Humanitarian travel offers a unique opportunity to make a difference and experience global cultures. However, booking flights for overseas humanitarian trips can be a challenging process.
It’s important to book flights with airlines that offer flexible flight schedules and luggage allowances. Here are some tips on securing affordable, flexible flights for humanitarian work abroad:
Travel Outside of Peak Season
When people are looking to travel, they will often seek out opportunities outside of peak season. This is because the prices for flights are cheaper and there are fewer travelers. This is a win-win for everyone involved in the travel industry, especially when it comes to humanitarian agencies that organize flights overseas for a variety of reasons.
It’s important to note that the concept of peak and off-peak seasons is quite a bit different depending on the region and country in question. For example, in the United States, peak travel season typically stretches from June to August as school children take their summer vacations. On the other hand, European destinations tend to experience a high season from November through March as their winter draws to a close.
As a result, the off-season travel months for Europe are September through October, while the off-season for Asian countries is June to October. For many, these are ideal times to visit because the weather is mild and offers the opportunity to see some of the world’s most popular destinations in a less-crowded environment.
Another benefit to traveling during off-season is that it can help local economies and support sustainable tourism practices. This is because fewer tourists means less strain on resources and a smaller carbon footprint, making the environment better for humans and wildlife alike.
Furthermore, off-season travel can also mean a more authentic and enjoyable travel experience for those who choose to go. For instance, a safari trip to Kenya or Tanzania during the low season means you won’t have to compete with other tourists for space in wildlife viewing areas and will have a better chance of seeing lion cubs and other baby animals.
Look for Flexible Flights
As the humanitarian sector operates on a tight budget, affordable flights are essential to ensuring that they can continue their crucial work. Fortunately, there are many ways that humanitarian organizations and individuals can secure affordable flights to overseas destinations. By traveling outside of peak season, booking flights with a flexible fare, and seeking out discounted fares through humanitarian agencies, individuals and organizations can save a significant amount of money on their travel expenses.
In addition to facilitating access to flexible multi-year funding, the Grand Bargain also calls for the stepping up of partnerships at local level. This is particularly important when it comes to engaging women-led and women’s rights organisations, as well as local groups representing marginalised people in their activities as first responders. This is reflected in the Single Form, where DG ECHO will prioritise proposals that demonstrate a long-term commitment to partnerships at local level (Chapter 10.6.1 ‘Implementing partners / partners’, subheading ‘Estimated amount of funds allocated to L/NAs’).
The Grand Bargain also highlights the need for equitable partnerships between international actors and local/national authorities, as well as a shift away from top-down, command and control models. This requires a change in power dynamics with the aim of empowering local players in all types of humanitarian action. It also means making sure that activities are integrated into existing national coordination platforms and avoiding duplication, while respecting the ‘do-no-harm principle’.
When it comes to securing affordable flights for humanitarian work, it’s always best to work with an agency that specializes in organizing humanitarian travel. These agencies have a wealth of experience in negotiating cheaper airfares for travelers, and they can often get special rates from airlines that aren’t available to the general public. In addition, they can help you plan your trip to the country or region where you’ll be working, and they can also assist with securing visas and other documentation needed for your trip.
Using an agency that specializes in humanitarian travel can also help you save on luggage fees. These agencies can help you book a flight with a generous baggage allowance, which is especially helpful for those who are carrying large amounts of medical equipment or donations of food and clothing. In addition, they can also help you find a flight that offers free or reduced-cost checked bags for humanitarian aid workers. This can be a huge help in reducing the costs of your trip, as airline baggage fees can be expensive when traveling on short notice.
Check Baggage Allowances
If you’re going on a trip to volunteer with a charitable organization, there’s a chance you’ll need to bring lots of supplies for your project. This can include medical equipment, food rations and clothing donations. The good news is that many airlines offer special baggage allowances for volunteers and nonprofit workers traveling on humanitarian trips. These fares are often called NGO fares or missionary fares, and they can save you a lot of money.
Travel agents can help you secure these fares by booking your flight on your behalf. They’ll also work with you to find a travel itinerary that fits your unique needs. In addition, travel agents have access to exclusive discounts not available online or through other sources. These fares can be used to book flights for individuals, small groups (fewer than 10 passengers) and large groups (10 or more).
Humanitarian travel is an excellent way to make an impact on a global scale while experiencing new cultures. But if you’re a novice to this type of travel, it can be challenging to navigate the complexities of planning such a trip.
Working with a humanitarian travel agency can ensure that your trip is as successful and impactful as possible. Travel experts can help you select the right projects and locations, and they can assist with visa requirements and other travel regulations. They can also provide advice on cultural sensitivity and how to respect local customs and practices.
In addition, many travelers on humanitarian trips are eligible for a variety of other benefits, including reduced or waived fees and extra free bags. These perks can be a significant cost-saver and make the difference between a trip that’s simply fun or one that has a true impact. Travelers on humanitarian trips can also use flexible tickets, which allow them to change their plans at the last minute with reduced penalties from airlines. Additionally, they can enjoy the flexibility of one-way tickets at about half the price of a round-trip fare. They can even get their bags checked for free on some airlines, as long as the luggage complies with the airline’s rules and restrictions regarding size, weight and content.
Look for Airlines That Offer Cancellation Policies
Humanitarian travel agencies often negotiate special fares – and importantly, work to address and alleviate the suffering of people in desperate situations due to natural disasters, armed conflict or global crises. They provide life-sustaining assistance, including food, shelter and water and help to fight poverty, disease, hunger and malnutrition. They also promote global partnership and cooperation in order to advance humanitarian principles, policies and priorities. Some of the biggest humanitarian agencies are funded by government entities, such as the U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), which is part of the Department of State.
Those who work for humanitarian agencies often travel to countries that are under severe pressure, whether because of a natural disaster or political instability. Depending on the circumstances, these trips can be long and difficult. Because of this, it is important for humanitarian workers to secure flights with cancellation policies that can accommodate their busy schedules. Having a flexible policy can help them avoid expensive penalties and maintain their schedules.
This is especially important for those working in areas affected by protracted emergencies. As a signatory to the Grand Bargain Intermediaries Caucus, DG ECHO is committed to follow up on its recommendations. These include the importance of funding localisation and taking into account local capacities and expertise. In particular, DG ECHO should give more priority to projects with a capacity-strengthening element that aim to support local markets, as these can be more resilient and reduce community vulnerability.
The Grand Bargain also calls on international actors to ‘engage with L/NAs in a spirit of partnership and to reinforce, rather than replace, national and local responses’. This includes ensuring that funding is allocated as directly as possible to L/NAs and supporting their institutional capacity.
It also means promoting accountability and transparency in humanitarian action. This is essential to ensuring that donors deliver on their commitments, as well as providing opportunities for learning and feedback from local responders. It also enables the humanitarian sector to ensure that its activities are rooted in and responsive to local needs, while remaining distinct from activities of a political, religious, ideological or military nature.