In this era of digitalization, the first and foremost step towards flight traveling is booking air tickets. Earlier, when the internet wasn’t in vogue during the 90s, people used to stand in long queues just to book plane tickets manually, but now one can easily browse and compare different airfares online from the comfort and luxury of their own homes. With the magic of the internet, the world is in your hands now. You can browse, compare, and search airfares of different airlines and book the best fit according to your travel budget and requirements. The Internet has made the entire process of booking airplane tickets seamless and smooth; still, sometimes, especially for beginners or people who don’t travel often, this process can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, because in this blog, we are going to provide you with a comprehensive guide on how you can book flight tickets easily.

Step 1: Jot Down Your Travel Plans

First and foremost, to ensure a steady travel, you need to jot down your plans specifically. It’s crucial to note down your preferences and budget, as your budget will ultimately determine your travel plans. Many travelers prefer a flexible travel schedule to save money, as most airlines, such as Qatar Airways, offer cheaper flights during off-peak travel seasons and weekdays. Also, write down the number of people accompanying you on the trip, departure and arrival dates, your flight preferences, whether you want a one-way or a round flight, non-stop flight, or flight with multiple layovers, etc. Writing down your travel needs will ensure a smooth trip and help you remember them. Simultaneously, you can also make a to-do list and the essentials you need to pack for your trip.

In addition to the stuff mentioned above, you should also jot down your specific travel dates, different airline fares for a better view and comparison, a route map of various airlines' routes, additional hidden airline fees, and don’t forget to make bullet points about the detailed visa and passport guidelines if you are traveling beyond the borders. People like to choose flights with multiple layovers to save money, while some people despise long overhaul journeys, so they select direct flights. It varies from individual to individual.

Step 2: Carefully Choose A Booking Platform

After noting down your travel plans, the next step is to choose a booking platform. Most frequent flyers prefer third-party websites over the airlines’ official websites for several reasons. This is because third-party websites, such as First Fly, often provide exclusive deals and discounts on various airlines. If you are flexible with your travel schedule and know how to dig deeper to find the fantastic deals, these third-party websites are heaven for you. Additionally, they offer a comprehensive airfare calendar, providing a broader view of different airfares across various dates throughout the month. This provides a clear view of different airfares on other dates, allowing you to select the best date when these airfares are at their lowest.

If you're an avid fan of budget travel, you can compare different airfares, route combinations, and airports for various flights to choose the best option for you. Apart from airfares, these third-party websites also offer bundled combo vacation packages that include exclusive deals and offers on hotels, accommodations, car rentals, and more. This will further streamline your travel process, making it more convenient for you by consolidating all bookings on a single platform, eliminating the stress of browsing multiple platforms.

Step 3: Keep A Tab On Available Flights

Once you have selected your preferred booking platform, it’s time to search for the available flights. To do this, you need to enter your departure and arrival dates, the number of people traveling, your preferred travel class, your departure city, and other relevant details. The platform will then display a plethora of flights for your consideration.  One bonus tip is don’t get over-excited after spotting cheaper flight fares and book the button without carefully reviewing. Before clicking the book button, you need to analyze several factors, such as the preferred travel route, different airports at a particular location, and whether the flight has one stopover or multiple layovers. Take a few minutes to review your options carefully. 

Also, don’t forget to check the total travel time. If you’re traveling internationally and choose a flight with multiple layovers, it will add more hours to your overall journey, thus amplifying the time and making it more tiring and stressful. That’s why you should choose a flight that's not tiring and also budget-friendly.

Step 4: Don’t Forget To Check Fares And Hidden Fees

Before clicking the book button, don’t forget to check extra airfares and charges. Many travelers, especially beginners, click the book button the moment they see a cheaper ticket. Still, many airlines, such as Qatar Airways, have additional fees, including baggage fees, in-flight snacks fees, Wi-Fi fees, and other taxes and charges. Sometimes, combining these extra fees makes the fare tickets even higher than the total airline airfare. That’s why you should choose wisely after carefully reviewing all your options.

Also, before choosing any airline, don’t forget to read all the reviews carefully. Basic economy fares are typically the most affordable but often come with significantly less flexibility. While flexi fares are relatively expensive, they offer great flexibility, including baggage fees, seat selection, and more. Always choose airfares based on these options only, and don’t forget to compare airfares side by side.

Step 5: Analyze And Finalize Your Seat Selection

Now, it’s time to make the seat selection. Before directing you to the payment gateway, the platform will take you to another new page, from which you can select your preferred seat, type of aircraft, preferred airport, layover, baggage policies, and a brief overview of the total price, among other options. Don’t forget to review everything carefully, especially the departure and arrival timings, as timings transcend international standards if you are traveling abroad.

After selecting your preferred seat, it’s time to enter all your personal details. You need to enter all your details correctly and ensure they match the information on your supporting documents; otherwise, your flight ticket won’t be approved. Don’t forget to proofread your entered details twice for any spelling errors to avoid trouble later on. Don’t be impulsive; take a few minutes to review your information thoroughly to save both your time and money in the future.

Step 6: Use Add-Ons To Customize Your Booking

After doing all these steps, it’s time to add some add-ons. Many flights offer add-ons, some of which are optional, while others are mandatory. Depending on the type of airline you booked, you may be asked to make some additional payments, including but not limited to seat selection, baggage pay, in-flight meals, Wifi, and if you want a personalized meal. Many budget-friendly flights don’t provide baggage facilities; for that, you need to make an extra payment.

Also, don’t forget to sign up for the travel insurance. At present, you may feel that it’s a waste of money or that spending extra bucks is unnecessary, but trust me when I say it: travel insurance is a boon in the long run. It covers too many mishaps and accidental losses. Signing up for travel insurance is mandatory for some airlines, while for other airlines, it’s optional. Don’t forget to check the coverage area and read all the terms and policies carefully before signing up.

Step 7: Carefully Make The Payment

After finalizing everything and selecting your preferences, it's time to make a payment. Usually, airline booking platforms accept a wide array of payment gateway methods, including credit cards, debit cards, net banking, UPI, and bank transfers. You can choose any method according to your preferences. Before proceeding, take a moment to review the gateway to ensure it is secure and verify all the information you have entered.

Before proceeding with the payment, don’t forget to check all additional or hidden fees, as some websites also charge a service or platform fee. Ensure that you have carefully checked the final amount before proceeding. After the successful payment, you will get a confirmation email within minutes.

Step 8: Keep An Eye On Your Email For Ticket Confirmation

After the payment is successfully completed, keep a tab on your email, and you will receive a booking confirmation. Keep this booking confirmation safe, as these e-tickets are essential for a smooth onboarding process. This e-ticket also includes necessary information, such as your seat number, itinerary number, flight name, and terminal number. Generally, airlines and third-party websites allow you to track your travel details using only the booking reference number.

You can also use this booking reference number to modify or adjust your preferences, and you can choose a customized or preferred meal if you have specific dietary requirements. That’s why this booking reference slip is crucial. Save it, take a screenshot, or download it safely on your phone.

Step 9: Do E-Check-In To Avoid Hassles

Most airlines allow you to check in 24 to 48 hours before your scheduled departure date. Online check-ins are handy as they help you ditch the busy airport terminals and long queues. You can check in online from the third-party website using your reference number. Online check-ins don’t mean you don’t have to check in your additional luggage, but the queue and waiting time are much shorter. Be sure to confirm check-in with your selected airport and airline.

Please proceed with this process carefully, as failure to do so may result in not receiving your boarding pass, which may require additional time at the airport.

Step 10: Fly With Style And Optimism

It’s time to perform the final step, i.e, reach the airport 2 hours before your takeoff time for domestic travel and 3 hours if you are traveling abroad. Don’t forget to carefully review and examine the passport and visa requirements of the country you are traveling to. Also, keep track of all real-time insights and analysis.

One additional tip: try to travel as lightly as possible, as you may feel burdened later on. Carefully review all your documents and go through security. After that, you can sit back, relax, and wait for your boarding time.

Summary

Booking airplane tickets has now become easy, all thanks to our above-mentioned tips. Whether you're traveling to a different city or a different country altogether, with our strategic tips, you can not only avoid common mistakes but also gain the confidence to travel with ease. Analyze and start reading these hacks one by one to have a seamless, smooth, and comfortable journey.