You'll only be able to try it at LaGuardia for now, but Delta has rolled out its first e-boarding pass. You'll now be able to check in and get past the TSA screeners using nothing more than your web-capable mobile.
Of course, a few airlines already have this service--including Air Canada, Continental and Japan Airlines. But it looks like it's really starting to catch on in the States, which begs an important reminder: Charge those phones before you head to the airport!
If you can never seem to get any sleep on a flight, the newest hotel coming to Stockholm may not be for you. Officials at Sweden's largest airport have approved a scheme to convert a retired 747 into an 80-bed hostel right next to Stockholm Arlanda.
Area businessman Oscar Diös plans to rip out the aircraft's 500 seats and put in 80 beds; the cockpit will be turned into a suite. Of course some of the interior will remain in place to add that aviation flavor. A potential opening date hasn't been announced, and rates are still a mystery.
If the plan, uh, takes off, Diös says he'll try to start up more of the airplane hotels around the world. After all, why take just a short ride in a flightless plane when you can spend the whole night?
We've spent a lot of time this year digging up airports with free WiFi. And though lots of smaller airports have wireless--and don't get clogged with too many flights--we have to give this year's award to a major airport that's just great: PDX.
Portland International goes so far to let you set up a VPN so you can handle secure data. The airport also has plenty of plugs and seats around; you won't have to set up shop on a dingy patch of floor. Add in the fact that we have fond childhood memories of PDX and that it's so close to great skiing and you've got a winner.
There are few skills more valuable than mastering airport dining. A post on New York magazine's Grub Street blog, did a fantastic job of breaking it down clean and simple. Pay attention, we'll review.
If you have the cash to spare, by all means travel first class, and not just for the cushy seats. With that ticket you get access to the First Class Lounge and all the delicious treats there. (Caviar bars, anyone?) Second, pick the quick dining option. Those sit-down celeb chef restaurants aren't anywhere near as good as they promise.
Next, go with what you know, as it's hard to mess up simple breakfast foods, hot dogs or corn dogs. Sure, corn dogs aren't the best thing for you, but all that deep frying will kill any lingering germs. Plus, you know you want to indulge.
Other tips are more obvious, like staying away from anything spoilable (ie. chicken salad, sushi) that looks like its hardened and been re-heated or re-anythinged. And also, follow the crowds, lines are long at certain snack spots for a reason, the food's probably good and not illness-inducing. Or do what we may do, and pack extra leftovers this Thanksgiving. Sneaking into the lounge to re-heat the mashed potatoes may be tough, but well worth it!
· We love how the airport's glass structure and enormous windows makes the building feel bright and sunny even during the depths of Buffalo winters.
· We love how it never takes more than 10 minutes to pass through security.
· We love how luggage actually reaches the baggage claim soon after arrival.
· We love how the two terminals, no more than a few hundred yards each, both have moving platforms.
· We love how visitors can stock up on necessary souvenirs like hot sauce and stuffed bison in the gift shops.
· We love how there's a miniature art museum located before security. Exhibits at The Gallery change regularly. Now on display -- a photo exhibit of architectural masterpieces in the region.
· We love how the airport has eclipsed Toronto Pearson International in popularity. While Buffalonians once flocked across the border for cheaper flights and better options, Canadians now come down to avoid the congestion and ensure reliable travel.
Before you dismiss this place as a backwoods hunting and trapping airport know that WiFi signal is strong and free throughout the airport and they recently installed cellular antennas to the building so our Cingular cell phone signal is stronger than it is on Pine St. in San Francisco.
More semi-live blogging to come from Mackinac Island (aka "The Rock") tomorrow.
She recently checked into an American Airlines flight at LAX and posed for some snapshots. AA has to be over the moon with this development, could there be a better spontaneous ad for American?
Just when we thought no one wanted to fly America's gray lady of the air, with fuel costs driving flight costs through the roof, Adriana wraps her hotness around an AA logo in the LAX terminal and all is forgotten.
C'mon, what young male 25-40 doesn't want to end up seated next to a beautiful lady during a six hour cross country flight. Isn't this how giant corporations sold all those cigarettes back in the day?
Looks like Bai Ling has voted for her favorite airport, which is, apparently, NAA--Tokyo's International Airport. The Chinese temptress was recently waiting for an upcoming flight when some photographers notice her and began taking photos. What did the shy Bai Ling do? Put on a show for the photogs of course.
The backdrop of Bai Ling's impromptu Tokyo airport photo shoot was a United 747, which has to make United marketing folks chuckle, just a bit.
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