I have read many stories about free air tickets over the years. But these stories are becoming even more prominent due to the credit crunch. I have a hunch that some of these advertisements could be scams.

However, if you scoured through travel sites and travel forums, stories abound of people who have actually travelled free. There are some straightforward ways you can get a free air ticket. This is mainly through credit card free-ticket promotions and free tickets offered after you accumulate enough travel airmails.

Some newspaper travel supplements often cite courier flights that offer cut-price tickets in return for delivering a parcel as a way to snap up bargains. Yet finding them is virtually impossible. Indeed people have now made it a cash cow scheme. There are websites that charge you for information on how you can find websites and bucket shops offering these free tickets at a nominal fee of around 10 pounds.

The story goes that the courier company buys an economy (coach) class airfare. They then resell the ticket to you and, in exchange for your luggage space, give you a discount on the airfare. The courier company uses your luggage space for the material it is shipping. A representative from the courier company would usually meet you at the airport to give you shipping papers and instructions.

On arrival at your destination, another courier representative will meet you so that you can hand over the papers. You are not allowed to see or touch the shipment or luggage. I have done some online sleuthing on this and looks like there is unverified information confirming the existence of this scheme.

The other less intriguing route to a free ticket is by way of coupons. This is more common in the USA. It is reported that if a flight is overbooked and everyone shows up, airlines offer financial incentives for passengers who voluntarily opt to remain behind.

Some travellers have learnt how to take advantage of such situations by registering their interest at the check in desk. If there are no volunteers, just before boarding, the airline representatives will announce that the plane is oversold and ask if anyone wants to step off. People with the most flexible schedules can agree to fly later on an indirect flight leaving their seats to others. To thank you, apparently,the airline will typically reward you with airline ticket coupons worth hundreds of dollars to be used later but not on your current trip.

While you are pondering about whether to go hunting for free air tickets, I would like to enlighten you on how tickets and passengers are classified by the travel industry. You might have come across this social stratification when reading the small prints on the reverse of your air tickets or when calculating your air miles.

Revenue Passengers
Examples of revenue passengers:
(1) Passengers traveling on publicly available tickets
(2) Passengers traveling on frequent flyer awards
(3) Passengers traveling on barter tickets
(4) Infants traveling on confirmed-space tickets
(5) Passengers traveling on vouchers as compensation for denied boarding or passengers traveling free in response to consumer complaints or claims
(6) Passengers traveling on preferential fares (Government, seamen, military, youth, student and others)

No revenue Passengers
A Nonrev or Non-rev, in airline parlance, is short for a non-revenue passenger. Typically this refers to an airline employee, or family member of an airline employee, who is utilizing their travel benefits to fly on a standby basis at no cost, or at a substantially reduced cost.

Examples of nonrevenue passengers when traveling free or pursuant to token charges
(1) Directors, officers, employees, and others authorised by the air carrier operating the aircraft
(2) Directors, officers, employees, and others authorised by the air carrier or another air carrier traveling pursuant to a pass interchange agreement
(3) Travel agents being transported for the purpose of familiarising themselves with the carrier’s services
(4) Witnesses and attorneys attending any legal investigation in which such carrier is involved
(5) Persons injured in aircraft accidents, and physicians, nurses, and others attending such persons
(6) Any persons transported with the object of providing relief in cases of general epidemic, natural disaster, or other catastrophe
(7) Any law enforcement official, including any person who has the duty of guarding government officials who are traveling on official business or traveling to or from such duty
(8) Guests of an air carrier on an inaugural flight or delivery flights of newly- acquired or renovated aircraft
(9) Security guards who have been assigned the duty to guard such aircraft against unlawful seizure, sabotage, or other unlawful interference
(10) Safety inspectors of the National Transportation Safety Board or the FAA in their official duties or traveling to or from such duty
(11) Postal employees on duty in charge of the mails or traveling to or from such duty
(12) Technical representatives of companies that have been engaged in the manufacture, development or testing of a particular type of aircraft or aircraft equipment, when the transportation is provided for the purpose of in-flight observation and subject to applicable FAA regulations
(13) Persons engaged in promoting air transportation
(14) Air marshals and other Transportation Security officials acting in their official capacities and while traveling to and from their official duties
(15) Other authorized persons, when such transportation is undertaken for promotional purpose. This list is not exhaustive and is provided for illustrative purposes only

I wish you happy ticket hunting.If you a re not the gullible type, book your holiday early through a travel agent.

Patrick is an expert research and travel consultant. He is currently writing about;
manchester,
service guarantee ,
manchester airparks
and airparks.

[tags]free air ticket, holidayextras, airparport parking, airparks,free flights[/tags]

When it comes to air travel, everyone worries about how their checked luggage is being handled and whether or not it will become lost. If this sounds familiar, you will be glad to know that there are a number of ways to help your luggage to find its way back to you upon arrival at your destination.

$ Print or type your name, address, phone number and destination legibly on both the outside and inside of each piece of luggage. A luggage tag is required, but placing your contact information on the interior of your luggage will help in the event that the outside tag becomes detached.

$ Do not place important possessions, such as money, medication, jewelry, cameras, credit cards, travel documents and other valuable items in checked luggage. Instead, make sure that everything is packed in your carry-on bag and remains with you at all times. In addition, fragile items should not be packed in checked luggage as they could easily become damaged.

$ If you are traveling with gifts, do not wrap them. Because baggage is subject to inspection, having wrapped gifts will only delay the process.

$ When traveling by air, pack as lightly as possible. You should take one carry-on bag that will fit below the seat in front of you. Most airlines allow for two bags to be checked free of charge. After that, an excessive baggage fee may be charged.

$ Before arriving at the airport, make sure that you have checked to make sure that your luggage meets both the size and weight restrictions imposed by the airlines. The best way to ensure this is by calling ahead or visiting the airline’s website for additional information on luggage requirements.

$ When deciding what type of luggage to use, take a moment to consider whether or not you will be checking it with the airlines. Checked luggage should be sturdy and should never be bulging, damaged or not completely closed.

$ If your current luggage is old or showing wear, you may want to consider purchasing a new suitcase or other matching accessories that will be better equipped to handle the airline’s checking process. Luggage that is damaged from excessive use or features a damaged zipper should not be checked. Instead, packing lighter or upgrading to a new and improved luggage set may be the answer.

$ When shopping for luggage, make sure that you choose that which best conforms to your lifestyle. There is a big difference between leisurely travel and regular business travel and your luggage must be chosen accordingly. If you are an occasional traveler, you may prefer to have a high quality luggage set that is designed for recreational use. If you travel regularly for business, you will need to purchase luggage that will withstand excessive use and features a generous warranty.

When it comes to travel, luggage is a crucial accessory. It is important to know what to buy and how to prepare your bags for a safe and happy journey. There is nothing worse than having to deal with the stress of lost or damaged luggage and, by following the aforementioned guidelines, you will help to minimize that possibility.

Brian Dolezal is a contributing editor for TopConsumerReviews.com, a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for hundreds of consumer products. You can find out how top luggage stores compare by visiting TopConsumerReviews.com today.

[tags]luggage stores, luggage, buy luggage, buying luggage, choose luggage, choosing luggage, vacation[/tags]

When it comes to luggage, there are basic styles that are designed to accommodate a variety of different items, including clothes, incidentals and even electronics. It’s important to understand the different types of luggage so that you can choose the best style for your needs. Whether you are taking a family vacation, travel a lot for business or simply taking a trip to spend some time alone, the right luggage will help to get you there in style.

Chests & trunks. This type of luggage was very popular in history and is traditionally made from heavy materials. Modern luggage is much lighter, although trunks are now commonly used for storage or possibly even relocation because of their ability to house a lot of items.

Suitcase. This type of luggage is commonly used for clothing and is available as both hardside and softside. The majority of modern suitcases also feature a locking pull bar and wheels for easy transport.

Tote. This type of bag is commonly worn on the shoulder and features various compartments, both internal and external, and can be also be used as a briefcase. Today, a modern tote can be used to carry a notebook computer, cell phone and other types of office-related material necessary for business. A tote can also be used as an overnight bag for short trips.

Duffle. This type of luggage is square, can be worn on the shoulder or carried using handles and features no frame, which makes it ideal for expanding to accommodate plenty of luggage. Although a duffle generally has little or no internal compartments, they are terrific for overstuffing and packing plenty of souvenirs from your trip.

Garment bag. This type of luggage is ideal for formal and/or business wear. In some cases, individuals also use a garment bag for casual wear in order to avoid creasing or fold lines. Because garment bags are large, they are commonly hung from the back seat of an automobile during travel.

Cosmetics Bag. This small luggage accessory, as its name implies, is designed for packing all of your cosmetics into one convenient place. This not only provides for organization and easy retrieval, but is also ideal for keeping cosmetics away from your clothing. A cosmetic bag typically features a zip closure and is small enough to fit inside of other pieces of luggage within a set.

In addition to these, there are various handheld luggage accessories that are designed specifically for the purpose of housing incidentals and toiletries. Because these small bags feature a number of separated internal compartments, owners will enjoy being able to pack the items that they need in their own designated pocket. In addition, multiple pockets allow for organization at its finest and will prevent you from having to pack everything in with your clothing.

Whether you want to purchase a luggage set or prefer to buy each piece separately as you need it, having the knowledge of various types and what each one is designed for will help to make your shopping experience much easier. Luggage is no longer a bulky and overpowering accessory that we are embarrassed to carry. Today’s luggage is sleek, fashionable and has enough appeal to work well in every situation while remaining in style.

Brian Dolezal is a contributing editor for TopConsumerReviews.com, a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for hundreds of consumer products. You can find out how top luggage stores compare by visiting TopConsumerReviews.com today.

[tags]luggage stores, luggage, buy luggage, buying luggage, choose luggage, choosing luggage, vacation[/tags]

The best way to handle lost luggage is to simply avoid it. You can help to ensure your luggages safe arrival by printing or typing your name, address, phone number and destination on both the exterior and interior of each of your bags. The outside luggage tag is required, but placing your name on the interior will help your bag to be located in the event that the luggage tag becomes detached.

If a mishap does occur and your luggage is lost, you should report it to the airlines immediately. Most require that reports of lost or damaged luggage be made within hours of the incident, which means time is of the essence. Your first step will be to file a claim, which will get your information in the system and may help you to locate your luggage faster. During the process, you will be asked to give an accurate description of the bag(s) that was lost, which is why it’s a good idea to write down the size, color, manufacturer, weight and any other distinguishing marks that may help to identify your luggage quickly. Keep this information in your purse or your carry-on luggage for easy retrieval. An accurate description will be essential in the safe and prompt return of your luggage.

When it comes to damaged luggage, you can help to prevent this occurrence by not overstuffing your bags and by making sure that all zippers and/or closures and properly fastened. In addition, make sure that straps or pull bars are not protruding on your luggage. If your bags should become damaged, it is important that you report the incident to the airlines immediately. Much like the process with lost luggage, most airlines require that reports of damage be made within hours. In some instances, the airline will repair your luggage at no cost as it may be covered under their passenger warranty.

If at all possible, you may be able to prevent lost or damaged luggage by only packing enough items to fit inside of your carry-on. Most airlines allow for one carry-on bag plus a personal item, which may include a purse or briefcase. If you are concerned about space, take a moment to consider alternative packing options. Instead of folding your clothes traditionally, try rolling them instead. This method will not only allow you to pack more while using less space, but it will also help to eliminate fold lines and creases, both of which can result with folding. In addition, be sure to make use of any small zipper compartments or spare pockets within your luggage. This will allow you to pack more and minimize space, which may mean you can fit everything into one carry-on and one personal item.

When it comes to your luggage and protecting the valuable possessions that you own, there is no reason not to follow the proper instructions that will help to keep everything safe and on schedule. With proper luggage tags, taking extra time to make sure that your luggage is secure and meets all restrictions imposed by the airlines, you will be well on your way to happy travels.

Brian Dolezal is a contributing editor for TopConsumerReviews.com, a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for hundreds of consumer products. You can find out how top luggage stores compare by visiting TopConsumerReviews.com today.

[tags]luggage stores, luggage, buy luggage, buying luggage, choose luggage, choosing luggage, vacation[/tags]

In 1496 a talented inventor and artist attempted to get the world’s first passenger flying machine airborne, but to no avail. Several centuries later, the sketches produced by Leonardo da Vinci helped propel aviation to new heights, literally. There are people alive today that witnessed the first zeppelin, followed by the first passenger aeroplane and the rise and fall of Concorde. It is extraordinary to think that aviation safety has advanced to such a degree that anyone can learn to fly a plane.

Images of people leaping off a pier desperately clinging to a homemade contraption that would have made the Wright Brothers wince is what many people first think of at the thought of an average Joe wanting to learn to fly a plane. However, there are a number of courses and days out that enable anyone with nerves of steel to take over the controls of a private aircraft to learn to fly.

As any pilot will tell you it is taking off and landing that require the skills honed by pilots over the years, so in that respect flying itself is relatively easy once up in the air. Micro gliders and small passenger craft are favourites for thrill seekers, as are stunt planes where would be pilots can have a go at doing a loop da loop thousands of feet above the ground.

Some flying lessons can count towards gaining a pilot’s licence, rather than just being for fun. These lessons allow the novice pilot to take off and land to get to grips with the controls. In aviation industry it is said that every landing is a controlled crash, with no two ever the same, so the more lessons that can be had to practice this element, the quicker someone can learn to fly a plane and gain a pilot licence.

Most pilots are fairly anonymous unless they have been involved in combat, but one pilot who is a household name is testament to the fact that nowadays anyone can learn to fly a plane. The actor John Travolta now has a full pilot licence which entitles him to fly a Boeing 707, a passenger airliner that is just one of five planes that he owns.

Learning to fly a plane brings with it some logistical problems, especially if you want to keep your craft near your home. Travolta has famously taken up a residence that is connected to Greystone Airport so that not only does he have somewhere to park his plane, he is also able to taxi to his very own runway right from his front door.

Dom Donaldson is a transport expert.
If you want to Learn To Fly A Plane or take a passenger ride in a classic aircraft visit http://www.experiencemad.co.uk/Flying-Lessons

[tags]Learn To Fly A Plane, flying lessons, aviation, aeroplanes, plane flying[/tags]

All citizens and residents of the US wishing to travel to and in China must obtain a travel to China visa. However, there are six different types of china visa and it is important to make sure you get the correct one to avoid major difficulties with the Chinese government resulting from not having the proper paperwork while moving around in the country. The six types of travel in China visas are as follows:

Type L (tourist) visa - This is the type of visa issued to US citizens or residents who wish to visit China for the purpose of tourism, visiting family or friends, or for purely personal reasons. Tourists possessing a type L visa are not permitted to work or engage in any business activities while in the country.

Type F (business) visa - This type of visa is required of anyone seeking to conduct an investigation, give a lecture, participate in a technological, scientific, or cultural exchange, conduct business, or participate in advanced studies of a duration less than six months. Students on a type F visa may participate in an unpaid internship, but may not work in the country.

Type Z (work) visa - This is the type of visa required by anyone planning to accept employment in China. This person’s dependents will also be issued a type Z visa.

Type X (Student) visa - This visa is required of students wishing to attend college in China to pursue higher education. The time allowed depends on the time frame for the course of study. Within thirty days of arrival, this visa must be converted to a Residence Permit by the Public Security Bureau in the town the student will be living/studying in. Proof of enrollment in a course of study and the length of the course must be provided.

Type C (crew) visa - This is a special type of visa only issued to flight crews who come into China and leave again the same day for work purposes. An overnight stay may be allowed, but extended stays in China are not permitted with a crew visa.

J1/J2 (News Media) visa - This is the type of visa issued to journalists and news agencies seeking admission to China for the purpose of covering news events. How long the visa will be good (how long the journalists can remain in China) will be determined at the time of issuance and is never more than a few months.

The reason for the visit to China determines which type of China visa is required. The rules governing each visa type are strict and must be adhered to completely or one will face criminal charges and or immediate deportation. When planning to travel to China, it is important to know the type of visa needed and submit the proper application forms and supporting documentation to make processing the application and issuing the correct visa as quick and easy as possible for the Chinese consulate and so that you will know the terms under which you are allowed to visit the country.

Seomul Evans is a senior search engine ranking expert specializing in organic search engine optimization and copywriter for Oasis a processor of China Tourist Visas

[tags]Travel,visa,tourism,recreation,china,services,asia,Chinese,airlines,corporate travel,business[/tags]

New York is one of the top places to visit. It is a city that never sleeps, and it is busy the whole year. However, it is no secret that a plane ticket to New York can be somewhat expensive. Sometimes, great deals are found on the Internet, but you should be aware that most of these deals are either scams or a misrepresentation of what they really are.

A lot of people will choose to go for cheap flights to New York to save some money, but they are not aware of the hidden fees. Sometimes what seems cheap may end up costing you more. Always read the fine print, this is the only way to find out about hidden fees.

Some airlines and online booking companies charge a booking fee; this means basically that you can buy a cheaper plane ticket with a travel agency. Although it does not make any sense, it happens, and it is something to look out for. You should also check if there are any luggage fees. Most airlines do not disclose that information, and you end up being unpleasantly surprised once you have already arrived at the airport.

Also, many times we see attractive flight deals advertisements. We should read these advertisements carefully, especially if they have an asterisk, because if they do, they are probably making reference to some extra charges that were not mentioned in the body of the advertisement.

Advertising companies tend to leave out all the extra fees. If you take a promotional price for plane ticket you will most probably have to add to it handling fees, services fees, taxes, international taxes and fees. All in all, you may end up paying six hundred more dollars on top of the advertised ticket price.

When traveling from Europe to New York, you should be aware that the cheap airlines charge for every piece of luggage. Plus, they only allow you to have one piece of carry on, and their maximum weight should be twenty-two pounds. So be ready to add to the base fare a significant amount of money for your luggage.

You probably heard of the lowest price guarantee. A lot of airline companies that fly to New York offer this guarantee. It basically states that if you can find a cheaper fare, they will match it. However, you should be aware that in order for the companies to honor this guarantee, the cheaper fare that you found should match their flight’s date, booking class, and flights number.

Cheap flights to New York are not always what they seem. For the inexperienced traveler, it is easy to fall for all these traps. So it is advisable for you to read always, without exception, the fine print. In addition, you should use your common sense, if a plane fare sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

A manager at Advertizia, Julian J. Lenox writes articles and reviews for Travel and Tourism Top 100, a well developed Travel and Tourism websites appraisals pool. Read more at Cheapest Flights To New York.

[tags]cheap flights to new york, new york cheap flights, new york flight deals[/tags]

There’s so much rhetoric about flying that sometimes you’re not quite sure whether to board a plane or not. If it’s not delays it’s the threat of something else from a long list of ‘possibles’.

However, the number of passengers still seems to be increasing according to BAA, the leading airport company that owns seven of the UK’s airports including the largest, London Heathrow.

The company, which also has interests in a number of overseas airports, claims that some 1,700 aircraft a day take off from its UK airports - one every 30 seconds.

And the number of passengers passing through BAA airports in August 2008 soared to 15.2 million according to company data released recently.

The 5.9 per cent rise in passenger figures, compared to July, drew on a marked increase in European scheduled traffic, with 8.2 per cent passenger growth and a 10.2 per cent rise in the number of passengers travelling to the north Atlantic including America.

Little wonder, therefore, that there always seems to be pressure on governments to increase airport capacity. On the one hand the ‘greens’ claim that too much pressure from the skies will have a detrimental effect on the environment, whilst the business community say that the UK will become uncompetitive if it doesn’t allow more planes to land and take off. No doubt similar arguments are put forward by politicians and business leaders the world over.

However, the rise in personal wealth that has continued for many since the late 50’s, has created a changing world centred on shopping, materialism and the desire to see more of the world.

And it is something that airlines have not been slow to capitalise upon. Cheap flights from the likes of Jet2 and Ryanair have spawned a whole new industry committed to cramming as many people on aeroplanes as possible for the lowest possible cost.

This has not only fuelled numbers of people travelling compared with years ago, but international holiday hops have become more accessible to those people that, in a previous life, would never have dreamed of crossing the ocean; Blackpool, Bridlington or Margate was once the lot of the blue collar worker.

However, with more disposable cash, bigger desires - fuelled by TV and advertisers - there are greater ‘wants’ in life and people are prepared to put their money where their mouths are, pack their cases and head for the local airport.

And no longer is it just Heathrow and Manchester airports. There are now regional airports across the UK and most of them offer some kind of holiday deal. Travelling abroad has become so much easier.

Will it continue? Only the futurologists can hope to predict! While ever there’s disposable cash people will be happy to jump on a plane. However, whether the money flow will continue in years to come, is a matter of much speculation. If the airlines have anything to do with it they will fight tooth and nail to hold on to their market share and to keep international flight at the forefront of people’s minds, but if the politicians and the environmentalists join the debate more vociferously, then it could be a very different story. Happy flying!

Hotels by Airports is a price comparison website for UK airport hotels. Every airport within the UK and now Eire is featured and airport hotels are displayed in order of distance from the actual terminal. Hotel prices are featured from all major online hotel booking agents offering quick and easy access to the best UK airport hotel deals around.

[tags]UK airport hotels,airport hotels[/tags]

Thanks in large part to the Americans With Disabilities Act, just about every major airport has a wheelchair operation in place to assist disabled passengers with airport transportation.

Unfortunately, there are several problems with the standard way of doing things that make it more difficult for both attendants and those that they are there to serve. Issues with broken or misplaced wheelchairs, wheelchairs that aren’t designed to accommodate bariatric passengers and theft are commonplace. Thankfully, there are new advancements in wheelchair design that can greatly improve the transport experience for everyone involved, including airport administrators who are fighting to cuts costs in our troubled economy.

The issue of broken wheelchairs is an easy enough one to resolve. Most standard wheelchairs feature chrome and vinyl construction, which makes them far less durable than steel-framed, weatherproof transport chairs. The lifespan of these standard chairs averages less than one year! Steel-framed chairs will last far longer and require less frequent replacement. As a result, they tend to have significantly longer and more inclusive warranties. They are also far stronger; steel-framed models are available with wider seats and a weight capacity of up to 1,000 pounds, large enough to comfortably accommodate bariatric passengers.

Misplaced and stolen wheelchairs are another issue. Standard chairs are easy to steal for a number of reasons. For one, their generic appearance makes them difficult to distinguish from privately owned wheelchairs. Self-propelled chairs, while in theory reducing the need for attendants to see a passenger from the wheelchair checkout to the terminal, exacerbate the problem because there may be no one to see to it that the chair is returned to the checkout. Since most of them fold, it’s easy for a person to stow the wheelchair in their car’s trunk - a taxi driver assisting a disabled passenger may not even realize he’s stealing a chair!

Advances have been made in commercial transport chairs that are designed to greatly reduce these problems. Look for distinctive chair designs, perhaps with colored frames, that set them apart from privately owned chairs. Chairs with automatic brake systems can keep a passenger from simply wheeling out of the airport with the chair, since they require an attendant to assist passengers from Point A to Point B. And finally, non-folding transport chairs are essential to keeping them in the airport - without a pick-up truck, most people wouldn’t be capable of taking the chairs home with them.

Space constraints can also limit the number of available chairs, which can be a huge problem for busy airports. Wheelchairs, even when folded, take up a great deal of space. One solution to this problem is an investment in a nesting system of transport chairs, which will take up far less space than standard chairs. A nesting system can also be “fenced in” to a particular storage area, much like the shopping cart corrals used in many parking lots. There are also coin-return mechanisms which not only set the chairs apart in terms of looks, but also encourage the chair’s safe return to the storage area.

These developments in wheelchair design have made airport transportation a great deal easier on airport staff. The initial investment in nesting, theft-resistant, durable transport chairs will pay off in the long run through reduced repair and replacement costs.

STAXI is the world’s leading nestable transport chair system and the number one wheelchair alternative for hospitals and airports. STAXI’s are hard to steal, built to last, simple to use and easy to find. Contact at: info@staxi.com Go To www.Staxi.com

[tags]wheelchair, transport wheelchair, patient transportation, passenger transportation, airport transpor[/tags]

We all know those people who spend a week preparing for the flight they are about to make - at least the one they are about to make in seven days!

However, it needn’t be like that because, these days, there is so much to do before you actually step on the plane, and it doesn’t always have to begin with duty free.

Most people aren’t lucky enough to live near their departing airport and many opt to stay in a hotel the night before. This can be fun for a variety of reasons and should be seen as part of your holiday rather than part of your journey.

Competition for the ‘tourist’ pound is now so competitive that you can often get some great deals if you are prepared to shop around and, even better, you can also get a few fringe benefits that might end up making your trip that bit more special.

If your flight is early one morning then aim to take the previous day off work so that you can head for your airport hotel 24 hours before your flight, deposit your bags and pop into town to do a bit of shopping.

If you are flying from Manchester for example, mightn’t it be fun to ditch your bags at one of the airport’s nearby hotels and high tail it into the nearby centre and one of the many attractions offered by the North West’s premier city?

You might want to drive by Manchester United’s impressive stadium or even head for the Lowry Art gallery, theatre and entertainment complex.

Situated dramatically on the waterfront of Salford Quays, it is well-connected to Manchester City Centre by the Metrolink service and for those travelling by car, it is only one mile from the motorway network and two miles from Manchester city centre.
The building, designed by Michael Wilford, is visually stunning - a wonderful, space-age construction of aluminium and titanium, with some hints of Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. The use of interior space is masterful: three theatres, an art gallery, bars and restaurants are enclosed within its walls.
OK, so you aren’t flying from Manchester airport!

A visit to any main centre local to the airport you are flying from is always interesting but, if you aren’t as mobile as you might want to be, then opt for a hotel with a business centre, health spa and sports facility so, as a minimum, you can be work free and totally relaxed before you step on the plane. Travelling can be tiring so a pre flight spa / relaxation session does one of two things:
it relaxes you so that you can sleep on the plane
it relaxes you so that you can better enjoy your flight even if you aren’t an in flight ’sleeper’.
….either way, you can’t loose.

However, if you can’t get the day off prior to your flight then why not think about hiring a stretch limo to take you and the family to the airport? Apart from having lots of luggage space, you can quaff a glass or champagne (orange for the kids!) and have so much fun that your journey will pass quickly leaving you full of laughter, bubbly and chilled spirit, not the alcoholic variety of course!

At the best of times flights can be tiring and a bit of a drag - check in, waiting, more clearances, delays - but if you make the effort to ensure your trip is more ‘fun’ than punishment, then you will profit from your pre planning. Hotels by airports can be more than a place to stay so do your homework and pick something that’s right for you.

Hotels by Airports currently features 160+ hotels at Manchester Airport, listed by distance from the actual terminal. Hotels by Airports is the most comprehensive price comparison website for UK airport hotels.

[tags]hotels by manchester airport,uk airport hotels[/tags]