flying posts

There's something strangely satisfying and less stressful about flying with only carry-on luggage.

The first snicker of satisfaction comes when you arrive at the airport with your boarding pass already printed off the internet and breeze past the line of people waiting to check in their bags. The second is knowing that you've avoided paying check-in baggage fees (this is not so much an issue on Canadian airlines, but you really need to watch out for them in the U.S. or on budget airlines around the world -- they hurt. Ouch!) Third is knowing that the airline won't lose your luggage (it's a slim chance, but it does happen.) And fourth is being able to walk straight off the plane, past those waiting for the baggage conveyor belt to start up, and straight out of the airport.

Before you say that there's no way you could fit everything you need into your carry-on, read on.

Does air travel make you happy or nervous?

For many of us, the joy of air travel seems to have disappeared in the past 10 years, with the never ending changes to security requirements, luggage restrictions and the so-called exposure of hidden costs.

Travellers may reminisce happily of the stylish jet age of the 1960s, recently brought back in the debut of the new TV series Pan Am.

But what about the 21st century? Doesn't the arrival of faster commuter aircraft, WiFi and online check-in count?

Travel website Cheapflights.ca recently surveyed travellers to see if the present or the past is preferable when it comes to spending on airline travel.

Frequent fliers to Los Angeles and San Francisco should take note - there's another airline coming to Canada.

Virgin America, known for its high level of customer service and tech-savvy airplanes, has announced that as early as June 2010, the airline will be flying two new routes, San Francisco and Los Angeles direct to Toronto Pearson Airport.

Currently, Air Canada, United Airlines and American Airlines offer direct flights between these cities.