Air Travel Myths

When traveling by air you need to be prepared and you must check and double check everything to ensure a trouble free flight. The last thing you need is to fall foul of a common air travel myth. Sadly many people would rather rely on information from a friend in preference to a simple telephone call to the airline. So many vacations have been ruined for the sake of a five minute phone call. Below we will take a brief look at some of the more well known air travel myths.

Always get to the airport with plenty of time to spare before check in. It is pure myth that an airline will hold the plane for people who are late. A captain can not hold the aircraft, even for only a few minutes, due to the massive disruption to the airports schedules. If you check in only a few minutes late you have no time to wander aimlessly, pick up your heels and get to your aircraft as quickly as possible!

It is surprising that so many people assume that if their flight is delayed or canceled that they will automatically be compensated and all hotel accommodation and other expenses incurred will be refunded. However the truth of the matter is a little more complicated and, more often than not, you will NOT be entitled to any compensation at all. You will not get compensation if the cause of the flight delay or cancellation is referred to as " force majeure" which is used to describe an act of God (AOG). If, on the other hand, the cause is clearly the airline's fault then you may be entitled. Things like earthquakes are clearly an AOG and all weather related problems are acts of God (and therefore no compensation) but a mechanical problem with the aircraft is deemed the responsibility of the airline and compensation is payable. Obviously there are other reasons for delays but it should never be assumed that compensation is due.

The two air travel myths above are, possibly, the most common but another, which may surprise you, is that airlines do not have to place you on the next flight if yours has been canceled. Obviously, if the cancellation was the responsibility of the airline they will try their best to get you to your destination as soon as possible but they are not legally obliged to. You will be offered the next available flight, ie one on which there is a place for you. However, if you missed your flight things are slightly different. If you missed it because you were simply late then you will find the airline staff helpful but you will have to pay for the new tickets, some airlines will offer a discount but often they do not. This is especially so if you had a budget flight or you booked with a budget airline. If you missed your flight because your connecting flight was late it is more than likely that the fee will be waived and there should be some arrangements already in place before you get there.

If you are traveling in a group it is extremely advisable to book your seat numbers well in advance because it is myth that you will automatically get seats next to each other. Yes, if you inform the attendant they will often try to help arrange your seating together but remember to be as polite as you can as they really do not have to help.

The only safe bet is to check, check and check again before any distance of air travel. Check the times of check in, take-off and arrival etc. but consider checking as much as you can as early as possible. Do not assume that it is safe to carry something in your hand luggage because a close friend or work colleague told you that it was fine to do so - make sure you check with the airline directly. By checking everything you are leaving nothing to chance and you should have a safe and trouble free journey.

Andrew Kelly has lived in the Hebrides of Scotland for 16 years. Initially concentrating on accommodation in the Hebrides he began writing for the Internet he began writing about vacations in Scotland in general and has now published tens of thousands of pages and articles across many popular travel sites.