Tag: LCCs

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Three Updated Travel Tools for a Trip to Europe

May 30, 2013 at 12:28 PM | by | Comments (0)

Gone are the days when backpacking around Europe for several months meant little more than buying a Eurail pass, a guidebook, and quick-dry underwear. Even a weeklong trip requires more preparation than that, but luckily technology can make it all so much easier in the long run.

So, with summer travel kicking off and your flights hopefully booked, here's the three updated tools you need for Europe travel:a

· Chip-and-pin credit card
First off, any credit card you're using abroad should be one that does not charge foreign transaction fees. It does not feel good to get hit with a fee every time you swipe that thing, and there's plenty of options for no-foreign-fee cards. Adding to that, get one that also includes a chip. We've expounded before on why this makes a difference, but it's more than just convenient; it's becoming quite necessary as Europe adopts this card safety measure the US has not.

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Who Ever Thought a Flight Attendant Uniform Could be 'Geek Chic?'

Where: Canada
May 30, 2013 at 10:17 AM | by | Comments (0)

Yet more airline crew uniforms news! This time it comes from north of the border with Air Canada's newest little baby carrier, Rouge. Continuing the "rouge" (red) theme, the leisure carrier has launched trendy uniforms in deep reds, completing a corporate identity which will no doubt turn heads in the airport.

These duds feature the the airline's signature burgundy color with a few fun flourishes. Ladies bring a red-zippered cardigan and colorful scarf with the "R" logo pattern in reds, blue and gold (by Canadian designer Marilena Cobuzzi). Comfort is key when it comes to footwear; Vancouver shoe brand John Fluevog specially designed a heather grey, double Mary Jane with burgundy trim and soles. For primping, L'Oreal and Redken worked to provide custom makeup and grooming products.

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French Maid or Flight Attendant? One Airline is Considering Crew Costumes

Where: China
May 17, 2013 at 1:36 PM | by | Comments (0)

If you're planning to fly on China's cheapy carrier, Spring Airlines, the person welcoming you at the aircraft door could be a maid or butler. No, the low-cost carrier isn't upping their game with white glove service in the skies, but they are having a little fun.

Spring called upon their fans via their Facebook page to suggest themes for flight attendant costumes, the post was accompanied by a young lady attired like a french maid. Some people took it seriously, offering up themes like traditional Chinese Opera, schoolgirl outfits and Star Wars as themes, others found it pretty offensive.

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Three Budget Airline Policies That Don't Suck

May 16, 2013 at 12:07 PM | by | Comments (0)

One of the best ways of jetting off to fabulous locations while staying conscious of your bank account is searching for seats on a low-cost carrier. There's usually a downside, however, and that's the extra fees and policies that come along with no-frills travel.

After hearing horror stories of travel on low-cost airlines like Spirit and Ryanair, you may think there's nothing to look forward to except arriving at your destination. But every so often, there's a diamond in the rough—a policy that benefits instead of punishes traveler. Here's a few of our favorites:

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Flight Review: Under $100 on Air Asia from Thailand to Cambodia

Where: Thailand
May 9, 2013 at 1:31 PM | by | Comments (0)

In all truthfulness, low-cost airlines get a bad rap for being more bottom-line conscious than customer focused, but on a recent flight from Thailand to Cambodia, we wanted to truly see for ourselves if Air Asia was as bad as the reputation of other LCCs would have us believe.

Earlier this week, we showed you how Bangkok's Don Mueang (DMK) is primarily used by Air Asia and other budget-carriers, so after wandering around the nearly vacant terminal, we headed downstairs to hop on a bus that took us to our bird.

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Traveling in Thailand: Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport Versus Don Mueang

May 7, 2013 at 11:37 AM | by | Comment (1)

If you've been to Bangkok in the past 6 years, there's a pretty good chance you flew into the flashiest airport the city has to offer, Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).

The predominately concrete, metal and glass building of BKK is simply massive and it's obvious why it ranks as the 6th largest major airport in Asia; it even claimed the title of the most Instagrammed airport in 2012.

On the other hand, if you traveled to Bangkok before the middle of 2006, you most likely landed in the city's other airport, Don Mueang (DMK), which has since given up the official airport code of BKK to the newer, larger counterpart. Now, the airport is primarily home to low-cost carriers such as Air Asia and Nok Air.

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EasyJet (Hopefully) Kisses Long Airport Lines Good-Bye

April 1, 2013 at 8:14 PM | by | Comments (0)

This is not a late April's Fools prank.

Flying Europe's original low-cost carrier will now begin a different foot, as starting April 30th, the departures area for EasyJet will adopt a futuristic feel where passengers are checking themselves in and tagging their own bags.

Of course you'll still have to pay the £25 fee for a checked bag, but since the airline has estimated that about 80% of their passengers already check-in online, they've decided to do away with the extra cost of staffing a desk. It's all in the name of keeping airfares low, you know.

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Now Hiring: Flight Attendant Barbie

Where: Thailand
March 4, 2013 at 3:29 PM | by | Comments (2)

It takes a special sort of person to be a flight attendant. In the early days of airplane travel, flight attendants were a cross between nurses and bellboys, then the jet era called for them to be glamorous representatives of the airline. Today, flight attendants are recognized as service professionals who often undertake a full career in the skies.

Thailand's budget airline Nok Air is still seemingly stuck in that early jet age mindset, however, as they've just launched a recruitment drive via Facebook, with requirements that read more like Barbie's resume than a job posting.

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Thai Smile Not Quite Taking Off As Planned

Where: Thailand
February 28, 2013 at 9:38 AM | by | Comments (0)

Back in March we were excited to talk about the news of a new budget airline coming to Thailand. Our excitement was then justified as Thai Smile took to the skies in August. Now, the little Thai LCC has already overhauled its service model.

Going from a modern offering of mostly economy with a few EconomyPlus-type seats flying domestic routes and key regional international routes, the airline has now moved to a full-service airline similar to its parent company, Thai Airways. The reason for the change? Thai Smile cites "poor reception" from flyers for the Thai Smile layout.

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Yippee! JetBlue Joins the Mobile Boarding Pass Cool Kids Club

February 13, 2013 at 4:21 PM | by | Comments (0)

Yo, is that an iPhone in your pocket or are you just excited for Valentine's Day?

Hopefully the answer is "iPhone" (or both), because that means you can download or update the JetBlue mobile app, which now FINALLY supports beautiful, beautiful mobile boarding passes and adds some other goodies.

Here's what you'll be getting with that update, now available (and free to download):
· Airport terminal maps
· Direct TV programming schedules
· Flight timetables
·' Updated destination city guides
· New graphics in the virtual postcards and more downloadable iPhone wallpaper
· The ability to book flights within the app using TrueBlue points
· Mobile boarding passes!!!!!!

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Nok Air's Nearly Nude Flight Attendant Calendar Ticks Off Thailand

Where: Thailand
February 13, 2013 at 11:44 AM | by | Comment (1)

What is the turn of a new year without a flight attendant calendar controversy? This year, the award for naughty airline calendar goes to Thai budget airline Nok Air, whose slogan is "We Fly Smiles."

They also apparently fly scantily clad, as Nok's Facebook previewed three photos from the calendar as part of a contest to win a free copy. Each of the teaser photos (shown here) are now angering the Thailand Ministry of Culture, on the grounds that the image doesn't promote the country in a proper, positive light. That doesn't mean the Ministry of Culture can stop Nok from printing their calendars, though, so the contest to give away 300 of them continues.

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Seven Extra Inches! Air Canada Stretches Out with 'Premium Economy' Seats

Where: Canada
February 12, 2013 at 9:56 AM | by | Comment (1)

When it comes to the craze of premium economy seating it looks like Air Canada is up next. Fortunately, they’re not taking the usual North American approach when it comes to this section of the coach cabin, as it’s going more than just a boost in legroom.

The plan is to start off small, as Air Canada gets ready to prepare for their new seats across five of their Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. First and foremost those sitting in the forward cabin—of the rear cabin—will have their own little seating section, as there will be a dedication Premium Economy cabin. Larger seats are the big news here, as the seats are wider, offer like seven more inches of legroom, and they even recline just a little bit more.

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