Posts in the category "Airlines":

American Airlines, whose parent company, AMR Corporation, filed for bankruptcy at the end of November, 2011, isn’t going down without a fight.

This week the airline announced that, beginning February 1, main cabin passengers on many international flights will once again be served complimentary beer and wine, a practice discontinued some time ago.

Here’s the deal:

“Customers traveling on American-operated flights between the U.S. and Europe, the U.S. and Asia and / or onboard long-haul flights between the U.S. and Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay can choose from a variety of complimentary beer and wine options, in addition to the full selection of nonalcoholic beverages.”

What’s next? Complimentary pillows and blankets?

Categories: Air Travel, Airlines, Food, Free Stuff
No Comments »

On Monday, January 16th, Singapore Airlines began A380 service from New York’s JFK airport to Frankfurt and on to Singapore.

I was lucky to be one of the invited guests on board.

Pre-boarding festivities include a full spread of food and refreshments for passengers in the gate area, the opportunity to get a photo taken with a trio of Singapore Airlines flight attendants, speeches and a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Passengers boarding the flight even got a welcome-aboard present that included a box of chocolates.

What’s the big deal with this plane and this route? Beyond the fact that Singapore Airlines now offers (almost) around-the-world service via A380 (JFK-Frankfurt-Singapore-Tokyo-LA), this version of the world’s largest commercial aircraft also has two double suites: private cabins equipped with double beds for two passengers.

There are single suites as well, and while I didn’t get to travel in a suite, I did get to pass by them and noticed that, like many hotels, each suite has a card letting the customer know the name of the person who prepared their night’s lodging.

Categories: Airlines
No Comments »

Last week I spent an hour in front of my closet trying to pick out the best suitcase for my next international trip.  Nothing seemed right, so I fired up the computer to go shopping for something new.

There are oodles of satchel stores out there, but I went home empty-handed because I didn’t get much past The Museum of Bags

Shopping bag by Andy Warhol

I thought the museum would be about baggage, but the on-line-only museum is focused more on paper sacks and related ‘carry-things-home-from-the-store”-type bags.

Which is fine with me.

Especially when I discovered this TWA (Trans World Airlines) bag filed there in the collection under “Other.”

Here’s the description of the airline and the bag from the Museum of Bags website:

“Founded in 1925 as Western Air Express, Trans World Airlines became one of the “Big Four” U.S. domestic airlines. In 1961, TWA became the first airline to introduce regular in-flight movies with By Love Possessed which starred Lana Turner and Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. in first class. On December 1, 2001, Flight 220, using an MD-80, was TWA’s last flight. It flew from Kansas City, Missouri to St. Louis.”

Categories: Airlines, Museums
No Comments »

Free Wi-Fi on Delta Air Lines

From now till January 2, 2012 passengers on Wi-Fi equipped Delta airplanes will be able to use the in-flight Gogo Wi-Fi for free for 30 minutes each flight.

It is a partnership with eBay, so you can continue shopping on that one site for the entire flight.

More info on free Wi-Fi on Delta Air Lines here.

Holiday music at JFK and LGA airports

Jazz trios, quartets and quintets from the New York Pops orchestra and up to 25 members of the performance choir from the Choir Academy of Harlem will entertain American Airlines passengers with holiday music at LaGuardia and JFK International Airports during the next few weeks.

In LaGuardia Airport, performances will be in the Central Terminal Building, American Airlines Concourse D, Gate D5.

• Dec. 14, 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The New York Pops Jazz Trio
• Dec. 20, 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The New York Pops Jazz Trio
• Dec. 22, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The New York Pops Jazz Quartet

At JFK International Airport, the concerts will be held in American Airlines Terminal 8, Concourse B Lobby by Gates 14 and 16.

• Dec. 16, 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The New York Pops Jazz Quintet
• Dec. 19, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Choir Academy of Harlem Performance Choir
• Dec. 20, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Choir Academy of Harlem Performance Choir
• Dec. 22, 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The New York Pops Jazz Quintet
• Dec. 23, 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The New York Pops Jazz Quintet

During their performances, The New York Pops will offer travelers an opportunity to win tickets to an upcoming concert at Carnegie Hall.

Photos with Santa

Southwest Airlines, Clear Channel Airports and Microsoft Windows are teaming up to offer free holiday photos with Santa at 19 airports around the country through December 24th.

Look for the holiday-themed kiosks , Santa and a “Windows 7 Elf” at some of the Southwest Airlines gates at these airports:

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)

Categories: Airlines, Environment, Events, free Wi-Fi, Fun Stuff, Music, Wi-Fi
No Comments »

Here are some fun photos from a day spent at Boeing’s Everett campus, learning about and touring the 787 Dreamliner and wandering around the 787 factory floor in preparation for Monday’s long-awaited delivery celebration for the first Dreamliner delivery to ANA.

A bit mystifying... No smoking, yet the FAA requires an ashtray.

787 Dreamliner cockpit

More 787s in the pipeline at Boeing factory in Everett

Saving money? Note masking tape fix to turn 777 to 787.

Categories: Airlines, Airplanes, aviation, Boeing, Boeing 787 Dreamliner
1 Comment »