Getting to your program

For Dragons Summer Abroad and Gap Semesters

The first step of your Dragons journey is…onto an airplane! This page details our procedures for booking travel to your program location.

BOOKING FLIGHTS

TRAVELING WITH YOUR GROUP

When traveling with Dragons, we ask that all students travel on our coordinated group itinerary, which has been carefully chosen with the help of our partner travel agency. This itinerary is typically finalized about 2-3 months prior to a program’s start date.

How do I book my flight?
    1. Pay the Flight Fee. Your program invoice includes a line item for your international flight cost. When you pay this fee (usually along with your tuition), you’re paying for your international flight on our group itinerary, plus the additional services we provide for group travelers (e.g. our airport coordinators and travel day phone hotline).
    2. Check for your group itinerary. Once your group’s itinerary has been established, information will be posted to your MyDragons account (in the “Travel” tab) and to the Yak Board. Again, this typically happens about 2-3 months prior to your program start.
    3. Book your domestic & international flights with Flightfox. Using the booking link in your MyDragons account, you’ll initiate your booking with Flightfox. Their travel experts will help you book your flights all the way from your home airport and back, ensuring that your flights align with Dragons requirements and that you are on the international group itinerary. Dragons will pay for the international legs of your flight (up to the program flight fee amount), and you’ll pay for the domestic legs of your travels.
      • Note: Please book as soon as possible after receiving the flight information. Like all bookings, flight availability and pricing is always subject to change!
    4. Once you’ve confirmed your booking with Flightfox, you’re all set! You’ll receive detailed travel day instructions about where to meet your group for your international flight, how to contact the travel day hotline, and more in the weeks leading up to your travels.

TRAVELING ON YOUR OWN

While we prefer that students travel on the group itinerary, we understand that sometimes it just doesn’t make sense – for example, if you’re coming from outside the United States.

If you’d like to fly independently:

  1. Write to Dragons at [email protected] right away. Let us know the reason you’d like to fly separately. We’ll remove the program flight fee from your account.
  2. Wait for the group itinerary to be established. Students flying independently need to arrive as close as possible to the group itinerary. Do not book your flight before the group itinerary is published.
  3. Book your flights with Flightfox. Even if you are not flying with the group, we ask that you use Flightfox to book your travel to ensure your itinerary is aligned with Dragons requirements. This also gives you access to Flightfox’s support team and allows Dragons to see your itinerary, so we’re all on the same page. You’ll pay for the full cost of your booking.

NOTE: If you choose not to book through Flightfox, a $200 self-managed travel fee will apply.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FLIGHTS

Why must I book with Flightfox?

When you book with Flightfox, Dragons can easily see all participants’ flight information in one place and troubleshoot any issues as a single team. Flightfox specializes in booking flights for group travel companies like Dragons. They understand the unique challenges of group travel and bookings, and their 24/7 support team provides expert support for anything unexpected. As experts in their field, they support Dragons travelers in navigating the complexities of airline rules, availability, and scheduling, providing an extra layer of comfort & peace of mind during travel.

Will the group flight have a chaperone?

For summer programs, group flights are chaperoned by an adult for the program departure/start. Our flight chaperones greet students at the airport; fly with them to their program country; and help them navigate customs, find their baggage, and meet up with their instructor team to begin their group travels. At the end of the program, instructors accompany students to the airport, help them check in, and elect a Student Travel Leader to communicate with Dragons Administration as the group makes their way back to the US.

For semester programs, an Airport Coordinator greets students at the airport, ensures that they have all necessary travel documents, and helps them check in. A Student Travel Leader keeps our travel day team updated as they make their way to their destination.

For all programs, during travel days our office number (303-413-0822) becomes a dedicated travel day hotline, where students can call with any questions or difficulties as they make their way to meet their group. Students can also utilize Flightfox’s 24/7 support services.

How can I track my child’s flight?

Flight numbers can be found on the Travel tab of your MyDragons account. We recommend using a flight tracking app like Flighty or FlightAware. Students traveling with phones will have them until they arrive in their program destination and can communicate with family until then. Dragons will post on the Yak Board once students have arrived in their destination and united with their instructors. 

Frequently Asked Questions