Now that American Airlines has its in-flight WiFi working, we're expecting lots more mid-air liveblogging, like this report from "Big Brother" obsessive Ben at the B-Side Blog:
I've done a lot of flight blogs--or flogs--in my time, but never in all my time have I been able to actually LIVE blog my flights....
Not this time, my friends. American Airlines just introduced in-flight WiFi [six] days ago on selected routes, and yours truly has the luxury of flying one of those special planes.
Ben goes on to tell us about some pre-flight tire repairs, a sassy flight attendant and even some hellish fellow passengers, but our favorite bits are about how useful the wireless connection is:
Let me just reiterate that I absolutely love being able to sit here above the clouds and read Big Brother updates. Best flight EVER.
Jaunted's Amanda Kendle just got back from Melbourne. This week: Read all about it.
I've always patriotically loved Qantas, so I was expecting more than I got when I decided to fly on their budget offshoot Jetstar. I should've known there was a reason my friends call it Jetstarve.
Jaunted's Amanda Kendle just got back from Melbourne. This week: Read all about it.
My virgin flight with Virgin Blue started well: For starters, the four-hour distance from Perth to Melbourne was really cheap at A$173 (US$165). They emailed me for online check-in so I didn't have to think about it myself, and they had plenty of amusing signs at the check-in counter and departure gate so I felt entertained. They even left on time.
In fact, my gripes are few. Leg room was definitely lacking on board, but I shouldn't complain because the price I paid didn't really allow for leg room. The entertainment system flashed in front of me the whole flight even though I didn't want it to, and after seeing the ads over and over they really started to get on my nerves. The advertising from Europcar that said we were flying on Vigin--too prudish to say Virgin?--was especially annoying, and the flight tracking map of Australia randomly got the spelling wrong on the body of water called the Great Australian Bight (half the time it said Bite).
Am I nit-picking? Yes--because there's very little to complain about. The head flight attendant made the required jokes during every announcement (many of which were actually funny), all the staff were cheerful and we arrived on time. Fix the typos and I'd fly with them again.
US Helicopter offers eight-minute commutes from Manhattan to JFK, and if you're looking for a hard-to-find rush before your flight, this is totally the way to go. But if you're planning to spend your ride running the numbers on your "deal," you probably won't be pleased.
One thing is for sure, if you do end up flying US Helicopter you will be treated a real-life Google Earth experience. As you fly just above NYC, golf courses and JFK, you being to feel as if you have been transplanted into the popular mapping software. Doesn't Jamiroquai call that virtual insanity?
After the break we will begrudgingly crunch the numbers for you, but be forewarned, do it for the rush--not the savings or convenience.
What's it like to fly all business class across the Atlantic? A Jaunted tipster sent us this report about L'Avion.
Boarding: Leaving Newark, there were only three people working at the counter. The line was a little long (and slow) which surprised me since this was supposed to be a business class flight. The gate area at Newark was on a very small concourse which meant security was quick but there weren't many services available after passing through.
Boarding was also very fast since there were fewer people getting on compared to a normal flight. Because there were fewer passengers, most of the overhead space was empty, which made it easy to stow carry-on luggage.
The new carrier OpenSkies successfully began its New York to Paris (ORY) route on June 19, and so far things are going smoothly. The airline seeks to battle increasing operating costs with its unique model of pricey business class seats with a limited economy cabin. Says British Airways CEO Willie Walsh:
While the economic climate has worsened in recent months, we believe that OpenSkies can compete effectively. It has a low cost base and support from British Airways in key areas such as sales and marketing. This differentiates it from some new airlines that have failed recently which were operating in isolation.
First hand trip reports from the inaugural flights have been slow to roll in. But Ben from the One Mile at a Time blog was on that first flight and offers some great pictures and experiences of the Prem+ cabin:
The seat was much wider, at least around the shoulders, which made it easy to get comfortable. I also found the leather to be non-sticky and easy to find a comfortable position in, which is a big plus. Each seat included a very stylish OpenSkies pillow and comfortable blanket. Overall I can't find one thing to fault the seats for, and would find them easy to sleep in.
After weeks of missing them, we finally managed to get onto one of Virgin America's "Superfly" flights from SFO to Las Vegas. Our particular flight crew encouraged passengers to use the in-plane chat function to communicate with other Virgin hotties on the plane.
Luckily this time around we had Bob Guiney of "The Bachelorette" and "The Bachelor" to stir things up and provide useful relationship tips to keep things moving via the in-flight messaging system. Some of Bob's sagacious advice included this tidbit to a man celebrating his five-year anniversary: "Drink!" Go Bob!
Barely 10 months old, Virgin America has dazzled American consumers with its competitive pricing, its shiny new planes and its alluring extras. But does it still hold up as a carrier? Jaunted's own Ellen Wernecke, a Virgin virgin, has been saving herself for this opportunity...
First things first: My Virgin America flight this morning, a routine trip between JFK and SFO, took off and departed approximately half an hour off schedule. I barely noticed this, though, because that's become an accepted industry standard. Indeed, thanks to some scarring experiences with United Express in my formative years, I still feel inclined to be thankful when my plane takes off at all.
That said, I would definitely fly Virgin America again based on my experiences today, despite some minor technical issues.
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