Perhaps you have people on your holiday shopping list for whom you completely dread finding gifts...or maybe it's you falling into that category on your loved one's lists. Whatever direction the holiday shopping stress is coming from, British Airways has a solution.

Last week, BA decided to spice up Black Friday and tweeted about gift ideas, like vouchers for the general public to get into their Flight Simulator Experiences.

It all sounds like something right out of the Nieman Marcus Fantasy Gift section in their catalog, with prices to match. Normally reserved for their own flight crews, the simulators are offered to any self-proclaimed aviation geek. Vouchers are available from £399 for a 1-hour flight on a Boeing 737-400, to £1,347 for a 3-hour flight on a 747-400. Sorry Airbus fans, aircraft options are limited to Boeing only and also include 757-200, 767-300 and 777-200.]]> jetflyboy 2011-11-28T17:43:34-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/11/21/13050/841

Tonight's the night.

Anthony Bourdain is back. And instead of being in the kitchen or in the middle of a meal, he's on airplanes and on streets around the world, sharing the places he thinks are cool and worthy of a visit when you're on a limited time and limited budget. That's the entire gist of his new Travel Channel series The Layover, which premieres this evening at 9pm EST/8pm CST.

His first stop is Singapore, where he'll be drinking (duh) and eating (duh x 2), but also stopping in the red-light district and at the Thieves Market. Will we see a whole new side of the lovable curmudgeon? It's likely, but there still seems to be quite a bit of eating going on in The Layover, which could just as easily feature in his other series, No Reservations. ]]> JetSetCD 2011-11-21T14:41:39-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/10/21/111424/15

You've had a long flight, or maybe you're about to have a long flight, or maybe—horror of horrors—both. You've got some sizeable layover time at Tokyo-Narita Airport and you're desperate to have a shower, take a nap or work in peace and comfort—or all three things. If you're flying economy you don't have the option to crash in a lounge, but luckily Narita is a large (and awesome) enough airport to offer Shower rooms and Day Rooms, and we just tried them out!

Our story involved a long flight to NRT from Bangkok, an 8-hour layover and another long flight back to the States in economy. Typically we'd enjoy the airport like an amusement park, but we were under the weather and sleepy. Although the day rooms may be reserved online up to one month in advance, we just walked in and plonked down our credit card for five hours in a single room.]]> JetSetCD 2011-10-21T12:05:13-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/9/28/83454/8581

Chicago-O’Hare has been busy in 2011, and it’s not just updating a bunch of United Airlines signs. The airport has been busy adding plenty of new restaurants—tasty ones too—and now they’re taking the next step to improve their foodie street cred. HMSHost is partnering up with the airport to create an airport aeroponic garden.

Apparently it’s the very first—and only—aeroponic airport garden in the world, and it’ll be doing its thing before too long right in Terminal 3. It’s not just for show either, as they’re actually planning to utilize some of its crops for restaurants right in the airport. Tuscany, Blackhawks Restaurant, and Wicker Park Seafood and Sushi are just a few of the restaurants that plan to use some of the garden’s lettuce, peppers, and herbs. Hopefully Rick Bayless will steal a couple sprigs of cilantro too. ]]> kjb 2011-09-28T09:01:04-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/8/17/1927/01459

We're not going to say that sleeping in airports is uncomfortable. Everyone already knows that. We're here today to slam down the Bible, thumb our fist on the pulpit and do declare that there is a better way! There is hope for airport nappers! This hope is the Sleepbox and after spending several years as a popular concept and focus of design blogs, the Sleepbox has actually materialized as a physical, money-generating thing.

Just this week the first Sleepbox made its debut at Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport and the international interest has been immediate. In all fairness, anything beating two luggages on the floor with a hoodie draped over them is a huge improvement. So now Sleepbox is accepting its first guests, offering rentals of 30 minutes to several hours while providing free WiFi, bunk beds, a folding desk, an LCD TV and "ventilation." Don't expect an ensuite bathroom, but do note that the bed sheets are automatically self-changing and there is luggage storage.

Want a bathroom? It's off to the Yotel with you. ]]> JetSetCD 2011-08-17T10:40:42-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/7/28/104958/410
Andrew Zimmern & Bourdain at a Travel Channel shindig

...The short answer is no. The long answer is yes, for vacation and appearances and parties like the one at which we interviewed him, but when Anthony Bourdain is on the go, he's like an Energizer Bunny. City to bustling city, restaurant to street market food stall...you know how his usual No Reservations show goes. Now the Travel Channel is speeding him up even faster, in a new show simply called The Layover.

Eater National has the juicy details: ]]> JetSetCD 2011-07-28T10:49:58-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/3/31/7540/81914

We knew celebrity chef Rick Bayless had arrived at Chicago-O’Hare, but only recently did we get to indulge in his latest offerings. We expected to rush through the airport in order to make our connection—but thanks to a flight delay—we were able to take in a little airport lunch. After trying Tortas Frontera, we were actually glad our flight was less than on-time.

The quick service restaurant is located in Terminal 1, so if you’re flying on United—a great possibility if you're heading through ORD—you’re all set. Otherwise, it might just be a little bit of a walk. ]]> kjb 2011-03-31T09:05:44-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/