Flying in business class is a luxurious and awesome experience. People don’t mind spending more for the ultimate luxury 30,000 feet above in the air. You need to spend more than what you would usually pay when travelling in economy class or premium economy. But the privileges you get after spending a good amount is unlimited. Let’s have a look into some of the important reasons why the modern day travellers prefer their air travel in business class airlines.

The prime reason is the luxury and comfort. Nobody wants to reach his/her destination tired and wearisome. Here comes in the business class. It offers you the much needed comfort and relaxation during the entire duration of your journey. When travelling in business class flights you can stretch your leg with the extra legroom on offer. There are many airlines that have introduced lie flat bed in business class cabins. These airlines include American Airlines, Qatar Airways, Qantas Airways, Air France, British Airways and many more.

You can look forward to privacy as well when travelling in Qantas Airways’ business class cabins. The airline’s business class seats are situated inside a little pod, which effectively blocks other passenger’s view sitting next to you or the one seated across the aisle. It thus offers you the privacy. Moreover, the extra-comfy mattress and blanket provided in the cabins offers you a relaxed sleep.

The business class passengers are taken care of well with the several amenities offered by the airlines. Have you ever fancied to a welcome drink as you arrive on board your flight? Of course, this is a reality in business class. Get ready to be treated to a welcome glass of champagne on board the aircraft. The airlines take care of your basic needs. You will be offered designer amenity kits consisting of skincare and other products from reputed luxury brands. The products among others includes, a dental care kit, moisturiser, hand cream, lip balm, ear plugs, eye mask, socks, perfume and deodorants. The airlines will also treat you to gourmet meals, fine wines and beverages.

These are among the several reasons that prompt people to book business class tickets or get their economy class or premium economy upgraded to business class.

The privileges and top notch services in first class and business class is well known.  In today’s day of travel, coach class amenities and services seem to be slim to none.  But are they?

However, this is an era of intense airline competition. Coach class airlines are listening to their customers and are gearing up the competition with conveniences and services to keep you flying happy. Many international airlines have ramped up their services and proving the best possible comforts in the coach class as well. Let’s take a look at some of the best coach class airlines in the world renowned for offering top-quality services to their customers.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Airways is presently considered to be the best overall coach class airline in North America. The customers are offered extra legroom than any other airline. The fee it charges for a checked bag is also less than what is usually charged by most other airlines. The airline is also renowned for offering complimentary satellite-based Wi-Fi service. The speed is however slow, but enough bandwidth is available for streaming movies at a small fee per hour. The seats in the airline’s Airbus fleet are also comfortable and an inch wider than on its rivals’ Boeing 737 aircrafts.

Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air is presently the best coach class airline offering ultra-low-fare in North America. The airline is renowned for offering the only low-fare mainline service to several communities where travellers essentially had to otherwise depend on regional flights to nearby hubs.  Even, communities as small as those in Stockton, South Bend, Provo, Owensboro, Missoula and Hagerstown are heavily dependent on their travel by Allegiant Air.

Norwegian

If you are planning to travel to trans-Atlantic destinations, then there is no better airline than Norwegian today. The airline is considered to be the best low-fare coach class airline offering trans-Atlantic flights. The U.S. destinations being currently served by Norwegian from Scandinavia includes Los Angeles, New York, Baltimore and Boston. The airline’s Boeing 787 offerings are on par with its big rivals.
 
Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines is considered to be the best coach class airline for offering intercontinental flights. The airline has unveiled its newly-designed Sky Wider economy class seats providing enough legroom one would ever find on any other international airline presently. Japan’s national carrier is known to offer eight-across seats in its Boeing 787 aircrafts and nine-across seats in its Boeing 777 economy class. The airline is thus offering one seat less in each row than is the current standard with other airlines. Among other amenities provided by the airline include top-quality onboard catering service, private 10-inch screens, and satellite-based Wi-Fi on its new Boeing 777s and 787s fleet.

Southwest Airlines

If you are a senior citizen residing in North America then the best coach class airline to fly with is undoubtedly Southwest Airlines. It is presently the only airline in the United States offering senior fares for travellers aged 65 and above. These fares though have to be booked much in advance. The unrestricted senior fares offered by Southwest Airlines are usually much low than any-age fares.

Are you the quintessential foodie looking out to relish and do something different? Then consider enjoying your meals and drinks at some of the best rooftop restaurants located in different parts of the world. Just imagine the wonderful places where your exploration of these astounding rooftop eateries will take you. If you are ready to follow your passion then it will bring you to magnificent cities such as Paris, Bangkok, London, New York, Vienna and Rome. Let us now take a look into some of the best rooftop restaurants and see what all they have to offer.

Le Jules Verne, Paris
Let your imagination run riot and get yourself a feeling that you are enjoying your food at the top of the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. Yes, this fantasy might just turn out to be a reality as well with a visit to the Le Jules Verne – the official restaurant of this world heritage monument. Eating here is an awesome experience as you soak up the amazing skyline of the City of Lights while being served gourmet meals by the famous chef Alain Ducasse. The Le Jules Verne is undoubtedly among the best places to enjoy fascinating views of the French capital Paris. A voyage of 5 or 6 dishes will directly transport you on a journey of surprises and discovery. The impressive list of 430 different kinds of wines will prompt you to travel to all the wine regions in France. Visiting this astounding rooftop restaurant is surely dream come true for the foodies and tourists alike.

Sixty-Five, New York
The Sixty-Five is a newly-opened rooftop restaurant in New York. It is situated on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. It is the best place in the city to enjoy panoramic views of the iconic skyscrapers of Manhattan while relishing your cocktails and bar bites. This sophisticated and stunning lounge is open from Monday to Friday from 5 pm till midnight. The visitors are allowed entry only in business casual dress. Those wearing t-shirts, baseball caps, sneakers, hoodies or other sportswear are barred entry. You can look forward to Parmesan pizza, wagyu sliders, fish tacos, and Passion Fruit Marshmallow, apart from favorite cocktails.

Le Loft, Vienna
Le Loft is a rooftop restaurant situated inside the Sofitel hotel in the artful city of Vienna. The restaurant’s interiors with its tall glass windows and mosaic ceiling are quite welcoming. The gourmet cuisines created with fresh local ingredients are mouthwatering. This amazing rooftop bar-cum-restaurant is the best place to get a stunning 360 degree view over the entire Austrian capital Vienna. This is absolutely a perfect destination for romantics for a candle light dinner. The Le Loft is the most sought after destination in the city and you will require to reserve your table much in advance.
 
Aroma, Rome
Get ready for a fascinating culinary experience at the Aroma, set high above the Roman ruins of the ancient Colosseum. This is the best place in the city to avoid the crowds and enjoy your meals amidst the picturesque backdrop of the astounding world heritage site. The Michelin starred menu at this rooftop restaurant is simply remarkable. You can look forward to savoring delicacies like salmon with pureed fennel or like white truffle ravioli at this one of the best restaurants in Rome. Aroma also boasts of a superbly-stocked cellar with an impressive list of 300 different kinds of wines and spirits. It is undoubtedly a must visit place for all those who want to enjoy their meals and drinks while soaking up the history of the Eternal City.

Visiting Cairo, the capital city of Egypt and Africa’s largest city, can simply be an astounding and overwhelming experience. The city is home to above 16 million people. With its centuries-old history, the city will just amaze you. It is dusty, smelly, exotic, chaotic and beautiful, and at the same time quite fascinating, exhilarating, vibrant and welcoming. Cairo is ready to bewilder you endlessly with some of the best Islamic, Coptic and Pharaonic sites found in the country. The mighty River Nile, the Sphinx, the Giza Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, medieval markets by Khan El-Khalili, modern malls, theaters, cinemas and much more – are all there for you to keep you fascinated and entertained. Don’t all these ever excite you to visit and spend your vacations in this magnificent historic city!

So, why not plan a trip to Cairo right away? Before making plans for your visit it would be appropriate to know beforehand after all when it would be the best time to do so. Let’s now figure out the best times to head to this beautiful city.

December-February is prime tourist season
If you are planning a trip to Cairo during the winter months between December and February, you can expect an influx of tourists from different parts of the world. This is the most popular time to visit the city. It is the peak tourist season and can be quite expensive. The days are sunny and warm, while the evenings are windy and cool. The pleasant weather is just great for sightseeing. If you have decided to go ahead with your travel during this period do remember to book your hotel rooms at least one or two months in advance or else you have to spend a huge amount because of the huge tourist arrivals. Planning your travel during the winter months has its other advantages as well. You can look forward to taking part in some major festivals such as Cairo Biennale, Sphinx Festival, Cairo International Festival, International Nile Song and Coptic Christmas.
 
Great time to visit during springtime March-April
The spring months from March to April are also considered to be the best time to visit Cairo. It offers a respite to the travelers as the winter crowds start waning. You don’t have to stand in long queues or rub shoulders with other to visit some of the popular attractions in the city. Above all, the weather is also perfectly fine. The hotel room rates are also somewhat low and require three to four weeks advance booking. The Egyptian National Film Festival and Caravan are the two main events held during this period.

Desert climate during summertime May-September
Most tourists don’t prefer to visit Cairo during the months from May to September. It is summertime here and you will have to face desert climate when visiting the city. The dry weather is not quite appealing. If however you decide to visit the city then you are sure to get some fantastic hotel deals. The major events taking place during summertime include Spring Festival and Egypt Now.

Best to visit during late fall October-November
The late fall months of October to November are also great in Cairo’s tourism calendar. These are pleasant times with the summer heat vanishing and winter crowds planning to arrive. You can make the most by visiting famous attractions and indulging in other outdoor activities. This is the time when hotel rates start climbing, but you can still get a good deal when booking a month in advance.
 
Whichever month you choose to visit Cairo, it will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience for you.

Hey, all the music and film lovers. This is your moment. Austin is beckoning you!

The popular South By Southwest music festival, also called SXSW, is again all set to take the city by storm and ready to enthrall all those heading to the city for the wonderful March 13-21 event. So, this is just not the time to waste any more. Book your flight tickets to Austin right away and have a gala time.

Do you know what all awaits you in Austin? The nearly 10-day-long event will be attracting some of the renowned musicians from world over. Get ready to regale with several unknown up-and-coming musical performances in blues, country, electronic, hip-hop, rap, pop and rock as well. The year 2014 was simply fabulous. There was an impressive lineup of more than 2,300 bands, which thrilled thousands of fans with their amazing performances on over 100 stages. Last year was also special as it attracted many big names in the film and music industry, including Lady Gaga, St. Vincent, Lucinda Williams, Soundgarden, Willie Nelson, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Kanye West and Jay Z.

The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival will be celebrating its 22nd year. An impressive lineup for this year’s has already been announced. The craftsmanship by master filmmakers, auteur-driven comedies and emerging directors will be prominently showcasing their independent discoveries. This year 145 feature films are to be shown. This includes 11 U.S. Premieres, 13 North American Premieres and 100 World Premieres. At least 60 films to be featured will be those from the first-time filmmakers.

Whether you are a regular at SXSW or visiting it for the first time, attending multitude of events can be stimulating as well as stressful. Several performances, presentations, business meetings and networking events will keep you heavily engaged and stressed out. Here are some of the important tips that you need to take note of in order to make the most out of your Austin trip.

Packing up for your trip
You must know that SXSW is essentially a work event. With about 10-day-long stay, you need to stock up clothes that would go for both pleasure and business. Check for the weather forecast before you reach Austin as the climate conditions can be rather unpredictable. It may sometimes rain, so carrying an umbrella would be okay.

An insight into music events
A lot of things will be taking place within a short duration. More than 2,200 musical performances will be staged at over 100 places across the city. The Music Gear Expo will be among many activities to be hosted at the convention center. There will be many sessions for you to attend such as Digital Music Streaming, Data Technology, Convergence and A&R. You may choose any of these themes. You can even take part in few networking events as well and meet with artists and music industry professionals.

Where to find accommodation
If you have already made your hotel reservations in advance, it’s good. However, if you arrive in the city at the last minute, finding suitable accommodations might not be difficult if you know what to opt for that suit your budget. You can choose to book hotel rooms, stay in hostel dorms or share home rentals. If you want to lower accommodation costs significantly then prefer home rentals.

How to get around
With many events taking place throughout the city, getting around might just prove to be difficult. The first thing you must do is to download  Austin city map on your smartphone. Additionally, you may also download a SXSW GO app to view events schedule, navigate the tradeshow and city, engage and post on social media, and connect with your friends. The Austin Convention Center will be the main venue for most of the events. You will be having easy access to nightclubs, restaurants and local bars situated nearby. If you want to attend events in other parts of the city, then choose the budget-friendly public transportation option. You can also get rail and bus tickets from Capital Metro and also make extensive use of the SXSW Festival shuttles.

Now that you have got an overview of this premier music and film event in Austin, you will thoroughly enjoy and have a memorable visit.

Cuba is one of those exotic locations that everyone should travel to at least once. With the changes in Cuban regulations,  flights to this foreign country  will soon be available for Americans to visit. We highlighted some of the special attractions that Cuba has to offer, from enjoying the fresh mojitos to adoring the surf and sand of the Caribbean. There are plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t wait to get over to Cuba.

To help seal the deal, we have compiled some of our favorite things to do in Cuba once you arrive.

Get Fresh Cuban Cigars Straight from the Plantation
Take a walking tour of the local tobacco plantation. Located in the southwest area of Pinar del Rio, you’ll find a spot where they have been growing fresh tobacco since 1845 - and in 1997 they launched a famous line of cigars known as the Vegas Robaina.

This plantation has been unofficially open to the public for quite some time. But, if you visit, get ready to do a little work to earn those cigars. You’ll have to take a walk through the fields, see the tobacco-making process and even check out the wrappers and rolling process yourself. There is an on-site café that gives every guest a complimentary cigar, but you can also purchase a few more to go if you would like.

Visit Downtown Havana
Havana is easily one of the most popular spots in all of Cuba. There is plenty to do right here and you could spend your entire vacation in this one spot and have access to amazing food, stores, and of course the beach. Its central location is perfect for quick travel and the historic districts provide you with plenty of sights to take in. Don’t forget to check out the even more exciting nightlife that Cuba is known for while you’re in the downtown area.

Visit Christopher Columbus Cemetery
Also known as the city of marble, the Cemeteries de Colon is worth the time. Here you will find a beautiful mixture of tombs and you can even hire a guide to take you through and give you a little background on the cemetery, including its inhabitants.

Take in the 50’s
One thing you will notice from the moment you get off the plane is that Cuba is all about the 1950’s. You’ll see plenty of 1950’s automobiles in mint condition still driving down the streets of Havana. Here owners have a real sense of pride in their vehicles and these relics to the United States are still used for everyday getting around in Cuba. You can even rent a 1950’s car at some car rental places or take a taxi ride down the coast in one.

Drink Delicious Mojitos Just About Anywhere You Go
You cannot visit Cuba without having a mojito or two. Make sure no matter where you go you are getting the authentic Havana Club Rum though - for the true experience. Some great places to get authentic mojitos include Hotel Nacional de Cuba, La Bodeguita del Medio and El Floridita. While most of these bars are full of fellow tourists, they still offer some of the best drinks in Cuba.

If you go at the right time of the day you will even see first-rate artists playing music. But, if you are bar hopping mid-day, don’t be surprised to find a lot of establishments closed. Cuba is known more for their nightlife, which means you won’t see the best bars open their doors until well after the sun goes down.

Spend a Day at Playa Ancon
One of the finest beaches in the world is in Cuba. Playa Ancon, with its perfect white sand beaches and crystal blue water, is considered one of the finest beaches in the area. You’ll find plenty of all-inclusive resorts parked right here on the shore, snorkeling lessons and even opportunities to go diving into the reefs just off the sand.

Walk through Museo Historico Municipal
Get a real taste of Cuba’s culture at the grandiose museum located just off of Plaza Mayor. This mansion used to belong to the Borrell Family until 1830 and eventually was passed down to the Cantero family. You can see all of Trinidad from the top of the tower, check out the neoclassical decorations inside each room, and more. The view alone makes it worth every penny of the admission fee -but we recommend showing up before 11am so you can avoid the tourist crowds.

Inclement weather, medical emergencies or just bad luck - there are plenty of reasons why your flight may be cancelled. But, a flight cancellation could mean you are stranded at an airport waiting around for another flight or worse, you are scrambling from airline desk to airline desk to find someone else to get you home. No matter the reasons why, there are good ways and bad ways to handle those overwhelming flight cancellations.

Always Have Extra in the Budget
Flight cancellations happen - and always unexpectedly. You can be better prepared by having a little extra in the travel budget for these situations. Extra funds could help you stay a little longer in a comfortable hotel or even pay the extra cost of switching airlines last minute to get home. If flights are cancelled because of bad weather, you may have a few days where you are stuck in your current location, so pad the budget enough to handle food, accommodations and even a rental car for at a couple days.

Decide How Long You’re Willing to Wait
There are times where getting home is important - or you just cannot deal with another day in your current location. There are ways around flight cancellations, but it might mean traveling to a different location and catching a connecting flight rather than a direct flight back home. For example, your flight from New York to California was cancelled, and you cannot stay in New York another day. Your only option for getting home in one day rather than next week is to fly to Denver, wait overnight, and then fly to California. While it is a hassle, it gets you home when you want to be there.

If your flight is cancelled decide how long you are willing to wait or how far you are willing to go to get home.

Check Your Flight Status before Going
Before you check out of the hotel or even pack your bags that day, check your flight’s status online. If it’s cancelled, start the hunt for alternate flights right away. Even if there are no flights, keep looking. New flights pop up and sometimes due to connection issues, seats will open up on flights that were already booked full.

Always Fly with Airports that Maintain Multiple Airlines
Small airports are limited on how many flights they have coming in and out. But, large international airports can cater to over a dozen airlines at once - increasing the chances you will find another airline to take you home even if your flight was cancelled.

You Can Go to Another Airport
Just because the airport you are at now doesn’t have any flights does not mean you are out of luck. Other airports in the area may be able to accommodate you. For example, your flight at Burbank Airport in California was cancelled. But, if you take a cab or shuttle to LAX, you will have a plethora of new airlines and flights to choose from that aren’t.

Don’t be Afraid to Call
If your flight is cancelled, call the airline and see what they can do. After all, it wasn’t your fault the flight was cancelled. Airlines may be able to find you a connection flight or another flight leaving from a different airport. Also, an airline may be willing to compensate you for an overnight hotel stay, last minute flight change, etc. - especially if the cancellation was not due to poor weather.

Book through Travel Agents
The money you pay a travel agent helps in these situations. A travel agent has access to hundreds of flights at their fingertips. When your flight is cancelled, give them a call and see what flights they can find. They will be able to continue to look for a flight faster and more efficiently - and even be able to purchase you a ticket on a new flight. Even if they cannot find a flight right away, your travel agent can find a hotel or some form of accommodation so you are not stranded at the airport or sleeping in the lobby.

Flight cancellations are never fun and they can be stressful. But, by being prepared with a padded budget, flight information at your fingertips and access to backup plans, you don’t have to feel stranded. Even if you are in a foreign country, a flight cancellation can be an easy fix. Just use these quick travel tips and handle your next flight cancellation like a pro.

The frequent fliers especially on long-haul flights tend to choose business class. The benefits for the elite passengers offered in business class are worth spending your hard-earned money. Gone are the days when business class seats were highly expensive. One can find affordable business class deals with ultimate comfort. There are many exclusive privileges for business class travel that lure more and more passengers to fly in the cabin.

Check-in Privileges
Even before the flight takes off, the premium passengers start availing their benefits at the airport. They check-in separately, they are seated sooner than economy passengers and they get to wait in luxurious lounges while enjoying complimentary Wi-Fi and hot meals in many airport business lounges. The lounges also offer shower rooms, sleeping rooms and private eating space.

Business-friendly Facilities
The businessmen who travel for their meetings, conferences or business deals cannot affords to waste their precious time on long haul flights. Hence, many airlines now offer exclusive facilities for the passengers including USB ports, power chargers on each seat, satellite phones and in-flight Wi-Fi to connect their personal smart phones or tablets.

Comfortable Seating
The business class seats are extremely comfortable and not as expensive as first class. This class is perfect for anyone who likes to travel in comfort. Most of the airlines have started offering lie-flat seats with 180 degrees recline. Some of them offer Sky Sofas, Cocoon style seats or Executive pods which offer privacy as well as more space for passengers. The airlines also ensure that passengers get direct aisle access and have spacious legroom. The seats also feature massage functions and retractable tray tables for laptops. The storage is ample too with exclusive pockets for tablets, laptops and knick knacks.

Better Dining Options
Most of the airlines are focusing on the dining options that they give to the premium passengers. Top airlines offer food from Michelin starred restaurants or on-board chefs who prepare menu according to the passengers’ choice. The elite travelers also get to choose the food before boarding the flight with pre-order menu on few of the airlines’ websites.

In-Flight Entertainment
The airlines are incorporating the latest technologies in the flight for better customer experience. From 18-inch touch screens to dual screens with gaming and 100 hours of the latest video content, the airlines ensure that the travelers do not get bored during the flights. Some even offer gate to gate entertainment options.

The long-haul layovers can torment parents, let alone the kids. Keeping the little tykes occupied at the airports can be a herculean task which makes parents to consider road trips. However, there are few domestic terminals that ensure that they cater to all your children’s needs. The top 5 American airports have earned their wings for offering the best children activities.

Orlando (MCO)
Orlando International Airport is the gateway too Disney World and it does a great job even before the theme-park vacation begins. A King of Kong video arcade, free Wi-Fi, plethora of restaurants, automated tram service to the gates and shops offering Disney, Kennedy Space Center, SeaWorld and Universal merchandise. The giant aquarium in the food court is magnificent.

Detroit (DTW)
The McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport offers several play areas, Motown and Henry Ford stores. Jelly sandwiches and gourmet peanut butter are sold at food concessions. Free Wi-Fi keeps the teenagers occupied while Play Port which is a soft sculpted playground at the North Terminal offers fun time for kids. There is a padded clouds slide and an aircraft.

Seattle (SEA)
The airport has four Starbucks outlets for the parents to enjoy respite. Sea-Tac International offers special playlists for teenagers that allow them to ‘Experience the City of Music’ via video screens, speakers, free Wi-Fi and a smart phone application featuring the top performers of Seattle. The younger tots can play in Children’s Play Areas located between the concourses A and B.

Minneapolis (MSP)
Minneapolis- St. Paul Airport offers two different play areas in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2; Lindburgh and Humphrey respectively. They have control towers with slides, mock airplanes and device charging outlets for adults while they wait. A statue of Snoopy at Terminal 1 is great for capturing photographs. A video arcades trio and free Wi-Fi keep the teens occupied. In case, you forgot to carry all your infant supplies, the Diaper Bag Basics vending machine in Terminal 1 has it all.

Denver (DIA)
The Denver International Airport is a treat for art lovers. 30 installations and sculptures include A Subterranean Journey and Deep Time/Deep Space. The light and sculpture installation in the inbound train tunnel at West Terminal is a mile long. DIA also offers free Wi-Fi and four scavenger hunts. You can find toys for your kids at Kazoo & Company or sports merchandise at Sports Terminal.