If you're planning on taking a trip on an airplane, no matter where, it's likely that you can benefit from airfare deals. There's not many of us that would turn down a cheap airfare if we could one, that's for sure. Gas prices have risen substantially, and all transportation costs are now following, so unless you're rolling in money, getting a great deal on your airfare is very important.

After 911, there was a long period where you could find cheap airfares quite easily. People were frightened of terrorism, and nervous about the possibility of a breach of security. So nobody was keen to fly, which left the airlines with a big problem - lots of empty seats. So to try and get their planes full of passengers again, airlines started offering great airfare deals. They were almost begging people to get back in the air again.

Cheap Tickets in a Competative Market

Things have changed since then with planes flying at 90% full instead of 70% after 911. Also, now that the economy is shrinking and people are keen to save a few dollars, finding cheap air tickets is extremely important. Very few people are willing to pay the regular ticket price, which is why Internet sites that offer great airfare deals are booming.

A couple of the most popular are expedia.com and kayak.com, with a staggering number of visitors every day. Don't be fooled, though. Just going to one of these sites and checking their deals isn't always the way to get the best airfare deal. In reality, they have to make money somehow, so their fares are marked up.

Certainly the prices will still be cheaper than regular fares, but you could possibly buy the same airfare for quite a few dollars less if you go directly to the airline website. Check the deal sites first, then see if you can do better on the airline's site.

Going Direct

Personally, I visit the discount fare websites, pick out half a dozen really good fares that fit my travel plans, make a note of which airline they're with, then go and visit the airline website and compare prices. I almost always end up buying my ticket directly from the airline to get the best deal.

If you regularly fly between two places, you'll find before long that there's usually only one or two airlines that consistently offer good deals on that route, so you can start keeping an eye on their websites only and save yourself some time.

Smaller Airlines

Another way to get cheap airfares is to look at some of the smaller carriers that travel to your destination. Sure, the big airlines will probably go there, but you might be able to find one of the smaller airlines, or even a charter airline that's keen to get business and so offers cheap fares. Doing things this way might limit you from acquiring more frequent flier miles, and it may mean there's only a couple of flights to choose from, rather than dozens, but it's still a great way to get cheaper airfares.

Getting the best airfare deals doesn't have to take a lot of time, but you will need to do some homework. If you do, however, you'll be rewarded with cheaper flights. Have a great trip!