travelling tips

The line between business class and coach has blurred. Many airlines sell premium economy seating, with wider seats and more legroom, with first dibs going to the ?lite members of their loyalty programs. Also, some airlines, such as ?Virgin America and Spirit, dont charge much for their upper class option; just dont expect the champagne and chateaubriand of yore. Other airlines such as British Airways spin off OpenSkies, which flies New York Paris and New York Amsterdam only have business class seats, but at a fraction of what other airlines charge. And many airlines sell last minute upgrades, but the catch is that if you check in online, youll never see them (the upgrades show up only at check in kiosks or at the check in desk).

Always reserve a seat at the time of booking, and if the airline or booking engine wont let you, keep revisiting until you can. The longer the flight, the more attention you should pay to getting a decent seat resources with detailed seat info include SeatGuru.com, SeatExpert.com and FlyerTalk.com. Dont like the seat options? Select one anyway, then check back every spare minute to change it, including when youre on the plane. (If youre a member of an airline lounge club, ask the agents there to make seat changes for you. Theyre rumored to have more clout.) To snag a coveted exit row seat, arrive at the airport early for check in, since you cant select those seats online. Some airlines charge more for window seats or seats with extra legroom (including the exit row); whether its worth paying depends on the cost, length of flight and your tolerance for discomfort.

Bring your own everything. Its safer than putting yourself at the airlines mercy. Bring a travel pillow, a blanket or sweater if you tend to get cold, entertainment (PSP, iPod), headphones (preferably noise canceling ones, which not only combat engine noise brutal in the rear of the plane but make it so that you can hear the planes entertainment system). And, of course, food while on board prices arent extortionate (a charge airports are far more guilty of), the quality is iffy and the selection meager.

Do your own everything. Have an ?Internet connection? Use it. Many airlines charge a premium any time you interact with an employee, such as booking a reservation over the phone (instead of online). In fact, US Airways now charges $5 extra to passengers who check a bag at the airport (vs. doing it in advance online). And low cost European carrier ?Ryanair announced it was mulling a

Airlines are unbundling services that used to be included in the fare snacks, checked bags, entertainment, wi fi, seat selection. In other words, the airline experience is becoming

If you have kids, buy a portable DVD player before the first time you fly with them. The players cost only about $75, and trust us, its a worthwhile purchase even if you use it on just one trip. (Make sure the battery lasts at least two hours and that its charged beforehand.) We would also advise picking the cheapest unit possible, since your kid probably doesnt care much about screen size or whether the player can handle digital files and will probably just scratch the screen and squish food into the crevices.

Worried about your big carry on bag fitting in the overhead bin? When selecting a seat, choose your row carefully. Airlines tend to board planes in blocks of five or 10 rows, so row 21 may board before row 19. Also, be bold when the gate agent calls the group ahead of yours, get in line as soon as you see that people have stopped joining the line. The odds are that your group will be called before you reach the Jetway, and the worst that can happen is that youll have to wait to board at the front of the line.

If you absolutely have to check a bag, take a digital photo of it (which will help you describe the bag if it gets lost) and a close up of the airlines baggage tag (so you have a record of the airlines routing info). If nothing else, snapping the photo will remind you to verify that your bag is labeled with the correct destination airport code.

Every fraction of an inch counts. To add a smidgen more legroom, stash the in flight magazine and SkyMall catalog from the seat back pocket in your overhead bin. Keep the emergency info card, though theres no point in tempting fate.

The best way to survive the dreaded red eye flight is to eat dinner at the airport and take a prescription sleeping pill with your doctors approval, obviously after takeoff. Dont take it before youre airborne; you could be in trouble if the plane has to return to the gate (or worse).