The travel industry significantly grew in the last decade as more people started traveling. So did Air Travel, with frequent flights and flexible options to suit our budget and needs. However, the pricing model is outrageous and borderline unethical, but it also reduced our travel time.
Air travel has become one of the most convenient and efficient ways to travel long distances in a short amount of time. Delhi-New York flights take merely 15 hours, which is very convenient. While it provides several benefits, it also has downsides that we cannot ignore. Therefore, I decided to share my thoughts about the good and bad sides of air travel and a few scopes of improvement that will make our travel experience better.
3 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Air Travel.
Q1: What is the cheapest day to fly?
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are the cheapest days to fly. Plus, you will find empty airports, short queues, and lesser chances of delays and cancellations. I literally booked a one-way ticket from Seattle to Las Vegas for $19, which is cheaper than my Uber ride to the airport.
Q2: Which is the cheapest website for flight booking?
I trust only two websites, Skyscanner and Google Flights, for comparing and booking my flight tickets. Both are great and suggest the best price and deals.
Q3: Which are the cheapest Airlines in the USA?
Frontier and Spirit are two of the best low-cost carriers in the USA that I use frequently. Both offer the lowest price possible and a comfortable journey.
Q4: How far in advance should I book a flight for the best prices?
I typically book international flight tickets 2 to 3 months in advance and use comparison websites like Skyscanner or Google Flights for domestic flights, leaving a gap of 3 weeks to a month.
Cons:
1. Fluctuating fares and profiteering
Fluctuating fares and profiteering are two things I dislike the most about the airline industry. The aviation pricing model works on the concepts of profiteering, where they take advantage of a situation (travel ban, climate change, etc.) to earn profits by charging high prices.
The aviation industry uses AI algorithms to decide the price of a ticket, leading to frequent price fluctuating. There are a few hacks that you can try. However, due to the pandemic and sudden travel restrictions, the prices have risen ten times than usual.
The travel ban imposed on Indian citizens in 2021 by the US government was one of the best examples to understand the depth of this situation. As we all know, Indians are the second-largest Asian Americans residing in the US. Therefore, when President Joe Biden announced an indefinite travel ban, it wreaked havoc in the lives of those who came to visit their families in India. As a result, people started searching for flights to reach the country asap, which sent the prices soaring sky-high. However, this doesn’t end here. The situation worsened with complicated refund policies and additional charges that made the overall experience bitter.
2. Delays and Cancellations
Air travel is prone to delays and cancellations, particularly during inclement weather, which can be a source of annoyance for those with strict itineraries. In 2021, Abhishek’s trip from the USA to India for his H1B visa stamping exemplified this. The weather worsened, necessitating a change of airport, leaving him stranded and causing him to miss his appointment while flying through Newark.
3. Environmental Impact
Air travel has a considerable impact on the environment. The aviation industry still has a long way to go in terms of adopting eco-friendly fuels. The emissions from flights contribute significantly to greenhouse gases and climate change, leaving a large carbon footprint. Additionally, air travel is a significant source of noise pollution, causing disturbance to wildlife and residents.
4. Health and Safety Concerns
Given the ongoing Covid pandemic, air travel was the primary factor in the transmission of the virus. Moreover, flying can be a stressful experience for some, with cramped quarters, recycled air, and unsanitary bathrooms causing discomfort and other safety concerns such as turbulence and engine malfunctions.
On the brighter side (Pros):
1. Speed and convenience:
Air travel is now quicker and more convenient than ever before. With the availability of non-stop and direct flights between cities worldwide, reaching your destination is a breeze. A wide range of airlines offers pricing options to suit your itinerary and budget. Thanks to technology, booking flights is now effortless. You can check in online, choose your seat, place an order for in-flight dining, and monitor your flight status, all from the comfort of your home.
2. Comfort
Air travel has considerably improved in terms of comfort over the years. With advancements in seating, in-flight entertainment, and meal options, flying has become a more enjoyable experience.
3. Global Accessibility
Accessing the most remote locations and mountainous cities has become easier than before, thanks to our booming aviation industry. It has not only reduced our travel time but also enabled us to reach complicated destinations like the Andamans, Alaska, and Antarctica in a much easier and more comfortable way. And we travelers are grateful for that! Air travel provided opportunities to experience diverse cultures, meet new people, and create lasting memories.
Possible solution?
Artificial intelligence is an excellent tool for automating the ticketing model of the aviation industry. However, machines can never empathize with our emotions, no matter how smart they are. Here are a few suggestions that I feel are a win-win for both the airlines and the flyers.
Price Cap
A price cap on airfares can help avoid companies over-charging on last-minute bookings. Moreover, it will help them gain loyal customers and improve customer satisfaction.
Better cancellation and theft policy
Designating canceled ticket credits as default refunds can help retain customers and protect their hard-earned money. Obtaining a refund can be tedious, requiring multiple follow-ups with customer service teams. Hence, by implementing this policy as default, airlines can reduce customers’ frustration by almost 90%. Airline theft is a real issue, and let me tell you, the process of filing a theft and refund is not good at all. In 2021, I had a bitter experience with Indigo airlines that was so negative that I would never fly with them again.
I hope the aviation industry continues to make improvements for a better and smoother travel experience. While travel can be exciting, it can also be a strain on both finances and mental well-being. This post aims to highlight common issues encountered during flight booking and explore potential solutions to enhance the process. What are your thoughts on this topic?
4 Comments
Airlines and their pricing is terrible. I think the whole model is terrible. Although I love flying, but the commercial experience is terrible.
You are right, airlines should have a cap on the price. If demand is high, then it should be first come first served and not “only richest served”.
Cancelling a ticket and getting a refund is a nightmare.
Despite paying a ticket price almost equal to an average indian’s monthly salary, the treatment you get at airports, s horrible too. Plus made to sit in a flight with AC switched off waiting endlessly for its take off time. The horribly bad food served on board. Profiteering from whatever possible : luggage size and weight, seat position, “wanting to sit together as a couple, pay more”, luggage trolleys at some airports, who knows even charge to use the toilet soon.
Then no responsibility for lost luggage.
Airports seem to have extremely high charges which creep into the ticket price of each flight ticket. Why do airports charge so much? They should be a utility provided for by tax payers money (which in most cases it already is). Airports also make money from food and retail stores.
I could go on.
Glad you liked the post and all of your points are absolutely correct. I hope that they fix at least a few of these to make our travel smoother. 🙂
I fully endorse your thoughts based on your own experiences. In India, the situation is no better even for domestic fliers. And why are the cancellation / rescheduling charges are almost 80% to 90% of the amount paid ? Isn’t it another form of profiteering / swindling / by whatever name it may be called ?
So true, honestly I have never received a refund for any flight not even in form of credits.