Stuck at the airport

Heading to London?

04/03/08
One of the new airline routes introduced on March 31 (2008) as part of the EU – US Open Skies Agreement is daily Los Angeles-London service on Air France. Passengers on this route cannot yet use Air France’s new in-flight cell-phone service (that’s being tested on one airplane that flies within Europe) but they can →

Another reason to pack earplugs

04/02/08
Since December 2007 Air France has been testing a service that allows travelers to use their cell phones in-flight for communication services that include SMS and e-mail, but not for voice-calls. As of today, travelers can also use their cell-phones to make and receive voice calls – but only on one Airbus A318 that’s used →

Pity the Prankster

04/01/08
Remember the news story about a German travel agency taking reservations for a “clothing optional” flight? And the report that both the pilot and co-pilot of a Go! Airlines flight may have been napping when they were supposed to be flying the plane between Honolulu and Hilo? I was pretty sure these were joke stories. →

Where’s the Whoopass?

03/31/08
Although most airlines now charge for in-flight snacks and meals, many airlines still serve complimentary soft drinks and water. Sometimes Coke gets swapped for Pepsi, but in general the beverage offerings seem to stay the same. But starting April 1, 2008 both Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air will begin serving complimentary Jones Sodas. The Seattle-based →

It’s a start….

03/28/08
Most of us are used to paying inflated prices for goods and services out at the airport. But I’m pleased to report that in doing research for an upcoming column I’ve discovered that some airports still offer stuff for free. For example, like a lot of other mid-sized airports, the General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) →

What’s worse? Delta Airlines or the dentist?

03/27/08
Ever play that game, “What’s worse…”? While I spent an hour stuck in a dentist’s chair today in Seattle, my friend Sheila was stuck in a slow-moving customer service line at the Atlanta airport. Her connecting flight between D.C. and Memphis was one of the 275 flights Delta Airlines scrubbed today so it could perform →

Feeling lucky? Have a Spring Fling!

03/27/08
To celebrate spring, and new Northwest Airlines/KLM service between Portland, Oregon and Amsterdam, the folks at Portland International Airport (PDX) are giving away a pair of round-trip tickets from Portland to Amsterdam. Want to win? Entry forms for the Spring Fling are available in the airport and on-line, but only through tomorrow – Friday, March →

Airport freebies?

03/26/08
Sure, airfares are going up (and up), what with fuel surcharges and extra fees for checking baggage. But, on the ground, there are still some airports offering things for free. I’m gathering a list of the best airport freebies. So far I’ve found free local phone calls (Sioux Gateway Airport), free live entertainment (Austin, Nashville, →

Dutch Chocolate and High Tea at DFW

03/25/08
It should be quite a scene this Sunday (March 30th) at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport when they celebrate new service to London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol Airports. For folks arriving from Amsterdam, they’ll be authentic Dutch klompendansers, Dutch coffee, chocolates and a giant windmill cake. For those arriving from Heathrow, it will be English teas →

Phone Home Free from SUX

03/24/08
It’s my second week as guest contributor for the Airport Check-In column over at USA TODAY. This week’s topics include new registered traveler lanes at the D.C. airports, new self-select “diamond lanes” at security checkpoints in Boston, Orlando and Spokane, Washington, and the free local and toll-free phone service offered at Iowa’s Sioux Gateway Airport. →
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