NEWS ABOUT: air travel
air travel stories: 95 news briefs
TRAVEL
BlackBook 9 hours, 45 minutes ago
(Newser Summary) -
Nobody likes the middle seat on an airplane, and a recent study shows fliers would rather endure some novel discomforts than sit squeezed between two seatmates. BlackBook runs down a few—as well as what's particularly unpleasant about the middle seat. 56% of respondents would rather have their teeth drilled at the dentist's. 54% would prefer a doctor's visit to the middle seat. 20% of fliers would spend the night at an airport hotel for a chance at an aisle seat the next day.
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AirTran is using him to pump wi-fi service
Boston Globe Jun 26, 09 1:15 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
The best way to get over fear of flying? If you’re comedian Mark Malkoff, living on a plane for 30 days. Malkoff—who once lived in an Ikea store for a week—embarked upon his journey this month, but it wasn’t all for the sake of therapy. He’s also flogging AirTran’s new in-flight Wi-Fi by keeping followers up to date while he’s in the air, the Boston Globe reports.
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Wall Street Journal Jun 25, 09 10:24 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
If you’re planning on flying this summer, book your tickets now. After a long period of dropping fares and constant sales, prices went up earlier this month and appear likely to keep rising throughout the summer, the Wall Street Journal reports. “I think for the consumer, it’s as good as we’re going to get right now,” said the CEO of FareCompare.com.
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None in North America makes top 10
BBC Jun 9, 09 2:10 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Incheon International airport in Seoul, South Korea, is the world's best, according to a British survey that took into account passengers' experiences with check-in, departures, transfers, and arrivals. Two other Asian airports, in Hong Kong and Singapore, finished second and third, the BBC reports.
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TRAVEL
Flights, hotels drop prices in economic slump
Wall Street Journal May 19, 09 11:53 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
When it comes to vacationing this summer, “the power is with the consumer,” says a consultant: The troubled economy has airlines, hotels, and cruises dropping prices dramatically. International airfares are down 14%, domestic fares 17%, Travelocity says; and for the first time since 2005, AAA predicts an uptick in Memorial Day travel, thanks to cheaper fuel and good deals, the Wall Street Journal reports.
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Let-it-all-hang-out Air New Zealand won't nickel-and-dime you
Boston Globe May 17, 09 3:12 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
To tout its distaste for hidden fees, Air New Zealand is mounting a tasteful display—of nudity. The airline's new commercial features employees wearing nothing but body paint, the Boston Globe reports. The campaign, called “Nothing to Hide,” touts the now-antiquated practice of providing meals and not charging for baggage. But the ad doesn't mention the airline’s singles-only flights from LA to Auckland, which include pre- and post-boarding parties.
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Vulnerabilities abound ahead of planned $20B FAA upgrade
Wall Street Journal May 7, 09 7:45 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Civilian air traffic computer networks are riddled with security holes, and hackers have breached them several times in the past few years, the Wall Street Journal reports. Intruders could gain access to operational systems by first hacking into administrative areas using 763 separate “high risk” holes in those systems, according to a new report, which recommends that the FAA add more intrusion sensors to its networks.
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US signs deal with Holland, and more
are on the way
USA Today Apr 24, 09 8:56 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
A new digital card will allow Americans to skip customs lines at a foreign airport for the first time, reports USA Today . In a deal between Homeland Security officials and the Netherlands, US travelers approved for the ID card will be able to speed through Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, while Dutch citizens can do the same at JFK and LAX. The new cards contain an embedded image of the traveler's iris that verifies identity.
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Seat-free plane offers a different way to travel with pets
ZooToo Apr 17, 09 12:28 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
With Pet Airways’ summer launch, cats and dogs will get a first-class alternative to flying cargo. Passengers at major US airports will be able to drop their pets off for travel on a seat-free plane staffed with attendants, Zootoo reports. Spots on the first pets-only flight—scheduled for July 14 between New York and Los Angeles—cost $149.
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MSNBC Apr 15, 09 12:25 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
United Airlines is coming down hard on its chubbier passengers with a new rule requiring those who can’t fit into one seat to buy another ticket, MSNBC reports. “Seatmates of size” are defined as the unlucky passengers who can’t buckle their seatbelts—even with an extension—or lower the armrest. The upside: With the extra ticket comes an extra checked-baggage allowance.
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Had booked ticket on doomed Buffalo flight
TMZ Mar 11, 09 11:24 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Adam Goldstein, better known as DJ AM, is finished with planes, TMZ reports. Not only was he badly burned in a plane crash last year, but the DJ had a ticket for the Continental commuter flight that crashed near Buffalo last month, killing everyone on board. Goldstein didn’t board the flight at the last minute because he had a bad feeling about it. Goldstein says he’ll drive to all future performances.
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Falling price of oil fails to make up for slump in demand
Wall Street Journal Mar 10, 09 7:04 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
A steep slide in passengers has airline execs reaching for the panic button, reports the Wall Street Journal . Airlines had banked on the drastic drop in oil prices more than making up for falling demand caused by the recession, but the decline—especially in first and business class—has been much steeper than expected, trashing airline revenue plans for the year.
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As customers become more valued, so does customer service
Chicago Tribune Jan 29, 09 1:48 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
United Airlines used to give its planes’ interiors a thorough cleaning only every 6 months to save cash. But with carriers now fighting for every passenger, cleanliness has become a crucial weapon, the Chicago Tribune reports. Some United planes now get “heavy” cleans every two weeks. “People don’t normally return to a restaurant if they think it’s dirty,” one exec said.
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Airline chief Branson gets complaint
about food
Daily Telegraph (UK) Jan 26, 09 3:46 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Sir Richard Branson personally responded to a “constructive if tongue-in-cheek” complaint letter from a Virgin Atlantic passenger, reprinted in the Telegraph . The beleaguered (and unnamed) flyer likened the dining experience to an awful Christmas morning. “You open the present and it’s not in there. It’s your hamster Richard. It’s your hamster in the box and it’s not breathing. That’s how I felt when I peeled back the foil.”
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Group opposed to plan aims to drag project into legal quicksand
Times (UK) Jan 13, 09 3:52 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
A high-profile coalition led by Greenpeace has purchased a soccer field-sized piece of land intended to become part of a new runway for London’s Heathrow airport, the Times reports. The group intends to parcel out the land to thousands of individual owners, dragging out any attempt to buy it back. “We’ll stop this from happening even if we have to move in and plant vegetables,” said actress Emma Thompson, one of several big names who donated to the cause.
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Snow, rain will continue through weekend
USA Today Dec 26, 08 10:03 AM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Holiday travelers may be in for more trouble this weekend, USA Today reports. Snow is expected from Montana to New Mexico, rain in the Midwest could cause flooding, and the South can expect heavy thunderstorms and possibly a few tornadoes. "It's going to be a wild ride," said one meteorologist. Travelers already have been delayed or stranded throughout the country.
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San Fran airport
to offer pollution
offsets at new kiosks
San Francisco Chronicle Dec 24, 08 5:51 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Guilty about the carbon footprint of your frequent flights? Have a few bucks to spare and time to kill at San Francisco's airport? The firm 3Degrees is banking on such a combination as it prepares to roll out the nation's first fleet of kiosks offering carbon offsets. No one is sure whether the idea will fly, reports the Chronicle .
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Flight cancellations ripple across US; roads not great, either
Associated Press Dec 24, 08 10:45 AM CST
(AP Summary) -
Hundreds of holiday travelers spent the night in the nation's second-busiest airport and others faced delayed or canceled flights and highways choked by snow and ice as storms kept up their assault on northern states. More snow fell today in the Midwest, while the Northwest faced more snow and sleet, with up to 20 inches falling in some places. "We're seeing quite a bit of messiness out there," said one meteorologist.
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Costly travel rationalized as time saver
Associated Press Dec 22, 08 5:47 AM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Six ailing Wall Street firms that eagerly took bailout funds still spend thousands to operate fleets of private jets that whisk their executives to company—and personal—events, AP reports. AIG, which scooped up $150 billion from the government, beats its peers with a seven-jet fleet. Fuel alone for a single cross-country trip runs $20,000.
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New drug could replace addictive sedatives as travel cure
BBC Dec 2, 08 3:21 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
A new drug could allow travelers to fly past jet lag without the lingering drowsiness of addictive sedatives, the BBC reports. The drug resets natural sleep rhythms by adjusting the body’s sleep hormone, melatonin, allowing sleep to come sooner and last longer. If approved, Tasimelteon could provide welcome relief to airline crews, frequent fliers, and graveyard-shift workers.
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