easyJet: Lugano to Bari

The carrier: easyJet

Upside
Great connections across Europe without the lowest-common-denominator panic.

Downside
Notoriously bad customer service.

About
EasyJet is Europe's second-largest low-cost carrier, after Ryanair. It's also one of the oldest in Europe; its first flights took off in late 1995, and it pioneered the online purchase model. The airline was founded by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, and he and his family are still major shareholders. EasyJet is based at Hangar 89, which is an orange building adjacent to the main taxiway at Luton Airport.

The easyJet route map is not as wide-ranging as Ryanair's, although the airline tends to fly to primary airports over out-of-the-way secondary airports. Fares are also higher than Ryanair's, though the easyJet flying experience tends to receive not quite so many complaints as Ryanair's.

One place where easyJet does not get high marks is in the telephone customer service department. We've read stories of hundreds of faxes remaining unreturned and hours-long waits on toll telephone lines with high per-minute charges.

Among the airline's more notable destinations are Bucharest, Geneva, Istanbul, Madeira, Sofia, Split, and Tallinn.

Baggage
*Carry-on: One piece of hand luggage
*Checked: €12 per bag (per flight), combined weight not to exceed 20 kg. Over 20 kg, €9 per kg.

Seating
Strict pre-boarding policy. Check-in no later than 40-minutes prior to departure. Boarding is on a first-come first-serve basis and can be a nightmare if you don’t arrive early. EasyJet never allows stand-bys.

Tip
Check in online so that you’re automatically entered into the "A" group for boarding, meaning you'll hop on—and off—first. Be careful with personal property as there is little or no compensation for damages or losses.
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Departure: Lugano, Switzerland (LUG)

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Arrival: Bari, Italy - Palese Macchie (BRI)

Bari International Airport or "Aeroporto di Bari," also known as Palese Macchie Airport or "Aeroporto di Palese Macchie" after a nearby neighborhood, is an airport serving the city of Bari in Italy.

Location: Bari International Airport is located approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles) northwest from the Bari town center. Bari is located on Italy's southeastern edge, at the top of the county's "heel."

Transport:

- Rail: The Tempesta Bus Company links the airport with the central railway station.

- Bus: The Amtab Bus offers service to and from the Bari city center.

- Taxi: Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall.

Service: In the airport there are gift shops, tobacconist/newsagents, travel agency, ATM machines. and duty-free shop. There are also restaurants, snack bars, vending machines, and bars. Travelers and visitors are also able to see the Chapel that is located near the arrival area, which is devoted to the Madonna di Loreto, and was consecrated by Pope John Paul II, when he visited Bari in February of 1984.
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