Jaunted

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Airlines Issue Travel Waivers While Boston Suffers Lockdown During Manhunt

A photo from the Boston Marathon scene earlier this week

As a manhunt takes place for those responsible in the bombings of the Boston Marathon of earlier this week, the entire city of Boston is on lock-down (subway "T" service and the Amtrak between NY and Boston is suspended), airlines continue to help out travelers trying to travel to and from the city.

Boston-Logan International Airport is still open and flights are operating as normally as possible, though travelers can expect very high security within the terminals.

Current waivers, which allow customers to switch their flights and travel days at no extra charge, are available for most of the US carriers, plus some international ones. Here's the list, complete with links for more details:

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Dangerous Travel / Earthquakes / Tragedies / Japan Travel / NRT / HND / Travel News / Emergencies / Nuclear Energy / NGO / KIX / Airline News / Tsunamis / Lufthansa / → All Tags

Japan's Nuclear Emergencies Freak Out Germany, Divert Lufthansa Flights

In Japan over the last few days, there's been a massive earthquake, tragic tsunamis and even a volcanic explosion, but the news gripping the world is that of their ongoing emergencies at several nuclear plants. Note the word "ongoing," as the other three big events happened and are done with.

It was reported very early this morning that Lufthansa isn't taking the nuclear crisis and release of radioactivity into the atmosphere sitting down (or rather, flying high as normal). The German airline has begun scanning their planes out of Japan for radioactivity, and though nothing above a normal level has been found, Lufthansa is taking precautions by removing the Airbus A380 from Tokyo routes and putting most Lufthansa flight crew up in South Korea rather than Japan.

In addition, the two daily Tokyo-bound Lufthansa flights from Germany will be diverted to other Japanese airports through this upcoming Sunday. Specifically, Lufthansa Flight 714 from Munich will head to Nagoya and Lufthansa Flight 710 from Frankfurt will land at Osaka-Kansai.

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Tsunamis / Hawaii Travel / Emergencies / Earthquakes / → All Tags

Japan's Earthquake Tsunami Waves Go Easy on Hawaii and California

This is footage from JAPAN, not of Hawaii or California, by the way.

Hawaii's tsunami warning still has a few more hours to go, but at this point, it appears as though the islands have escaped devastation. The waves that did arrive weren't recorded as cresting more than 6 feet (in Maui), though most seemed between 2 and 4 feet. There was no major damage reported, and today in Hawaii is progressing as normally as possible, even as Japan still still works to gauge the the amount of havoc Mother Nature wreaked on them earlier, following the 8.9 earthquake offshore.

Surprisingly its southern California that's seen the most of the North American results of the earthquake, with boats marinas swamped and small property damages. As a result, evacuation signs are being posted and residents of areas in danger are encouraged to stay tuned to the local news. Waves have been reported to be as high as 7 feet, though Santa Monica—where the surfers are still out—will likely only see around 3 feet.

Our recommendation? Don't stand at the beach and look out to sea, expecting to watch the tsunami waves. IF they're big enough to see, then they're large enough to wash over you pretty shortly after.

[Video: CNN]

Earthquakes / Tragedies / Japan Travel / NRT / HND / SDJ / Travel News / Emergencies / Airports / Airport News / Tsunamis / → All Tags

Japan's 8.9 Earthquake Causes Tsunamis and Destruction, Airport and Train Closures

Last night, or after lunch if you were in Tokyo, a massive 8.9 earthquake hit off the western coast of Japan, causing a rolling of the earth felt though many cities, including Tokyo. The event also produced tsunami waves, which have caused immense destruction in Japan and are currently hitting Hawaii, though no damage has been reported there.

We've glued to our computer, watching tsunami videos as helicopters filmed it live. Watch them here and take a moment to reflect on the fragility of this Earth. We also bet you're on information overload, as are we, so here's what you need to know, straight from the news:

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iPhone Travel Apps / Free Stuff / Cairo Travel / Taxis / iPhone / Egypt Travel / Emergencies / → All Tags

Developers Make iPhone Apps Free to Help Travelers Stuck by Cairo Protests and US Snow

This may be a long shot, but for those whom it touches, it could be a lifesaver:

The maker of one of our favorite favorite iPhone Travel Apps (Tokyo Teleport), is offering their newest app, Cairo Taxi Guide, for FREE right now in order to aid any foreigners in Egypt who are perhaps not so well-versed in Arabic.

The premise is simple; search a glossary of landmarks, museums, and really everything else in Cairo in order to discover how to say that you'd like to go there, in Arabic. The app provides clear taxi cards to show to your driver, so that you aren't literally just taken for a ride. They've also released similar Taxi Guide apps, priced between $5.99 and $9.99 each, for Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

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Tragedies / Travel News / Emergencies / Subways / Moscow Travel / Russia Travel / → All Tags

Moscow's Subway Suicide Bombings Raise Questions About Subway Safety

Around 11pm last night EST, which would be during the morning rush hour in Moscow, two separate female suicide bombers detonated themselves in the subway underground of the city. The first occurred in a train at the main station Lubyanka, killing 23 on the train and platform and the second came at the Park Kultury station, killing another 12. The attacks again raise important questions about the safety of public transportation while turning an eye to Russia and their terrorism problems with Islamist rebels fighting for independence in Chechnya.

Russia is not new to subway bombings, but then neither are Tokyo, London or New York, the latter of which has foiled several attempts of terrorists to bomb and even cyanide gas the system. As a result, expect subway security to be beefed up in big cities around the world, especially in New York. Plan for random bag checks and remember that using common sense is a good defense. While there's probably no need to bring your flame-retardent suit on the train today, it's also a good idea to be aware of what's going on around you.

Related Stories:
· Moscow Subways Attacked, NYPD Increases Subway Security [Gothamist]
· Two Blasts in Moscow Metro, Dozens Killed [RT]
· Tragedies [Jaunted]

[Photo: BookRags]

Earthquakes / Emergencies / Volunteer Travel / Chile Travel / → All Tags

Who's Helping Out in Chile and How You Can Contribute to Earthquake Relief

Though Chile may have been somewhat prepared for the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit off the coast on Saturday, they are still in need of assistance with more than 700 dead and dozens of bridges and buildings collapsed. Here's a look at some organizations that have already gone into action and how you can help out:

· The American Red Cross is pledging $50,000 from its International Response Fund for relief operations. You can donate to the Red Cross online or by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW.

· Habitat for Humanity Chile is already working on developing shelter solutions for low-income families affected by the earthquake. To help, you can donate online or register to become a volunteer for Habitiat for Humanity in the U.S. They frequently send teams around the world to help build housing and shelter for those in need.

More! After the jump...

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Train Travel / Channel Tunnel / Eurostar / Weather / Emergencies / Delays / → All Tags

Eurostar Passengers Spent The Weekend Trapped Underneath The English Channel

While the US suffered through a weekend rife with weather-caused flight cancellations, things aren't much better in Northern Europe, where five Eurostar trains got stuck in the Channel Tunnel thanks to problems caused by the low temperatures. After one train broke down in the tunnel thanks to electronics failures caused by the weather, another four followed, trapping over 2,000 people underneath the English Channel without additional food or information for around 14 hours.

Typically the speedy trip from London to Brussels or Paris is no more than two hours, and the Eurostar isn't prone to delays or cancellations, so this quickly became an emergency situation. Eurostar services through the Channel Tunnel are indefinitely suspended, although they're already running empty test trains through and are hoping to be back up and running as soon as tomorrow. And they better be, since we're holding tickets for the Channel Tunnel route between London and Brussels. Luckily they've got another three weeks to sort it out before we storm into London's St. Pancras train station and hop aboard. We're already taking Ryanair back, and we're not too keen on making it a round-trip with them. Alright Eurostar—you've got a couple weeks to figure things out, but then we're coming for you.

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