Some folks were predicting that this would be the year that some airlines start charging passengers by weight. But it looks like this will be the year that some airlines – or maybe just those wacky nickel-and-dime’em folks at RyanAir – are going to start charging folks to use the lav.
What do you think?
The ailing economy is fueling some unusual and unprecedented deals at hotels, restaurants and attractions and sparking some hard-to-ignore airfare sales.
Some of those offers are so enticing that you may feel like a “vulture tourist” just by taking advantage of the great deals. But hospitality experts say don’t worry too much about that: when times are bad, whatever you spend will be appreciated. And besides, when times are good, prices will quickly go back up.
So I’ve been eating out a lot more lately and taking a few extra plane trips. And, as I explain in my most recent Well-Mannered Traveler column on MSNBC.com, I have lots of company.
XpresSpa has opened a new location at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) – in the International Terminal, Terminal A West – offering massages, aromatherapy products, and other personal care items. There’s another branch of XpresSpa on Concourse C that offers massages as well as manicures, pedicures, facials, waxing and reflexology.
This week United Airlines announced that starting March 23rd, passengers will be asked to pay for on-board purchases (cocktails, sandwiches, snacks, etc.) with credit or debit cards instead of cash. There are some exceptions. According to a United press release:
“United will continue to accept cash in addition to credit and debit cards on flights to and from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America. On United Express flights cash will continue to be the accepted form of payment.”
And, starting this week, Alaska Airlines is testing its new in-flight Wi-Fi service on one Boeing 737-700 airplane.
The in-flight Wi-Fi is provided by Row 44 and will be offered free for the next 60 days or so while the airline tests the service. Then the plan is to install Wi-Fi on the airline’s entire fleet of aircraft – and start charging.
Wednesday (Feb 25, 2009) was opening day for the new terminal at Key West International Airport (EYW), which is on Florida’s southernmost Key and just 90 miles from Cuba.
The new terminal has second-level ticketing, a departure lounge, retail concessions, and a restaurant and tavern. The old 1957 terminal won’t be torn down, just renovated and updated.
I haven’t toured the new terminal yet, but did have the pleasure of visiting the old one a while back and learning about the airport’s colorful history.
During WWII, the Key West airstrip, which was known as Meacham Field, served as a dirigible base. It became Key West International Airport after the war and for many years there were only two scheduled flights a day.
Still, the airport restaurant was a popular destination. Perhaps that’s because during the1960’s and 70’s the lounge featured a topless all-female band and the bar stayed open 24 hours a day.
An intriguing attraction right across from the airport museum is the Fort East Martello Museum, which is home to a wide variety of intriguing historical items, including Robert the Haunted Doll, a straw-filled toy that many believe to be the embodiment of evil.
Laid off or worried about getting laid off?
In addition to JetBlue’s promise to refund your airfare if you get laid off, here are two other travel-related outfits that want you to rest easy:
In Park City, Utah the Washington School Inn’s “Pink Slip Protection” package promises to refund your deposit if you get laid off. And the folks at SkyRoll are offering to sell new job seekers (i.e. folks recently laid off) a 50% discount on luggage that might be useful for traveling to your next interview.
And if you don’t have a job, then consider applying for this: The folk at STA, a student and youth travel company, are looking for two summer interns. This is no “go get coffee” internship: the lucky interns will get to travel around the world for free. Along the way, they’ll blog, shoot and edit video and take photos.
Interested or know someone who should apply? The deadline to turn in a video application for the STA internship is March 8th.
I’m thinking about it…
An Oregon Curiosity: The Bomber Complex in Milwaukie. http://bit.ly/cYksG3 #travel #aviation 55 minutes ago
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