Airfare usually takes up a big chunk of a vacation budget, but did you know some airlines offer an unlimited flight pass? This can be an especially intriguing option for those planning quite a bit of travel — while there are plenty of ways to find cheap flights, the cost of multiple trips in a year can quickly add up. But are these all-you-can-fly passes worth the upfront cost? Find out more about the best flight passes and how much they cost.

Frontier Airlines

In 2023, Frontier Airlines launched its GoWild! All-You-Can-Fly Pass. Those who purchase the pass can enjoy unlimited flights to any domestic or international destination the airline flies to. Before purchasing, be sure to check the airline’s extensive list of fees — but if you’re flexible and travel light, the potential savings with Frontier’s GoWild! Pass can be substantial.

Pros

• For each flight you take, you’ll pay a fare of just $0.01 plus taxes and fees.
• The GoWild! Pass features several options and price points. Monthly passes are available starting at $149, passes valid for only summer travel cost $499, and annual passes will set you back $599. (Prices accurate at time of publish in mid-2025.)
• The airline also frequently runs limited-time specials with lower pricing for new members.

Cons

• Pass bookings can only be confirmed last-minute — one day before domestic departures and up to 10 days before international flights — which limits the appeal to travelers who can be spontaneous.
• There are other restrictions: Some blackout dates apply, availability on some routes may be limited, and extra fees may apply for bookings outside the one- or 10-day window.
• Because it’s a budget airline, Frontier charges extra for both carry-on and checked bags, as well as things like seat assignments or even printing your boarding pass at the airport.

Alaska Airlines

Based in Seattle, Alaska Airlines has an extensive route network on the West Coast. If you fly around Arizona, California, Nevada, or Utah frequently, then the airline’s Flight Pass may be worth the investment.

Pros

• Unlike Frontier’s subscription, Alaska’s pass doesn’t offer truly unlimited flights. There are options for six, 12, or 24 flights in a year — but that should still appeal to the majority of travelers.
• Alaska offers free seat assignments, and there are no change fees or blackout dates.
• The pricing is attractive: Passes start at $49 for six Alaska flights in a year (one roundtrip every two months), $99 for 12 flights (one roundtrip flight per month), and $189 for 24 trips (two flights a month).

Cons

• The pass is valid only for flights between 15 destinations in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah, so you’ll want to check those carefully and see if it makes sense for you. 
• You’ll receive a set number of credits that must be redeemed for flights before the end of the month (though travel can take place up to 90 days after you book a trip).

Southwest Airlines (Companion Pass) 

Southwest’s Companion Pass works a bit differently than the other passes on this list since it’s essentially a two-for-one pass — but it can unlock incredible value for two people traveling together.

Pros

• If you fly Southwest frequently, there’s no question the pass is worth it. Once you qualify, the Companion Pass is valid for the rest of the calendar year and the year after that.
• Once you choose your companion, they can fly with you to any of Southwest’s 120-plus destinations for just the cost of taxes and fees (starting at $5.60 one way).
• There are no blackout dates, and you can even change your companion up to three times in a calendar year.

Cons

• It’s a bit harder to obtain Southwest’s unlimited flight pass — typically, you’ll have to fly 100 qualifying flights on Southwest in a calendar year or earn 135,000 points (which include both flights and credit card purchases).
• However, one of the easiest ways to qualify is by keeping an eye out for the airline’s credit card promotions. Southwest frequently offers a bonus that includes a Companion Pass to those who sign up for one of its credit cards and meet the spending requirements and pay the annual fee. 

Wizz Air

If you’re planning frequent travel in Europe, the All You Can Fly Pass from low-cost airline Wizz Air may be an appealing option. The pass costs 600 euros per year (about $675 USD) and each segment you fly will cost an additional 10 euros, paid separately.

Pros

• The pass includes unlimited flights (up to three per day) for a year, which will allow you to easily jet between Europe’s most popular cities.
• It’s good for anywhere Wizz Air flies (except Italian domestic flights). The Budapest-based airline flies over 950 routes to nearly 200 destinations, primarily in Europe but also in North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Cons

• Similar to Frontier’s pass, travel can only be booked last-minute — no earlier than 72 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. So, using the pass will require a bit of flexibility and spontaneity.
• Wizz is a budget carrier, so the pass only includes your base fare. Additional services, like seat selection, carry-on and checked baggage, and in-flight food and beverages, will cost extra.
• Not all flights will have availability to book with the All You Can Fly Pass, and flights must be booked as one-way segments.
• The pass renews automatically every 12 months, so be sure to cancel if you no longer need it.

Air Canada and Porter Airlines

Fly to Canada frequently? While these Canadian carriers don’t offer all-you-can-fly passes, they do offer packages of prepaid flight credits that can be used within specific travel zones of your choosing.

Porter Airlines — which recently launched flights from Montreal and Toronto to U.S. destinations including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Orlando — offers what it calls the Porter Pass. Travelers can choose between 10, 20, 50, and 100 flight credits (valid for 365 days from date of purchase). Most packages are transferable, so you can also share them with others. You must sign up for the carrier’s frequent flier program to be eligible, and purchases will be made in Canadian dollars.

Air Canada’s Flight Pass works similarly — you must first choose a zone of travel (such as Canada to the U.S.) and a set number of flight credits. The program also offers an option for unlimited travel for a year. However, you must technically be a Canadian resident and a member of the airline’s frequent flier program to purchase. 

Everyone has a favorite beverage when flying on an airplane. Some people prefer a libation, while others would rather sip a warm cup of tea or a fizzy soda. But it may surprise you to learn there’s one beverage that experts recommend against ordering on an aircraft. Read on to find out more about the one drink you should avoid ordering on an airplane — and what to drink instead.

Should You Drink Airplane Coffee?

This caffeinated morning favorite is arguably the riskiest beverage to consume aboard an aircraft, specifically if it’s brewed aboard the plane. This has little to do with the coffee beans themselves, but rather the tap water used during the brewing process. 

According to a 2019 study, many major airlines failed to meet proper cleanliness standards with regards to their onboard water tanks. Airlines are required to regularly test and disinfect these tanks to remove potentially harmful bacteria like E. coli. While airlines like Alaska and Allegiant were deemed to have relatively safe drinking water, others like JetBlue and Spirit were found to have poor cleanliness standards and could be serving up tap water that was potentially harmful to consume. This meant that any drink brewed aboard the aircraft — coffee, tea, or otherwise — was at risk of being contaminated with bacteria.

Notably, other experts have pushed back on this theory about airplane coffee being unsafe, claiming that the bacteria would be killed at the high temperatures used to brew each pot. Most bacteria die at around 175 degrees Fahrenheit, and water boils at 195 degrees when at a cruising altitude of 7,000 feet, which would be more than enough to kill the bacteria. That said, if you’re flying out of a country with unsafe drinking water or a warmer climate that could encourage bacteria growth, it’s probably worth taking extra caution to steer clear of any warm, brewed beverages.

Coffee (and Other Beverages) May Dehydrate You

Sanitary reasons aside, coffee is arguably a poor drink choice aboard airplanes because it can easily dehydrate you. It’s important to stay hydrated while flying, as the average humidity sits at around 20%, which makes your skin and eyes more likely to dry out than most normal atmospheric conditions. This low humidity makes diuretic beverages like coffee riskier to drink. 

Sugary drinks like soda will also dehydrate you, as well as red wine, which contains byproducts that contribute to rapid dehydration. To stay hydrated, the Aerospace Medical Association recommends drinking eight ounces of water for every hour you are in the air, and preferably bottled water to avoid any potential contamination from the tanks.

What to Order Instead

There’s no better drink in the sky than bottled water. It keeps you properly hydrated, and the packaging protects against any potential contaminants. But if you’re looking for a pop of added flavor, then there are several other beverages worth considering during your next plane journey.

When flying, our taste buds are affected by the high altitude and increased cabin pressure. This makes certain drinks taste different — some arguably better. One of the most popular beverages with a different flavor profile in the sky is ginger ale. When in the air, ginger ale’s sweetness is dulled, thus giving it a sharper and crisper taste. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that encourage circulation, which could be beneficial when sitting for hours on a long flight. Fresh ginger also helps ease nausea that may occur while traveling — just be aware that popular brands like Canada Dry and Schweppes have far too little real ginger (and too much sugar) to provide any notable anti-inflammatory benefits, but many travelers enjoy the taste.

Tomato-based beverages are another popular option in the air, as their strong flavor profile still shines even with dulled taste buds. This includes plain tomato juice or even cocktails like a bloody mary. Studies show that tomato juice tastes crisper and more refreshing in the air, providing a satisfying umami flavor. Tomatoes are also rich in antioxidants and have noted anti-inflammatory benefits, which could help promote circulation during long flights. Keep in mind that these drinks often contain high levels of sodium that could contribute to dehydration, so be sure to supplement any tomato-based drinks with bottled water.

When traveling by airplane, have you ever stopped to wonder if you’re flying on a Boeing 737 or a Boeing 757 — or what the difference is between them, anyway? To the untrained eye, modern airliners can look quite similar to one another, but if you’re curious about what makes each model different, read on to discover a few helpful tricks for telling commercial airplane models apart.

How to See the Type of Plane When Booking

Most travelers choose flights based on price and convenience, but some seasoned travelers may be looking to fly on a particular model, perhaps because one offers a more comfortable seating layout or a more modern design that might help reduce jet lag. And with recent news surrounding the Boeing 737 MAX, you might be wondering if you can avoid flying on a certain plane type altogether. 

Fortunately, major U.S. airlines make it easy to tell what type of aircraft is scheduled to operate each flight. (Word of caution: Aircraft assignments are always subject to change, and usually airlines won’t let you change or refund your flight if that happens.) 

When booking on United Airlines, for example, you’ll find the aircraft type next to the flight number, directly under the departure and arrival times to the far left of the page. American Airlines also displays aircraft type under the flight times, right next to the flight number. On Delta Air Lines, you’ll want to click on the hyperlink marked “details” or on the flight numbers, which will introduce a pop-up that has more detailed aircraft information (and also a helpful illustration). Each of these airlines also offers more details on its full fleet of aircraft on their respective websites. 

While the big three global U.S. carriers operate many different fleet types, since its first flight in 1971, low-cost giant Southwest Airlines has only flown the Boeing 737. That said, Southwest operates a few different variants — both the older-generation 737-700 and 737-800 and the newer 737-8 MAX models. The airline displays this information during the booking process when you click on the flight number on the flight results page.

What Are the Most Popular Narrow-Body Aircraft Types? 

A narrow-body plane has only one center aisle down the aircraft with two to three passenger seats on each side in the main cabin. Wide-body aircraft, on the other hand, have two passenger aisles, with a set of seats along each window and one in the center section between the aisles. If you’re taking a domestic flight anytime soon, chances are high that you’ll be on an Airbus A320 family aircraft or a Boeing 737. 

Boeing Models

Since the type’s first flight in 1967, more than 15,000 Boeing 737s have been built — more than any other aircraft in history. Today, more than 11,000 Boeing 737s remain in service, and on average, there are two of them landing or departing every five seconds at any given time around the world. 

Most older-generation Boeing 737s (including the 737-100, -200, -300, -400, and -500) are no longer flying in the United States. The most common type in service today is Boeing’s “Next Generation” 737, which was introduced in 1997 with refreshed technology. These include the 737-700, 737-800, and 737-900ER (Extended Range) models. In 2017, Boeing unveiled another updated version of the 737 called the 737 MAX with further technology and efficiency updates. As of mid-2024, the 737-8 and 737-9 are flying, while the 737-7 and 737-10 are awaiting certification. 

American, Delta, and United each operate several hundred Boeing 737 aircraft. Like Southwest, Alaska’s entire mainline fleet is composed of 737s (the carrier also operates a fleet of regional jets). As of mid-2024, Alaska, American, Southwest, and United also operate dozens of 737 MAXes.

As for other Boeing models, the Boeing 757, first flown in the 1980s, was once a domestic workhouse, but many have been retired in recent years. However, United and Delta still operate large fleets of these aircraft. Consisting of the 757-200 and the longer 757-300 variant, they typically seat between 180 and 230 passengers, and are the longest narrow-body aircraft flying today. The smallest Boeing jet, the 110-seater Boeing 717, is also in service with Delta and Hawaiian Airlines.

Airbus Models

The Airbus A320 family has also proven wildly popular. The European manufacturer introduced the type in 1987 with “fly-by-wire” technology, making it the first modern jetliner with a computer-controlled cockpit. Today, more than 10,000 Airbus A320 family aircraft remain in service, including the Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 variants (ranked in size order). 

Airbus has two generations of the A320 — the original “CEO” (current engine option) and the newer “NEO” (new engine option), which first flew in 2014 with more fuel-efficient engines and other design updates. You can find Airbus models on many major airlines. U.S. airlines such as Frontier, JetBlue, and Spirit, and Allegiant only operate A320-family aircraft, while American, United, and Delta each have large fleets of the type.

One of the newest aircraft types is the Airbus A220, formerly called the CS100, which was introduced in 2013. Airlines such as Air Canada, Delta, and JetBlue are major operators of this model. 

Regional Jets

You may also likely find yourself on a “regional” jet. Compared to “mainline” jets like the Boeing 737, these aircraft typically seat between 50 and 100 passengers and operate in and out of smaller airports under separate branding (i.e. Delta Connection or United Express). The two largest manufacturers of these smaller jets are Bombardier and Embraer. Bombardier makes the Canadair Regional Jet series, including the CRJ-200, CRJ-700, and CRJ-900 models. Embraer makes the E-jet family — consisting of the E-170, E-175, E-190, and E-195 — and also produces the smaller ERJ-145.

What About Wide-Body Aircraft?

If you’re traveling overseas on a long-haul flight, there’s a good chance you’ll be on a wide-body jet. The Boeing widebody models flying today include the double-decker Boeing 747 (aka the “Queen of the Skies”), the 767, the 777, and the 787. The Boeing 787 is the carrier’s latest-generation type, built primarily with lighter-weight composite materials that make the aircraft more fuel-efficient.

Airbus also has several wide-body models in operation, including the A330, the A340, the A350, and the A380. The A330 and A340 have a similar fuselage, with the latter having four engines instead of two. The A350 is the manufacturer’s newest long-range type, built to compete with Boeing’s 787, and includes the A350-900 and stretched A350-1000 version. Finally, the A380 is the world’s largest passenger jet, which can accommodate between 500 and 800 passengers with two full decks of seating. Sadly, production on the A380 ended in 2021 due to lack of orders.

Different Passenger Experiences

While most modern jetliners offer similar levels of passenger comfort, not all aircraft are created exactly equal. Notably, the A320’s fuselage is about seven inches wider than the 737. That may not seem like much, but the extra few inches of width gives each economy class seat an extra inch of width on average, and the extra elbow room is noticeable in today’s otherwise cramped cabins.

As far as regional jets, many passengers prefer Embraer’s E-jets (such as the E-175) because the cabin is slightly taller than the Canadair Regional Jet (such as the CRJ-900). That leaves a little more head room, plus space for larger overhead bins. Both models offer two-by-two seating — meaning there’s no middle seat in coach.

Newer wide-body models, such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, also offer improved passenger comfort. The use of carbon fiber materials in their construction increases cabin pressure and reduces humidity, which can ease the effects of jet lag compared with older types. The 787 also features updated passenger-friendly amenities such as extra-large dimmable windows. The A350, meanwhile, is slightly wider than the 787, which allows for slightly wider seats.

How to Identify Aircraft Visually 

Ready to go one step further in your aviation knowledge? True pros can identify the exact aircraft model just by looking at one on the airport runway. There are a few key elements and subtle differences in each aircraft’s design to look out for.

Start with the number of engines. These days, the vast majority of aircraft are twin-engined, so if you see one with four engines it’ll be easier to identify off the bat. Even easier: Two widebody plane types feature a double deck, the Boeing 747 and the Airbus A380 jumbo jet. The 747’s top deck only extends for a small portion at the front of the fuselage, while the A380’s extends the entire length.

Other exterior details to keep an eye on include the shape of the tail fin, the shape of the nose, the layout of the cockpit windows, the landing gear, and the number and type of exit doors along the fuselage of the aircraft. 

For example, the Boeing 737 has a noticeably pointier nose design than the rounded one found on the Airbus A320. The 737’s cockpit windows slant upwards and downwards at the bottom, while the A320’s are mostly level. The front part of the 737 tail also has a noticeable triangular protrusion at the base where it meets the fuselage, whereas the A320’s has a small, gentle curve at the base. Finally, the Airbus model sits higher off the ground than its Boeing competitor.  

And what about between different variants of the same aircraft family? Start with the exit doors. Because the variants differ by passenger capacity, they usually have a different number of exits. For example, the 737-700 only has one small window emergency exit on each side over the wings on each side. The -800 is slightly larger and features two emergency exits over the wings. The -900 is the longest and features two small emergency exits over the wings and a larger door immediately aft of the wings, which can be plugged if airlines choose to configure the plane with fewer than the maximum number of seats.

The 737-9 MAX also features the optional larger exit door directly aft of the wing, similar to the 737-900ER. These can also be deactivated based on airline seating configuration. The plugged exit door made headlines in January 2024 when it detached from an Alaska Airlines 737-9 MAX shortly after takeoff, prompting the worldwide fleet to be grounded and inspected before it could safely return to service several weeks later.

The most sought-after travel accessory isn’t a designer carry-on bag or the latest wireless headphones — it’s a powerful passport. This essential companion to any international journey paves the way to new adventures and destinations, but not all passports are created equal. While some may offer unrestricted access to nearly 200 countries, others require users to secure a pretravel visa for most destinations. So, which countries boast more passport privileges than others? To find out, we turned to the Henley Passport Index, an annual guide to passport strength. Discover the world’s most powerful passports in 2026.

What Is the Henley Passport Index?

For the past 20 years, the Henley Passport Index has ranked passports by the number of countries a holder can enter without obtaining a prior visa. It compares 199 passports and 227 travel destinations, awarding one point for each destination the passport holder can enter without a visa.

A visa is a document issued by the destination country to a traveler that allows entry for a specified period of time. Obtaining a visa before travel can be time-consuming — possibly requiring applications, medical screenings, interviews, and more. Because of this, visa-free entry to foreign countries is desirable for travelers.

Considered the gold standard for assessing a passport’s global mobility, the Henley index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These rankings are updated monthly based on international travel regulations and political and economic events, providing the most up-to-date data in the industry.

Countries With the Top Passports in 2026

One country has remained at or near the top of the Henley index — in first or second place — since 2018. And in 2026, Singapore‘s passport is as strong as ever. The city-state retains its position as the world’s most powerful passport in 2026, with unrestricted access to 192 destinations. 

In a tie for second place are Japan and South Korea, both of which provide visa-free access to 187 destinations. Sweden and the United Arab Emirates are tied for third place, meaning they have the strongest passports in Europe and the Middle East, respectively, entitling visa-free access to 186 nations. Interestingly, the UAE has the biggest comeback story within the ranking, increasing its reach from 35 destinations in 2006 to 186 today.

Overall, Europe is a powerhouse when it comes to passport strength. Twelve European countries are tied for fourth place, each boasting access to 185 countries: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland. Fifth place (with access to 184 countries) is a four-way tie among Austria, Greece, Malta, and Portugal.

Other Passports To Watch

Although Asian and European passports dominate the top rankings, other regions are not far behind. Two of the most populous countries in Oceania, New Zealand (183) and Australia (182), rank sixth and seventh, respectively. Along with Australia, the United Kingdom is part of a six-way tie for seventh place.

In North America, Canada (181) ranks eighth, falling one spot since last year’s report. Similarly, the United States (179) fell from ninth to 10th place year over year. Compare that with 2014, when the U.S. and the U.K. jointly held the No. 1 spot in the ranking. Over the past year, the U.S. lost visa-free access to seven destinations, while the U.K. lost access to eight.

Growing Gaps in Passport Mobility

One of the most notable takeaways from the 2026 index is that the gap between the highest and lowest passport mobility has widened since the Henley Passport Index’s debut year in 2006. Today, there is a 168-destination gap between the highest-ranking passport, Singapore (with visa-free access to 192 destinations), and the lowest, Afghanistan (24). Twenty years ago, this gap was 50 nations smaller. Afghanistan’s passport, which ranks last in the index, currently offers visa-free access to 24 destinations, down from 26 since last year.

The Most Powerful Passports in 2026

Here’s the full top 10 ranking of the world’s most powerful passports for 2026, along with their respective number of visa-free entries:

1. Singapore (193)

2. Japan (187)

2. South Korea (187)

3. Sweden (186)

3. United Arab Emirates (186)

4. Belgium (185)

4. Denmark (185)

4. Finland (185)

4. France (185)

4. Germany (185)

4. Ireland (185)

4. Italy (185)

4. Luxembourg (185)

4. Netherlands (185)

4. Norway (185)

4. Spain (185)

4. Switzerland (185)

5. Austria (184)

5. Greece (184)

5. Malta (184)

5. Portugal (184)

6. Hungary (183)

6. Malaysia (183)

6. New Zealand (183)

6. Poland (183)

6. Slovakia (183)

6. Slovenia (183)

7. Australia (182)

7. Croatia (182)

7. Czechia (182)

7. Estonia (182)

7. Latvia (182)

7. United Kingdom (182)

8. Canada (181)

8. Liechtenstein (181)

8. Lithuania (181)

9. Iceland (180)

10. United States (179)

The Henley Passport Index updates rankings monthly according to the most recent data. The above list is accurate at the time of publishing.