Getting around the United States by air is usually the fastest way to go, and with the downward trend in airline fares these days, sometimes it will be the cheapest as well. But there are additional considerations to be aware of – chiefly, that buying airline tickets generally commits you to a specific schedule, as making itinerary changes at a later date will likely incur significant additional expenses. If you are considering flying within the United States, here are a few important facts and web resources for you:
Checking Flight Schedules, Booking Flights
- Passport Junkie (naturally) shows you all the airlines that offer nonstop flights between two desired cities
- Kayak allows you to search current schedules and fares for any pair of cities and for nearly all US airlines
- The largest airline not visible on Kayak is Southwest Airlines – for any trip, they are worth checking as they usually have or match the lowest fares offered for economy class travel (Southwest Airlines aircraft are 100% economy seating)
Additional Fees for Baggage and Ticket Changes
- Compared to airlines in other countries, airlines in the USA have generous carry-on baggage allowances – passengers can bring two pieces of carry-on luggage – one small item (purse or laptop) and one larger item (small rolling suitcase, medium-size backpack). Especially large or heavy items (such as external frame backpacks, or large internal frame packs) must be checked into the luggage hold. For checked items, most US airlines charge an additional $15 USD – $25 USD per bag. Ever the rebel, Southwest Airlines does not charge for checked luggage.
- Making changes to an airline reservation (changing the date of travel, for example) typically incurs an additional “change fee” of around $100 – $150 USD, IN ADDITION to any difference in fare (if the fare for the flight is more expensive on the day you make the change vs the original date of purchase, you must pay the difference as well as this “change fee”). Again, Southwest Airlines provides an exception to this rule, and does not assess change fees (though if the fare amount has gone up, you still must pay any difference in fare).
At the Airport – What Else to Know
- Baggage check-in and security procedures at US airports can require significant time (compared to air travel in other countries, security lines in particular are quite long) – in most cases, you should arrive at the airport at least 60-90 minutes before your flight departs. Keep this additional time in mind when comparing your travel options (vs train or bus for example).
- Additionally, there are very specific restrictions for carry-on luggage, especially for any liquid items (toothpaste, shampoo, wine bottles, etc). Even if the item is unopened, no liquid container over 3.4 ounces (100 mL) is allowed as a carry-on, instead it must be checked into the luggage hold for your flight. To learn more about security regulations and procedures, check out the Transportation Security Administration website.
