“FlightConnections shows travelers exactly where they can fly — instantly — by turning complex flight schedules into a simple, interactive route map,” said Kevin Joling, founder and CEO of FlightConnections, in an email.
Searches are fast, and the user interface is sleek and easy to navigate. There are several useful filters, including the ability to search for routes by airline or airline alliance, number of stops, fare class and even type of aircraft. You can also search for all arrivals and departures at any airport within a selected radius, which can be helpful in areas with a high density of airports (such as New York City).
FlightConnections offers both free and premium versions ($39.99 annually). The free version lets you filter by one airport and airline at a time, but most of the more powerful filters require the premium version. You can also snag a lifetime membership for $149. However, FlightConnections doesn’t offer a monthly premium membership, and while you can search by airline alliance, you can’t search by loyalty program.
Features and membership details
FlightConnections offers a free and paid version. Here’s how the features stack up:
|
Feature
|
FlightConnections Free
|
FlightConnections Premium
|
|---|---|---|
|
Cost
|
$0.
|
|
|
Number of airlines covered
|
692.
|
692.
|
|
Number of airports/cities covered
|
3,942.
|
3,942.
|
|
Unique route pairs
|
58,300.
|
58,300.
|
|
Flight schedules
|
2 months out.
|
12 months out.
|
|
Advertisements
|
Yes.
|
No.
|
|
Search filters
|
Both versions of FlightConnections offer access to the same number of airlines, airports and route pairs with a specific origin city and destination. The free version has ads, integrates a flight schedule up to two months out and lets you search the route map for one airline, or for flights between one departure and one arrival airport. You can also search for flights within a 500 kilometer (311-mile) radius of any arrival or departure airport.
For example, using the radius search from New York City, you can see all direct routes to Europe within a 311-mile departure radius, which includes John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.
FlightConnections Premium does all that and adds a number of useful filters, including class of service, aircraft type, flight time, distance, duration, and to or from a particular country for an unlimited number of airlines. You can also combine those filters for a multi-criteria search.
What FlightConnections does well
It helps with trip planning
FlightConnections is the first place I turn when planning a trip. Whether it’s a simple domestic itinerary or one that involves stopovers or more complicated routings, FlightConnections makes it easy to find options for getting between two (or more) places.
It includes flight schedules
One of my favorite features of FlightConnections is the integration of flight schedules. In addition to showing flight options, it also shows you when those flights are available.
It helps you find unique or high-demand seats
Years ago, I used FlightConnections to find Asiana Airlines routes that were served (at the time) by a Boeing 747. That particular plane was outfitted with one first-class throne, a large two-seated space in the center of the first class cabin that was ideal for traveling with a companion.
Thanks to FlightConnections, I was able to secure those seats and enjoy the experience of sitting in the nose of a double-decker Boeing 747. The tool provided me with the necessary information to make my booking process smooth and efficient.
Even though the free version of FlightConnections can be powerful enough for infrequent travelers, I believe that investing in the premium version is well worth it. This is especially true because I have not come across another tool like it.
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