What is a browser? To access information on the World Wide Web, as well as to connect to an Internet Service Provider, you will need a Web browser. Browser software on your PC interprets Internet language which allows you to search, view and download information from the Web.
You can check whether browser software has been pre-loaded on your PC by looking for the relevant icon on your Program Manager. This will most likely be either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
The good news is you can get free browser software by downloading it straight from the Internet. Microsoft’s Internet Explorer can be downloaded from http://www.msn.com www.microsoft.com and Netscape Navigator at http://www.netscape.com www.netscape.com.
It is important to have the latest version of your browser to enjoy the web fully and particularly as transaction services grow. To check which version you are using click on the Help Menu within your browser screen and select Software/Product Update. This will connect you to the relevant update site for your browser and most servers will tell you if your version is out of date.
to visit produces a list of destinations beginning with that letter from which you choose the desired location. Air fares for the chosen destination appear on the next page. As the only criteria entered is that of the destination, this list can be quite long, but does not take too long to download. The list is sorted by the departure airport then by the airline/agent. Other information given is the ‘return fare from’, which sometimes shows a validity date note, and lastly a link to the airline or agent, be it a Web site or simply contact details.
Further information on the flights and fares, such as dates, has to be obtained from the airline or agent, ie Cheap Flights are not bookable on the Cheap Flights Web site!
Value of information
There’s tonnes of other information and services on the site including special deals, holiday offers, city breaks and car hire. The services section gives a brief description and a link to the service’s Web site, for example, travel insurance links to Flightbookers. Similarly, sections on holiday deals and city breaks simply allows advertisers to post a brief description and a call to action.
A list of, and links to, airlines and agents mean you may even bypass searching flights and just contact your preferred agents/airlines direct.
Unique or special features
Useful links – as a travel portal for the independent traveller, cheap tickets has tried to include travel and other related links that are of value and have categorised them very neatly. A one line description also helps to direct you to sites of interest rather than off on time-wasting tangents. Links include snow and weather reports as well as a cyber-cafe directory link for travellers to keep in touch.
Agents/ Airlines Telephone list – a Cheap Flights printable telephone quicklist is already set up and ready to print.
Feedback form – many sites include contact details and the opportunity to e-mail them. Cheap Flights do this bit quite well with a very simple form and a sincere message to welcome any comments or feedback on the site.
Would you come back?
Initially maybe – if looking for a bargain flight, the Cheap Flights site allows you to compare many agents and airlines fares. However, you cannot go beyond this point – this is then the territory of the agents and airlines that advertise with the site – this site itself does not offer bookable flights. Once you have developed a preferred set of agents/airlines then it may be that the Cheap Flights site will be bypassed as there is little else to see.
Description
The Cheap Flights Web site is designed to enable visitors to identify agents or airlines that are likely to sell cheap or suitable air tickets, claiming you will no longer need to wade through a morass of confusing advertisements in the newspapers or Teletext.
Finding the site
The site can also be reached at the UK address of www.cheapflights.co.uk
Home page
There can be no doubt in your mind that this site is all about finding cheap flights. The home page features a large Cheap Flights heading, an image of an aeroplane and a straight to the point strapline – The best source for flight bargains from the UK (and you don’t even have to register). Distinctive buttons to take you into the site and it is clear that the Flights and Destinations link should be your first route to explore. There is also a flight deal of the day.
Design
Navigation is uncomplicated – the same familiar green buttons appear throughout the site at the bottom of the screen and page. Using strong primary colours throughout, the site makes listings easy to read and is easy to navigate.
Searching for flights
Air-ticket prices from the UK for charter and scheduled flights are found from the Flights and Destinations section. Selecting the initial letter of the city, country or sometimes even the region you wish to visit produces a list of destinations beginning with that letter from which you choose the desired location. Air fares for the chosen destination appear on the next page. As the only criteria entered is that of the destination, this list can be quite long, but does not take too long to download. The list is sorted by the departure airport then by the airline/agent. Other information given is the ‘return fare from’, which sometimes shows a validity date note, and lastly a link to the airline or agent, be it a Web site or simply contact details.
Further information on the flights and fares, such as dates, has to be obtained from the airline or agent, ie Cheap Flights are not bookable on the Cheap Flights Web site!
Value of information
There’s tonnes of other information and services on the site including special deals, holiday offers, city breaks and car hire. The services section gives a brief description and a link to the service’s Web site, for example, travel insurance links to Flightbookers. Similarly, sections on holiday deals and city breaks simply allows advertisers to post a brief description and a call to action.
A list of, and links to, airlines and agents mean you may even bypass searching flights and just contact your preferred agents/airlines direct.
Unique or special features
Useful links – as a travel portal for the independent traveller, cheap tickets has tried to include travel and other related links that are of value and have categorised them very neatly. A one line description also helps to direct you to sites of interest rather than off on time-wasting tangents. Links include snow and weather reports as well as a cyber-cafe directory link for travellers to keep in touch.
Agents/ Airlines Telephone list – a Cheap Flights printable telephone quicklist is already set up and ready to print.
Feedback form – many sites include contact details and the opportunity to e-mail them. Cheap Flights do this bit quite well with a very simple form and a sincere message to welcome any comments or feedback on the site.
Would you come back?
Initially maybe – if looking for a bargain flight, the Cheap Flights site allows you to compare many agents and airlines fares. However, you cannot go beyond this point – this is then the territory of the agents and airlines that advertise with the site – this site itself does not offer bookable flights. Once you have developed a preferred set of agents/airlines then it may be that the Cheap Flights site will be bypassed as there is little else to see.