First of all it was MH370, then MH 17, then Taiwan, Iran, one in Mali and a shooting at a plane in Pakistan. Lots of people have been asking me whether I will keep flying after these horrific events. A poll, conducted for TheStreet by GfK at the end of July found that 36% of Americans feel afraid to fly internationally. Women are more fearful than men, older people are more fearful than younger people. For an Australian who flies Malaysia Airlines a lot and who has traversed the skies above the Ukraine a few times in my Europe voyages,…
Would you fly in a Windowless Plane?
The IXION Windowless Business Jet Concept has no windows. Instead any scene can be projected onto a high-res screen on the interior cabin walls and ceiling. It could be the view from the outside of the plane or relaxing scenes or business charts! The displays would be powered by Solar panels on the jet’s exterior. http://vimeo.com/78458486 The design recently won the Exterior Design Concept category at the 2014 International Yacht & Aviation Awards for Paris-based company Technicon. The advantages of removing windows include: construction cost reductions a lower weight leading to decreased fuel usage increased flexibility for the inside layout of the…
Air Asia Wifi Flying Soon
120 AirAsia staff last Wednesday (August 13) undertook the first ever user acceptance testing of the airline’s newly installed Wi-Fi service. The team used three popular messaging services – LINE, WhatsApp and WeChat with reportedly positive results for all three services. The team also shared live updates on the company’s official Twitter and Instagram accounts. Instant messaging, emails and content streaming will be gradually rolled out across the entire group starting with flights with the AK code. Sixty AirAsia passengers per flight will be able to participate in a “free user test” of the system for the next two months. I am on…
Video: Dangerous Dreams in Rural Utah
This video on the BBC Travel website had me rolling around. Hilarious – and sobering. What crazy things people do when young and carefree?! The site has a series of animated mis adventures based on reader experiences including: Near drowning in Morocco Dangers in the Outback A stranger in Romania What misadventures have you had? Apart from almost getting robbed in Paris, having my starter motor die on my four wheel drive in the outback, sleeping in my car when we ran out of fuel in rural Western Australia, and almost getting blown up, I have…
Ignoring the safety message
Funny, cynical and thoughtful. The safety announcement is much like many I have observed. Watch what happens to the oblivious passengers next…
Wanting cigarettes, drunk 1 legged woman diverts plane
One wonders if some people should be allowed to fly? Thomson airlines may have second thoughts about letting one woman back on a plane after she threw food at their staff on a flight from Tunisia to Edinburgh on July 30. She then allegedly hit a child and attacked the cabin crew with her prosthetic leg which she had detached. Another passenger said that the woman was shouting “I want cigarettes”. She then reportedly demanded a parachute to jump off the plane. The captain of Thomson Airlines flight 297 was so concerned that he diverted the plane to London’s Gatwick airport where police escorted her off the plane. She…
Exraordinary Etihad deals from Australia
Tempted by this extraordinary deal from Etihad. Hot on their Australian status match promotion, the airline is offering ridiculously cheap fares to Europe and India from all Australian ports. I am trying to work out whether the airline has massive capacity or is trying to flex some muscle? For example, Sydney to Amsterdam or Paris or Rome or Zurich for $A1230 round trip. The next cheapest price from any airline is around $1430 with Vietnam Airlines and China Southern, both of which take much longer to get you to Europe. The extraordinary bargain are the flights from…
Tips for Copenhagen?
My 60th country will be Denmark which I will visit this September. Copenhagen, its capital will be the 182nd city of over 100 thousand people I have visited in my life. We are staying in the old quarter of the city near a metro station. The Tivoli Gardens, Little Mermaid, Strøget, and Christiania are the immediate attractions I associate with the city. What else should be on my list? Any other tips for Copenhagen? Related Posts Visiting Myanmar Reflections and Advice Burma (Myanmar) Bound Any advice for Myanmar? My 58th country: Vietnam I visit…
Snakes on the Plane
Today, the woman in front of me got called over for “special screening” at the security checkpoint. The officers were concerned about something in her bag. Turned out she had a large bag of candy which had not been sealed. There was candy all through her hand luggage. What had attracted the screener’s attention were the large candy snakes which were sitting at the bottom of the case!
Etihad Free Gold Status match – for Aussies only
Etihad is trying to seriously wrestle Qantas and Emirates for some international traffic out of Australia. Until 6th August, they are have a deal to extend Gold status in their Etihad Guest” Frequent Flyer program to any Australian who holds Gold (or higher status) with any international airline but Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines. Gold with Etihad gets you: 50 precent more miles on every Etihad flight access to business class lounges run by Etihad, Virgin Australia, Air Berlin, Singapore airlines and other carriers for the Gold card holder and guest 15kg additional baggage allowance priority baggage handling Business Class…
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