Charters, Courier Flights, and Other Options

During your search for a seat you may hear rumors, or see ads, for incredible deals based on courier flights or charters. Beware. In the travel industry, as elsewhere, there is no free lunch. Courier flights match travelers who want to go somewhere with companies or individuals who need something, usually documents, transported by air. The courier company sells you a cheap ticket in exchange for you sacrificing some or all of your luggage allowance. The amount of these discounts, in accordance with supply and demand, dries up during early and late summer, when many students are happy to save a small amount. Also, most courier flights require a return trip within a certain length of time, usually a few weeks. If this interests you, search the Web and small ads. Be sure to get a firm commitment from a courier company before gambling your trip on this option.

Charters are great when they work, and absolute hell when they don’t. Expect older planes packed to the rafters with people, and poor in-flight service. (Actually, that doesn’t sound a whole lot different from the major airlines, does it?) At any rate, the big worry with charters is whether or not they will leave as scheduled. The difference between a plane 95 percent full and one that’s 99 percent full may be the difference between profit and loss for the charter operator, and a flight may be delayed for “maintenance” while the last few seats are sold. Some charter companies are as reliable as the major airlines, whereas others are operating at the edge of bankruptcy and may disappear with your money without trace. Get a neutral opinion, such as from a travel agent who is not selling you something, on the reliability of a charter company before you hand them several hundred dollars. This is most necessary during the summer, and with flights between popular tourist destinations and London.