Travel: Chart your summer flight plan

Planning an international trip starts with determining an itinerary. Remember, flights are the means to an end. Selecting them wisely will enhance your foreign travel experience.

' When should flights be booked?

The flight both to and from a foreign country even if not overnight will be long and tiring. The most convenient flight times and seat locations are available at the time they are first available, about 11 months in advance of departure.

' Which airlines are best?

In my experience there is not much quality difference between the three major U.S. airlines and their foreign alliance partners. From The Eastern Iowa Airport, reduce the number of plane changes and the chances of missing connecting flights by using an airline flying directly to the best hub - Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis, Detroit and Atlanta - for your international flight.

' What about airline miles?

Airlines differ as to when they make seats available for miles. Some add them a few days after seats are available for purchase; others open them up later when seat purchases are slow.

Search for availability of redeemable seats for your route and preferred flights for weeks earlier than your desired departure date to predict when miles seats will be released for your departure date. Some airlines provide miles availability for their future flights online. Sometimes, you may need to call the airline.

The amount of miles you will accumulate on your trip varies with the cost of your ticket.

' What flight times are best?

It is important to arrive at a time your hotel room will be available. Typically rooms can be available earlier if requested in advance. If your arrival must be early morning, consider progressing on to your first primary destination on a short flight or by taxi or rental car. This can enable you to arrive midday there.

' How can jet lag be reduced?

If you go east or west, jet lag can make several days unpleasant. Losing hours eastbound (to Europe) somehow creates worse jet lag than gaining hours westbound (to Asia). Arriving during the day is essential. It has been found that the brain will adapt more easily to new sleeping times if you can expose yourself to daylight before night sets in. Walk the streets for several hours before relaxing at the friendly neighborhood bar and then having your first delicious dinner of local cuisine.

' Are local foreign airlines safe?

Small foreign airlines need to be thoroughly researched. If United, Delta, or American includes an airline in its global alliance, I have confidence in it. If not in one of those alliances I phone my destination hotel manager and ask him about the local airlines.

' Ron Moore, a business consultant in Cedar Rapids, has lived in four foreign countries. His travels have taken him to 53 countries.