Some people wrongly believe airliners recirculate dirty coughed and sneezed cabin air that could make vulnerable seniors sick. In today's modern airliners, the air is captured and thoroughly filtered, and along with mostly outside air, is regularly pumped throughout the passenger areas.

Cabin air is totally replaced about every 20 minutes. On the ground, inspectors constantly check the air filter systems of aircraft, and there has never been any scientific proof of foul cabin air making any passengers sick. However, in today's crowded airplanes, where five-across passengers' faces are no more than a few inches apart, airborne illnesses, such as colds and flu, do get passed around by those who were infected before they boarded. There's not much you can do about it when a seatmate shows the symptoms, except ask for another seat or wear a surgical mask. Some Asian airlines provide them.

It’s a myth that X-ray machines in airport security check-in areas can cause cancer or erase your computer's hard drive. Radiation doses put out by those machines are about 1/100th of the radiation power of the X-ray equipment in your doctor's office. You'd have to climb into an airport scanner, turn it on and sit there for a couple of months before it would have any negative radiation effect on you.

Weekend flights are usually the most expensive. If you're savvy about airline reservation internet surfing, and are prepared to do some grab-your-bag-last-minute flying, you may find lower prices. To get more info, check websites, travel agencies and the airlines.

There are many negative myths about air travel that were either never true or are no longer happening. Flying is still the best way to get from nearby here to faraway there. However, you must always realize that quick, no hassle boarding, cheap and comfortable flights and free in-air meals with free booze are fast fading away.