Booking A Flight Online – A Simple Guide

Due to the Internet, booking a flight is now even easier than ever before. However, if you have never booked a flight Online before, it may seem a little daunting. Hopefully, this short guide will help answer any questions you may have. As a result, it will then make you feel more confident about booking your first flight Online.

Booking A Flight OnlineIn this Guide:

Why Book A Flight Online:

One of the main reasons to book a flight Online is simply because it is relatively simple, very convenient and can be done anywhere that has an Internet connection. For instance from the comfort of your home, in the office, in the park or your own bed!

 

A Simple Step-by-Step Guide To Booking A Flight Online:

1. Research:

The first place to start is simply by doing a little research. Doing a little research before booking your flight will pay dividends in the long run. The things you should research are:

  • Destinations
  • Closest Airports
  • Best times to travel
  • Weather conditions
  • Flight times
  • Distance from the airport to your chosen destination

Obviously, there are a lot more things you can look into but the above list are just a few things to start with.

Destination: Choosing a destination to which you want to visit is a good place to start.

Closest Airport: It is alway advisable to check which is the closest airport to your chosen destination. This may sound obvious but many destinations around the world have more than one airport that services them. Not only that but many of the ‘Low Cost’ airlines actually advertise certain airports as being close to a destination but in reality, they are quite a distance away.

For Example:

Barcelona: The main airport and closest airport to Barcelona is ‘Barcelona Airport El Prat de Llobregat’. The distance from the airport to the centre of Barcelona itself is just 8 miles (13 kilometers. However, although this is the closest airport to Barcelona, there are a couple of others that are advertised by the Low Cost airlines as ‘Barcelona’. Both Girona and Reus airports are advertised as Barcelona Girona and Bracelona Reus but are in fact quite a distance from Barcelona itself. For Instance:

Girona Airport: Girona Airport is actually 47 miles (75.5 kilometers) from the centre of Barcelona.

Reus Airport: Reus Airport is actually a little further from Barcelona and is 55 miles (89.3 kilometers) away.

Although the connections from both these airports to Barcelona are very good, you can get caught out!

So, as you can see, it does pay to do your homework and familiarise yourself with the local airports closest to the destination you want to visit. Obviously, if there is a large difference in flight prices and it works out much more cost effective to book a flight to an airport further away, then it is worth doing!

 

Best Time To Travel:

Flight prices do fluctuate and are based on supply and demand. Obviously, there are certain times of the year when flight prices will be much higher. Peak periods such as school holidays will always see an increase in flight prices. Other times may be during annual events, festivals, concerts or sporting events. Therefore, if possible it is wise to avoid these periods, if you wish to find the cheapest flight prices.

 

Weather Conditions:

Weather conditions are worth taking into account. If the weather in your chosen destination is not good at certain times of the year, this can affect the flight prices. Not only that but you may not want to visit at that time of year!

 

Flight Times:

Another factor that can determine the price of a flight is the actually departure times. Early morning or late night flight are generally cheaper in price. 

 

Distance From The Airport:

Distance from the airport to your chosen destination: As previously mentioned, check how far the airport is from your chosen destination is vital.If there are several airports that service your chosen destination, ensure you choose the right one!

 

2. Choosing The Right Booking Platform:

There are so many options available to you when booking your flight Online. However, the most populars ways to book a flight Online are:

  • Direct With The Airline
  • Through an Online Travel Agent
  • Via A Flight Comparison Website

All the above have their own advantages and disadvantages, which you need to consider before you choose which one to choose. To read more about booking directly with an airline, please visit the following page. Is it better to book directly with an airline

If you would prefer to book your flight through an Online Travel Agent or via a flight comparison website, you have plenty to choose from.

  • Booking.com
  • eDreams
  • Expedia
  • Kayak
  • lastminute.com
  • Orbitz
  • Skyscanner
  • Travel Republic
  • trip.com
  • Tripadvisor

 

3. Search For Flights:

Once you have chosen your platform(s), it is time to do a quick search for flights. To do this, simply enter your details and requirements in the search bar> the details you will be required to enter are usually Origin (Departure location), destination, travel dates and number of passengers. You will also be asked whether you require a one way or return flight. Then, when you are ready, simply click the search button and wait for the search results and availability to show.

 

4. Select The Flight Of Your Choice:

Having looked at the search results and flight options, you can decide whether there are any flights to suit your requirements. The search result will display the airline, flight times and prices.

 

5. Enter The Passenger(s) Details And Information:

If there are any flights that suit your needs, then it is time to start booking your flight. You will be required to enter the details of all passengers you are booking on the flight. These details include full names of each passenger, as it is on their passport. 

 

6. Additional Extra:

Depending on which airline you are booking your flight with, you will be offered several additional extras. These are all extras that you will be charged for in addition to the flight of your price. The main extras that airlines offer are extra luggage, reserved seat, priority boarding and meals onboard.

 

7. Enter Your Payment Details:

Once you are happy with your booking and you have entered your personal details and added any extras you may require, it is time to pay. To complete your booking, you will be required to enter your credit/debit card details. If possible, using a Credit card is a good idea. As a result, using a credit will provide you with insurance on any purchases over £100 (at the time of writing).

 

8. Confirmation Of Your Booking:

Upon successfully completing your flight booking, you will receive a confirmation email. This email will confirm your booking and provide you with your flight booking reference, payments details and your flight details.

 

We hope this short guide has helped provide a little more information about booking a flight Online.