International flights: guide to choosing an airline and booking your international air ticket

For many people the biggest consideration when choosing an airline for their international flight is price. Certainly this is important, but choosing the time of year you want to fly, and buying your ticket in advance can greatly effect price; so, you might end up getting a good deal on an airfare with an airline you’d be happier flying with. Some things you should consider in addition to ticket cost include:

• Safety – does the airline have a good safety record? Are they well regarded as a safe airline with regular maintenance and fleet upgrades?
• Service – the in-flight service can greatly affect your flying experience, especially on long-haul flights. Some airlines tend to treat economy class passengers like cattle (hence “cattle class”). If you’re flying business or first class, check out the extra services that are provided for your extra money.
• Comfort & entertainment – there’s a big difference between various airlines’ seating and entertainment offers for economy, business and first class passengers alike. Many airlines now provide personal video screens for all passengers, including video and audio on demand. This can certainly help pass the time in the air.
• Reliability – sitting around in airports for hours on end is not the most pleasant experience, even if you have a good novel. Does the airline have a good reputation for arriving and departing on time? Some airlines publish their on-time performance on their websites.

The two main pieces of documentation you need to travel internationally are your passport and travel visas for the countries you want visit (if required). For Australians, passports can be obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs and trade. Visit their website www.passports.gov.au for more information. Many countries will require you to have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport, so check before you leave that your passport isn’t coming up for renewal.

Visas are required by some countries for entry either as a tourist, student or to do work or business. Visa requirements for Australians vary from country to country, so check with the individual embassy for the country you intend to visit. For more general visa information see DFAT’s website.

International airports can be surprisingly fun places to spend time between flights. Singapore’s Changi airport has everything from free Internet and Wi-Fi access, to live game-shows, an in-airport hotel, Zen gardens, prayer rooms and a huge range of duty free shopping. Not all airports have quite the same level of service, but you’ll increasingly find Internet access and at least a decent coffee. Be wary of airport prices – a sandwich at the airport will cost notoriously more than a sandwich from the corner store wherever you are in the world.

This applies to any goods purchased at an airport exempt of the usual government taxes; which basically means they’re a great deal cheaper.

Examples of goods you can buy duty free:

• Alcohol
• Cosmetics
• Electronic devices, digital still cameras, video cameras, memory devices
• Sunglasses
• Watches
• Fragrances

Most importantly, remember you’re on holiday! Not everything will go to plan – your baggage might get lost, your plane could be delayed – but just relax and remember that it will all be worth it when you’re sipping Caiporenhias and watching the sun set on the Atlantic, or marvelling at the ingeniousness of Roman architecture, or the exotic animals of the Sahara. Nothing beats travel.