6 travel apps to make your next flight better
Traveling isn't just about the destination. Carry On is our series devoted to how we get away in the digital age, from the choices we make to the experiences we share.
We often forget it, but flying is a luxury — a luxury that can bring out the worst in even the most agreeable traveler.
From finding out that prices dropped the day after you bought tickets to dealing with delays, there are countless ways for flight plans to go awry.
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Because dealing with airlines can become so frustrating, a pack of third parties have emerged to solve almost every problem that befalls frazzled travelers.
Except that annoying passenger hogging the armrests. There's no solution for him — yet.
Saving money when booking flights
Hopper offers predictions on the right time to book. Hopper can relieve travelers of that nagging suspicion they might have saved money on airfare had they only waiting one more week.
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Tracking flights
App in the Air can't make flight delays and long lines disappear, but it can help you track when your flight will board and land and wait times for security, airline check-in, and airport customs -- all of which are constantly fluctuating. Plus, App in the Air will send updates via SMS message to your phone, so you can stay in the loop about your travel plans (and potential obstacles) even if you're phone is offline. And hey, knowledge is power, right?
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Complaining about your flight
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Believe it or not, airline complaints to the Department of Transportation have actually gone down in recent years. But complaints to the airlines via social media? Probably not. Although they say if you want something done right, do it yourself, sometimes the most effective course of action is to turn to the professionals.
AirHelp can get passengers compensation when a flight has been significantly delayed. The company also ranks airlines on performance, which is useful when booking a trip.
Service is the jack of all trades of complaining. Although they deal with any customer service complaint to any company, they are keen on helping with airlines issues — from lost luggage to flight cancelations.
Making your airport experience easier
DUFL is for people who hate dealing with luggage. The service, developed with business travel in mind, allows customers to override an airline's luggage rules. It collects any items travelers want to bring on a trip and ships them direct to their hotel. When the trip is done, travelers leave their suitcase at the hotel and DUFL ships it back to a holding location until the next trip.
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LoungeBuddy opens the arcane world of airport lounges to everyone, even those in economy. Although many think that lounges are for first-class passengers or frequent fliers only, the service links travelers with options they probably hadn't even considered.
This story was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2020.
Cailey studied journalism at SUNY Purchase and french cinema & literature at Paris IV Sorbonne. She is a cynical optimist and Talking Heads karaoke enthusiast. Drop her a line @misscaileyanne
