Reasons to travel by Air

Flying is a unique experience, one which millions of us embark on every single year. Being amongst the clouds and crossing continents is a way to escape the hassles of daily life, offering solace from the hustle and bustle of the city. But why should you choose flying over traveling on the ground? Here's why…

    1. Travel Further
The primary purpose of Airplanes is to allow travel across vast distances. Whether you are moving from one end of the country to another, or the other side of the World, flying is the best option. It's faster, cheaper than changing modes of transport and allows you to sit back and relax.

    2. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
A great thing that plane travel offers is the option to jump out of your everyday life and experience something entirely new. So whether you go to India and experience Bollywood first hand or decide to stand at the top of the Eiffel Tower and gaze over Paris: travel broadens the mind and opens up the soul.

    3. It's Safe
Contrary to many Hollywood blockbusters, flying is one of the safest ways to travel. With the influx of terror-related attacks in the past decade, security has reached an all-time high. Yet, you can stay safe in the knowledge that your plane has been checked, double-checked, and checked once more before you even step onboard.

    4. You're In Good Hands
Pilots have to go through rigorous training, and before being allowed to fly for an airline, they must have a certain number of hours of flight experience. 1500 to be exact. There is also a co-pilot present on every flight to lend a hand and take over if anything goes wrong. You are flying with the most experienced people in the World, so do not fret.

    5. The Hospitality is Amazing
Whether you are going on a family holiday or a hen do: the plane will have everything you need to make a happy, fun, and satisfying journey, from a full bar stocked with your favorite drinks to an improved menu to satisfy your cravings. Hostesses are always glad to help, have a chat and serve you anything you like.

    6. Sit Back and Relax
Whether you are in coach or business class, traveling by plane allows you to relax totally and not have to worry about transfers or pit stops. Everything you need is under one roof, and you'll have a myriad of entertainment. Then, with soft, comfortable aircraft leather and reclining seats, you can let go and take a well-earned nap.

    7. Bird's Eye View
If you are inclined to take the window seat on your flight, you'll be blessed with the most stunning view of the World from up above. Taking in the scenery of oceans and countries as you pass by is a unique and beautiful experience.

    8. It's Cost-Effective
Finally, flying is cheap. If you book well in advance, you can score a brilliant deal, but similarly, if you leave it until the last minute, you can still get a bargain. In addition, traveling in one mode of transport rather than multiple is less stressful, less time-consuming, and works out much cheaper. It's a no-brainer.

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Flight classes, what is your comfort level?

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Airlines traditionally have three travel classes, First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class. Depending on the cabin configuration will determine how many classes of service are offered. Here's a breakdown of the classes of service:

Flight classes, what is your comfort level?

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Airlines traditionally have three travel classes, First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class. Depending on the cabin configuration will determine how many classes of service are offered. Here is a breakdown of the classes of service:

 

Economy Class

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Kiss your knees goodbye.
In economy class, you will get a seat that takes you from point A to point B. However, there are some differences, the most noticeable of which are seat width and pitch (legroom). Pitch can vary from 28-34 in and width from 17-33 in. While these few inches might not seem like much now when you're in that seat for 6+ hours – they matter! Other factors that may vary are power outlets, Wifi, food, in-flight entertainment, type of TV screen, and level of service.
Before we move on to premium economy class, we should mention that there could be an in-between class on some flights, especially in the US. Not quite premium, but certainly one step above economy is known as 'economy plus's (or Economic Comfort, Economic XL, among other names). This means you are flying with the same service as the economy, but you will have a few extra inches of legroom and seat recline.
It usually costs a few extra dollars to reserve these few select seats. Still, at least your seat will feel a bit more spacious, and who knows, there might even be a few extra perks like food and drink service or speedy boarding (again, this depends on the specific airline you are flying with).

 

Premium Economy Class

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A little more legroom and a TV. Worth the extra cash?
A premium economy can be called many different things. Virgin America calls it Main Cabin Select, British Airways uses the term World Traveler Plus, and SAS calls it SAS Plus. But it is all the same thing: economy with some added oomph. And added cost, of course. That said, it is not anywhere near as much as business class airfares.
Flying premium economy will give you a dedicated lounge at the airport, and the seats will be in a different cabin to the economy. Usually, you will get a wider seat with a more fantastic pitch, larger TV screens, better food (this could be a more extensive selection, complimentary drinks, etc.), and a greater luggage allowance.

 

Business-Class

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Now we are talking.
They say that if you fly business class once, you will never be happy in the economy again. While it might be hard to see the benefits of premium economy over the economy quickly, the luxuries of business over a premium economy are immediately apparent. Business-class is, becoming so good that many airlines have abandoned their first-class seats altogether.
Simply put, everything is better. You are spoilt rotten from pre-flight drinks in authentic glasses to meals served on real China with proper knives and forks. Full flat-bed seats are the general standard for business class, with seat width going as wide as 34 inches and pitch to 87 inches.
Some airlines even offer a chauffeured pick-up and drop-off service if you live within a certain distance from the airport, and most – if not all – have a dedicated lounge in the airport where you can fill up on free food and drinks.
Never one to shy from excess, Emirates has an entire bar onboard exclusively for business class passengers on their flagship A380 planes. The bar is a proper, semi-circular, fully stocked bar, serving hot and cold snacks and all the cocktails you could manage. What more could you want?

 

First-Class

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Dream on…
The pinnacle of air travel, first-class, is reserved for celebrities and the super-rich (or the super-lucky). Think all the perks from business, slathered with a thick layer of luxury. But, aside from privacy and seat size (bear in mind that many first-class flights do not have seats, as individual suites), a noticeable difference in price, with seats costing up to five times as much as business class seats.
The standard of service is incomparable in first class, with a highly trained crew that can anticipate a passenger's every need. The standard of food leaps up a notch up, too, with many menus and dishes created by Michelin-starred chefs.

If you are interested in knowing more about seats for specific flights, do not forget to always check sites like SeatExpert to find details about seats, particularly aircraft, with particular airlines. Alternatively, the airline's site will have details regarding each of their classes and planes.