Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

‘App in the Air’ Could Help Travelers Survive the Next Government Shutdown

Mike Richard
By

Travel enough, and all that moving around can start to feel like a part-time job unto itself. Between remembering flight check-ins, debating what to pack, keeping your S.O. apprised of your travel plans, and knowing what the TSA security checkpoint status is at your departure airport, it’s overwhelming. What’s worse: this year’s looming second shutdown of the U.S. government is guaranteed to make the experience much, much worse. App in the Air is like a personal assistant to help ease (most of) your travel headaches with one convenient mobile app.

App in the Air is designed to help digital nomads juggle multiple itineraries and boarding passes while also tracking reward points and miles for airlines, hotels, and rental car providers. However, it simplifies almost every other aspect of pre-trip, day-of, and post-trip travel too.

App in the Air phone
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For day-of travel, users can check up-to-the-minute boarding and landing times, the latest wait times at airport check-in and security checkpoints, and ensure their carry-on luggage doesn’t exceed their airline’s maximum dimensions. Once at the airport, the app can display detailed maps of shops, restaurants, parking, and where to pick up local transportation. App in the Air also keeps tabs on flight delays and can alert users when they may be entitled to compensation.

Recommended Videos

Airports, flights, and wait times all change minute-to-minute, which is why the app’s crowdsourced feedback is one of its best features. App users can submit feedback about their recent travel experience including thoughts on airport statuses or gripes about their specific flight. They can also share insider tips about “hidden” power outlets at the airport, where to find a quiet place to work in the terminal, or which cafes might still be open at 4 a.m. Using geolocation, App in the Air users can also connect with one another directly to, for example, share a cab out of the airport, grab a coffee together in the city, or discuss where to spend the night if they were bumped from their flight or, even worse, the flight was canceled altogether.

The App in the Air mobile app is free to download for iOS and Android. However, the best features, like offline access and automatic flight check-ins, are part of the paid annual $30 plan.

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Sony’s best noise-canceling headphones just got a big price cut
A man wearing the Sony WH-1000XM5.

While traveling can be a lot of fun, especially as you get to see and experience new places, one thing that can always be annoying is the sounds of travel. Whether it's the loud whine of an airplane engine or the hustle and bustle of a busy city, sometimes the sound of everything can get overwhelming. That's why it's important to pick the best headphones you can find to help block all that noise out and let you experience things in relative peace. Luckily, one of the best headphones on the market, the Sony WH-1000XM5, has an excellent deal from Best Buy, bringing the price down to $350 from $400, a substantial discount for such a great pair of headphones.

Why you should buy the Sony WH-1000XM5
What sets the Sony WH-1000XM5 apart from other headphones is its industry-leading Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which easily outperforms comparable headphones like the AirPods Max. It often won't just reduce noise but completely erase it, and one thing that Sony has improved since the XM4s is high-frequency cancellation, which is ideal for places with a lot of people talking, such as coffee shops or crowded bus and train stations. Of course, it also has an excellent transparency mode, which you can switch to easily if you need to talk to somebody or are feeling uneasy and want that extra sense working for you.

Read more
This Belize eco-resort is literally built into the jungle and offers a uniquely local experience
Check out the most jungle-friendly luxury resort in Belize
Hamanasi Sunset

We all dream of disappearing from our lives for a week or more each year to sit on a beach, listen to the ocean, and indulge in relaxation and little umbrella drinks. Of course, now there are a dozen things we must think about that come with this kind of getaway to paradise, from price and customer service to excursions and locations, and believe it or not, the environment.

Everyone's favorite tropical getaway, the Caribbean, sees marine pollution and degradation, coral reef destruction, and high demand for their water and energy resources. The flip side is that the tourism industry is nearly 15% of the region's overall GDP, meaning abstaining hurts the region as much as it helps. Luckily, a resort tucked away in the jungle of Belize has a solution.

Read more
Take the high route when hiking: The best high-elevation hikes around the world
Can you take on these high-elevation hikes?
Hiking in high elevation

Taking the high route involves more preparation, both physically and mentally. True, it's not easy, but the adventure to the top will surely be worth it once you see the amazing view. So to help you get started, we listed below some of the world’s best high-elevation hikes that will take you to new heights while also possibly allowing you to discover something you didn't know about yourself.

Inca Trail, Peru
While there are other trails that can get you to the famous archaeological ruins of Machu Picchu, none or more famous than the Inca Trail. While you can get to the mythical citadel without making the trek, you will miss out on imposing mountain passes, snowcapped peaks visible along the route, cloud forest high in the Andes, and the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the Inca. The three- to four-day trek can only be done with an approved outfitter, and there are limits on the number of people allowed on the trail daily. Plan early as slots fill up fast.

Read more