Did You Know

The Complex Process Behind Your Airline’s Flight Schedule!

AirWhizzJul 02, 2018 No Comments

The Complex Process Behind Your Airline’s Flight Schedule!

Aviation Insider

We all have at some point complained about how late our flight was or rejoiced about an early flight.

But have you ever wondered how exactly does an airline schedule a flight?

Well, it turns out that those scheduled flight timings aren’t random. Your flight timings are a result of a complex system which is handled by a dedicated airline team.

But, before we get into the factors that determine a flight’s schedule, we first need to understand a few terms.

Departure Time –  Most of us think that departure time is the time at which the flight takes-off, but that’s not the case. Departure time is the moment your flight leaves the boarding gate.

Arrival time – This is the moment when your flight reaches the boarding gate and not the time it lands on the runway.

Block Time – This is the time between the arrival and departure time.

Airlines use a complex matrix called ‘Airline Scheduled Planning’ to fix flight timings. They use a software and feed in the historical data for a flight’s departure, arrival and block time for each specific route on a specific day. The software analyses this data and suggests a schedule for that flight.

Other than the software, airlines also keep in mind certain variables to schedule flights!

Factors That Affect A Flight’s Schedule.

1.Airport

Flight schedule of an airline is affected by the passenger traffic at the airport.

Busy airports such as Delhi or Bombay airports allot airlines a 30-60 minute window to operate their flights in a day, to keep things organised.

The infrastructure of the airport is also taken into consideration, including how many boarding gates does it have, how many runways are operational or whether there is an ongoing construction happening.

2.Connecting Flights

Airlines have to consider the timings of the connecting flights. They have to determine the departure time of their flight by analyzing what time the connecting flight is going to arrive at the other airport.

The time taken by a passenger to leave the airplane and walk to the boarding gate for the connecting flight is also added.

3.Turnaround Time

Airline turnaround time is the time taken to unload an airplane after its arrival and to prepare it for departure again.

This factor also includes the time taken to switch the airline crew. Airlines have to check whether the new crew is present at the destination or is arriving at the airport on another flight. Accordingly, they schedule their flight.

4.Flight Route

Another variable that is used to schedule a flight is how busy the route is and how much time does a flight stay in the air on that particular route.

For instance ,on busier routes, the airline might opt to operate its flights during less crowded times of the day or week.

5.Competition

This may come as a surprise to you, but the airline’s brand value in the market determines a flight’s schedule.

In some areas, you will find that airlines such as IndiGo and SpiceJet are more popular, while in other areas people prefer flying with Air India or GoAir.

Airlines aim to schedule flights to capture the largest customer base and avoid bottlenecking at airports, at the same time.

For Instance, if flights from 7 different airlines land during the same time at an airport, the airline may schedule its flight an hour earlier to avoid competition and get better returns.

6.Type Of Destination

Wherever possible, airlines schedule their flights based on why people are flying to a specific destination.

That is why you must have noticed that there are a lot of early morning flights to/from cities such as Bangalore ,Mumbai, or Delhi since a lot of business travellers fly there.

Scheduling late morning or afternoon flights from holiday destination such as Goa makes more sense for airlines. They want their guests to make the most of their relaxation time.

7.Unexpected Factors

Flight schedules are decided several months in advance by the airline’s “Schedule Planning Team”.

But unexpected events, such as bad weather or runway construction, might happen during that time, which can affect the arrival and departure timings.

Most airlines have a different set of employees on the team for this purpose or have flight dispatchers, who sit in the system operations center. Their main job is to tweak schedules to accommodate real-time changes as the need arises.

To sum it up, scheduling a flight is not as simple as just picking up a time which sounds good. Airlines have an experienced and dedicated team that helps them to solve this jigsaw puzzle and see which timing fits. In fact, many international airlines such as JetBlue give their schedule planning job applicants a “Sudoku Puzzle” to solve in the interviews.

If you want to know about your flight status, simply download the AirWhizz App. You will get real-time flight/ weather updates along with airline and airport information on the move & Fly Stress -Free!

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Do You Know Why First Class Tickets Are So Expensive?

AirWhizzJun 18, 2018 No Comments

Do You Know Why First Class Tickets Are So Expensive?

Aviation Insider

Flying first-class is every travellers dream!

The free-flowing champagne, comfortable seats and a luxurious treatment at 30000 feet in the air would be on anyone’s ‘Bucket List’.

But these days, first-class airfares have become more expensive than spending an evening at a 5 Star hotel.

Have you ever wondered why?

Well, we did some digging and found out a few reasons why airlines charge you a bomb when you fly first-class.

1.First-Class Perks & Services

The main reason why first-class tickets are kept high is because of the perks that come with it.

Unlike the bland food in economy class, a first class passenger is treated to world-class cuisines prepared by Micheline-Starred Chefs, which they can enjoy in front of a personal entertainment system.

Once you are full, the airline provides you sleepwear to doze off on those comfortable flat beds.

Apart from all these services, some airlines also offer you shower facilities.

Its almost like your personalized bedroom in the sky.

2.Exclusive Access At The Airport

Special treatment is not just confined to airplanes for first-class passengers.

Many international airlines have luxurious first-class lounges at airports to pamper you before and after the flight.

You can grab a drink before you board the airplane or take a shower once you arrive at your destination, at these first-class airport lounges.

If that wasn’t enough, airlines also provide you a chauffeur-driven Mercedes or Porsche to ferry you to and from the airport.

3.Allows Airlines To Offer Discounts

First class prices are kept high so that they can be discounted or promoted.

Airlines bank on corporate deals which offer free upgrades or discounted first-class tickets because these partnerships are profitable.

These days airlines are going beyond corporates and offering lucrative discounts to leisure travellers as well. For example, some airlines offer their passengers free upgrades to first class when they pay full-fare on a  business-class ticket.

4.People Don’t Usually Pay Full Fare

Airlines don’t expect people travelling in first class to pay the full fare.

In fact, you will be surprised to know only a few people travel first class by paying the full ticket amount.

Apart from corporate employees, people use their frequent flyer miles as well to get upgrades or discounts on first-class tickets.

So those Rs 40000 worth first-class seats? Only a few people are actually paying that price!

5.Sense Of Exclusivity

First-class seats are considered a premium product and like all luxury goods, they are expensive.

Airlines try to create an experience where they make the passenger feel special and high prices are necessary to maintain those standards.

You feel like you are getting more than what you expected, which makes the flying experience exclusive.

6.Rising Airline Costs

Air ticket prices have changed from what they were a decade ago. This is because the associated costs of an airline have increased over the years.

According to Global Statistics, the cost of airplane fuel in 1996 was just 55 cents per gallon, however, as of April 2018, airplane fuel costs $2.2 per gallon.

Apart from rising oil prices, airline taxes, security costs and airport maintenance costs have also increased leading to airline pushing that burden onto passengers by increasing airfares.

7.First-Class Takes Up Space

According to a research conducted by travel site, Momondo, on an average, first class seats are 32 inches wide with a seat pitch or length of 92 inches.

This allows the passenger to travel in comfort and have privacy.

On long-haul flights, a first class seat takes up the space of four to six economy seats. That’s why airlines price it four to six times higher or more, considering the demand for economy seats.

The perks are there to help justify the price difference to customers.

8.Dynamic Pricing

Airlines decide their price tickets based on what a customer is willing to pay rather than how much they should pay to cover their “fair share.”

So if you have the money, the price of the tickets won’t make much difference and you can pay a premium for the convenience of first-class.

The concept of dynamic pricing is used in many industries but the airline industry is its best example.

Nowhere will you find, two people using the same service and paying different prices for it, which usually happens in the economy cabin.

Flying first-class is expensive, but if you want to get around it, read about the “10 Ways To Upgrade Your Seat To First-Class”.

Can’t wait to experience the luxury of first-class?

Download the AirWhizz App and get real-time flight updates, information about airlines and things to do at the airport at your fingertips. So go ahead, travel in style and fly stress-free!

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10 Ways You Can Upgrade Your Seat To First-Class!

AirWhizzJun 08, 2018 No Comments

10 Ways You Can Upgrade Your Seat To First-Class!

Travel Like a Pro

Personalized service, free-flowing champagne, specially prepared cuisines by Michelin star chefs and enough leg room to stretch your tiredness away.

These are some things that come to mind when you think about first-class travel on an airline.

Flying first-class is a luxury, no doubt about it, but it’s often expensive and not worth the money if you are travelling a short distance.

But, you’ll be happy to hear that, like most things, there are some loopholes you can use to your advantage.

So, if you want to travel in luxury, follow these simple travel hacks that can help you jump to the first-class cabin for FREE!

1.Travel At Non-Peak Days

If you have a flexible travelling schedule, try to book your flight on a day when people are less likely to travel.

For instance, try to book flights during the middle of the week and fly during dawn or dusk.

First-Class seats are usually empty during this time and you have better chances of scoring an upgrade.

Also, if you travel on holidays such as Holi or Diwali, most of the seats on the flight will be empty and if the cabin crew is in a festive mood they will upgrade you to the first-class.

2.Arrive Early

Airlines encourage you to be at the airport 45 minutes before the scheduled flight departure.

But if you have some spare time on the day you’re travelling, reach the airport early. It will give you ample time to chat with the gate agent.

The agent will have no queue or angry passengers to worry about and you can sweet talk your way to first-class.

3.Join The Frequent Flyer Program

Be loyal to one frequent flyer program of an airline and you will see what wonders it will do.

It may seem costly at first, but if you stack up your miles with one airline, it will help you get free upgrades to the first-class in the future.

4.Book Through The Airline’s Website

Try to book tickets on your airline’s official website, rather than using online travel agents.

During check-in, the airline system will know that you have booked on their website.

When its time to ask for your upgrade, chances are you’ll be treated as if you’re loyal to that specific airline.

Also, airlines send huge discount offers via email to people who book their tickets on the official site.

5. Check Your Emails

Building on the above point, many of us don’t check the follow-up emails that airlines send, once we book a ticket.

Airline companies know well ahead of time that the flight is going to be overbooked and try to offer huge discounts via email.

Since they don’t send these offers to people who book with online travel agents, chances are you’ll be part of a small minority of people receiving these emails for your specific flight.

So, the closer an overbooked flight gets to departure time, the more offers you get including first-class upgrades.

6. Use Your Connections

Know the pilot or a cabin crew member who works with the airline you are travelling with?

If so, then use that connection for all it’s worth.

Airline employees get amazing perks which they can share with their family and friends.

7.Travel Solo

Since you’re just one person, the airline will have a much easier time moving you up to first-class than they will with a couple or a family.

If you’ve got a preference and are travelling alone, it’s worth asking about an upgrade for any empty seats that might still be available in first-class.

Travelling by yourself may seem lonely at first but all that will go away when you’re flying first-class.

8.Fly On An Occasion

Whether it’s your birthday or your anniversary, let the gate agents know about it.

With competition increasing these days, airlines want their guests to have the best possible experience.

You may have a very good chance of getting a free upgrade to the first-class if you travel on or around the time of your special occasion.

9.Dress Up Smartly

Leave the cargo shorts and tank tops at home. Dress as if you’ve reached the airport from a business meeting and have been waiting for the flight in the executive lounge.

Chances are slim, but if you dress the part, business suits have done the trick for many people in the past.

10. Try Your Luck

Don’t be afraid to ask for an upgrade, of course they could always say no but what have you got to lose?

Dress well, be nice, talk sweetly and a “please” might just do the trick.

Can’t wait to experience the luxury of first-class?

Download the AirWhizz App and get real-time flight updates to track your flights on the move. So go ahead, travel in style and fly stress-free.

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Everything You Need To Know About Airline Baggage Rules In India!

AirWhizzJun 04, 2018 No Comments

Everything You Need To Know About Airline Baggage Rules In India!

Travel Like a Pro

Air travel In India has grown exponentially, and in recent years airlines have started cashing in on this.

Airlines have started charging a fee to bring extra luggage on flights.

With baggage fee rules becoming more complex and the fees getting expensive, It can be quite a task to keep a track of hand baggage sizes and weights for each airline.

To help you understand this, here is everything you need to know about baggage policies that most airlines follow.

Check-In Baggage

A)Baggage Allowance Rules

In line with international regulations, your baggage allowances will either be set by how many pieces or the total weight of luggage you can travel with.

The rules depend on where you’re travelling to.

1.Weight Concept

Passengers travelling from India to Far East(Except Japan)/Southeast Asia and Gulf/Middle East countries are allowed free baggage allowances based on the weight of the baggage and the class they are travelling in.

Usually, a passenger is allowed to carry up to –

  • 40 Kgs of check-in baggage in First Class
  • 30 Kgs of check-in baggage in Business Class
  • 20 Kgs of check-in baggage in Economy Class
2.Piece Concept

Under this concept, the airline allows free baggage allowance based on how many pieces of luggage you can travel with, its maximum weight and dimension.

Here are the rules-

  • A person can get 2 pieces of luggage checked-in for free.
  • Each bag has a weight limit of 32kgs
  • The total of all dimensions (Length, Breadth &Height) of each bag cannot be more than 158cm (62 inches)

Airlines that fly from India to Europe, North America, South America , Australia & Africa follow these rules for free baggage allowance.

B) Excess Baggage

Airlines charge you Excess-Baggage fees if your check-in luggage weight exceeds the limit. There is no standard price for excess luggage and it’s up to the airline to set the prices.

  • You will have to pay anywhere between Rs 300 to Rs 500 per kg for domestic flights.
  • You will have to pay anywhere between Rs 500 to Rs 800 per kg for International flights
  • There is no cap on the number of bags you can check-in, but their combined weight should be below the limit.

You do have an option to pay less for excess baggage. If you join different membership programs offered by airlines, you can carry more luggage with you without paying any fee.

For example, If you are a ‘GOLD’ or ‘MAHARJAH’ member of Air India’s “Flying Returns” program you can carry 20 kg of extra luggage with you.

Carry-on Baggage

A)Baggage Allowance Rules

With the growing emphasis on airline safety worldwide and to avoid overcrowding of overhead bins in the cabin, airlines are becoming stringent with rules regarding carry-on baggage.

Here are the rules for Carry-on baggage in India

  • Most airlines allow only 1 piece of hand baggage per person.
  • You can carry anywhere between 7-8 kgs of hand baggage, depending on the airline.
  • The length, breadth & height of the bag have to be less than 55x35x25 centimeters respectively and the overall total of the dimensions should not be more than 115 cm.
B) Excess Baggage

As mentioned above, most airlines only allow one piece of hand baggage per person, however, some airlines allow you to carry more than one bag depending on the weight dimensions and airline rules.

In addition to your carry-on bag, you can bring along the following items-

  • Handbag
  • Laptop bag
  • Rug/Blanket
  • Camera Bag
  • Collapsible wheelchair
  • Walking Sticks
  • Umbrella
  • Infant’s Carry Basket
  • Duty-Free Items (carry the invoice)

Airlines such as SpiceJet And IndiGo charge you a fee of Rs 350 – Rs 400  if the combined weight of the items mentioned above and your carry-on luggage is more than 8 kgs.

Special Baggage

If your luggage is not of the standard size & weight and if it requires special handling then you might have to pay more depending on the airline. These type of items are called Out Of Gauge (OOG) baggage.

OOG baggage is the luggage that is very heavy, too large, very light, fragile, does not have at least 1 flat surface or can damage or slow down the baggage handling management system.

Baggage that is outside the standard dimensions for airport luggage and cannot be sorted out by normal conveyor belts come under this category.

Here are a few examples –

  • Sports Equipment
  • Flat Screen Television
  • Extra Large Carpets or Blankets
  • Musical Instruments

So, if you want to know more about your airline’s baggage policy, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz App to get information regarding different airline policies/regulations to plan your trip on the move and Fly Stress-Free!

*Please note that all weights, prices and specifications mentioned here are only indicative. They are meant to give you a general idea of baggage policies. For the actual price and baggage allowance details please refer to your ticket or the rules of the airline you are flying with.

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Do You Know Why Airplanes Are White In Colour?

AirWhizzApr 23, 2018 No Comments

Do You Know Why Airplanes Are White In Colour?

Aviation Insider

Have you noticed that the vast majority of airplanes are white?

Sure, some have stripes, decorations, and airline branding in different colours, but the base colour is almost always white.

We at AirWhizz, did some digging and found logical explanations as to why white is almost always the colour of choice for airplanes.

1.IT KEEPS YOU COOL

White is a very good reflector of sunlight. Darker colours absorb most of the light and heat of the sun. But white ensures that the heat bounces away from the airplane, reducing the temperature inside the cabin.

This is a good thing, not only when the airplane is in the air, but also when it lands, because it takes less time to cool down. Parked aircrafts also remain cooler after sitting on the ground in a hot, sunny environment.

2.EASIER TO INSPECT A WHITE AIRPLANE

Airplanes are checked for cracks, dents and any other form of surface damage for safety reasons on a regular basis.

Nothing works better than white when it comes to spotting cracks, corrosion marks and oil leak stains on the surface as these are easily visible and leave a dark coloured trail.

3.INCREASES VISIBILITY

One good reason for an aircraft being painted in white is increased visibility.

In the event of an airplane crash or any other mishap, the white colour makes it easy to spot, both, on water and land. It is also easy to spot a white airplane in the dark.

4.HELPS THE AIRPLANE AVOID BIRD STRIKES

Birds cause airplane damage worth approximately 600 million dollars each year.

Aircraft visibility can be enhanced by white or brightly-coloured exteriors reducing the chances of mid-air bird strikes.

A study was conducted, by the science journal –  ‘Human-Wildlife Interactions’ in 2011, on the correlation between bird strike rates among different airlines and aircraft colour schemes. It showed that darker coloured aircrafts reduce the ability of birds to detect and avoid the aircraft in sufficient time.

5.PAINTING IT IS EXPENSIVE

Painting an airplane is not like painting a fence! It requires a considerable investment in terms of money, manpower, and time.

The cost of painting a regular Boeing aircraft in colour falls between $50k-$200k and takes anywhere between two and seven days, depending on the budget.

With intense competition amongst airlines, it is a wise choice for carriers to cut down on coloured planes to avoid increased costs and loss in revenue.

6.EASIER TO LEASE AND RESELL

White paint helps if the aircraft has to be sold in a hurry.

Also, majority of the airlines don’t own their aircraft. They take it on lease from airplane leasing companies such as Airbus Asset Management and Aircastle Investment.

So, buying or leasing a coloured airplane would mean that the airline would likely have to paint it white again, adding to the cost.

Hence, it makes perfect sense that the airline would pay a lower price for a fancy, coloured airplane and more for a plain white aircraft.

7.WHITE DOESN’T FADE

White colour doesn’t fade away like other colours do. Moreover, maintaining and cleaning is pretty easy.

Usually, coloured paints fade away owing to exposure to sun, particularly at 30,000 feet where there is more UV radiation and thus require a lot of paint jobs to maintain their appeal.

A white airplane, on the other hand, doesn’t appear significantly different, even after spending a considerable amount of time in the air.

8.LESS WEIGHT

Did you know that if a Boeing aircraft painted in different colours, it would add 250kgs of weight to the aircraft?  But a white paint job would not add more than 25kgs!

The more weight you add to an aircraft the higher its fuel consumption. By painting the airplanes white, American Airlines saves over $2 million per year on fuel costs.

So the next time you fly take a moment to admire the fact that even the most insignificant details about an aircraft have a lot of thought and science behind them. Nothing in the aviation industry is done without a good reason. And most importantly, every one of these factors goes toward making flying the most comfortable and safest form of travel!

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