Little Perks You Can Get on Seven Major Airlines
Flights these days leave a lot to be desired. Some airlines try to compensate for the unpleasant, boring experience with small perks. These amenities are certainly not as desirable as, say, more legroom, but you can also take advantage of them on your next flight.
Delta, Virgin America and Alaska Airlines: Free Text Messages
Delta Airlines recently began offering free in-flight text messages. To send text messages, you must be using iMessage , Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp , so if you plan on flying with Delta anytime soon, you can download them to your device if you don’t already have them. Of course, the person you want to write to will have to use these apps to communicate with you.
Delta reassures travelers that this service is completely free, there is no need to purchase an overpriced Wi-Fi pass or anything, and there are no messaging and data charges because you are using their Wi-Fi. In their ad, they add that you can only send text – photo and video messages are not supported. However, emojis will work (phew).
Virgin America offers this on all of its flights (and Alaska Airlines flights). Like Delta, you can use iMessage, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger. Just connect to their Wi-Fi and open the app. However, they clarify that this service is not available on flights to Hawaii and Mexico.
JetBlue: Free Wi-Fi
Most airlines charge you a fee to use their Wi-Fi, so it’s somewhat surprising that JetBlue, the famous discounted airline, has completely free Wi-Fi (they call it Fly-Fi ). You can also stream videos. According to the JetBlue website, it is available on all of their aircraft.
If that’s not enough, they also offer unlimited snacks . They’ll give you a snack basket, and if you’re skeptical, you can ask, “Seriously? Can I take as much as I want? And they will smile and nod politely. The lady next to me immediately grabbed five bags of crisps. Also worth noting: JetBlue has surprisingly more legroom on most flights than other major airlines.
Southwest Airlines: Free Checked Bags
Most airlines have chosen to split their flights to keep up with the competition. The split means the airfare will stay low, but you will have to pay extra for everything from seat selection to baggage checks. Few airlines offer free baggage check-in, but Southwest is one of them. What’s more, they offer two free checked baggage items :
Southwest accepts the first two checked baggage free of charge, provided they are less than 50 pounds and 62 inches (L + W + H). Overweight items from 51 to 100 pounds and oversized items over 62 “but no more than 80” are accepted for a charge of $ 75.00 per item one way.
Plus, unlike most other carriers, Southwest does not charge you if you need to change your flight. Yes, you will have to pay for the difference in fares, but many other carriers will only charge you for the hassle of switching, and that fee can be up to $ 200.
Hawaiian Airlines: Free food and drink
Airlines often offer free food and alcohol on long-haul, overnight and overseas flights – something should help you stay in one seat for seven hours. But Hawaii Airlines (which offers routes outside of Hawaii) also offer free food and alcohol on all of its North American flights. And the food really looks delicious .
CNBC reports that Hawaiian is the only domestic carrier that serves all guests free of charge (at least on North American routes). Even economy travelers get a free glass of wine and a free Coloa rum punch, according to CNBC .
Virgin Atlantic: Free Travel Kit
If you are flying overnight flight Virgin Atlantic, you get a set for the rest « Relax Pack », even if you are economy class passengers. The Economy (and Premium Economy) version includes a toothbrush and toothpaste, earplugs, eyecup, socks and a pen.
Apart from all of the above, there are other amenities that you can get on most flights , but you have to ask. Most carriers offer extra snacks and drinks, medicine and bandages, a free cockpit tour, crayons and coloring books for kids, and these cute little pins with wings. Not all airlines will have it all, but it’s worth knowing it the next time you need a freebie for your flight.