Courier Flights

Laws require that a passenger must accompany all baggage on commercial international flights. For many companies, sending goods on commercial flights with a passenger is far faster than shipping, so they look for passengers willing to fly on short notice, with great flexibility and with no personal baggage other than carry-ons. The upshot as a courier is that all you really have to do is pack frugally, sit on a plane, carry the customs papers and hook up with the appropriate contacts at the airport, and you’ll get great fares:

Membership to the Air Courier Association or the International Association of Air Travel Couriers costs about $50 and gets you access to detailed information on the courier life and daily flight options. But keep in mind: flexibility is key—if you’re longing for a two-week break from a grueling nine-to-five job that can’t be left at a moment’s notice, courier flights probably won’t work. But if you’ve got some flexibility in your schedule, it’s a great way to save cash and see the world.