Free airfare is a misleading concept

There is nothing like free airfare. It is a most misleading concept because no airline can afford to fly travelers free. The airlines, as special cases, may carry troops in a national emergency or ferry emergency personnel as a goodwill gesture but they don’t hand out tickets free of cost.

There are some travelers who have found some loopholes in airline rules which they exploit to force airlines to give them a free passage. One is overbooked flights. These travelers avoid checking in till the flight is full. They then insist that they should be booked on the next available flight, and allowed to travel free. The flights, where it happens most, are the international flights that use multiple travel agents to book tickets.

Some travelers also demand free passage in case of missed connections. But once again it is on account of an operational problem that an airline awards a free passage. A passenger cannot, as a right, demand that the airlines sell free tickets.

Another way of getting a free passage is to use your flying miles. But once again these flying miles are not free; they are bonuses that you have earned over a period of time. Such tickets can at best be described as a benefit or a perk that is used by airlines to build customer loyalty.

Interestingly, luxury cruise services bundle free air ticket as part of their fares. This is a promotional tactic used by luxury passenger liners to promote their tour packages. The value of the ticket depends on the kind of cruise package that the passenger buys.

Similarly, some hotels and tour operators are ready to absorb the cost of air ticket if you buy a holiday package from them. But once again these cannot be called free tickets.

First Class Airfare Promises Royal Treatment

Few people can afford first class airfare. But those who can travel like kings. They get wide pushback seats, lots of elbow room and a superior service. The airlines also try to win them over by providing several thoughtful gifts. These include lip balm, cooling gel, mouth wash moisturizer, hand lotion, hand gel, body gel and even socks.

On long distance routes and international flights the first class passenger also gets a privacy divider, seats that recline completely, eye shades, fresh linen and even duvets. Another area where the airlines pay great attention is food and drinks. They serve possibly the best food you can imagine to their first class passengers. The same goes for drinks.

And why not. The first class passenger pays ten to fifteen times the fare paid by an economy class passenger, and certainly needs to be pampered.

This does not mean that you cannot travel first class. You can, especially if you are a frequent flyer. You can collect all the miles and convert them into a first class ticket. You can also fly some of the cheaper airlines that charge less for first class. You can also get your business class ticket upgraded to first class, if the first class is empty.

Flying first class is certainly an experience, and if you can afford it you must fly first class as often as you can. There can be nothing better for the ego. The service and treatment is impeccable. You feel like royalty.

In fact, the difference in treatment can be felt from the point of check in. The first class counters are separate. They are not meant for the hoi polloi. Then when the boarding call comes the first class passengers either board first or board last.

No wonder the dream of every economy class passenger is to fly first class.