Flight Overview

SPI does not provide flight arrangements due to constant changes in airline policies for groups, nationwide student participation, and for your flexibility. SPI designates an international flight for each program upon which students should travel. SPI provides a chaperone on this flight (Asst. Director or Staff), although students are expected to travel independently to the international arrival city (i.e. Madrid) in the event an SPI Asst. Director is unable to travel on the designated flight. Upon arrival, all students will be met at the airport by SPI Directors and Staff.  Since directors will often arrive at the program site in advance, we cannot guarantee that a particular teacher will travel on the same flight as students.

Students are responsible for booking their flight and sending SPI a copy of their itinerary by APRIL 1 (or within 2 weeks of acceptance if you apply after this date.)

Independent Travel Arrangements
SPI charges a $350 convenience fee if a student does not fly on the designated outbound international flight. If a student arrives AFTER the designated flight's arrival time, additional transfer fees to get the student to the first night hotel or homestay famiily will apply.  Fees range from $100-200 USD depending on location and nature of transfer and will be added to your final payment.  If a personal escort is needed to help the student meet up with the group, additional fees will apply. No fee will be charged if the student returns on a different flight as long as it departs at the same time or AFTER the designated flight. 
Why the fee?  The fee is designed to discourage students from not traveling on the designated flights. It also covers SPI's time in additional planning needed to make special transfers for the student to connect with the group. It's also considered a convenience fee for the flexibility it provides parents to use airline miles, etc. if they like. We highly encourage traveling on the designated flights as this gives students travel time to bond with fellow participants.

Departing Early/Arriving Late from a Program
A $100 fee, plus any costs associated with escorting the student ie. taxi to airport to collect student, will apply if the student arrives or departs early from a program. We also require a signed waiver indicating the exact time, date and location of the official release of the student.  Download Release Form

Summary of Flight Fees
Independent Travel Arrangements - $350
Late/Early Program Departure/Arrival - $100
Escorting Fees for Independent Travelers - $150 each way

Estimated Airfares
Summer is peak travel time and airfare is around $1300-$2000 to Europe/Asia and $500-900 to Latin America depending on your departure city. The best airfares are subject to availability and it is best to book your ticket as soon as possible.

Using Reward Tickets or Miles
You may use miles or points to book your ticket directly with the airline.  During peak summer travel most airlines require 100,000 miles/points for Europe/Asia travel and 75,000 miles/points for Latin America. 

Families Wishing to Meet Their Child Abroad
Due to disruption from the immersion experience, SPI does not encourage parents to visit their child during the program. If you would like to meet your child AFTER the program has ended, please plan to meet them at the airport 2 hours prior to the departure of the designated return flight.

Custom or Closed School Group Programs