May
24
“We all know what happened when the volcano in Iceland erupted and resulted in utter chaos in the aviation world. We also saw how some airlines and aviation authorities around the world struggled to cope with servicing the customers, while others used the latest social media tools to engage and update them.
“At SimpliFlying, we saw a paradigm shift in the way airlines handle crises management, in the age of social media. Instead of writing an article on it, we put together an info-graphic, that details the five key steps for managing crises, in the wake of the volcanic eruption. Both a PDF version, and a PPT version are available for download and printing. An Apple Keynote version will be available soon.
Dec
14
United Airlines and Taylor Guitars
December 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment
A testament to the power of YouTube:
“A musician named Dave Carroll recently had difficulty with United Airlines. United apparently damaged his treasured Taylor guitar ($3500) during a flight. Dave spent over 9 months trying to get United to pay for damages caused by baggage handlers to his custom Taylor guitar. During his final exchange with the United Customer Relations Manager, he stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for YouTube exposing their lack of cooperation. The manager responded, “Good luck with that one, pal.”
Oct
10
FlyersRights.org
October 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Thanks to Gayle Keck for this link to FlyersRights.org and the suggestion about adding their hotline (877-359-3776 or 877-flyers6) to your cell phone speed dial if you’re flying anywhere soon. Call if an airline is treating you poorly, and FlyersRights can sometimes help resolve things. If you’re stuck on the tarmac, they can get pizza and water delivered—or help get you off and onto another flight.
Sep
6
Travel humor
September 6, 2009 | 4 Comments
Thanks to Dick Jordan for forwarding this—undocumented—travel humor, supposedly offered by an airline ticket agent who works in Washington, D.C.:
1. I had a congresswoman ask for an aisle seat so that her hair wouldn’t get messed up by being near the window. (On an airplane!)
2. I got a call from a congressman’s staffer, who wanted to go to Capetown. I started to explain the length of the flight and the passport information, and then he interrupted me with, ”I’m not trying to make you look stupid, but Capetown is in Massachusetts.”
Aug
14
Best online travel resources: Know before you go
August 14, 2009 | 4 Comments
Laurie McAndish King’s article about quirky and helpful websites for travelers originally appeared in Examiner.com in April:
Travel fares are temptingly low these days, but all travel is not equal. Here are some websites to help you find the best seats and meals, avoid dangerous destinations, stay healthy, comply with travel regulations, get through airport lines more quickly, purchase travel insurance, and more.
-
Airlinemeals.net is the “world’s first website about nothing but airline food,” which is currently displaying “more than 17,000 photos from more than 520 different airlines. Monthly, we receive 300 new meal pictures.” There are also photos of what the airline crew eats, food from airline lounges, and behind-the-scenes photos from airline caterers.
Aug
14
Laurie McAndish King’s article below about online sources for travel information originally ran on Examiner.com in April:
One “benefit” of the current worldwide economic crisis is the super-low airfares we’re seeing lately. Cruise lines, too, have some amazing specials. In both cases, the bulk of the owners’ costs — building and owning the planes or ships, or having already committed to a cruise on a particular vessel at a particular time, are already “sunk.” That means the owners need to sell space at whatever price they can get — in some cases, they’re even selling at rates that are lower than their actual costs — in order to recoup at least a little of their investments.
Here are some websites to help you find the best travel deals:
Apr
20
Airfare Watchdog
April 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Airfare Watchdog is another site that lets you sign up to receive emailed information about air fares.
“The airlines lower airfares every day without advertising them. Our team of fare experts tells you about these “hidden” fare reductions and alert you to $0 “blooper” fares and other air fare bargains that you might otherwise miss. And we provide straight talk about finding low air fares on the Web. Airfarewatchdog.com is the only fare listing site that shows fares on all airlines, even Southwest.”
Apr
17
Yapta
April 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment
I haven’t used Yapta airfare and hotel price tracking, but it sure looks good. Here’s what they say about their service:
Yapta is intended to help you get a handle on fluctuating travel prices so that you know when to “buy low.” Yapta conducts daily price checks on the specific flights and hotels that you choose, and alerts you when prices drop or when they fall within your budget. Yapta also alerts you when you can use your frequent flier miles to book award seats on the flights of your choice.
Feb
23
Share a Tip, Win a Trip
February 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| April 1, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
From American Airlines:
“Share a Tip, Win a Trip. Time for another Milestones sweepstakes and this year there are even more cities to share about and even more miles to win! One first-place winner will fly away with 275,000 AAdvantage® miles — that’s enough for two people to fly First Class to practically any American Airlines destination worldwide — and 10 second-place winners will pick up 1,000 AAdvantage miles each. Plus the more tips you share the more likely you are to win. Winners will be announced on or around May 15, 2009 so check back soon! What are you waiting for?”
Oct
23
Etihad Airways
October 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment
From a 10/20/08 Travmedia.com press release:
“Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is launching a new first and business class inflight magazine. Etihad Airways carries more than 6.5 million passengers annually.
“I am seeking articles and contacts for luxury travel, luxury goods and products, and relevant stories especially from the Middle East. Any other press releases, interviewees etc which are relevant to a high end lifestyle, business and travel magazine would be most welcome.
“This is intended to be an ongoing request and there is no deadline.”
Contact Mike MacEacheran, Editor, ITP Publishing
mike.maceacheran AT itp.com
Apr
21
Travel Rights on Air Flights
April 21, 2008 | 1 Comment
Here’s a link to the Dolans.com Straight Talk on Money audio on decreasing your chances of geting bumped, and on your rights as a bumpee. “Despite what they want you to think, airlines don’t have you completely under their thumb! Get the straight scoop on your rights as an air passenger, including exactly when an airline does and doesn’t have to compensate you, the best way to almost guarantee you won’t get bumped from an overbooked flight, and more!”
Dec
11
Airplane ear pain?
December 11, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Anybody else suffer from “airplane ears”? I just discovered USA Today columnist David Grossman’s website, which includes an article on preventing ear pain on airplanes, as well as lots of other articles of interest to business travelers.
Oct
10
Flat Seats
October 10, 2006 | Comments Off
Flat Seats is “the world’s information guide to airline ‘lie-flat’ seats,” and includes reviews, ranking, test results, photos, more.
There’s also a page suggesting relationships between six sleep positions and personality types, as well as the possible effect of various sleep positions on health (The “freefall position was good for digestion, while the starfish and soldier positions were more likely to lead to snoring and a bad night’s sleep.”)
Oct
10
Skytrax
October 10, 2006 | Comments Off
Skytrax is “the leading passenger guide to over 620 airlines and 645 airports — ranking, opinions, news … and more,” and includes reviews, forums, links to airline and airport sites.
Oct
4
Transportation Security Administration
October 4, 2006 | Comments Off
Having trouble keeping up with airline carry-on regulations? (Are they allowing us to carry on Jello and whipped cream this week? Is shoe screening mandatory?) Thanks to Diane LeBow for forwarding the link to the TSA‘s website, where the intracacies of permitted and prohibited items are revealed.
“Effective Tuesday, September 26, TSA Is Adjusting The Ban On Liquids, Aerosols And Gels.
1. Travelers may now carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag.
2. After clearing security, travelers can now bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area on-board aircraft.”
Apr
29
SRO Seating
April 29, 2006 | Comments Off
Thanks to April Orcutt for sending the link to an April 25, 2006, NYT article by Christopher Elliott. “The airlines have come up with a new answer to an old question: How many passengers can be squeezed into economy class? A lot more, it turns out, especially if an idea still in the early stage should catch on: standing-room-only “seats.” . . . With a typical configuration, the A380 will accommodate about 500 passengers. But with standing-room-only seats, the same plane could conceivably fit in 853 passengers.”
My favorite excerpts from the article:
May
17
Travel like a Billionaire
May 17, 2004 | Comments Off
10 Ways to Travel like a Billionaire
By Christina Valhouli, Forbes
“Ever consider shipping clean clothes to your next destination? Here are some other tips to make business travel manageable without an entourage.” Most of these suggestions are well beyond my means, but pre-shipping luggage to avoid screening lines sounds like a great idea.
Feb
19
Practical Nomad
February 19, 2004 | Comments Off
Edward Hasbrouck’s Practical Nomad offers travel planning resources and advice, includes info about traveling in this time of war, airline bankruptcies.
Jan
21
Sky Magazine
January 21, 2004 | Comments Off
A listing from Writers Digest: Sky. 1301 Carolina St., Greensboro, NC 27401. Delta airline’s in-flight publication featuring and emphasizing travel, but also presenting contemporary lifestyle subjects. Terms: Pays $1/word and up. Note: Contact editorial department for complete guidelines.
Jan
18
US Airways Attache
January 18, 2004 | Comments Off
Thanks to Jeanne Brophy for sending this request for submissions from an inflight magazine: “Magazine seeks entertaining articles for travelers. Ongoing departments, some features. 350-2000 words. $1/word. Freelance 60%. Pays on acceptance. Contact: US Airways Attache, Pace Communications Inc, 1301 Carolina St, Greensboro NC 27401 OR 336-378-6065 OR http://www.attachemag.com OR attacheedit@attachemag.com” By the way, Jeanne recently traveled to Oaxaca for Day of the Dead. Some of her photographs are posted at http://www.jeannebrophy.com click on Oaxaca.
Dec
30
Airline meals
December 30, 2003 | Comments Off
Jeanne B. also sent a link to the entertaining Airlinemeals.net, the “world’s first website about nothing but airline food,” which is currently displaying photos of “2356 meals from 226 companies.”
Dec
30
Airplane seat positions
December 30, 2003 | Comments Off
Check out Seatguru.com for best airplane seat positions. You click on an airline (American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, or US Airways) and the type of aircraft you’re interested in, it shows a diagram of the aircraft with descriptions and ratings of the seats. You can find out where the bulkhead is, which seats don’t recline, etc. Very cool. Thanks to my dad for this info.