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Airline Information:

Breeze through the Airline Booking Process with these tips:
  • Because of the high level of airport security, it is imperative that passenger names match the spelling on passports exactly.
  • Before you book flights with Excel International Sports double check that the name you give matches your passport exactly.
  • First and last names only are required. No middle names or initials are necessary.
  • Any spelling or name discrepancies that arise after tickets are issued will result in either costly amendment fees, the purchase of a new ticket, or even denied boarding by the airline.
  • As our destinations are international, check the expiration date of your passport. Many countries require a validity of at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
  • Book early for best availability of flights.
  • All of our land tours may be purchased with air arrangements or on a land only basis.
  • Airline taxes are additional and are subject to change without notice until tickets are paid in full and issued.
  • Excel International Sports is not responsible for airline schedule changes, cancelled or delayed flights.

Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus operates from five U.S.gateways to Ireland. Services from New York (JFK Airport), Boston and Chicago (O'Hare) are on a daily basis while Baltimore and Los Angeles services are between 3 and 5 times per week.

British Airways

British Airways offers direct departures from 19 gateways across the United States to London and beyond.

Changing planes in London

The two principal airports for London are Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. British Airways' flights from U.S. arrive into and depart from Heathrow (Terminal 4) or Gatwick (North Terminal). To change terminals between Gatwick and Heathrow Airports, allow a minimum of three hours to transfer (cost of airport transfer is not included in airfare).

Passengers traveling to Ireland or Scotland via London depart from Heathrow's Terminal 1. To transfer between Heathrow's Terminals 1 and 4, take a free shuttle bus and allow one hour.

Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines operate services from their hub city of Newark:

- All year to Shannon, Dublin, Glasgow, Endinburgh and London's Gatwick Airport
- Continental's wide network of U.S. domestic flights feed into Newark Airport for smooth connections across the Atlantic.

U.S. Airways

U.S. Airways operate services from their hub city of Philadelphia:

- All year to London's Gatwick Airport
- Seasonally from May to October to Shannon and Dublin
- Fly from any of U.S. Airways' connecting cities throughout the continental U.S. changing aircraft in Philadelphia.

Tips choosing the correct travel partner from the National Tour Association:
  1. Verify that the Tour Company or travel agency is a member of a professional association such as NTA.
  2. Verify that the tour company has General liability insurance coverage. Professional tour companies should have this coverage.
  3. Don't be taken in by an attractive Web site. An eye-catching web site does not ensure the reliability or integrity of the company.
  4. Carefully read the company's cancellation and refund policies.
  5. Ask the company for client references. Attempt to get a reference on a client or group with whom you are familiar.
  6. Request specific hotel and airline names, addresses and phone numbers-broad terms such as "all major hotels" and "all major airlines" are warning flags. Insist on a local phone number if given an 800 number-this will establish that the tour company or travel agency has a central office from which it operates.

Program Safety

Our Highest Priority

Excel International Sports works diligently to ensure the safety of every coach, player and guest on our tours. We will not conduct a program we believe could, in any way, endanger our teams.

Our Commitment

We are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience, and we pledge to maintain open and ongoing communication with our teams on the subject of safety and any impact world events may have on our tours.

A Solid Safety Record

During 10 years of providing international soccer tours, we have gained valuable experience in responding to international incidents as they arise. We have successfully traveled teams to Europe during times of unrest.

Our safety record is the result of many factors, including reliance on federal guidelines, the strength and experience of our staff, expertise and experience in our destination countries, a global network of resources and team members, and a sincere commitment to our teams and their families.

Federal Guidelines

In making a decision to proceed with any tours, we rely on the advice of the U.S. State Department, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board. We choose our destinations carefully, and we will not take our teams into areas that may be unsafe. If conditions exist that may hinder our ability to provide a safe tour, we will alter the itinerary and redirect the program to safer regions or provide other alternatives.

Flights and Activities

We apply the same safety standards to flights and activities that we apply to conducting an entire tour. If a flight is cancelled due to a federal safety ruling or airline concern, we will make every attempt to quickly place teams on another flight provided that the FAA and other guiding organizations state that it is safe to travel. Similarly, if it is advised that we avoid a particular destination, excursion or event of the itinerary, or if a location is temporarily unavailable (such as a museum closure), we will arrange comparable, alternative activities to the best of our abilities and with full regard for the well-being of each participant. Our in-house travel team and European network of travel experts allow us to foresee situation and respond quickly to ensure that our tours remain high-quality, enjoyable experiences.

Ongoing Precautions

  • Scan world news and check for any safety administration's warnings.
  • In every country where we travel, we work with top-level coordinators who assess their local situations. This network of coordinators briefs us on new safety precautions implemented by countries. For example: We know that at the Tower of London, all individuals pass through a security inspection before entering.
  • We provide extensive pre-travel preparation for our teams

Safety Regarding Air Travel

The Transportation Security Administration has required additional security measures at all U.S. airports. Similar measures are in place at airports across the globe. To help teams prepare, we provide information regarding packing, customs, and related guidelines through mail, e-mail, our website and pre-travel packets. In our commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable experience, we will continue to provide updates as needed regarding airline and airport security measures.