T R AV E L A P PS Getting mobile Going abroad? These apps could make your trip a bit easier By Mike Buckley, Log Board member here are plenty of aviation apps on the market, but few for the professional. In no particular order, here are six aviation applications, also available on Google Play, that you may find useful in the commercial world. Hopper apps.apple.com/us/app/hopper-flightshotels-cars/id904052407 Ranked as the No1 travel app in more than 70 countries, it provides access to accurate price predictions for flights, hotels and car rental. I did a few dummy bookings and compared them with direct airline bookings, and the savings can be worth the effort. EaseMyTrip apps.apple.com/in/app/easemytripflight-hotel-bus/id1053030595 Similar to Hopper, but only used for flights and hotels. ATOL protected, with offices in the UK, India, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and the US. ATM Fee Saver apps.apple.com/us/app/atm-fee-saver/ id1664207353 This will find ATMs with the lowest fees in your immediate vicinity, using Google Maps to pinpoint your location. I used it in India recently and it provided four ATMs within a one-mile radius of where I was. Considering some ATMs in India can charge up to 10%, you can make considerable savings with this app. My sister has also tried it in Spain and it works well there, too. The app does appear to work worldwide, as well as here in the UK. Airalo apps.apple.com/us/app/airalo-esimtravel-internet/id1475911720 Another eSIM provider, with a similar offering to Holafly, but with more than 200 destinations supported. Voice calls are available in some data plans, but at an extra cost. To check its compatibility with older phones, dial *#06# and see if your phone has an EID number, along with the IMEI, ICCID and MSISDN numbers. Holafly apps.apple.com/us/app/holafly-prepaidesim-card/id1629600786 If you want to stay connected when you are away from the UK, this app installs an eSIM on your phone with a range of data packages to suit your needs. It provides unlimited data plans in more than 170 destinations, with unlimited phone calls in most of Europe. Prices start at $6 for specific destinations and $19 for others. It is slightly more expensive than Airalo (see right), but is easier to install and activate. The Culture Trip apps.apple.com/us/app/culture-triptravel-explore/id1146832951 If you are not sure what to do or see at your destination, this app provides plenty of ideas. Apart from destination guides, there are also small group trips and private group trips, which can be personalised to suit your preferences. GET IN TOUCH Do you have a favourite app you feel is deserving of a mention? Drop an email to LogBoard@balpa.org and it might be featured in a future edition. COMPETITION Write an amusing caption for this picture, and if we think yours is the best, youll win 50! How to enter Email your captions to LogBoard@balpa.org by 25th August 2024. Good luck! 58 THE LOG Sum 24 pp58 Travel apps.indd 58 13/06/2024 12:02