About Patrick Smith Expertise Expertise on most issues related to commercial air travel:
airline and airport safety; security; fear of flying; general travel recommendations and advice. I am particularly knowledgable about the routes, cultures, and safety records of the world's airlines.
Experience Patrick Smith is an erstwhile airline pilot and the air travel columnist for Salon.com. He is the author of "Ask the Pilot -- Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel," published by Riverhead/Penguin in 2004. The title was Amazon's pick for the best travel book of that year.
In his spare time, Patrick has traveled to more than 60 countries.
Publications Salon.com, various newspapers and magazines.
For more information, see WWW.ASKTHEPILOT.COM
Air Travel - Booking flights from Cameroon to France
Expert: Patrick Smith - 10/17/2006
Question In general how would I go about booking an international flight that originates in a foreign country when I'm in the U.S. My son is finishing up his work with the Peace Corps and we are trying to get him from Yaounde Cameroon (or Douala) to France's Charles De Gaulle airport. None of the usual websites--Expedia, Orbitz, etc. support international travel that begins OUTSIDE the U.S. Any suggestions?
Thanks for any help you can give.
Answer
I didn't realize the major sites don't allow booking that begins outside the country. I thought that only applied to one or two of them.
Paris-Yaounde (or Douala) should be pretty straightforward. That's actually a pretty popular route, and is flown both by Air France and, I believe, CamAir (ex Cameroon Airways). I would begin with Air France's website, and see what they offer. Otherwise, you might have to consult a travel agent.
