Text 1. Air Travel

Air travel is a form of travel using an airplane. The comfort experienced when traveling by air depends on several factors starting with the airport, the choice of the airline and the travel class.

Travel class on an airplane is usually split into a two or four class model. Domestic flights usually have two classes: economy class cabin and business class cabin, whereas international flights usually have four classes: an economy class cabin, a premium economy cabin, a business class or a club class cabin and finally, a first class cabin.

The differences between premium economy and economy are quite significant, but the cost is not greatly altered by purchasing a premium economy ticket. The price difference between an economy class ticket and a first class ticket, however, are often extreme.

Most air travel starts and ends at a commercial airport. The typical procedure is check-in, border control, airport security baggage and passenger check before entering the gate, boarding, flying and pick-up of luggage and - limited to international flights - another border control at the host country’s border.

Airport check-in

Airport Check-in are service counters found at commercial airports handling commercial air travel. The check-in is normally handled by an airline or a handling agent working on behalf of an airline. Passengers usually hand over any baggage they do not wish to carry-on to the aircraft and receive a boarding card before they can proceed to board their aircraft.

Check-in is usually the first procedure for a passenger when arriving at an airport, as airline regulations require passengers check-in by certain times prior to the departure of a flight. This duration spans from 30 minutes to over 2 hours depending on the destination and airline. During this process, the passenger has the ability to ask for special accommodations such as seating preferences, inquire about flight or destination information, make changes to reservations, accumulate frequent flyer program miles, or pay for upgrades.

Airline check-in’s main function, however, is to accept luggage that is to go in the aircraft’s cargo hold.

Check-in procedures vary per airline with some airlines allowing certain restrictions other airlines have in place, and occasionally the same airline at two separate airports may have different check-in procedures. Such differences are usually not noted by the average passenger and occasionally leads to service interruption when one carrier refuses to abide by the procedure another carrier normally would.

Passenger identity registration

At the time of check-in the agent’s primary duty is to check for valid documents. This include tickets, invitation letter, passport, visa etc (depending on the type of visit, the arrival and destination of the trip).

Baggage registration

At the time of check-in the passenger hands over baggage which is checked by the airport security and sealed. Anything which is above the weight limit or which is not allowed to be carried is usually handed over to the Agent at the time of check-in.

Seating registration

Usually at the time of check-in an option of selecting the seats is offered. The Agent may ask if a window or aisle seat is wanted.

Online check-in

Online check-in is the process where passengers confirm their presence on a flight via the internet, and typically print their own boarding passes. Depending on the carrier and the specific flight, passengers may also enter details such as meal options and baggage quantities and select their preferred seating.

This service is generally promoted by the airlines to passengers as being easier and faster because it avoids the need to queue at the airport check-in counter; furthermore, online check-in for a flight is often available earlier than its in-person counterpart. The process then transfers to passengers the control over their check-in. Airlines may use the system because self-service is frequently more efficient to operate, with a greater ability to cope with surges in passenger numbers. It also lessens activity at the airport, saving airlines money and reducing passenger waiting times.

Alaska Airlines was the first to offer online check-in. The system was first offered on a limited basis starting in September 1999 and was available to the general public on selected flights a month later. Since then, a growing number of airlines have introduced the system.

Typically, web based check-in for airline travel is offered on the airline’s website not earlier than 24 hours before a flight’s scheduled departure or 7 days for Internet Check-In Assistant. Depending on the airline, there can be benefits of better seating or upgrades to first / business class offered to the first people to check-in for a flight. In order to meet this demand some sites have offered travelers the ability to request an airline check-in prior to the 24 hour window and receive airline boarding passes by email when available from the airline.

Special service request

Special requests could include a wheelchair, baby cradle, baby meals, blind passenger, deaf passenger etc.

Change reservation

In some situations it may be necessary to change a passenger’s travel plans. This may involve changing itinerary, upgrading class of travel, changing to an earlier/later flight.

Lounge access

If the passenger presents a certain frequent flyer program membership card or any other arrangements with the carrier, access to the lounge may be offered.