Can Fall Travel Be Fabulous?
October 11 2007
Coming off a pricey, overcrowded summer travel season, most travelers I talk to have one question on their minds: Is there any relief in sight for the fall? Indeed, there is. Here's the skinny on fall travel and what you can do to make your life-on-the-go a little better.
While you can still expect fall to be a busy season, it won't be quite as busy as it was all summer long. According to the International Air Transit Association (IATA), airline passenger growth is slowing. IATA reports that global growth weakened slightly in the first half of the year and load factors (the percentage of people in seats on a given plane) aren't growing nearly as fast as they have been. Aside from a few less people in the skies, what exactly does this mean? It means that demand is softening, which often translates to lower prices for the customer.
Early numbers don't yet reveal a huge shift in the airline pricing cycle, but there are indications they could be coming down ever so slightly. We saw lower average prices for Labor Day this year, so keep your fingers crossed that the trend continues. It could be good news for your winter trips! In the meantime, be sure to keep an eagle-eye out for lower prices on flights to your holiday destinations. If there are any deals to be had, my guess is they'll be scooped up quickly by savvy travelers who are buying earlier and earlier.
So, where are the deals right now? I searched and found a few places where prices are down at least 8 percent, earning my hard-won BUY rating:
* Charleston, S.C.
* Atlanta
* Phoenix
* San Diego
Beyond the deals this fall, I know a lot of travelers are concerned with the state of things at airports, on the tarmac and in the skies. This was the worst summer for airline complaints on record, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT). A lot of that was due to the fact that so many people were flying, and the air traffic system is outdated and overtaxed.
If you have a complaint, make sure that your voice is heard. This is a service industry, and it's important to not only register your complaint (with the airline and the DOT), but also keep that in mind the next time you book a flight. You hold a lot of power by literally voting with your dollars.
As for tips, the best way to deal with crowded airports and trying to avoid delays is to be prepared. Schedule your flight for early in the morning and buy non-stop tickets when possible. If a layover is unavoidable, be sure to leave ample time to connect. I suggest at least three hours. Last, be sure to pack snacks and a good read in your carry-on. While I can't guarantee any of this will make your flight on time, it will at least make your trip a little easier.
And, soon enough, I do hope for us all that flying will be fabulous.
While you can still expect fall to be a busy season, it won't be quite as busy as it was all summer long. According to the International Air Transit Association (IATA), airline passenger growth is slowing. IATA reports that global growth weakened slightly in the first half of the year and load factors (the percentage of people in seats on a given plane) aren't growing nearly as fast as they have been. Aside from a few less people in the skies, what exactly does this mean? It means that demand is softening, which often translates to lower prices for the customer.
Early numbers don't yet reveal a huge shift in the airline pricing cycle, but there are indications they could be coming down ever so slightly. We saw lower average prices for Labor Day this year, so keep your fingers crossed that the trend continues. It could be good news for your winter trips! In the meantime, be sure to keep an eagle-eye out for lower prices on flights to your holiday destinations. If there are any deals to be had, my guess is they'll be scooped up quickly by savvy travelers who are buying earlier and earlier.
So, where are the deals right now? I searched and found a few places where prices are down at least 8 percent, earning my hard-won BUY rating:
* Charleston, S.C.
* Atlanta
* Phoenix
* San Diego
Beyond the deals this fall, I know a lot of travelers are concerned with the state of things at airports, on the tarmac and in the skies. This was the worst summer for airline complaints on record, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT). A lot of that was due to the fact that so many people were flying, and the air traffic system is outdated and overtaxed.
If you have a complaint, make sure that your voice is heard. This is a service industry, and it's important to not only register your complaint (with the airline and the DOT), but also keep that in mind the next time you book a flight. You hold a lot of power by literally voting with your dollars.
As for tips, the best way to deal with crowded airports and trying to avoid delays is to be prepared. Schedule your flight for early in the morning and buy non-stop tickets when possible. If a layover is unavoidable, be sure to leave ample time to connect. I suggest at least three hours. Last, be sure to pack snacks and a good read in your carry-on. While I can't guarantee any of this will make your flight on time, it will at least make your trip a little easier.
And, soon enough, I do hope for us all that flying will be fabulous.
