Today marks the end of a great career in aviation as US Airways pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger retires. Granted, the man who is an expert on aviation safety and also a glider pilot wasn't known to the public until he was lauded as a hero after safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River with no loss of life after bird strikes took out both of the plane's engines.

After that event (which occurred over a year ago, in January 2009), Sully did the talk show circuit, wrote a book, gave speeches, testified to aviation officials, and even returned to the controls as a regular US Airways pilot in October 2009. But now, the 59-year-old Sullenberger, who's been working for US Airways since 1980, is getting out while the getting is good. Also retiring is the 59-year-old flight attendant onboard the Miracle of the Hudson; she has been with US Airways since 1970. She may not have a book out to ride the sales of, but she deserves it just as much as Sully.

We're sort of sad that US Airways is losing a knowledgeable pilot like Sully, but good luck to them both!

Related Stories:
· Captain Sully Retiring From US Airways [Today in the Sky]
· Flight 1549 coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: ingridtaylar]]]> JetSetCD 2010-03-03T12:05:55-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/1/22/1571/24959

Anybody looking to develop a new roadside attraction? Have we got the deal for you! The now-infamous Airbus 320 of US Airways Flight 1549—which performed a flawless emergency water landing after a bid strike took out its engines—is up for auction.

WIRED and Gothamist fill us in on the details of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: ]]> JetSetCD 2010-01-22T16:05:04-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/1/20/82357/6252

Honestly we have enough trouble dealing with checking just one piece of luggage, so it’s difficult for us to imagine dealing with anything unique at the check-in counter. Surprisingly, airlines are pretty welcoming when it comes to your oversized bags, sports equipment, musical instruments, and anything else you might need to bring with you. However, it’s going to cost you a few extra bucks.

If you’ve got a big track and field meet coming up or just want to bring a nice present to Bruce Jenner, no need to worry about bringing your javelin on the airplane—it’s totally cool. It will need to be checked—no carrying it on please—and if you’re flying on Continental Airlines it will cost you the same as any other checked bag. American Airlines isn’t as friendly to javelin throwers, and they’ll charge $100 in addition to their usual checked bag fees. Vaulting poles aren’t allowed on American, but United will take up to two poles in a case for $175—at that point it might be worth just driving. ]]> kjb 2010-01-21T09:35:04-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/1/18/8351/49785

We’ve all purchased airfare without really thinking, but sometimes the buyer’s remorse is just a little too much. Despite the chance at an incredible fare there’s always something that makes it seem not worth it—like hitting the limit on your credit card. Thankfully there are still a few airlines that allow you to cancel your reservation within 24 hours. We’ve rounded up some of the policies below to ensure that you can fire first and ask questions later.

· Delta
As long as your make your purchase through Delta or Expedia—that means no Orbitz or other booking engines—you can cancel your ticket up to midnight the following day. Just make sure that your trip is originating from the United States, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or Canada. You don’t even need to call them, because you can just head to their website and take care of everything.

More ways to get your money back after the break... ]]> kjb 2010-01-18T11:30:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/1/15/05958/8456

WHEN WILL IT STOP?! Probably never, and that's our final answer.

This week's big airline news has been the abrupt increase in fees for your first checked bag, going from $20 to $25 on two airlines; first went Delta, then Continental, and now we add a third and fourth airline—United and US Airways. American is the last legacy carrier holding out and of course it probably won't take long for them because once there's blood in the water...

The United announcement was made late on Wednesday, and it took affect yesterday, with United charging $25 to check one bag at the airport and $35 for a second bag on flights within the United States, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Canada. You can shave off a few measly dollars by checking it online and doing the airport bag drop for $23 for the first bag, and $32 for a second. What a rotten deal.

Now that we've been seeing these fees creep up over the last six months or so, we're no longer taken by surprise, but we can't say the same for leisure travelers and those who roll up to the airport with their bags, thinking that nothing has changed. These are the folks who will be hardest hit by the baggage fees, and who will be the most frustrated with check-in agents, so avoid waiting in line behind someone with lots of baggage of check, who maybe is also wearing Juicy Couture sweatpants. ]]> JetSetCD 2010-01-15T08:40:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/1/9/23247/10582

On Friday, all 155 crew and passengers who were onboard US Airways Flight 1549 a year ago will celebrate still being alive, since that was the plane that safely landed in the Hudson River after a bird strike knocked out all of its engines.

Has it been a year already? We guess so, since Captain Sully has his book out, he's back to flying, the passengers finally got their luggage back (soggy, but still), and the talk shows are over having them on TV as guests. But damnit, they're still going to let their hair down and celebrate the fact that they didn't die in a horrific plane crash a year ago, so they're all heading back to New York City on Friday for a day of ceremonies to commemorate the occasion. ]]> JetSetCD 2010-01-11T12:34:59-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/12/21/8241/8112

It’s been almost two years since Richard Branson first praised the benefits of coconuts as a possible alternative to fly his planes around the globe. Since then, there have been many different biofuel blends and several successful test flights. Companies are certainly trying their best to become the ExxonMobil of green fuel, and the marketing departments behind camelina and jatropha are trying to illustrate while their oily plants are the best. One company, AltAir Fuels, is having a little bit of success with it all, and they plan to partner with about 15 airlines to provide some green juice.

Airlines like Air Canada, Delta, JetBlue, and US Airways have all agreed to think about purchasing up to 750 million gallons of eco-friendly jet fuel from AltAir Fuels. Their magic ingredient of choice is camelina—sorry jatropha fans. The green travel juice will be made in Washington, and the company is hoping that 100 million gallons of fuel will be made each year, starting in 2012. ]]> kjb 2009-12-21T08:39:10-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/