We've been extremely curious about the offerings aboard Pet Airways which plans to make its first flight on July 14 for the introductory one-way fare of $149.
As all overprotective pet parents know, flying our babies in cargo is a painful decision to make. What if they freeze? What if they get dehydrated? What if they get shipped off to another destination? Will someone sing them lullabyes to help them sleep?
Most vets and animal experts (i.e. pet store owners and the people you meet at dog parks) will tell you that flying your animal in cargo is a bad idea. It stresses the pet out and it's just too risky.
Well, judging from this Pet Airways video, those painful decisions might be over. Pets on Pet Airways fly in the main cabin, not in cargo. There's a dedicated pet flight attendant walking throughout the cabin (every 15 minutes) making sure the pets are happy in their crates and the temperature control is "just right." Your pets can even walk on a red carpet up into the plane!
This all sounds so wonderful but we still worry a little. What if this is just a long-running April Fool's joke? What if Pet Airways is just bluffing about their personal attention to your loved ones? What if, thanks to the economy, the airline will shut down right quick like Skybus?
We won't be the first ones to put our pet on the Pet Airways flight but if things go well, we will seriously consider it. That and a doggie or kitty valium too. For them, not for us. Well...maybe for us too.
Related Stories:
· Pet Airways coverage [Jaunted] ]]>
Riding on the wave of humor that Jetblue has enjoyed with the success of their "CEO's Guide to Jetting" videos, they've returned with two new and fun shorts, this time aimed at the average air traveler's needs for space and entertainment.
With animation by Against All Odds / Blacklist and visual effects company Mass Market, the two cartoons transport a frustrated flyer from "Other Guy Air" (which curiously looks like a Ryanair plane) into the comfy, private entertainment-stocked environs of Jetblue. ]]>
For a self-admitted transportation nerd, Hong Kong is dream come true. We just can't decide on a favorite way of conveyance, and thankfully with HK's bounty of trams, ferries, taxis and even a famous chain of escalators, we didn't have to--we rode them all! So for all of you daydreaming of 80-degree days spent hopping between ferries and funiculars on a single "Octopus" transit card, here's our short and saucy guide to the awesome transportation options of Hong Kong:
· Double-Decker Trams and Buses: The former British influence is still felt here, although they've long exchanged afternoon tea for a Starbucks latte. In Central on Hong Kong Island, the slice-thin double-decker trams pile up on commuters for short trips not worth the subway. Tapping your Octopus card also works on these, although during rush hour there's barely enough room to do even that. The buses, which match London Routemasters in size, are a better option for venturing into residential neighborhoods, and routes are clearly presented at each bus stop pole.
· Victoria Peak Funicular: Along with the Star Ferry, this ranks as a seriously touristy thing to do. Still, it's the most unique and direct way to mount Victoria Peak and take advantage of the jawdroppingly steep ascent. Heading up is often crowded, but the descent leaves plenty of room for picture taking and gawking at the skyscrapers below you.
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Tossing out hope for '09 so soon, Sir Richard? The mogul's right hand man and CEO of Virgin Atlantic Steve Ridgeway says the global financial crisis could make this year a tough one, despite the fact that the carrier will celebrate its 25th anniversary come June. Having to cut costs, shrink capacity and fight off British Airways when he should be planning parties? "It’s slightly depressing," Ridgeway tells Bloomberg.
Yet Virgin says its planning a batch of fare sales to help everyone forget about "the doom and gloom in the airline industry." (Details on those deals have yet to be announced.)
Better than the vague promise of low fares, though, is this new ad hyping the carrier's anniversary. Set in 1984, it's got the requisite giant cell phone, along with a Rubik's cube, incredible fashion, an awesome synth soundtrack and, is that Madonna? (We're resisting the urge to download a clone of Asteroids after seeing the arcade version in this clip!)
Related Stories:
· Virgin Atlantic Launches £6 Million Ad Campaign [UK Travel Weekly]
· Virgin Cuts Fares, May Shrink [Bloomberg]
· Despite Facebook Scandal, Virgin Atlantic Continues To Deliver [Jaunted]]]>
Commence pantless preparations: Improv Everywhere is calling on its global network of rascals to make No Pants 2k9 the biggest yet. What started as a trouser-free ride around the New York City subway system in 2002 is this year expanding to Adelaide, Amsterdam, LA, San Francisco, Toronto and even more cities.
On January 10, pranksters around the world will hop the local public transportation, drop their pants and play it cool while fellow riders pull confused faces and wonder why there are dozens of commuters standing around in their underwear.
If you're headed to the main event in NYC, you can toast to your fellow pranksters at the "official No Pants after party" at Sidebar on 15th Street, where you'll get a free drink if you walk in with your pants off.
Related Stories:
· Global No Pants Subway Ride [Official Site]
· "Welcome Back" [Jaunted]]]>
Our worst fears have been realized: ABC's new show "Homeland Security USA" is more flag-waving, isolationist propaganda than it is a documentary look at the way DHS does business, from guarding borders to ensuring airports are safe. The new sneak previews--available on the network's website--are so hilarious, they spoof themselves. To wit: On the subject of the Swiss miss arriving at LAX without proper papers, one customs officer says:
We found mostly in her bag, uh, her belly dancing equipment.
Meanwhile in Miami, an Ecuadorian man has some illegal guinea pig steaks in his bag. The overriding message seems to be foreign visitors are silly and can't speak English well. What levity--and in the face of unspeakable danger!
Also, suspected drug runners off the coast of Puerto Rico are scary--but eye-in-the-sky enforcers are making sure America is safe. Or something: The preview cuts out before we find out if they were actually packing dope. Is it just us, or is this show about seven years too late to cash in on post-9/11 paranoia?
Related Stories:
· "This Isn't Theater, This Is War" [Jaunted]
· TSA To Get Reality Show Treatment [Jaunted]]]>
The Indian embassy in Bangladesh is fuming mad that film director Ahsanullah Moni has built what he calls an exact replica of the Taj Mahal about 20 miles from Dhaka for $56 million. The idea, says the director, is to give Bangladeshis who might not be able to afford a trip to Agra a chance to see the Taj. Entrance to the mocked-up Mahal is 75 cents.
But an Indian official tells Sky News:
You can't just go and copy historical monuments.
From the look of the marble, granite and bronze replica, though, you can. Thousands of tourists have already visited to recreated Taj, though in a suspiciously one-sided article, the Times of India reports many people leave disappointed:
"The whole project is done in a shoddy manner. It is nothing compared to the real Taj," another visitor, Sohana Parvin, told the paper. "There is no sign of the valuable stones, tiles and diamonds the owner has spoken of using."
Related Stories:
· India Angry Over Bangladeshi Plans for Taj Mahal [Sky News]
· Bangladesh Taj Invites Visitors' Criticism [Times of India]
· Tourist Traps coverage [Jaunted]]]>