Fly Delta for Inflight Wi-Fi Access

On the Delta blog, Chris mentions that by the end of the summer more than 300 Wi-Fi-equipped Delta aircraft will be flying border-to-border and coast-to-coast. Currently 139 aircraft (or nearly half of Delta’s domestic fleet) are equipped with Gogo inflight internet, including the entire MD-88 fleet.

Service is offered in both first and economy class on a pay-per-flight basis.

Purchase options include:

• $7.95 for handheld devices (regardless of flight time)
• $9.95 for flights less than 3 hours
• $12.95 for flights of 3 hours or more

Wi-Fi is available across the continental United States while the plane is above 10,000 feet (at speeds similar to wireless mobile broadband services on the ground).

Looks like the only excuse I’ll have not to be connected anymore is camping in non wi-fi equipped campgrounds.

Meet a Cutie at 36,000 Feet

Willing to travel to meet your match? How about meeting him or her at 36,000 feet?

Air New Zealand is running a Matchmaking Flight from Los Angeles to Auckland on October 13, 2009 for the astoundingly low price of $780 (excluding government fees and taxes of approximately $82 (USD).

They say, “This is your chance to be part of history, linking the great North American culture with the natural vibes of pure New Zealand. Fasten your seatbelt, enjoy the ride of parties and holiday activities as you take off to the other side of the world on your Amazing Journey to find The One“.

Air New Zealand is also hosting a pre-flight gate party, themed food, drink, and games to encourage folks to mix and mingle on the flight, and then there’s a party for the singles at the SKYCITY Convention Centre in Auckland.

Interested. Visit The Matchmaking Flight today where you can book your flight, choose from a number of romance package tours and even choose from those whom you’d most like to meet, i.e. Kiwi boyfriend, Canadian girlfriend - or just see if there’s a cutie in the bunch.

Travel Guard Offers Free Assistance to Travellers Concerned with Swine Flu Outbreak’s Impact

TORONTO, April 29 /CNW/ - Travel Guard (www.travelguard.ca) announced today it is providing free emergency travel and medical assistance services and travel health information to U.S. and Canadian travellers affected by or concerned with the recent swine flu outbreak. These services include worldwide medical referrals; up-to-the-minute updates on outbreak status and travel areas affected; information on symptoms, prevention and treatment; and coordination of travel arrangements for those in transit.

Travel Guard will also provide information and medical referrals for travellers in transit who believe they may be experiencing swine flu symptoms. Travellers seeking these services can call Travel Guard at 1-866-644-6811 (US and Canada toll-free) or collect at 1-715-295-1209 (for international callers). Travel Guard is also providing information and updates related to the swine flu situation on its websites at www.travelguard.com and www.travelguard.ca.

“Our worldwide travel assistance operations are closely monitoring the swine flu outbreak and its impact on travellers around the world,” said Joel Donin, spokesperson for Travel Guard. “Travellers can contact us for travel updates, health warnings, prevention and treatment tips and other information related to this situation. From allowing trip cancellation due to fear of flying following 9/11, to offering free assistance to travellers concerned with the swine flu outbreak, Travel Guard has a proven track record of supporting travellers.”

About Travel Guard:

Travel Guard is one of the largest providers of travel insurance and assistance in North America, offering consumers a variety of travel insurance plans, all with comprehensive travel and protection services - and backed by superior customer service.

Flying During Swine Flu Outbreak? Protect Yourself!

OK, I love to fly, especially upside-down in a Pitts-Special, but flying commercially leaves me cold for the simple reason that most people are boors and don’t even know how to cover their mouths properly when they sneeze or cough. (Use your sleeve). Years ago, I therefore adopted the habit of ceasing to breathe for extended periods of time when I heard anyone in the cabin sputter and spew forth their unwanted germs.

That reaction unfortunately won’t prove very effective during something like the current swine flu outbreak, which the WHO (World Health Organization) today said is an “imminent pandemic”.

I have no intention of flying anywhere in the near future (planning to T@B down to the next convention at which I’m supposed to speak) but when I do, I plan to at very least wear an N95 Breathing Mask as shown in the picture to the right.

This is a NIOSH certified mask, which was recommended for protection to healthcare workers by both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control during the SARS infection back in 2003.

This N95 Mask includes a special one-way exhalation valve for cooler, easier breathing not included in most N95 masks, and an adjustable nose clip.

Magellan’s sells a pack of N95 masks that includes four disposable masks and fitting instructions.

United Airlines Soft on Safety

On February 23rd, I traveled from Chicago to Vancouver on United Airlines 1119, an Airbus 319.

On final approach into Vancouver, the flight attendants came by for a visual inspection to ensure that passengers were belted in, seat backs were in the upright position and (I assume) to make sure that carry-on items were stowed properly.

I signaled to the flight attendant that the backpack stowed under the seat in front of the middle seat of my row - placed there by the fellow in the aisle seat - was incurring the space between the seats.

NOTE: The picture above shows the bag’s placement AFTER I tried to kick it under the seat. When I pointed out the problem to the flight attendant, the backpack was completely blocking the space between the seats.

In response, both the guy in the aisle seat and the flight attendant looked at me like I was nuts. The flight attendant basically rolled her eyes, did nothing to rectify the problem and carried on with her (useless) inspection.

I guess these people don’t watch the news and missed the emergency evacuation that occurred on the Hudson River just recently. They definitely don’t watch MayDay.

Well here’s a flash bulletin for all the idiots who don’t get it.

Accidents happen and it’s up to each of us to do all we can to ensure our own safety and the safety of others when we travel.

More to the point… in the introduction to the “Carry-On Baggage Program Rule”, which requires United States airlines to develop and use approved carry-on baggage programs, the FAA stated that “excessive carry-on baggage can endanger passengers and crew members in a number of ways: carry-on bags that block aisles or the spaces between seats can slow evacuation of the airplane in an emergency; improperly stowed carry-on bags can block access to emergency equipment and to the under-the-seat lifevests; carry-on bags that fall from overhead racks or bins can injure passengers and flight crew members and hinder evacuation” (FAA Supplementary Information: Amendment 121-194, Federal Aviation Regulation 121.589).

So despite clearly understanding the threats to passenger safety, the airlines are encouraging passengers to carry more items aboard by charging for checked baggage AND failing to train their staff to confirm that egress is clear in the event of an emergency.

I call that dereliction of duty.

Additional note: United Airlines has been directly informed about this problem and invited to comment on this post.

US Airways 1549: Heroes on the Hudson River

As an ex-air traffic controller (aviation professional and enthusiast for more than 30 years), I think the media were very slow this afternoon to acknowledge the crew of US Airways 1549. It was at least an hour before I heard any mention of the miraculous feat pulled off by the pilots.

Airplanes weren’t designed to swim. Crash landings on water, especially in jet airliners, rarely turn out well.

Surely, no one can forget the image of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 that crash-landed in the Indian Ocean near Comoros after running out of fuel. When the wing-tip and engine caught the water, the aircraft cartwheeled and broke apart, killing 125 of the 175 passengers and crew on board.

The fact that the pilots of US Airways 1549 ditched an Airbus 320 on the Hudson River and all 148 passengers and 5 crew were rescued prior to the aircraft sinking was an incredible show of airmanship.

Captain Chesley Sullenberger (Sully) and his co-pilot are HEROES.

Celebrate Oktoberfest in Leavenworth

Oktoberfest in Leavenworth is the next best thing to being in Munich! There’s live music, German food, arts and crafts, Bavarian clothing sale, and activities for the whole family during the first 3 weekends in October.

Leavenworth’s own Musikkapelle Leavenworth will be joined by other musical groups from the US and Germany and Leavenworth’s Mayor will tap the keg at the Keg Tapping Ceremony that happens at 1:00pm every Saturday during Oktoberfest.

Read more

Comments, Questions and Suggestions

Leave a comment, suggestion or question for us below. We’ll be able to see it no matter where in the world we may be… provided we have access to the Internet!!

Help TripAdvisor Decide How to Donate $1 Million

Here’s a message that I received yesterday from TripAdvisor…

For years it’s been our mission to help travelers around the world plan and take great trips.

Now we want to help the places and people that we encounter when we travel. On November 12th, we’ll be donating $1 million to 5 great organizations that help these places and people.

Just as we believe in the power of the collective wisdom of our travelers, we believe in the power of your opinion.

Organizations include:

• Conservation International
• Doctors Without Borders
• National Geographic Society
• The Nature Conservancy
• Save the Children

To vote for a cause / organization, you’ll have to become a TripAdvisor member. To join, go to TripAdvisor, then visit the TripAdvisor Causes page.

Priority Screening Now Available at Some Canadian Airports

Here’s the second portion of the message that I received from Air Canada today…

…enjoy the convenience of Priority Security Clearance when you travel in Executive Class or Executive First from select Canadian, U.S. and international airports.

Priority Security Clearance lanes have recently been introduced in Toronto. The new Pearson Priority - Air Canada Priority Lanes are now available and fully operational. These lanes are designed to expedite your entry to airport security screening zones via a clearly indicated, separate pre-board access lane, allowing you to arrive at your boarding gate more quickly. Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver and Edmonton also have Priority Security Clearance lanes, with more coming soon to other Canadian airports.

Again, FINALLY!!

I’ve enjoyed that privilege from time to time flying out of Las Vegas (where it is sorely needed) and it’s a complete blessing.

Instead of spending 20 to 30 minutes shuffling through the security line, you’re through in 5 minutes.

There are a LOT of things that you can do with that extra time, not least of all grab a drink or a bite to eat… the latter of which of course isn’t available on too many airlines nowadays.

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