Cheap Flights

NUMBER 1
EasyJet, UK
Based at London Luton Airport but running flights from both Gatwick and Heathrow, EastJet was the first low-budget airline to fly outside of Europe. Operating 387 routes between 104 destinations in Europe and North Africa, it is now listed on the London Stock Exchange as a public company. Booking is easy and completed online, with reference numbers handed out to passengers in place of tickets (a convenient strategy that was copied by dozens of other carriers shortly after). While EasyJet’s cabins are configured in a single class, with unflattering grays and brazen oranges used throughout the crowded aisles, the carrier does stretch to the furthest destinations for the cheapest, and, for the majority, runs flights that depart when they say they’re going to depart. A seat from Gatwick to Morocco can be snagged for little more than $60, for example. Cheap, cheerful and singlehandedly bringing travel to the masses, EasyJet deserves to be our No. 1 budget airline.

NUMBER 2
AirAsia, Malaysia

Founded by dotcom business-brain Tony Fernandes in 2001, AirAsia has singlehandedly unlocked the gateway to Asia. Voted “Airline Of The Year 2007,” its bright red aircrafts now fly to over 48 destinations in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Macau, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and the Philippines, and is the first carrier in the area allowed to fly domestic routes. With the Kuala Lumpur to Penang route costing no more than $3, it’s hardly surprising that 35 million passengers have already taken to the skies with AirAsia. With no tickets, no seat allocations and no frills, AirAsia has steadily climbed up the low-budget airline ranks to settle nicely into our No. 2 spot.

NUMBER 3
AirArabia, United Arab Emirates
While you don’t automatically associate the United Arab Emirates and its surrounding high-rise cities with a shoestring budget, AirArabia breaks the mold to offer its passengers cheap seats for decent prices. Based in Sharjah, it operates services to 32 places in the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Only 4 years old, the carrier offers visitors to Sharjah International Airport direct access to Dubai, a super-fast check-in process, low congestion, and service with a beautiful smile. Once on board, passengers will enjoy seat pitches of 32 inches -- more legroom than any another economy airline in existence. With plans to set up a secondary base in Rabat, Morocco, AirArabia also plans to move in on the European market in the not-too-distant future.

NUMBER 4
RyanAir, Ireland
Despite being voted traveler’s “least favorite airline” in a 2006 poll by TripAdvisor.com -- largely thanks to its customer service -- Dublin-based carrier RyanAir has proven its critics wrong, becoming Europe’s largest low-cost airline. Operating 516 routes across 26 countries from 25 bases -- and with 50 more planned this coming year -- the airline has expanded at a frightening pace since is inauguration in 1985. Known for itscommitment to continuously low fares and its willingness to challenge established airline policy, RyanAir continues to move onwards and upwards. While its seats are pretty basic, its sheer number of destinations is the allure. And with plans to launch a long-haul route in 2009, RyanAir is convenient and cost-effective.

NUMBER 5
US Airways, USA
The largest low-cost airlines in the United States, US Airways boasts a fleet of 360 aircraft and flies between 240 destinations in North America, Central America, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Europe. The spacious seats in the carrier’s Economy Class feature personal TVs with movie channels, games and television shows in a number of different languages, overhead monitors every three rows or so and an essential EmPower outlet for charging all those laptops and iPods. What’s more, just because those flying with US Airways are on a budget, it doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a little in-cabin luxury, should they so choose. As part of the airlines’ Business Class, some planes feature brilliant Envoy Sleeper Seats that unfold to reveal fully flat beds, as well as complimentary gourmet food and a number of on-demand entertainment options. Who needs a private jet?

NUMBER 6
Jetstar, Australia
Named the best low-budget carrier by Skytrax, Jetstar runs dozens of flights within Oz as well as to locations in Asia, such as Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Cambodia, and Malaysia. What’s more, those in need of a little respite from busy city life can hop on a cheap-as-chips flight to Honolulu on the paradise isle of Hawaii. Offering the widest cabin of any single-aisle aircraft in the sky, Jetstar carriers come with the type of leather seats you’d expect to see in the upper-class section of a Virgin Atlantic flight, nifty power points so passengers can plug in their electronic devices, portable video-on-demand units for rent, and a convenient water fountain in the middle of the cabin floor should passengers not want to fork out for expensive in-flight refreshments.

NUMBER 7
WestJet, Canada
Based in Calgary, Alberta, WestJet is Canada’s premier low-cost airline and is one of the world’s fastest growing aviation companies. Flying to most of the main cities in Canada -- including Toronto and Vancouver -- and 11 destinations in the U.S. and Caribbean, WestJet has become a favorite amongst the country’s budget jet-setters. Voted the second-best low-cost airline in North America, passengers aboard a WestJet flight can expect their own personal TVs with 24 channels and satellite radio embedded into the seat in front, plush leather recliners and the best customer service in town. What more could you possibly want as you soar the sky?

NUMBER 8
LIAT, Caribbean
The official low-cost carrier of the Caribbean, LIAT may not be big on luxury, but with low, low prices, we’re prepared to put up and shut up. Based in St. John’s, Antigua, the airline offers scheduled flights to 22 holiday destinations across the Caribbean, including Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, and St. Lucia. Featuring propeller-only aircrafts, getting there with LIAT is half the fun as you bounce around the tiny cabin over blue seas and paradise islands. Making the Caribbean a smaller place, LIAT makes hopping from one island to another an affordable reality.  

NUMBER 9
Airberlin, Germany
Germany’s second largest airline after Lufthansa, Airberlin runs a vast network of flights to popular spots in Europe and North Africa, as well as dozens of domestic flights between German cities. Now with 97 destinations, cities such as Barcelona, Budapest, Copenhagen, Milan, Moscow, Paris, Rome, and Vienna are all within reach of its travelers. Boasting one of the youngest fleets in Europe, flights with Airberlin are comfortable, quiet and, as you’d expect from a German airline, on time. What’s more, the engines used are some of the most eco-friendly around, meaning those worried about their carbon footprint can sleep easier, too.

NUMBER 10
Royal Bengal Airlines, India
Having launched in 2006, Royal Bengal Airlines, based in Bangladesh, still has a way to go to provide its low-budget credentials. Nevertheless, it was founded to provide an alternative to the steep ticket prices of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and looks set to deliver on its promise with a team of British Bangladeshi professionals, businessmen and aviation experts behind it. Initially offering direct flights from London to airports in Sylhet and Dhaka, Royal Bengal Airlines intends to widen its net in the future and serve destinations around Asia. With online booking, reduced check-in waiting times and increased baggage allowance, this carrier already has our vote.

( source : askmen.com )

JETLAG

PREVENT JET LAG BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT

Adjust meal times

Adjusting to meals, for instance, is a key way to set your body clock straight. Eat your dinners, lunches and breakfasts according to the times of your destination. Though this may seem inconvenient during those last few days prior to leaving, it will really pay off when you find yourself already habituated to the times away from home. For instance, if you live in Boston (GMT -5) and are going to London (GMT +0), you should eat later than usual -- though pushing your dinnertime from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. would be a bit excessive.

Eat the right foods

As for specific dietary recommendations, professionals advise high-protein, low-carb, low-calorie meals, containing limited amounts of sodium and fat. The protein provides energy, while the limited calories and carbs make you feel less sluggish.
Eating food with the amino acid L-tryptophan, like turkey, can help you get a great night's sleep right before you depart or leave you tired enough to rest on the plane. This will take care of your restlessness as well as fill you up.
The "right foods" can also be the ones most commonly eaten at your destination. For instance, if you're going to India, you can plan ahead and start eating curried dishes, in order to avoid the shock of this new spice when you arrive. This will help to keep the stomachaches that are often related to jet lag to a minimum.

Get plenty of rest

Don't go out partying the night before. Even if the guys want to hold a going-away shindig for you, refrain from drinking too much. The last thing you want is to be hung over on the airplane. Excessive amounts of coffee and a sleepless night before departure can have similarly unfavorable results. Instead, try to have a peaceful and restful night. Adjusting your sleeping patterns beforehand will pay off when you feel energetic upon arrival.

PREVENT JET LAG DURING THE FLIGHT

For many, the secret to avoiding the damaging effects of jet lag lies in what is done while onboard the plane. The dry air, cramped space and lack of air circulation can all affect your flight experience, which in turn, can lead to an increase in the occurrence of jet lag. Therefore, take the necessary steps to ensure that you don't get stressed out about the man snoring next to you and feel rested and relaxed upon landing.

Drink a lot of water

Experienced travelers will recommend that you drink water onboard in order to stay hydrated. Don't consume any beer or hard liquor either, since this will dehydrate you even more. Coffee should also be avoided, as your goal should be to sleep a little on the plane and not be wired.

Stretch

The times you are not sleeping or enjoying the in-flight movie should be spent exercising. Even if you're stuck in the middle seat, get up every so often to stretch your legs, arms, back, and neck. This can also be done if your flight has a brief stopover.
There are also some yoga exercises that may help alleviate jet lag. While remaining seated, flyers can do the downward-facing dog, and cat and cow contractions, which can help improve circulation. It might not be your idea of manly, but hey -- they say it works.

Get some sleep

The importance of a proper amount of sleep cannot be emphasized enough. Jet lag sufferers' No. 1 complaint is fatigue at odd hours of the day, so why not take advantage of the time you have on the plane to catch some shut-eye? Just remember: If you do manage to sleep, it's extremely important that you get up to stretch or walk around to avoid blood clots from forming (immobility with feet down can cause deep vein thrombosis, aka blood clots). There are even a variety of stretching exercises you can do in your seat.
If the cramped conditions or feelings of anxiety are keeping you from sleeping, give homeopathic products a try. You can find these at your local pharmacy or even online, and although there are no side effects, it's a good idea to consult your pharmacist or doctor beforehand.
Resorting to sleeping pills is not a good idea, as they will likely cause you to remain immobile for hours.
Make the most of the flight

All in all, it is important to have a relaxed mind-set when you board the plane. Many jet lag sufferers are stricken because they try doing too much to avoid it and perhaps even panic a little. Make it a relaxing trip and treat the flight as if you were sitting in your own living room. Enjoy the movie, read a book and talk to your neighbor, if he or she seems friendly enough.

PREVENT JET LAG AFTER THE FLIGHT

There is more to do after your plane has landed than take pills and moan about how tired you feel. You can condition your body so that its own "clock" fixes itself quite rapidly. This requires strength and persistence, but it is well worth it, especially if you have no time to waste appreciating a new city or resort.

Don't give in to sleep

Your body will naturally want to rest at odd times during the day, but it is your duty to resist that urge. Instead of trying to catch up on sleep, stay active and awake until your destination's bedtime. It may be hard at first, but your mind will make the required adjustment. If this seems like an improbable solution or if you really cherish your sleep, take power naps instead. Don't give in to a deep sleep, but take an hour between touring the sites to rest your eyes.

Catch some rays

In order to wake your body up from its sleepiness, doctors suggest going outdoors and taking in the sun. This is supposed to increase your alertness, which is an important factor in beating jet lag, or at least lessening its effects on your body. If you arrive in a rainy or cloudy locale, stay in places where the rooms are brightly lit, as this has a similar affect as natural light.

Replenish your system

To maintain the same levels of energy and freshness you have at home, several supplements and foods are recommended. Your basic vitamin tablets, with extra vitamin C, can help give you a boost in your quest to prevent jet lag. So can a healthy dose of fruits and vegetables. If your problem is more related to water consumption, then you may have to turn to rehydration salts. Water is a key component to your health, so make sure you have enough one way or another.
Small, light meals are a good idea, for both the dehydrated and the hydrated, as huge feasts will make you tired. Whatever your tastes in food, make sure you focus on reviving your overly stressed system.

DON'T LET THE JET LAG DRAG YOU DOWN

With this wide range of solutions at your disposal, there is no reason why jet lag should become a significant problem when you're headed to your destination and when you're returning home. Even if some of the recommended remedies do not work for you, remember the mental capacity to overcome fatigue can be enough to enjoy your travels properly. Whatever it takes, most travelers would say it is highly worth it to avoid the kind of jet lag that can negatively impact your vacation plans.
 

( Source : askmen.com )