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It’s a good week for airline promo codes to save you a bit extra on your next flight or travel package. JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and Air Berlin are all offering discounts via promotional codes right now.

JetBlue is making it pretty easy to get a discount - just sign up for its getaways alerts. Sign up for their email alerts and get $50 off a JetBlue getaway. Must sign up by March 12 and book a getaway by that date. Definitely a quick way to save some money if you are planning a trip on JetBlue soon.

Southwest Airlines Vacations has a promo code that is running for virtually all of their vacation package destinations which makes this promotion that bit sweeter. Book a flight and hotel package to any Southwest Vacations destination and save up to $200. Use promo code: SAVENOW. Book by March 22.

For the traveler looking to fly overseas, Air Berlin is keeping it simple to get a promo code. Just fill out a brief form on the page and get your code. Seems to be good for all of their European destinations when originating out of the United States. The offer is a promo code that will save you an extra $60 on a roundtrip airfare. Book by April 30. Travel must be completed by the end of July.

Airfare Specials - Promo Codes - Week of March 7, 2010 originally appeared on About.com Air Travel on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 11:17:05.

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Having worked for an airline for over 15 years, friends often ask about how to get free upgrades. Are there any particular strategies that can secure a bigger seat for you flight? The short answer is if you are entitled to it yes, and if you aren’t then you kind of need luck on your side. But luck can turn into opportunity for a few of the top 10 ways to get upgraded from economy class to coach.

If you are a top tier frequent flyer then you know you have a good shot at upgrades, but the infrequent traveler may need to dress the part, volunteer to be bumped, etc. to have a chance to sit up front.

Top 10 Ways to Get Upgraded on a Flight

Getting Free Upgrades originally appeared on About.com Air Travel on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 13:33:26.

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Early Saturday morning, February 27, 2010 - an earthquake of 8.8 magnitude hits Chile. The earthquake is said to have been hundreds of times more powerful than the one that leveled much of Haiti in January, and is believed to be one of the most powerful earthquakes in history. Chile may have building codes that were established to make buildings more earthquake-proof, but an earthquake of this magnitude is extremely rare and extensive damage is to be expected.

Google has set up a people finder service for those looking for friends and family in Chile. Chile’s second largest city, Concepcion, was hardest hit and CNN is reporting that curfews, partly for fear of looting, are in place.

In terms of air travel, the main airport in Santiago has been closed, and affected airlines are permitting flexible rebooking policies including - Air Canada, American Airlines, LAN, and Delta Airlines. Because of tsunami fears, several airlines have been permitting penalty-free changes for flights to Hawaii.

Chilean Air Travel Post-Earthquake originally appeared on About.com Air Travel on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 00:17:51.

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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

Fear of Flying - Overcoming Aviophobia originally appeared on About.com Air Travel on Sunday, February 28th, 2010 at 01:14:18.

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Oh those flights with the stomach rumbles. When you think of some flights being 4 hours or longer without any food being served at all, or having to pay for food on your flight, you may want to bring your own snacks on board.

So many times when I wanted to purchase a sandwich on board it wasn’t available, leaving chips and candies as my only other palatable options. It is hard to find healthier options on board flights so I usually resort to packing my own snacks.

Many of the items don’t require refrigeration so you can also create your inflight menu of items from your vacation location as well. I do tote it all in a small, soft-sided cooler bag so that I have everything in one place.

I am sharing my own list of food I often bring on board in - Food For Flights - Packing Snacks

Image courtesy of Arlene Fleming

Packing Snacks originally appeared on About.com Air Travel on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 02:24:42.

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Having worked for an airline for years, both friends and readers alike have asked me about flying with infants, and whether you can take an infant car seat on board a flight. So, can you bring your infant’s car seat on board?

Currently, you do have the choice between carrying a child under two years old as a lap baby (no seat) on almost every airline, or purchasing a seat for your child. If you choose to purchase a seat, or chance it and try for an unoccupied seat for your child, the question then becomes whether you can bring the car seat you already own on board.

Having traveled with the under 2 set, I can tell you that it really can be confusing. And airlines are starting to restrict what you can check in for free, the types of strollers you can bring to the gate - and more. So let’s look at what makes an infant car seat acceptable to bring on board.

Bringing Car Seats on a Flight for Infants and Toddlers Under Two

image courtesy of Arlene Fleming

Babies, Car Seats and Flights originally appeared on About.com Air Travel on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 at 00:25:33.

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Lufthansa pilots are set to strike over the next few days which will affect thousands of passengers. The strike is set to occur between Monday, February 22 to Thursday, February 25 .

Lufthansa is posting information for affected passengers, including flight provisions, cancellation options, and policies.

You can stay current with Lufthansa’s Travel Information page.

Lufthansa Strike - February 22 to 25, 2010 originally appeared on About.com Air Travel on Sunday, February 21st, 2010 at 18:50:54.

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If you happen to be under 26, or are booking and paying for flights for someone in this age     demographic, then you may be aware that there are often discounted student airfares available. Trouble is, where do you find them?

About.com’s Guide to Student Travel does a great job at finding the relevant sites, analyzing them, and updating special airfare offers specifically geared towards the student traveler. A lot of students may be continuing their travels, or are heading back to school soon, so it is a particularly good time to check out resources to help secure a student rate for flights.

Student Airfares and Student Travel Agencies

Australia also has options for students, and those under 30 to travel and work for a year. Currently, Tourism Australia is offering a package including flights, 2 nights accommodations, visa, orientation and job leads - details are in Airfare Travel Deals this Week.

And if you are a student traveling to a sun destination for Spring Break you may find Packing list for warmer climates - Carry-on Only useful for packing carry-on luggage and avoiding checked luggage fees.

image courtesy of Arlene Fleming

Student Air Travel originally appeared on About.com Air Travel on Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 01:50:18.

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One of my worst flight experiences involved someone else’s vomit, a middle seat, and a funeral. Every air traveler has their horror story about flying. Some may involve delays, cancellations or poor customer service, and others terror in the sky like wretched turbulence.

I’ve recounted two of my worst flying experiences: one involved the flight that never was and contracting amoebic dysentery (yes, in some way I have found the canceled flight at least partly to blame); and the other involved a funeral and a whole lot of vomit.

If miserable flight experiences love company, then be sure to add your air travel horror stories as well.

Worst Flights Ever - Bad Flying Experiences recounts my worst tales of air travel woe, with an option at the bottom labeled Readers Respond: Really Bad Experiences with the Airlines for you to share your own terrible flight experiences.

Worst Flight Ever originally appeared on About.com Air Travel on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 at 02:11:28.

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There are airports around the world that have services and areas aimed to de-stress the weary traveler. If you are looking at a way to pamper yourself or someone special, and are hitting the airport, then maybe consider taking a spa treatment as part of the air travel experience. Plus, it could make for a nice Valentine’s Day gift if you are shopping for one.

The About.com Guide to Spas has written a primer on what to expect at airport spas, and includes a list of several airport spa locations. And I have included a few other airports that have spa and relaxation facilities…

Airport Spas in U.S. and Canada
Spas, Relaxation, Entertainment - Philadelphia International Airport
Spas, Relaxation, Entertainment - All at Vancouver International Airport

image courtesy of Arlene Fleming

Airport Spas - A Bit of Pampering for Valentine’s Day originally appeared on About.com Air Travel on Sunday, February 14th, 2010 at 01:04:39.

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