If time is an issue, always look for nonstop flights, which require no change of plane and make no stops. If possible, avoid connecting flights, which stop at least once and can involve a change of plane, although the flight number remains the same; if the first leg is late, the second waits.

CUTTING COSTS

The Sunday travel section of most newspapers is a good source of deals.

MAJOR AIRLINES

The least-expensive airfares from the major airlines are priced for round-trip travel and are subject to restrictions. You must usually book in advance and buy the ticket within 24 hours to get cheaper fares, and you may have to stay over a Saturday night. The lowest fare is subject to availability, and only a small percentage of the plane's total seats is sold at that price. It's good to call a number of airlines, and when you are quoted a good price, book it on the spot---the same fare on the same flight may not be available the next day. Airlines generally allow you to change your return date for a $25--$50 fee, but most low-fare tickets are nonrefundable. However, if you don't use the return ticket, you can apply the cost to the price of a new ticket, for a small charge.

Consolidators Consolidators, who buy tickets at reduced rates from scheduled airlines, sell them at prices below the lowest available from the airlines directly---usually without advance restrictions. Sometimes you can even get your money back if you need to return the ticket. Carefully read the fine print detailing penalties for changes and cancellations. If you doubt the reliability of a consolidator, confirm your reservation with the airline.

ALOFT

Airline Food If you hate airline food, ask for special meals when booking. They can be vegetarian, low-cholesterol, or kosher, for example; commonly prepared to order in smaller quantities than standard catered fare, these meals can be tastier.

Smoking Smoking is banned on all flights within the United States of less than six hours' duration and on all Canadian flights; the ban also applies to domestic segments of international flights aboard U.S. and foreign carriers. Delta has banned smoking system-wide.

On U.S. carriers flying to destinations abroad, a seat in a no-smoking section must be provided for every passenger who requests one, and the section must be enlarged to accommodate such passengers as long as they have complied with the airline's deadline for check-in and seat assignment. If smoke bothers you, request a seat far from the smoking section.

Foreign airlines are exempt from these rules but do provide no-smoking sections. British Airways and Cathay Pacific have banned smoking, as has Virgin Atlantic on most international flights; some nations have banned smoking on all domestic flights, and others may ban smoking on some flights. Talks continue on the feasibility of broadening no-smoking policies.

JET LAG

To avoid this syndrome, which occurs when travel disrupts your body's natural cycles, try to maintain a normal routine. When flying at night, get some sleep. By day, eat light meals, drink water---not alcohol---and move about the cabin to stretch your legs.

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