Arlene's Air Travel Blog

The fear of flying - aviophobia - is seemingly common to those of us who see the panicked look on the faces of some travelers. The palpable anxiety, the clasped hands, the odd emotional outburst are all different visible signs of a passenger who may be nervous or afraid to fly. Certainly, often it is just that a passenger wants to get on that plane and out of here, but the numbers of people afraid to fly are large.

Think about it - how many people do you know love to fly, or have a smile of comfort when an aircraft bumps around during turbulence. At the same time the numbers who suffer from fear of flying seems an imprecise science. I have read anywhere from 5-40% of all flyers have some degree of fear when it comes to flying.

Given that the fear of flying is a real presence in air travel, tips and resources for conquering this phobia or anxiety may be helpful if you are a nervous flyer, a fearful one, or just get those butterflies in the stomach as you anticipate your flight.

Air Travel Assistance - First Time Flyers and Fear of Flying
Fear of flying courses and treatment

image courtesy of Arlene Fleming

"The air travel environment can be overwhelming for most people ... even more stressful for travelers with disabilities. Knowing ahead of time about procedures for boarding the aircraft, stowage of assistive devices including a wheelchair, assistance from the cabin crew, etc., is the key to having a smooth trip", states Terry Moakley of the United Spinal Association.

Accessible Air Travel looks at the incredibly useful guide for any passenger with a disability or restriction who may fear air travel, and just wants to know the ins and outs of flying. And it is important to know procedures - I have assisted passengers who cannot simply stand and walk through airport screening and advised them they would be likely be dealing with a manual screening if they set the machine off. Or that on an off-bridge gate area a mechanical lift can bring the passenger on board, but that it takes time and you need to be there before general boarding commences whenever possible to avoid flight delays and so that you can settle in before other passengers enter the plane.

After originally writing about this guide, Mobility International USA sent along a really well-researched, straightforward feature on air travel tips for people with disabilities. What I like about it is not only does it have lots of practical tips such as advising the airline in advance of any mobility devices that may be brought along - but it also includes a certain degree of non-specific advice such as being prepared and flexible for difficult situations that may arise. Air Travel Tips for People with Disabilities looks at, and links to, this helpful article.

Another informative read is an interview conducted by Nancy Parode, About.com's Guide to Senior Travel, with Candy Harrington. It includes travel tips for accessible travel.

Accessible Air Travel
Air Travel Tips for People with Disabilities

image courtesy of Arlene Fleming

It may be fall, but this week's "theme" if you will is sun and snow. Lots of airfare specials this week, several are airfare and hotel deals as well.

The first deal is about sun on NatureAir - " From October 10th to October 17th travelers can purchase a ticket to anywhere NatureAir flies in Costa Rica for just $27! But that's not all- on the last day of the promotion (October 17th) NatureAir will select 27 people who purchased tickets to receive a free one-way ticket! Travel must be taken anytime from October 10th until December 1st."

For more sun, it's spring in Australia. Kayak found the latest deal with Qantas which includes the roundtrip to Australia, and 3 flights within Australia. "Offer valid on all new bookings made by October 31, 2008 on Qantas Vacations Great Barrier Reef Airpass for travel until August 31, 2009." Some travel dates are cheaper than others, and the less expensive airfares are from California and Hawaii.

And finally, some snow - United Airlines is having a Ski City Fare Sale from $83* Each Way. This one has to be booked by October 10 for travel dates until the end of February.

Don't forget to check the Air Travel Forum - lots of airfare specials/airline promotions are listed this week, as are plenty of news bits from the air travel world!

image by Arlene Fleming

With an unstable global economy, job losses, airline fees galore, and several airline failures many are shunning air travel. The uncertainty that comes with airlines going under, even long established ones such as Aloha Airlines earlier this year, could easily make the air passenger worry about whether they'll be flying.

About.com's Senior Travel Guide has written a few informative articles about travel insurance, and whether you are protected when you purchase an airline ticket with a credit card.

Does insurance cover bankruptcy? A good primer on what travel insurance will and won't cover.

Should I Pay for My Trip With a Credit Card or Cash briefly looks at how a credit card may afford at least some protection if an airline stops operations.

Flights can be tiring. Flights can be long. Flights can be stressful. These are just a few of the responses I received when I ask people to fill in the blank for "Flights can be ___".

In dealing with flights, I have always found it important to have ways to help myself reduce the stresses and anxieties that can come with air travel. From my eyeshades, to my aromatherapy, it is the constant quest to make that economy seat feel much better than being in confined quarters for several hours with hundreds of strangers around.

So, I developed a self massage routine. In addition to working for an airline, I am a massage therapist, so I thought it was time to share the self massage routine I do on my face for a bit of extra relaxation. And yes, you may get stares from fellow passengers, but you can always close your eyes, turn up the soft music, and bliss out.

Self Massage of the Face - Acupressure Points, Massage for Relaxation, Flights - with Illustrations.

image courtesy of Arlene Fleming

This week, Kayak found lots of airfare specials. There are other ones out there, but the ones they tracked down are good enough to fill this week's blog.

Kayak found a deal through Travelocity with roundtrip tickets to Asia starting at $881. Book by October 6, and travel through November 21.

There's also a special with Continental Airlines from $67 one way. Includes several destinations within the US, Canada, Central America and Mexico. Booking requirements and travel dates vary by destination.

United Airlines East coast sale is a quick one that must be booked by October 3, with travel through November 19. One way airfares start at $55.

Don't forget to check the Air Travel Forum - lots of airfare specials/airline promotions are listed, as are plenty of opinions!

image by Arlene Fleming

The multi-Olympic champion might not want to quit swimming anytime soon, based on his rendition of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing". It is however, an entertaining 45 seconds or so of YouTube video, with the multi-gold medalist belting out a tune inflight.

The Olympics may be over, but this clip - although not as exciting as a final push at the end of an Olympic swim final, is still quite entertaining. Something light to start the week with.

I am constantly on the hunt for airline seat maps, as they are often not easy to find. Which is a strange thing to say when you think about one of the most important aspects of your air travels is where you park your own seat. The list changes relatively often - some airlines meet their demise financially, and others decide to finally add them.

What most of the airlines have in common is that they are not considered low cost carriers per se. Very few charter or low cost airlines publish their seat maps on line, but there are a few. Thankfully, dozens of airlines do have their seat maps online, and I have compiled them for you.

Seat Maps - The List - find lots and lots of seat maps in one place.

image courtesy of Arlene Fleming

Last week was a great one for airfare specials, whereas this week is a bit lackluster in terms of deals. These are a few of the specials I did find this week...

If you ever fly the Toronto - New York route, and have a bit of flexibility in terms of flight times, then the deal from LAN Chile might be one you can take advantage of. Prices are low - starting under $50 one way plus taxes. No time limit listed travel into 2009, and book by October 15.

British Airways often has air/hotel deals for fall travel, and this year is no exception. Starting at $236 one way (including a hotel stay), it's a pretty decent combo. Book by October 2.

United Airlines is in the midst of a 4 day Chicago sale. Must book by Friday night for airfares that start at $69 one way. Travel until November 14.

Don't forget to check the Air Travel Forum - lots of airfare specials/airline promotions are listed, as are plenty of opinions!

image by Arlene Fleming

If you are thinking of planning a wondrous trip and looking for inspiration, then checking out some of the new 7 Wonders of the World that were decided last summer might be an interesting list to choose from.

The New 7 Wonders of the World were announced in Portugal on July 7, 2007. Hmmm, 7 wonders announced on 07/07/07, and then the Olympics began 08/08/08. Wonder what's going to happen for 09/09/09! More than 100 million votes from around the globe determined the list of the new wonders. I've put together a list of airports that are most convenient for visiting the new 7 Wonders of the World.

Who made the list? A summary of the New 7 Wonders of the World has names and links.

image courtesy of Arlene Fleming