arrive at using international flights to USA. 

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Top 6 Attractions of Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada sitting on the Ottawa River in the east of southern Ontario. You can find several direct and connected flights from airlines such as Porter, United, Air Canada, Delta, American, and WestJet. These flights fly from different parts of the US and you can land at Ottawa International Airport. It’s the country's 4th largest city and attracts more than 70 million visitors each year. You can enjoy the quality of life and explore its waterways and to enjoy many cultural attractions.

The 6 best attractions of Ottawa

1) Parliament Hill - It’s not just the home to the country's government but it’s the cultural and community hub caters tourists who can go through the interior of this historical complex and relaxes around the lush garden and monuments that cover the grounds. Changing of the Guard ceremony and Sound and light show are some of the spectacular events one should not miss.

Parliament Hill

2) National and Cultural Attractions - Ottawa welcomes its visitors to experience cultural attractions, museums, and galleries in one place. Take national museums passport to visit three of the seven national museums in three days. National Gallery of Canada is a stunning display of world-class art. Canadian War Museum shows the involvement of men and women on the battlefield. It consists of 300 works of art and is a collection of tanks, military vehicles, and guns which are used in the battlefields.

3) Rideau Canal - This canal dated back to 1832 was used as a military defense system but today the canal serves as a recreational attraction. In warmer sunny days people boat and paddle and ride bikes near the canal but in winters when the river freezes the canal transforms into an ice skating tourist spot.

4) Canada Aviation and Space Museum - It has over 150 flights collections and considered as the top aeronautical collections of the world. This museum cover civilian, commercial and military aviation. Some of the highlights of these collections are Silver Dart the first aircraft which fled in Canada, another one is the Borel Morane and it’s a 100-year-old airplane and looks like one. It has a lot of activity for children and you can buy some souvenir for your memory.

5) Canadian Museum of Nature - It provides insight to different aspects of the Canadian history which includes Fossil gallery, rocks, and minerals that shape the planet, mammal gallery, aviary species, live insects, marine life and more. Each gallery hosts several different displays and provides a deep understanding of the subject.

6) Major's Hill Park - It is situated near the banks of the Rideau Canal. It is where the Canada Day Celebration took place and hosts numerous events during the year along. Carefully tended gardens, open grassland, picnic facility makes this park one if the most popular attractions to tourist and locals.

Ottawa is Canada's favorite tourist spot and contains many of other popular attractions like Maple Lawn Garden, Wild Bird Care Centre, Central Experimental Farm, Little Ray's Reptile Zoo, Ottawa Farmer's Market, Bytown Museum and many more. It’s very difficult to explain all these hot tourist spots in one article. 

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