FLIGHT BOOKING INFORMATION
Booking Your Flight is Easy!



SPI FLIGHT & ARRIVAL OVERVIEW
- Every SPI participant is required to independently book their own flight that fits within the booking guidelines & arrival/departure windows below.
- Students are encouraged to book on non-stop flights when possible or book on the same flights as other students (provided upon request.)
- Fares range between $600-1,200 for Latin America and $1,600-3,000 for Europe.
TRAVELING TO THE PROGRAM DESTINATION
We encourage parents of novice/nervous travelers or students under age 16 to accompany them to the airport of their international flight (ie. New York, Dallas, Los Angeles) OR accompany their child all the way to the program destination (i.e. Santander, Biarritz).
- Please see the PERMITTED FLIGHT DEVIATIONS section below for specific information on available options.
- Due to disruption to the immersion experience, SPI strongly discourages parents visiting their students during the duration of the program.
- Some airlines offer unaccompanied minor (under 16) and connecting gate “meet & greet” services by contacting them directly.
ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS & AIRPORT RECEPTION
- To ensure a smooth arrival, we provide each student an ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS DOCUMENT with specific contact information.
- Students will be met outside of baggage claim by on-site staff holding an SPI sign. Students arriving by other means of transportation will be given specific instructions on where to meet upon arrival.
FLIGHT ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE WINDOWS
Failure to Arrive or Depart within the Designated Time Windows will Incur a $300 Fee
Program & Airport | Suggested Airlines | Arrival Window | Departure Window |
---|---|---|---|
SANTANDER Santander Airport (SDR) |
American/Iberia (OneWorld Only) | 12 – 6 PM | 9 – 10 AM |
SAN SEBASTIAN San Sebastian Airport (EAS) |
American/Iberia (OneWorld Only) | 12 – 6 PM | 7 – 10 AM |
BIARRITZ Biarritz Airport (BIQ) |
Delta/Air France (Sky Team Only) | 4 – 6 PM | 9 – 11 AM |
SIENA Rome Airport (FCO) |
American OR Delta | 8 – 11 AM | 10 AM – 1 PM |
COSTA RICA Liberia Airport (LIR) |
American OR United | 12 – 3 PM | 12 – 4 PM |
FLIGHT BOOKING GUIDELINES
Failure to Book within these Guidelines will Incur a $300 Fee
Book a Continuous Itinerary with One Confirmation Number
Book a continuous itinerary (not two separate tickets) all the way to the program destination site (ie. Santander).
Book with 2+ Hours of Connection Time between All Flight Segments
Book each segment with 2+ hours of connection time between all flight segments (especially the outbound domestic to international flight as well as inter-European flights ie. Madrid to Santander).
Book on Exact Program Arrival and Departure Dates
Spain, France, Italy – Students depart on the listed PROGRAM START DATE from North America, fly overnight & arrive abroad the following day. (Depart Friday – Arrive Saturday)
Costa Rica – Students will depart the U.S. & arrive Costa Rica THE SAME DAY (Depart Saturday – arrive Saturday)
Book within Arrival & Departure Windows
Book within the specific arrival and departure time windows below. You will be required to change your flight and pay any airline fees.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DEVIATIONS
Arriving and/or departing outside of the booking window or guidelines will incur a $300 FEE
> Certain permitted deviations are exempt from any fees.
> All flight deviations outside these windows MUST BE PRE-APPROVED by SPI to ensure your plans can be accommodated (please email [email protected]). Families must provide complete deviation details and sign the release form.
> Failure to provide Flight Deviation Details by MAY 1 will incur a $200 LATE PLANNING FEE.