How to fly cheaply and comfortably: we explain using the example of the low-cost airline Smartavia

1. Measure the bag or backpack that you will take to the salon

Airlines have a different approach to determining carry-on baggage: what one carrier allows you to take into the cabin, another will have to check in baggage for an extra charge. Smartavia imposes the same requirements for the size of on-board luggage on all fares, even on the most budget one. The dimensions of a bag, backpack or suitcase are up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm, and the maximum weight is 10 kg. For comparison: for many low-cost airlines, hand luggage should not be heavier than 5 kg.

In addition, Smartavia passengers have the right to carry additional items in excess of the allowance free of charge. For example, you can take a bag, briefcase or backpack up to 30 × 25 × 7 cm in size and weighing up to 3 kg, a laptop, a set of photo or video equipment with dimensions of 40 × 30 × 20 cm into the cabin. For children, Smartavia has a special

offer. Young travelers can take on board a children's suitcase free of charge, measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm (larger than standard adult hand luggage!) and weighing up to 10 kg.

When the ticket is already in hand, and during the collection it turned out that all things do not fit in one backpack, you can buy more increased luggage dimensions 55 × 40 × 20 cm and weighing up to 10 kg. The same dimensions as extra bed hand luggage - it is also easy to issue after purchasing a ticket. To do this, you need to add the service to the order on the Smartavia website or call the airline's call center. But at the airport, you won’t be able to buy an extra seat - it’s better to do it in advance.

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2. Pay for baggage in advance

The maximum weight of a suitcase that can be checked in depends on the ticket fare. Smartavia has three basic options:

• smart light – only hand luggage without the possibility to check in luggage.
• Smart - hand luggage and baggage weighing up to 10 kg with dimensions up to 203 cm in the sum of all measurements.
• SmartPro — hand luggage and baggage weighing up to 23 kg. Its dimensions are the same as in the Smart tariff.

If there are more things than the tariff allows, order the service "Extra baggage». With it, you can pay extra for exceeding the number of seats or busting with the weight of the suitcase. After buying a ticket, it is convenient to do it on the website, at sales offices, in a call center or during online check-in. You can also pay for the overweight upon boarding, but the cost of the service will be higher.

3. Connect the loyalty program

With it, you can buy tickets and pay for luggage more profitably. Smartavia offers an annual subscription for this. smart up. When buying tickets of any fare, you are guaranteed to save at least 200 rubles, and when paying for additional baggage - 300 rubles. In addition, subscribers get early access to sales and can participate in exclusive closed promotions of the airline.

You can include friends or family members in Smart Up - so each of them will receive a discount on the flight, and the subscription will pay off faster. There are two options:

• 1+1 - for the owner of the subscription and one traveling companion. The cost is 1,490 rubles per year.
• 1+3 - for the owner of the subscription and three fellow travelers. This option costs 2,490 rubles per year.

If you fly together at the 1 + 1 fare, you will receive 400 rubles discounts on tickets and 600 rubles on luggage. Total savings of 1,000 rubles, and this is only one way. When flying back and forth, the benefit will be 2,000 rubles - the cost of Smart Up will justify itself in just one trip.

For some flight destinations, a special Smart Up tariff is available for subscribers: with it, you can get a discount above the standard 200 rubles. Additionally, free airline support service will save you time and money. And with the Unified Card of a Petersburger, you can subscribe with a 50% discount.

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4. Choose the offers that are right for you

You may not see the point in spending money on an in-flight lunch, but you would gladly pay extra for a place where you can stretch your legs. Or maybe you want the ticket to include both food and a choice of seats in the cabin. Smartavia gives passengers the opportunity to independently choose the conditions of the flight and add the necessary services. For example, “Comfort” will allow you to transfer to the first row or to an emergency exit with more legroom, “Seat Selection” will be useful for those who prefers to sit exclusively by the window, and “Locking the next seat” will help out if you want to fly without fellow travelers to the left or right.

By default, the cost of a flight with Smartavia does not include meals. It can be added when buying a ticket or purchased later using the booking system - the airline accepts applications 24 hours before departure. When buying lunch in advance, you don’t have to choose from just a couple of options that are available on your flight - you can choose what you like. IN menu - sandwiches, hot dishes with beef, chicken and fish, as well as baby food.

5. Find out about additional services on board

The entertainment and service system allows Smartavia passengers to control the level of comfort IFE WOW. With it, even during the flight, you can change to another row and block the seats in the neighborhood - of course, if there are empty seats in the cabin. And if you didn’t include food in the ticket, but still wanted to have a bite, there is a paid mini-bar on board. IFE WOW will help you order snacks, soft drinks and spirits.

You don't need to download the app beforehand. The entertainment and service system will turn on during the flight when the aircraft gains altitude. After that, the smartphone can be put into airplane mode, connected to the on-board Wi-Fi and opened in the browser IFE WOW page.

6. Find out if there is in-flight entertainment

This can be especially important when the journey is several hours long and you are flying with children. Entertainment system and service IFE WOW help out here too. Its catalog includes films and series from the Premier online cinema, podcasts, audio books and interactive games - from snake to chess - for passengers of all ages. And if you go on vacation, you can read a guide to the city where you will relax and book a tour.

7. Find out what bonuses your children are entitled to

For tickets for children under 12 years old, Smartavia has discounts - their size varies depending on the group of tariffs. For example, with the Smart option, a child ticket will be 10% cheaper than an adult, and for Smart Pro group tickets, the discount is tied to the selected fare subclass and starts from 10%. Children under 2 years old can travel for free if they fly in the same place with their parent. In addition, the child can be added as a companion to the subscription. smart up – he will also receive guaranteed discounts on the ticket and extra baggage.

In addition to hand luggage, children can take a soft toy into the cabin for free - this will make flying more fun. You don’t have to pay for a children’s bike or scooter, stroller or car seat in your luggage either. To make the journey comfortable, the minibar on board Smartavia aircraft offers healthy snacks and drinks for children, and ice cream is also offered on some flights.

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