Jaunted - Tag: First Person Flight Reviews

Tokyo: What Food Gets Served on a 14-Hour Direct Flight

JetSetCD — 2010-10-19T10:27:08-05:00

Where are we right now? Tokyo, Japan because we felt like it...or rather, because back in April, we bought a flight when the price dropped so low it was too good to be true. And yet, it was true.

If you're reading this in the States right now, you're maybe just waking up. Since Tokyo is 13 hours ahead of New York, we're already sitting here preparing for bed, while looking out over the only dark expanse in Tokyo's sea of lights: the Imperial Palace and gardens. After properly filling up on katsudon while elbow to elbow with salarymen at a lunch counter earlier, we reflected on the meals a traveler eats on a travel day, and it's no wonder that an upset stomach is often the byproduct of a long flight.

Let's take a look at just what we ate on our 14-hour, New York-JFK to Tokyo-Narita direct flight on Delta 173:

Another AYCJ 2010 Success Story: 'I Paid $499 to Fly 18,969 Miles'

DanSuslavich — 2010-10-13T16:04:13-05:00

One more All You Can Jet Pass story for good measure. This one comes from Dan, a good friend and reader of Jaunted. Enjoy!

I flew 18,969 mileson JetBlue's AYCJ-5 2010 Pass between September 7 and October 7. Some more fun numbers: I flew into/out of 8 airports, visited 5 States and 3 countries, spent 10 nights in hotels, sat on 13 different airplanes, had a hell of a lot of fun, and used $2,510.07 worth of airfare. How much did it cost me? $499. That's right; I paid $499 to fly 18,969 miles, all while still managing to work 4 days a week.

This is my 2nd year doing the AYCJ Pass, and I had so much fun last year that I jumped on the opportunity to purchase it again.

British Airways Can Keep the Newspapers But Should Ditch the Upsells

juliana — 2010-10-05T17:30:35-05:00

Last month we took a quick flight from Nice, France to London's Heathrow Airport on British Airways, our first time flying the airline since 2000. Our plane was an Airbus A321 which had a three and three layout (two aisles of three seats.) Instead of business or first class there is Club Europe which has 12 seats. Its the same configuration as the rest of the plane just with wider seats and a slightly bigger seat pitch. Also, no one can sit in the middle seat up in the Club Europe section. (See what we mean on SeatGuru.com.)

Back in our seat, 5C, there was no seatback TV, just the old overhead ones which played no entertainment. And this being a short flight, there was just one perfunctory drinks service.

Breaking Down the Pros and Cons of Flying Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic

juliana — 2010-09-09T16:38:14-05:00

UPDATE: We added some more photos from our return flight which had slightly different amenities. Check them out in the photo gallery below!

Last week, we found ourselves in Newark Airport lusting after the folks checking into Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class on a flight to London, wondering when oh when, will little old us ever be plucked from (premium) economy and given that glorious upgrade into first.

But after watching the firsties pre-board, we snapped out of our daydream and began to board with the rest of the plane. Suddenly, there was a DING! just after we handed our ticket to the gate attendant. She muttered, "Oh. It seems your seat has changed." We assumed the worst and began to fret that they've shoved us out of our aisle seat and into a middle seat in the back to make room for a big family or a preferred flyer.

But no. The attendant shuffled back to the desk and rummaged through some ticket stubs. She then discretely handed us a new stub and said in a low voice, "You've been upgraded to Upper Class."* We nearly dropped our carry-on in disbelief (or possibly, that September issue of Vogue was really getting heavy.)

So, now that we've had a taste of Upper Class, will we ever go back? First, step inside the Upper Class cabin and see for yourself.

Sydney: High-Altitude, High-End Dining on V Australia

EricRosen — 2010-03-12T13:50:04-05:00

Let’s be honest, no one looks forward to airline food, but we’re kind of obsessed with it here at Jaunted. No matter how good it is, or how much R & D has gone into making it as palatable as possible, it’s not like eating on the ground. Part of that is because the altitude impairs taste buds, so passengers literally can’t taste much, but the dry, desiccated cabin air certainly can’t be good for the appetite either.

But when flying International Business Class, the highest class of service on V Australia, you can certainly expect some good eats (and drinks!) onboard.

Winging It to Costa Rica: International and Local Flights

The Lost Girl — 2009-08-24T16:54:20-05:00

All this week, Amanda Pressner will be bringing us reports from her recent trip to Costa Rica with her entire family. Any questions about traveling to Costa Rica or family-oriented activities to do while you're there? Let us know.

My sister and I are notoriously belated when it comes to sending birthday gifts and cards, so it probably came as no surprise to our Dad when we finally made good on the 65th B-day gift we promised him—a full five months after his 66th! For the man who already has everything, Jenn and I decided, along with our step-mom Nadine, to take Dad on a fantastic family vacation.

Because I have the most stamps in my passport, the fam decide that it automatically fell to me to decide where six adults of varying ages, activity levels and budgetary restraints should go to get away from it all—and to plan out the full details of our group adventure. Ideas were tossed out: Caribbean cruise? (Too hot in July) European sightseeing tour? (the $1,000 round trip ticket—a big turn off).

In end, we all agreed on Costa Ricaa country where none of us had traveled, but by most accounts, was the adult version of Disney World. Orlando may be the happiest place on earth for kids, but according to CNN, it’s the happiest place on earth for adults.

Open Skies 'One of the Best Travel Bargains' But For How Much Longer?

juliana — 2009-07-14T17:09:18-05:00

Every so often we feature a first person flight review from one of our readers that we feel should be shared with the rest of you dear fliers. These reviews are full of details and pertinent info and are relatively level-headed. Think you can submit one just like this? Send it in.

It looks like people are still flying those all business class carriers. A passenger recently flew Open Skies from JFK to Amsterdam and called it one of the best travel bargains around.

Sadly, we're not so sure even this positive review can save Open Skies from getting grounded later this year due to the financial difficulties its parent company, British Airways, has been having in the recession.

Yet, there's a glimmer of hope as passenger numbers are expected to increase this summer and everyone is still hoping that the economy could turn around later this fall. Until then, here's a look at what you get on-board Open Skies.

One of the best travel bargains available! Business class JFK to Amsterdam or Paris for an average coach fare--less than half the normal business class rate. My daughter & I flew the Amsterdam route in mid-June '09 for $900 round trip. (Their "first class" rate is more than double, differing largely in the flat, fold-down beds & 1st class lounge @ JFK.)