Fly American from Raleigh to Rapid City

You know that moment when you’re about to book a flight and you suddenly realize you’re not Indiana Jones? That you can't just throw on a hat, grab a whip, hop on a plane and end up in an exciting locale without a second thought - and all, somehow, without suffering from jet lag? Well, my fellow adventurers, let me guide you out of that realm of fantasy and into the world of actual air travel. Specifically, let's chat about catching a plane from the land of NC State and BBQ, Raleigh, North Carolina, to the scenic haven that is Rapid City. And no, contrary to its name, you cannot get there faster by simply running really, really fast.

First things first, let's talk 'Flights'. More accurately, let's talk 'Direct flights'. Now, you might be an eternal optimist and look for a direct flight from Raleigh to Rapid City, but, alas, optimism won't help you here. Thus, we're stepping into the thrilling universe (or should we say airspace?) of 'Connecting flights'. A connecting flight not only adds to your air miles but gives you the opportunity to do what we all love - spend extra time in airport lounges upcoming with new ways to stave off boredom. There's an idea for a game show: 'Layover: The Airport Challenge' where contestants try to stay sane during a 6-hour layover without spending $200 on random airport merchandise.

While you’re playing the game of patience during your layover, be sure to check your ‘Baggage allowance’ for the next flight on your route. Also, reading ‘Airline reviews’ helps to calm your pre-boarding jitters as you nervously bite off all your fingernails. While you could pass some time reading about how Airline X has super comfy seats but their in-flight meal tastes like day-old cardboard, spoiler alert: you probably can't really do anything about that tasteful cardboard now, can you?

If you're often up in the air, pick an airline with a good ‘Mileage program’ for those sweet, sweet 'Frequent flyer' benefits. Maybe you’ve heard of the saying "the early bird catches the worm," but in our industry, the mantra goes, "the frequent flyer catches the free upgrades".

Moving on to ‘Airfare’. Now, unless you were recently crowned the monarch of a small, oil-rich country, I'm guessing getting the cheapest deal on your flight is somewhat important to you. If you’re patient and swift (sounds like you're hunting, eh), snagging those elusive ‘Cheap flights’ is possible with some crafty planning. It’s sometimes akin to capturing a unicorn: tough, but not impossible.

What about this query: is the ‘Best time to book’ 47 days before departure, or is it the mystical blue moon Tuesday of the third week of the quarter month during a solar eclipse? While I wish I had such a magical formula to provide you with, the most practical advice, it seems, is to book when you see a good deal. And by good, I mean it doesn't leave you considering whether you should sell a kidney on the black market.

Finally, ‘Flight Duration’. This, my friends, depends on your layover (remember the super fun airport game we discussed earlier?). Yes, your travel time hinges on how long you get to enjoy the riveting ambiance of the airport lounge!

So, there you have it, your guide to successfully navigating the flight itinerary world between Raleigh and Rapid City. While all journeys may not be as adventurous as an Indiana Jones escapade, with some planning (and a healthy sense of humor), your next flight could be smoother than you expect. Cheers to safe travels and no snakes on planes!