Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Hard economic times are abound this year and with the unemployment rate going up many people might be seeing a scarcer holiday season. Cutting back the number of gifts may be one answer, but if you’re really looking to save money, skip the airplane ride home to visit your family.

Flying now a day is not like it was a mere decade ago, prices have risen dramatically and patrons are now being charged for everything imaginable. There is now a charge for convenience, seat selection, number of bags, weight of bags, and in flight snacks as well as many more things that many think should be an amenity to flying.  While prices are incredibly high on any given day recent studies have found that airlines such as American, Delta, Northwest, United, Continental and US Airways are significantly increasing their surcharges for the looming holiday season. This shocking fact has many people disgruntled; and many have gone as far as to say that the industry has lost all respect for their customers.

Experts estimate that there will be approximately 80,000 fewer seats to major destination this year than in previous years. Because of the drop in the number of seats available people will be vying to get onto a flight and thus ticket prices will be higher. Surcharges will also be upped by $10-$20 per charge for this new holiday convenience fee.

Instead of hopping on a plane this season look at other feasible modes of transportation to get to where you are headed. Consider driving or taking a train. Each of these two options can turn out to be considerably less than the cost of flying now and can also elongate your holiday vacation. You can turn your trip into a road trip and visit many tourist attractions on the way to your destination. Taking a train is also an almost forgotten from of transportation that will take you back decades to a more simple time. So say adieu to your airline this season and hop on the road to another wonderful holiday season.

For more information on flying this holiday season, click here!