Digital nomads routinely travel by air but if your airline experience is not good, then that can be quite demotivating whenever you need to travel. Mainly, this comes down to the airline you chose. There are many airlines around and each one of them comes with its own pros and cons.

When going with a specific airline, make sure it fulfills all your requirements. I speak from experience when I say that getting blindsided by a restriction or any hidden fees that you overlooked when booking a ticket is just the worst. Always keep an eye out for these few things before you spend your hard-earned money on a plane ticket.

I know that’s easier said than done, so I’ve made a list of factors to consider when choosing an airline. If you’re smart about choosing an airline based on your needs, then you can pretty much save a couple of hundred bucks. So without further ado, let’s jump into the guide.

Pricing

The first thing that makes or breaks a deal for most people is the price of a ticket. This can be made better by various deals and promotions that slash the pricing or provide various other benefits to its customers.

A competitive price for a ticket will definitely attract more customers, but it’s a given that the services and quality of flights take a massive hit. The aim is to hit a sweet spot between both, making it a great value for money. Indeed, value airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet are more profitable due to an increased customer base.

Among the benefits that airlines provide, look for the one that fits your situation. As a digital nomad, it is unlikely you will have a lot of luggage but in case you do, try looking for a deal that gives you a “free-bag service”. Also, if you can manage, try hitting booking a ticket in the off-season for the best pricing.

Customer Service

I’ve been on airlines previously where lines were waiting without any idea as to what would happen next. If only the customer service was good, it could have saved me and many other nomads a couple of hours’ worth of time.

Good customer service can help alleviate the usual mishaps that plague air travel.

Online reviews on this matter may be somewhat misleading. Due to obvious reasons, most airlines tend to focus the best aspects of their customer service on first-class and business-class passengers. Make sure that any review that you base your decision on also mentions the category that person was in. Leaving economy class passengers with poor customer support is a big no for any person traveling in that category.

Great customer service can come in many forms. More usually, it’s the small gestures that carry more weight. For instance, Etihad Airways offer their long-distance passengers a Sleep Tight Amenity kit that they can use at their will. It includes socks, a toothbrush, earplugs, and an eye mask. The notable thing is that if you wear an eyemask, the crew on the plane will get the message that you’re resting and won’t disturb you.

Flight Catering

One of the most important aspects of a flight is the quality and selection of food available to its passengers. Personally, I go through online reviews in this regard.

With the introduction of professional chefs to the roster by some of the most prestigious airlines, the intention to provide quality meals to the passengers is apparent. This goes as far as to add a variety of food cuisines from different parts of the world to attract more business-class customers.

A noteworthy addition to the catering menu is the vegetarian and religious options. For instance, Qatar airways offer vegetarian options ranging from vegan, fruit, Lacto-OVO meals, and Oriental Meals. The religious options include Hindu-veg meals, non-veg Hindu meals, Jain meals, and Kosher meals. To top it off, young traveler meals, non-provisional meals, and medical/healthcare meals truly make the cuisine roster complete.

Seating Comfort

A very obvious requirement for a good airline is the level of comfort. Being a nomad who travels a lot, it is almost necessary for me to make sure that my comfort is not compromised.

For long-distance flights, cozy seats and ample legroom are a basic necessity. Cheaper airlines often cut back on this aspect, leaving their taller passengers struggling for space throughout the flight.

When booking a ticket for any class, I usually make sure that the legroom is enough for my height. I will highly suggest that if possible, try to book first-class tickets instead of the economy, as the difference in comfort level is huge.

The good thing is that seating in even the most crowded airlines is getting more and more comfortable, thanks to the innovations made in science and engineering in recent years. For instance, a Skycouch that allows a row of three chairs to convert into a flatbed was introduced by Air New Zealand.

The takeaway is that either book a first-class ticket, or make sure that the airline you choose has measures in place that can increase comfort level despite being crowded.

Entertainment

If the flight you book is for a vacation, one of the crucial aspects of the flight should be the entertainment provided to you. If you’re not planning to sleep through the flight, you need some form of media to consume that can take the boredom of the flight away. An enjoyable experience on the flight will give your vacation a positive start and leave you swooning over the quality of the flight provided by that airline.

Most of the good airlines out there give you a plethora of entertainment options to choose from. As a matter of fact, your flight will end sooner than you can go through everything an airline provides you. From movies, TV shows, entertainment channels, news, and even online video games, there is something for everyone out there.

What Essential Items To Take With You On Your Trip?

Before you depart for your vacation, add these items to your luggage and you’ll be thanking me later:

Conclusion

Traveling is an important facet of nomadism and as a digital nomad myself, it is vital for me to get the best experience possible with the money I am wishing to spend. In the end, it comes down to your own preference and how much you prioritize different factors for a trip.

In this guide, I covered the most important factors to consider which can make or break the deal for an airline experience. That brings me to the end of this guide. Thank you for reading.

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Factors To Consider As A Digital Nomad When Choosing An Airline