Blizzards caused one of the biggest travel disruptions in years today! Several major airports closed, and over 4,000 flights have been cancelled, including international incoming and outgoing flights, due to the snow storms in the Eastern United States. Many interstates are also closed due to storms bringing travel to a hault.Archive for the ‘Air travel’ Category
Travel In the News Today
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010Blizzards caused one of the biggest travel disruptions in years today! Several major airports closed, and over 4,000 flights have been cancelled, including international incoming and outgoing flights, due to the snow storms in the Eastern United States. Many interstates are also closed due to storms bringing travel to a hault.
Innovative Option for Economy Travelers on Air Zealand
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Air New Zealand is consistently recognized as the leading airline for the South Pacific by receiving many awards from the travel industry. And why do they strive to be even better? It’s all about the customer experience. Air New Zealand’s goal is to create an in-flight experience unlike any other airline for all passengers.
We are particularly excited about the new economy skycouch and premium economy spaceseat. The concept of the sky couch is for a couple to purchase all three seats in a row. The leg rests come all the way up to extend the width of the seat, allowing two people to lie down side by side. A thin mattress is place on top of the seats and a full size pillow is provided. The length is only 5 feet across so you may not be able to stretch out completely, but keep in mind this is economy class – big difference from only being able to tilt your seat back. Couples or families would pay regular price for the first two seats, and then 1/2 price for the 3rd seat. Prices begin around $1,400 for that extra seat. There will 22 Skycouches in the first 11 rows of economy class.
You can’t book until April, so I researched some prices base on travel this June from LAX to Auckland, and found that the same trip in economy class for 2 people purchasing the middle seat would be around $7,800. A flight in premium economy would be around $12,000 for two, but keep in mind that the seats only recline, not completely flat like you would be able to do with the new economy seats. Business class, where your seat would lie flat, was close to $10,000 per person. So for the traveler that normally books premium economy or above, this is a more affordable option.
When will all these upgrades be available? On the new 777-300ER’s that begin service in November, 2010 between Auckland and Los Angeles. Upgrades to their current 777-200 aircrafts will begin in 2011. You can begin booking these Skycouches in April of this year.
Start exploring an Australia and New Zealand vacation today.
Delta Hiking Fees – Again
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Beginning on Tuesday, for tickets purchased after January 5, 2010, Delta will be raising prices by $8 for the 1st bag and $7 additional for the 2nd bag. This brings their total fees to $23 for the first bag and $32 for the second bag. If you don’t pay the fee ahead of time, you will have to pay an extra $2 to $3 per suitcase at the airport, regardless of whether you check your bags at the curb, a kiosk or ticket counter.
Elite frequent fliers, first class fliers and certain other customers, including active military personnel on deployment, are exempt from the fees. The domestic bag fee increase applies to travel in coach class within the 50 states, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Airlines are nickel and diming customers on so many items now…will it influence what airline you book?
Update on Airport Check-in and Security
Sunday, January 24th, 2010
Just in case you haven’t flown in a while, we want to remind all travelers that the TSA has specific guidelines for carrying on liquids, aerosols, and gels on board flights:
- Travel-size toiletries (3.4 ounce bottle, 1 quart sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag) that fits comfortably in a one-quart, clear plastic zip-top bag. One zip-top bag is permitted per passenger. Beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area.
- At the security checkpoint, place the zip-top bag of liquids in a bin or on the conveyor belt for inspection.
- Passengers carrying on larger amounts of prescription liquid medications, baby formula, and diabetic glucose treatments must declare these at the security checkpoint for additional screening.
Other useful tips to get through the check points faster:
Arrive at the airport early. Enhanced security measures may mean longer lines at security checkpoints.
- Keep in mind that you will be required to remove electronics (laptops, full-size game consoles, DVD players and video cameras) from your carry on bags and submit them separately for x-ray screening.
- Do not wrap gifts as you may be asked to unwrap for inspection.
- Remove items from your pockets that may set off metal detectors before getting in line. These items include keys, loose change, cell phones, and PDA’s
- Wear slip-on shoes. Travelers are required to remove shoes before entering the walk-through metal detector at all U.S. airports and put them through the x-ray machine for inspection.
- Have your boarding pass in hand as well as identification until exiting the check point. Acceptable ID includes US passport, US passport card, US Military ID and permanent resident card
- If traveling with children, take them out of baby carriers and strollers and carry them through the metal detector with you. If possible, collapse your stroller before you get to the metal detector.
Security policies apply to all domestic and international flights departing from U.S. airports. We always recommend checking the TSA Web site (www.tsa.gov) for the most up-to-date information about security procedures. If you are departing from a non-U.S. airport, be sure to check that airport’s security policies and pack accordingly.
One more thing I think is important to mention is Baggage guidelines—Be sure to review your airline’s baggage allowance guidelines. Airline rules for checked baggage allowances vary. Almost all carriers have implemented new fees for luggage so it’s not just the weight you need to consider. Check the airline’s website so you are not faced with unexpected charges.
American Airlines Announces Changes to Checked Bag Charges
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
American Airlines announced yesterday that it will change its checked bag charges, effective with tickets purchased on or after February 1, 2010.
American’s checked bag charges will change to $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second checked bag, payable at the airport on day of travel.
As before, American’s top customers are exempt from these checked bag charges. Among the exemptions are American’s elite AAdvantage® members, full-fare customers, confirmed passengers in the First or Business Class cabin, those traveling on military fares, and other travelers booked on the same record locator as the premium customer.
American said about 25 percent of its domestic customers pay checked bag charges, with other customers either exempt from the charge or choosing to not check a bag while abiding by American’s normal carry-on policies.
Looking for FREE WiFi ? Google, Bing, Ebay, and Yahoo all with Wi-Fi promotions
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
3 major search engines are offering Free Wifi for you ! Google, Yahoo and Microsoft are sponsoring free Wi-Fi hotspots in airports, hotels and even Time Square just in time for holiday travel and their attempt to win over new customers. This is an interesting move on their part but think about it if they give you free wifi chances are you are going to use a search engine so them will get some benefit from this ! Google, Bing and Yahoo are all offering WiFi promotions, all different, that run through the end of the year or early next year.
Google today announced that it is working with airports across the country as well as Boingo Wireless, Advanced Wireless Group, Airport Marketing Income and others to provide free Wi-Fi as a holiday gift now through January 15, 2010. You will be asked to change your default search engine to Google and try the their Chrome browser. The gift currently includes 47 airports, including Las Vegas, San Jose, Boston, Baltimore, Burbank, Houston, Indianapolis, Seattle, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, St. Louis and Charlotte. Additionally, as a result of this project, Burbank and Seattle airports will begin offering airport-wide free Wi-Fi indefinitely,” says the press release. (Here’s the full list.)
Once you log on to networks in any of the participating airports, travelers will have the option make a donation to Engineers Without Borders, the One Economy Corporation or the Climate Savers Computing Initiative. Google will match the donations made across all the networks up to $250,000, and the airport network that generates the highest amount per passenger by January 1, 2010 will receive $15,000 to donate to the local nonprofit of their choice.
Back in October Google and Virgin America announced an exclusive partnership with Google to provide free WiFi on all Virgin America flights. From Nov. 10, 2009-Jan. 15, 2010, guests on all Virgin America flights will be able to check email, gift shop online, stay in touch with family and friends via social media, or just go wherever the web takes them – all for free.
WiFi Promo for Microsoft: Microsoft has teamed up with mobile access provider JiWire to allow free Wi-Fi at a broad range of airports and hotels across the nation. It lets consumers gain free WiFi Internet access at participating hot spots in exchange for one search on the engine Bing. All you have to do in order to log on is make one search on Microsoft’s Bing search engine.
EBay Promo: EBay is providing Free WiFi through Gogo for 7 days during the Thanksgiving holiday. On more than 250 domestic Delta Airline flights during the busiest travel week of the year on domestic flights on Delta airlines during the Thanksgiving travel rush of November 24-30, 2009 your wi-fi is free. Passengers will be given a promotional code that will take them directly to eBay’s holiday home page. EBay is hoping it will help travelers to complete their holiday shopping while on board.
Yahoo Wi-Fi Promo: Times Square Alliance and Yahoo have partnered to bring Free Wi-Fi to Times Square starting November 10th. Whether you’re a Times Square resident, a neighborhood employee, a die-hard New Yorker or one of the neighborhood’s millions of annual visitors, you can access the web for free during your next visit to Times Square — through a new portal that offers the latest information about Times Square events and businesses, as well as news from around the world and local weather. Wi-fi is available along the Broadway Plaza between 42nd and 44th Streets and 46th and 47th Streets, including Duffy Square. Yahoo will be providing free wireless access at Times Square in New York City, for an entire year.)
Free Wifi for 3 Airlines: Also while searching I found Free Wi-Fi On 3 Major U.S. Airlines Now Thru December 31, 2009. Special trial one time use savings coupon code for anyone flying now thru December 31, 2009. This is a special promotion from gogoinflight.com and only work for new accounts. Here is a list that codes that may work for each airlines: Delta – DELTATRYGOGO Airtran – AIRTRANTRYGOGO American – AATRYGOGO
You can also visit our travel forum under General Travel talk where fellow travellers are sharing any other Free Wi-Fi codes for airlines they find !
Go back to our travel blog
How Do You Use Your Frequent Flyer Miles?
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
Eavesdrop on conversation in a typical airport gate area and you’ll think that grousing about frequent flyer programs has become a national pastime. The airlines keep finding new ways to give away miles and just about as many ways to prevent their customers from ever cashing in those miles for flights.
While passengers have long been offered redemption options beyond free flights and upgrades, they are spending their miles more often these days on non-flight services as the airlines reduce capacity, leaving fewer seats redeemable for miles. The airlines are doing all they can to recruit and keep passengers in frequent flyer programs, offering promotions and making it easier to redeem miles for hotels, car rentals and even theatre tickets.
We’d love to know…do you choose your flights now based on which airline you earn the most miles with, or are you more price driven?
Written by: C Kennedy
kennedy@atlastravelweb.com
Does Booking Your Own Airfare Really Save Money?
Monday, October 26th, 2009
Over the past several years, we have found a consistent trend where customers can find better prices by booking their airfare separately on-line, & just purchase the cruise or land tour portion of their trip.
In most cases, booking your own airfare is fine, but I want to remind you to keep a few things in mind.
When you book airfare with the cruise line or tour operator, transfers are included to & from the airport. When calculating how much money you are saving, make sure & factor in the additional cost for transfers.
Tours can cancel due to lack of participation. If you book your own air, we suggest booking a tour that is “guaranteed” to operate. Many suppliers have added hundreds of guaranteed departures on their popular tours so it should not be a problem to find a date that works within your schedule.
If you experience a problem with your flight being cancelled due to weather or other circumstances, when you book your airfare along with your travel package, you will have assistance in booking the next available flight to meet up with your trip. If you book your flights online, how difficult will it be to get someone on the phone to assist you in rebooking another flight?
If you book airfare with a cruise line and miss your flight, they will assist you in flying to the first port to meet up with the ship. If you book your own airfare, you are on your own trying to get to the first island, or miss the boat altogether.
Insurance is another consideration. If you book your own air, normally the cruise or tour operators insurance will not cover the value of your flights. Make sure to speak to an agent about outside insurance coverage so that your entire purchase is protected.
Book early & save. Many suppliers offer air promotions for bookings made well in advance. This may make the airfare price the same or cheaper than booking online.
The bottom line is, on many occasions we do advise (& encourage,) travelers to buy airfare separately, but make sure to take the time to discuss your options with a travel agent to ensure you are receiving the best value and have factored in all of the pros and cons.
More Airline Fees?
Saturday, October 17th, 2009Some of the nation’s biggest airlines have decided to give themselves an early holiday present this year. Delta, US Air, United and American are charging a $10 “surcharge” on fares for the peak holiday season, such as weekends following Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Airlines said they were bumping up fares by means of a surcharge simply because it is easier than imposing a straight fare increase for a limited period of time.
When looking at an affected flight on those days, the base fare will include the surcharge, making the increase “invisible” to the customer.
Airlines have had a tough time raising fares recently as demand for air travel has continued to drop. And while the carriers have cut capacity, they’ve still had to offer promotions and deep ticket discounts to fill their planes.
Predictions are that the nickel-and-diming of passengers would eventually result in a fall-off in traffic.
We never know what the airlines will come up with next to increase their revenue.
On another note, another airline jumps in to charge for seat assignments. British Airways is planning to charge customers a fee to guarantee a specific seat assignment. Domestic economy passengers will pay $16 to choose a seat at time of booking. For Business Class passengers with short flights and Economy and Premium Economy longer flights the fee is $32 and the longer flights in Business Class will cost $97 to have a specific assigned seat.
These charges do not apply to First Class Passengers, members of the airline’s Gold and Silver Executive Clubs, those traveling with infants or passengers with special needs.
Those passengers not wanting to pay the fee for early guaranteed seat assignments can select their seats at check in, either online or at the airport.
Analysts say the airline’s move is a sign of the times, as the recession cuts into every carrier’s revenue base and the airlines look to raise money any way they can.
British airways recently reported an annual loss of about $595 million and said it would raise $1 billion through loans and bond sales.
Written by: C Kennedy
kennedy@atlastravelweb.com
Airlines Rushing to add Wifi to planes
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
Coming soon to a flight near you – Wifi on your plane. How do you feel about this? I have mixed feelings – I have had to fly quite a bit in the last month and every plane has offered Wifi. To be completely honest I did pay for it on 1 flight just to try it out. It was cool to be able to tweet from 30,000 feet and I took the customary picture from up in the clouds and posted it. Part of me did not want to be using the phone or computer while I was flying. See up until this year all of us were use-to the customary turn off your phones, laptops, etc before the flight takes off and only approved devices were allowed while flying. But now with the availability of Wifi on airplanes once you reach your cruising altitude it’s back to the computer. I think I kinda liked the days that the plane was the only place I could not use the internet because I couldn’t but now there is no reason not to keep working while you are in the air. Oh well those days are gone and the days of staying connected all day everyday are here – but I do like to disconnect from time to time so I think I will save my Wifi plane access for flights of 3 hours or longer. What are your thoughts? Have you used the Wifi?
Just in case you are due to fly soon and want to know more about some of the WiFi services here is some more information. Wi-Fi works with smartphones and other wireless handheld devices offered by all major U.S. providers. Platforms supported include: Blackberry®, Windows® Mobile, Apple®, and Nokia® (Symbian S60). Voice service is not supported. You pay $9.95 for flights of three hours or less, $12.95 for longer flights. Here is the pricing to one of the Wifi services available – Gogo inflight wifi pricing. So far the airlines that offer the service from Gogo under Aircell are Delta, American Airlines, United, Virgin America, Air tran and soon Air Canada.
