Long flights life hacks

[Koolau]

Flying from Grand to Little Cayman on a Twin Otter they weighed all luggage and handbags. We were allowed to total the weights between DW and I, so if one was over and one similarly under you would be OK.

Heh, heh, on a Twin Otter, it's likely critical to weigh everything as those aircraft need careful weight and balance to remain safe. Great aircraft.

 

[planuntilthefisthits]

tl;dr, but one way to possibly reduce international business class airfares is to have an Amex Plat and book their IAP fares. Some great discounts have been reported:

USA International Airline Program (IAP) relaunched as discount benefit (2017). - FlyerTalk Forums

American Express | Membership Rewards - USA International Airline Program (IAP) relaunched as discount benefit (2017). - Originally Posted by ijgordon I made a voluntary change to my return leg on an IAP ticket last fall and was expecting the worst. Yes, it seemed like an offshore agent reading...

www.flyertalk.com

 

[brett]

If you want a lesson on nickel and diming on a grand scale, do some reseach on Ryan Air in the UK. But hardly nickels and dimes. More like 10's of GBP's

Pikers on a grand scale.

It is the one low cost airline that we will not fly on. Ever. They make Easyjet look great!

 

[CO-guy]

Flying from Grand to Little Cayman on a Twin Otter they weighed all luggage and handbags. We were allowed to total the weights between DW and I, so if one was over and one similarly under you would be OK.

The Twin Otter is cozy. One of the only commercial flights I've taken where my view from the "aisle seat" was out of the windshield because the first row is directly behind the pilots.

Cayman Airways does offer an option to send your gear on an earlier or later fight if weight restrictions are maxed out, since excess baggage isn't an option at any price if the flight is full

 

[Koolau]

The Twin Otter is cozy. One of the only commercial flights I've taken where my view from the "aisle seat" was out of the windshield because the first row is directly behind the pilots.

Cayman Airways does offer an option to send your gear on an earlier or later fight if weight restrictions are maxed out, since excess baggage isn't an option at any price if the flight is full

Reminds me of flying from Oahu to Maui. We were scheduled to fly later on a 737 but were offered an earlier flight on a Dash 7 (our luggage was already set to go on the 737). When we arrived on Maui, our luggage was waiting! The Dash 7 flew low and slow - great views of Molokai and Molokini and West Maui.

 

[CO-guy]

Reminds me of flying from Oahu to Maui. We were scheduled to fly later on a 737 but were offered an earlier flight on a Dash 7 (our luggage was already set to go on the 737). When we arrived on Maui, our luggage was waiting! The Dash 7 flew low and slow - great views of Molokai and Molokini and West Maui.

I could be mistaken, but I believe the Twin Otter is a Dash 6. Or a repurposed tin can.

 

[Koolau]

I could be mistaken, but I believe the Twin Otter is a Dash 6. Or a repurposed tin can.

You are correct - at least about the Dash 6. Don't think tin can would be fully accurate.

The Dash 7 has 4 turboprop engines.

 

[athena53]

Reminds me of an old hack that I don't know still works. On business travel to UK I used to book economy and upon arrival at the airport they would offer Business Class for something like $500 or $700. Megacorp would pay for that. So you may be offered deals at check in if Business isn't full, but that is very last minute and random so don't count on it.

This is 10 years ago when Business Class to UK was generally $5K.

I haven't read the whole discussion but I saw this on the plane from Vienna to Dulles two days ago. I was in Business Class, there were empty seats and they announced the people in Economy could upgrade for $1,000. There were no takers. I agree you can't count on it. I just bite the bullet and buy Business Class when I make my reservation.

One decision I made on this last trip. I arrived in Vienna at 8:30 AM after my transatlantic flight. I'd slept maybe 2 hours on the plane despite lie-flat seats. That's normal for me, unfortunately, By the time I got to my hotel it was maybe 10 AM. They let me in the room despite the fact that it was well before their posted check-in time. I crashed for an hour or so and then went out to explore. I REALLY needed that nap. From now on I'm not going to hope that I can get into a room that early. If I anticipate getting to my hotel before, say, 1 or 2 PM, I'm going to reserve it for the night before and let them know I'll be arriving in the morning/early afternoon.