You should find out if there is food included on your flight, or if you have to pay extra for that food. Some airlines offer free non-alcoholic beverages, but others make you pay for them. (Keep in mind that a lot of airlines now only accept debit or credit cards for purchases on board.) At times, I have found that a particular airfare is so low, that it’s worth it to pay extra for the food and drinks than to fly another airline. So an extra $6.00 for beverages on a long flight might still make the airfare a good deal!
Regarding seat assignments, some airlines let you automatically reserve a seat for no additional charge. Others have open seating, where you pick what seat is available, when boarding. Some airlines offer you a chance to reserve your own seat, but you must pay an extra charge for that. Others offer you priority boarding, which may include an extra fee.
So know the rules before you pack and board your flight. Every airline website has them listed in detail, but if you have trouble finding them, call the airline to get the information.
Good preparation is the key to smooth travel!
Packing for a trip can be quite frustrating or overwhelming. For a FREE general packing list, click here.