It is 11 years since the last take off of the mighty Concorde, our only supersonic passenger aeroplane. This video shows the plane leaving JFK for the last time on October 24th, 2003. Sadly, the closest I have ever got to Concorde was at the Seattle air museum. Enjoy. While I am posting old footage, here is a spectacular night takeoff in April of 2003 from London Heathrow. The afterburners are clearly visible.
Air NZ’s newest Hobbit safety video
The next part of the Hobbit movie series: The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies will be released in December. Again, filmed largely in New Zealand. Air New Zealand is gearing up again with the release of their latest safety video: The Most Epic Safety Video Ever Made. And I am inclined to agree. At 4 mins 38 secs, it is a long safety video but it certainly kept my attention! I get such a kick out of these. I love watching them. I wonder if they add to safety or distract from it? Did…
Don’t carry a Money Belt
It seems it is almost compulsory for a tourist on their first overseas trip, to carry a money belt. Every travel goods shop will tell you that you have to have one. I don’t do it! I tried for a few trips. I wore the one around my neck and the one around my waist. With relief, I abandoned the practice for the following reasons: 1. Nothing spells “Target” more than a money belt. I try to look like I belong wherever I visit and money belts blow that! Thieves can see them, shopkeepers see…
Tourist ID bracelets for Thailand?
Travelling to Thailand, is a relatively safe thing to do. Considering how many tourists go there, the state of the driving and how much many of those tourists participate in risky and/or risque activities it is astounding most people get home okay! Most end up with nothing more than sunburn! Some tourists, however, get lost or confused after too many drinks and cannot find their hostel or hotel! A number end up in fights or vandalism. Tragically out of the 20 million tourists that visit Thailand, several hundred die and thousands are injured. Most of…
Trusting People
I was barely out of my teens and I had arrived at Chicago’s Union Station by train on my first big North American adventure! The noise of people, traffic, trains and announcements seemed overwhelming. We needed to get to our youth hostel. This was the days of no internet, no cell phones and no google maps! (Yes, I am that old). We must have looked lost with our back packs, maps as we struggled to find the bus that would take us from the station to our hostel which was out in the Chicago suburbs!…
Fight Cancer With Us: #flyforpink
My sister died two years ago from Cancer. She fought it nobly. You can understand why I will support (almost) anything that helps support the fight against cancer. Here is a simple way you can join in the fight during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Hint: Cover up your frequent flyer number and other personal details. For every boarding pass photo posted to Twitter & Instagram with the hashtag #flyforpink, the frequent flyer collaborative of BoardingArea, Milepoint,Freddie Awards, Bonusfeber, Ikvliegveel and Frequent Traveler University will donate fifty US cents to cancer-related causes. If we…
Airlines add 380s to Dallas
In the last two weeks, Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), the USA’s fourth busiest airport, has had new very long distance Airbus 380 routes added. Qantas upgraded their non stop Sydney -DFW service to an A380 from a 747 on September 29th. This upgrade means that the longest scheduled commercial flight in the world is now served by the largest passenger jet in the world! The flight is approximately 12, 200 km (8,600 miles). It takes 15 hours 35 mins from Sydney to DFW and 16hr 55mins from DFW due to the headwinds! Thats a few movies on a flight advertised as…
Etihad launches Etihad Airways Partners
Middle Eastern carrier, Etihad has created a brand for six of the airlines it has shares in airberlin Air Serbia Air Seychelles Etihad Airways Ethihad Regional (Darwin Airlines) Jet Airways Alitalia and Virgin Australia do not appear to be included at this stage. The alliance is open to any other airline that wishes to join – not just airlines that Etihad has a stake in. The benefit of the alliance is akin to the other three alliances: One World, Skyteam and Star Alliance, namely integrated networks, timetables and frequent flyer programs. he frequent flyer program, reportedly, will be designed to provide a…
People Express Pause – Permanent?
I gave the newly launched People Express nine months before it would fold. I was a little optimistic in my predictions. The airline suspended flights on September 26. This is not even three months since launch. They promised to return October 16 (which is next week). Yesterday the airline announced it would be now be some time in November before flights resume. Their website is not accepting any bookings. The airline is promising refunds for all flights. Refunds which will take five to seven business days. Small comfort to anyone who is booked to fly in the next few weeks…
Berlin’s see through hotel
While in Berlin, I had to check out the 25 hours Hotel, Bikini Berlin. Ultra new, ultra cool and ultra embarrassing, It is located on Budapester Str., near the Berlin Zoo in the listed Bikini-Haus building, not far from Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The hotel website says that it “is popular…thanks to the restaurant and bar on the top floor with a 360° rooftop terrace and first-class views of the city and the Berlin Zoo.” It neglects to mention that the design of the bathrooms at the restaurant allows people on the ground to see lavatory…
Recent Comments