A number of patients have told me that they are planning to travel over the summer and I thought I might let you know how I go about booking my air travel.
My favorite websites to search for flights are Google flights and Kayak.
Both websites are considered travel search engines and are designed to help you quickly research travel options. These websites are easy to use. Simply enter your desired travel dates and destination and the website will present you with a host of options to select from. I prefer the flexibility of Kayak as you can adjust the length of a layover, as well as the date and time of both takeoff and landing. Additionally, Kayak offers a Fee Assistant (no! they are not charging you a fee) that allows you to enter the number of carry-on bags and checked bags to determine the total cost of your flight, so there are no surprises when you finally book your flight. I usually start with Kayak and then crosscheck Google Flights to make sure Kayak hasn't missed anything.
I try to book directly with the airline because if there is an issue with the flight while traveling it simplifies matters. Of course, if you have a travel agent that you have a relationship with there is nothing better than knowing you have an advocate should issues arise.
Once I have my ticket, I go to a website called SeatGuru (
https://seatguru.com
). By entering the airline, date, and flight number SeatGuru will display a map of the airplane with a key showing which seats are “better” than others. It also gives you information about legroom, seat pitch, and seat width. I love that it displays the in-flight amenities, and seat upgrades such as the availability of a power outlet or on demand videos.
By doing a little research before I travel, I make sure I am well prepared for my flight.
I hope you find these tips helpful and I wish you a safe and pleasant trip.
Until next time,
Dr G