Air transport in USA

Purchase of tickets

When buying airline tickets, do not forget that many airlines have reduced rates for students (discounts for the ISIC card), married couples, weekend tickets, charter flight tickets, and many others, all of which cost significantly less than normal. The savings will be especially useful when flying long distances. In the United States there is a widespread system of booking tickets through the Internet. Rates depend on the season, from the point of departure and destination, day of week, the date of purchase, and whether you buy a ticket on one side of the aircraft or the other, etc. For maximum savings, you need to buy a ticket for 21 days before the departure date. Book your ticket and ask if the ticket is cheaper if you transfer the date of departure to an earlier or later date. Normally, tickets for Friday and the weekend are more expensive than in the period from Monday to Thursday. If you buy a return ticket as well, then try to schedule a flight on Sunday night, which will also save you some money. 

Many U.S. airlines (Delta Airlines, Northwest Orient Airlines, Piedmont Airlines / US Airways, TWA Airlines, United Airlines) have special rates for tickets for domestic flights for clients from abroad. To save, it is better to buy tickets in advance, even while you're still at home. Sometimes you can get discounts if you show your international flight ticket (in USA). Also remember that a flight to a small, little known airport is more expensive than flying to a large and well equipped one. Consider all of the options before buying a ticket. For example, if you want to see the Grand Canyon, check flights to Last Vegas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. Flights may be cheaper and you can still get to the Grand Canyon by car if necessary. 

At the airport

Citizens of United States enjoy some privileges compared to foreigners. Therefore, immediately upon arrival, you will find yourself in a separate room from the Americans and in a longer queue at passport and customs control. If you are a citizen you go in the Citizen line if not, you go in the foreigner line. Agents of the Immigration Service will indicate which of the numbered windows you need to go to when you reach the front of the line. Be sure not to cross the yellow line at the immigration desk as it is frowned upon and against the law. When the agent's immigration service shouts "Next!" it is your turn. If you do not have your Visa ready when you get to the desk or your flight ticket in hand, you may be questioned. If you have nothing to declare, follow the green arrow («Nothing to Declare»). If in fact you do have something to declare, follow the red arrow. Customs declaration forms are stamped when you make it through the customs line and if you are stopped you will be pulled to one side to have your bags inspected.. Passengers who need to transfer to another flight, get off the plane quickly and make your way through immigration and customs as fast as you can to get to your next gate. 

American Airlines

There is a good reputation enjoyed in the United States by the following airlines: TWA - Trans World Airlines, Delta, Eastern, Northwest, Continental. All of these airlines fly to all of the major airports. In the largest cities there are air shuttle flights. You do not require a pre-purchased ticket for these flights. You can purchase one on your landing, usually 30 minutes before your departure. If you do not purchase tickets in advance, you can normally purchase tickets at the airport for a flight because there are normally passengers that do not show up. The correct choice of flights between the cities in the U.S. is a factor to a large extent determines the cost of the entire trip is. 

Cost airlines - the so-called «Low cost airlines» - offer the lowest prices on flights, and that is especially important for foreign tourists. Typically, companies offer electronic tickets (E-tickets). They are easy to keep track of because if you lose the ticket, you can just print another one. When you check in for your flight, simply present your passport or driver's license and your e-ticket and receive your boarding pass. If you forget your e-ticket on the day of the flight, if you have your ID and remember where you're going, checking in should still be very smooth.

Typically, the small airlines carry a limited number of flights. Among these airlines include Southwest, Spirit, American Trans Air, Airtran, Sun Country and some others. There are usually many airports in the big cities. For example a flight to Newark Airport may be much cheaper than a flight to Kennedy Airport. For more «cheap» airports, there are some in the Detroit City Airport, Love Field in Dallas, Reagan airport in Washington and many others. Some major airlines offer foreign tourists various Air Passes. These passes allow tourists to fly within the United States much cheaper than usual. The only drawback of these is that you are required to use the same airline for all of your travel. If you need a flight to a city that the airline does not fly to, they will arrange for you to fly on a different carrier and will charge you the difference in cost, sometimes resulting in a much higher price.

For information on the best prices on tickets for local flights, ask when you call the airline by phone, visit them in person, or check online here.