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With crowded planes, fewer flights and more delays and cancellations, friendly skies are hard to find. The info below consists of flying tips from numerous sources, including representatives of the airlines, the International Air Transport Assn, the Air Transport Assn. and travel experts Joe Brancatelli (www.joesentme.com) and Tom Parsons (www.bestfares.com). The chief rule: Fly nonstop to avoid delays and reduce the risk of landing without your luggage. Because several airlines failed in 2008, Brancatelli emphasizes the importance of buying airfare with a credit card. "The Fair Credit Billing Act requires your credit-card issuer to refund you if your product is not delivered," Brancatelli says.

Avoiding delays and missed connections

• Fly nonstop; if that's not possible, take a direct flight (a stop, but no change of planes).

• Connecting flights require a change of planes, increasing your risk for lost luggage and delays. If you have to connect, choose a major hub such as Dallas or Atlanta, because it will have many flights per day; a smaller hub may have just one.

• Book multicity or international travel with the same carrier or alliance (such as Star or One World), so the airline takes responsibility if you miss your connection.

Helpful websites:

• www.ifly.com (airport guidance)

• www.staralliance.com/en/meta/airlines/index.html

• www.oneworld.com/ow/member-airlines

Easier check-in

• Check in online up to 24 hours before departure (even if checking bags).

Helpful websites:

• www.aa.com/aa/pubcontent/en_US/urls/mobileBoarding.jsp

• www.continental.com/web/enUS/apps/onepass/promotions/registrationDetails.aspx?promocode=A4802

• www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/itineraries_checkin/options/mobile_checkin/index.jsp

Hassle-free international travel

• Make sure your passport is current and has at least six months till it expires.

• Check passport requirements. Some countries insist that your passport has blank pages, while others don't require a fresh page for its stamp.

• Determine whether you'll need a visa or vaccinations.

Helpful websites:

• http://travel.state.gov/

• http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx

• http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/home.htm

Finding low fares

• Subscribe to airlines' e-mail about special weekend fares.

• Download American's DealFinder at www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/urls/dealfinder.jsp and Southwest's Ding! at www.southwest.com/hotfares/signup.html?ref=cns_ding_hp and check Smarter Travel's tips at www.smartertravel.com/

Fare search engines:

• www.sidestep.com

• www.kayak.com

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