Seven sites to see before you fly

There's nothing worse than being stuck in the middle seat when you're hungry and hours behind schedule. Before you step on the plane, be sure to hop online to check out these seven websites. They just might give you all the information you need to make your next trip that much more comfortable.

1. SeatGuru: This site labels itself the "enlightened guide to airplane seating." After you select your airline and the plane you'll be flying on, SeatGuru displays a diagram of the aircraft, labeled with recommendations about good and bad seats and the locations of power ports and lavatories. When it comes time to select my seat, I always consult SeatGuru for advice.
   


2. Weather: Don't forget to check the temperature and forecast for the city you'll be visiting, and pack accordingly. If it's going to be considerably colder at my home location than it is where I'm going, I tend not to bring a jacket, because I figure I won't be spending much time outside on my way to the airport, and the extra coat would just add weight to my luggage.


3. Airline check-in: One of the best time-savers is to print your boarding pass in advance and avoid the line at the airport ticket counter or kiosk. If you didn't get your preferred seat when you booked your flight, it's worth seeing if you can change your seat location when you check in online. And if you're still stuck in the middle seat, be sure and speak to a gate agent at the airport; sometimes they'll be able to put you in an exit row, or perhaps a seat will have become available someplace else on the plane.
   


4. Airport websites: These links are courtesy of JohnnyJet, whose travel portal is a goldmine of travel information. It's always helpful to find out what you can about the airport you're departing from, as well as the one you're arriving at. Where is the parking located, or is there public transportation access? How are the terminals laid out, particularly if you need to connect between them in a short time? What are your dining options? If you've planned ahead, you're less likely to need a mad scramble to the gate to catch your flight.
   


5. Convention and visitors bureaus: Are you traveling for vacation? If so, it's worth checking with local agencies that provide official tourist information. You can often find discounted hotel rates, information about top attractions, and coupons that offer savings for restaurants and shopping. However, if you forget to print them out in advance, most destinations publish tourist guides that provide similar deals. This is the best way to know where to go when you're on vacation, and also how to keep your costs down while you're there.
   


6. Flight delays: Particularly during the holiday season, it's inevitable that the airlines will be running behind schedule. Keep up to date by checking this site, or by getting your carrier to send flight status information to your cell phone or pager. It's also worthwhile to know your airline's flight schedule, in case you need to make alternate plans to get to your destination.
   


7. Airline humor: Whether it's because your flight is delayed, your luggage is lost, or you didn't have time for lunch, it's better to laugh than cry about everything that went wrong on your trip. Check out this site, "celebrating 100 years of laughter in the air." One nugget: "The Wright brothers served the same meal that I got on my last flight -- nothing."

I hope you've enjoyed reading my column. I'll be on hiatus until 2005 as I develop some new ventures. Watch this page for more details!