I haven't travelled domestically by air in decades

[Mr. Scorpio]

I've only drove or took the train to go places all this time... I like driving and the places I went weren't too far away to make traveling by car or train all that inconvenient.

However, I'm thinking about flying wifey to a Vegas weekend for the very first time, off season probably.

I'm just wondering what things I should know before we take a trip.

Any advice?

[Phoenix61]

1. Direct flights are best.

If you can’t do that minimum 1:30 hour layover. Personally, I like two especially if I’m checking luggage. A map of all airports is really handy especially where food is located. Download the airline app. You can check gate assignments while waiting to deplane.

[Kali]

2. take a greyhound

it will be more pleasant

[PJMcK]

3. Make sure you have plenty of time

Flights are highly unpredictable because of staffing and equipment shortages. Flights are often delayed or cancelled and there's nothing we passengers can do about it.

Travel lightly, if possible. I prefer to check my luggage because then I'm not one of "those people" who bring the contents of their den with them on the plane. (To each their own, of course.)

Mask up! Covid is still out there and you and your wife will want to stay healthy.

Lastly, this is obvious. Be nice to the airline employees. You'll get better service and possibly you'll even be treated a little special. I've had many occasions where I'd get a free upgrade or a free drink or something just for being pleasant or helping if appropriate.

Mot importantly, have fun! Although the joy of air travel disappeared long ago, you can still have a good experience.

[A HERETIC I AM]

4. Book the economy fare and pay for an upgrade to 1st.

It is sometimes cheaper to doing it that way instead of just buying the 1st class seat.

Book the flight as far ahead as is reasonable for your plans. Earlier booking = more seat choices.

Search for flights using Google Flights. Search for 1st class and note the fares, then search for economy and see the difference. Cross reference that on the airlines website/App

If you have to fly coach/economy, ALWAYS take an aisle seat. Easier to get in and out of and a whole lot more comfortable than having someone on both sides of you or a wall and a person (window seat). You’re traveling with your wife, so try and get two aisle seats across from each other. Lots of airlines are charging extra for “Preferred Seating” these days, and even though it sucks, it’s often worth it because it puts you at the front end of the plane or gives you more legroom.

If you are able, choose an exit row seat. They have more legroom, but the seats typically don’t recline. Why people insist on reclining their seats in economy cabins these days is beyond me, but it happens.

I fly home from Anchorage, AK on the 26th after 3 weeks working up here and paid for a 1st class upgrade both directions. I have an almost 6.5 hour flight for the first leg (ANC —> DFW) and having a comfortable seat makes a world of difference.

Enjoy Vegas!

[Deb]

5. How about an all inclusive trip booked with a local agent?

So nice not to have the transportation hassles. Casinos did make incentives available to agents in the past. Good Luck!

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

6. I fly fairly regularly

Direct flights are the best. With staffing issues the airlines are having, I would never deal with connecting flights for fear that delays or cancelations will screw things up.

Check TSA's rules on what you can bring in your carry on.

Pay for the most comfortable seat you can afford, especially if the flight is 4hrs or more. They really cram you in, and if you are tall or bigger, the normal economy seats are not that comfortable or have much leg room.

Check the airports website to get a idea on where to park, where to go, and where the rideshare area is, if you are using that. For Vegas, the ride share area is in the parking garage, 2nd level, near baggage claim.

ULCC's are not always the cheapest. Spirit, for example, may have a lower fare for the flight, but will nickel and dime you for everything else. Once you figure in baggage cost and seat cost(if decide to pick yours) plus the fees, then your total may wind up close to, or more than and ticket from a airline like Delta.

[yellowdogintexas]

9. don't fly Spirit.

I live in Fort Worth, so American turns out to be my best option, especially since I only fly to Phoenix or Nashville and both have lots of flight choices.

I'm taking a trip to Phoenix the end of July and I am using miles. I booked several weeks ago and my ticket is costing $11; I bought flight insurance because of flight cancellations and the possibility I might test COVID positive while there and have to extend my stay. Total cost $49 plus tax

To get that cheap ticket, I had to select a transfer. Going out through
Albuquerque and returning through El Paso. The El Paso airport is very nice and I
do not mind a layover there at all.

[highplainsdem]

7. Since there isn't as much leg room as there used to

be, see these tips:

https://www.stoptheclot.org/travel/in-flight-fitness/

[FakeNoose]

8. I don't fly often, but I learned a valuable lesson many years ago

Booking a flight in the middle of the day might look like a convenient time for me - but I'll never do it again. Those mid-day flights are the ones that never fill up and they're ones that are most likely to get cancelled.

The airlines will NOT fly a half-empty plane. If your middle of the day flight looks like it won't be full, you should assume that the flight will be cancelled, and you'll be forced to scramble for something else. It's an aggravating pain in the ass!

Trust me, the best flight time to book is the first flight out in the morning of the day you want to go. It means getting up at 4 in the morning (or whatever) but this is the plane that will leave on time. You have no guarantee that the other flights will leave the airport, or they might be hours late.

Take the earliest flight you can get and deal with the lack of sleeptime later - after you've arrived in Las Vegas.

Good luck!