Airlines -- In addition to the domestic U.S. airlines listed, many international carriers serve Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. These include, among others: Aer Lingus (tel. 01/886-8888 in Dublin; www.aerlingus.ie), Air Canada (tel. 800/776-3000; www.aircanada.ca), British Airways (tel. 0845/7733-377 in the U.K.; www.british-airways.com), Canadian Airlines (tel. 800/426-7000), Japan Airlines (tel. 0354/89-1111 in Tokyo; www.jal.co.jp), Qantas (tel. 13-13-13 in Australia; www.qantas.com.au), and Virgin Atlantic (tel. 01293/747-747 in the U.K.; www.fly.virgin.com).
Airline Discounts -- Smart travelers can reduce the price of a plane ticket by shopping around. Overseas visitors, for example, can take advantage of the APEX (Advance Purchase Excursion) reductions offered by all major U.S. and European carriers. For the best rates, compare fares and be flexible with the dates and times of travel.
Immigration and Customs Clearance -- Visitors arriving by air, no matter what the port of entry, should cultivate patience and resignation before setting foot on U.S. soil. Clearing immigration control can take as long as 2 hours, especially on summer weekends, so carry this guidebook or other reading material. This is especially true in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when U.S. airports have considerably beefed up security clearances. People traveling by air from Canada, Bermuda, and certain Caribbean countries can sometimes clear Customs and Immigration at the point of departure, which is much faster.
