From whatever traveling experience I have, here I dare to tell you tips for not missing the connecting flights.
1. The golden rule is, always book all connecting flights of the same airline. In case of cancellations, delays, etc. they would consider your situation. And most importantly, the airline folks know that you are taking multiple flights. If you are flying with different airlines, they have no idea of your connecting flights, and also in case of cancellations, delays etc. your chances of running into trouble are more.
2. Always have a layover of at least three hours between the flights. While sitting comfortably at home or in office and booking the tickets, a three hour layover seems like way too long. But trust me, you will need that. And in some cases, even more.
3. Morning flights are less likely to run into delays than afternoon or evening flights.
4. Before you book the flights, do some study. This will help you to understand the possible risks. For example, flights from Kathmandu almost always do a delayed takeoff. Guwahati airport has long queues in the afternoon.
5. When you hand over your check-in bag to the airline staff before the first flight, don't forget to ask where will you get it back. After your connected flight lands, or right after the first flight lands. This is assuming that you are following the golden rule I stated above.
6. Assuming that you are following the golden rule I mentioned above, do collect boarding passes of all connected flights before you board the first flight. This seems easy. The little difficult part is, not losing the boarding passes of the onward flights. A frequent traveller would keep them along with the passport. A smart traveller would have a passport holder in which to keep the passport, the boarding passes, and a few banknotes. An elite traveller would have a zip locked pocket on the trouser or the jacket in which to safely keep the passport holder.
7. After your first flight lands, check the dispay screens to know the boarding gate of the onward flight. The boarding pass you have in your hand (of your onward flight) was printed at a different airport. The boarding gate mentioned on it may not be correct. Do check that.
8. Carry a bottle of water in your handbag. And in case taking along water is not allowed, keep the empty bottle with you. You could fill it at the water stations. Why should we buy the single use plastic bottles at each place. Our planet is being destroyed everyday. Let's not be a part of the problem.
Tashi delek, and bon voyage!
1. The golden rule is, always book all connecting flights of the same airline. In case of cancellations, delays, etc. they would consider your situation. And most importantly, the airline folks know that you are taking multiple flights. If you are flying with different airlines, they have no idea of your connecting flights, and also in case of cancellations, delays etc. your chances of running into trouble are more.
2. Always have a layover of at least three hours between the flights. While sitting comfortably at home or in office and booking the tickets, a three hour layover seems like way too long. But trust me, you will need that. And in some cases, even more.
3. Morning flights are less likely to run into delays than afternoon or evening flights.
4. Before you book the flights, do some study. This will help you to understand the possible risks. For example, flights from Kathmandu almost always do a delayed takeoff. Guwahati airport has long queues in the afternoon.
5. When you hand over your check-in bag to the airline staff before the first flight, don't forget to ask where will you get it back. After your connected flight lands, or right after the first flight lands. This is assuming that you are following the golden rule I stated above.
6. Assuming that you are following the golden rule I mentioned above, do collect boarding passes of all connected flights before you board the first flight. This seems easy. The little difficult part is, not losing the boarding passes of the onward flights. A frequent traveller would keep them along with the passport. A smart traveller would have a passport holder in which to keep the passport, the boarding passes, and a few banknotes. An elite traveller would have a zip locked pocket on the trouser or the jacket in which to safely keep the passport holder.
7. After your first flight lands, check the dispay screens to know the boarding gate of the onward flight. The boarding pass you have in your hand (of your onward flight) was printed at a different airport. The boarding gate mentioned on it may not be correct. Do check that.
8. Carry a bottle of water in your handbag. And in case taking along water is not allowed, keep the empty bottle with you. You could fill it at the water stations. Why should we buy the single use plastic bottles at each place. Our planet is being destroyed everyday. Let's not be a part of the problem.
Tashi delek, and bon voyage!
