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US Airways Is Hoping For a Summer of European Love

May 26, 2009 at 3:32 PM | by JetSetCD | 0 Comments

It's too bad that for the next few months at least, US Airways will continue to be known as "the one that went into the Hudson River," or "the one that charges for pillows and blankets" when they've got so many other bits of good news to share.

In a time when other airlines are cutting routes, US Airways is spending 2009 expanding their trans-Atlantic service to some seriously intriguing destinations. Are you a Birmingham fan anxious to catch some footballer action in person? US Airways' direct to the UK city from Philadelphia began two weeks ago. Anyone for some lutefisk in Oslo, Norway? This route just took off at the end of last week.

Hopefully this spells the end of the staycation, as US Airways plans 23 transatlantic destinations for summer and a Tel Aviv direct within the next five weeks. La Chaim!

Related Stories:
· US Airways calls Philly-Oslo nonstop 'second phase' of trans-Atlantic expansion [Today in the Sky]
· US Airways [Official Site]
· US Airways Begs You to Go To Europe This Summer [Jaunted]

[Map: US Airways; Plane photo: mount_otz]

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$5 Menus Eliminate Airport Food Court Sticker Shock

May 19, 2009 at 10:01 AM | by JetSetCD | 1 Comment

When your flight is delayed, you're tired from having to reach the airport at 8am, and you're juggling carryons, the last thing you want to do is plop down $10+ for some crappy, greasy food you have to scarf down in 5 minutes. Thankfully, somebody has finally realized that a happy stomach and wallet contribute to enjoyment of the flight, and two airports have embarked on a quest to please with $5 menus.

Named "Wow! $5 Chow!," the $5 meal options will debut in New York-LaGuardia and Philadelphia International this month with options for breakfast, lunch and dinner:

Travelers can choose from almost 50 restaurants offering special meals such as: Jet Rock Bar & Grill's "Eggs Your Way" breakfast with coffee; Chicken Sandwich and large drink at Chick-Fil-A; Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella Sandwich at Cosi; or gourmet dessert with coffee from Todd English's Figs Restaurant-- all priced at $5.00 each

We'd totally spring for that dessert and coffee, since sitting down to a nice airport dinner is not something we usually have time for, but there's always time for dessert. We just hope that LaGuardia's options include something at Au Bon Bain, because as frequent LGA travelers know, they are like 5 Au Bon Pains in just one terminal there. Can we get some soup and a water for $5 at one of them, please?

Related Stories:
· Two Major US Airports Launch $5 Menu Program [StreetInsider]
· Airport Food Coverage [Jaunted]

[Food photo: moria]

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WiFi Freedom for All at PHL (But Only On Weekends)

April 29, 2009 at 9:41 AM | by egw | 0 Comments

Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter decided to switch parties this week. A moderate, idiosyncratic Republican at best, Specter said he'd grown disillusioned from the core of the party and will be moving his desk over to the other side of the aisle -- conveniently, with plenty of time to spare before what would have been a fierce primary challenge for his seat in 2010.

Arlen Specter probably got an even exchange of cheers to jeers from his constituents and fellow representatives this week, but he shouldn't read them till Saturday: That's when Philadelphia Airport offers free WiFi to passengers, every weekend. The good news is, the most toxic responses can be neutralized by his interns, who if they happen to be college students can get free WiFi all week. Connections soared after the airport instituted this plan in early 2008, but they're taking that as a good sign to continue to dangle that freebie at travelers. Monday through Friday, it's Boingo all the way.

Even if you didn't make a major job change this week, we'd love to hear about the airport where you're reading this.

Related Stories:
· U.S. Senator Switches Parties [WSJ]
· 2008: Logging On Is Soaring At Philadelphia International Airport [PHL.org]
· Airport WiFi Map [Jaunted]

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Philly Icons Welcome Fliers Home

November 26, 2008 at 2:44 PM | by pbb | 0 Comments

Taking a page out of the Improv Everywhere playbook--and wanting to represent the city of brotherly love not the city that boos people--local radio personalities, Eagles cheerleaders and the 76ers dance team took to Philadelphia International Airport this morning to welcome passengers to town.

Given that today's one of the busiest travel days of the year, the Philly tourism board also saw the event as an opportunity to hype their "More Holiday Fun" promo, which casts the city as the perfect place for holiday shopping.

The tourism folks have put together a Google Map mashup of Philly boutiques with unique gifts for less than $25 and a mini-site that highlights budget-friendly things to do in the city in the run up to Christmas. Sadly, the holiday promotions don't include a welcoming committee of cheerleaders for everyone who visits between now and New Year's.

Related Stories:
· Philly Tourism's Holiday Map Mashup [Official Site]
· Christmas coverage [Jaunted]

[Photos: J. Holder for GPTMC]

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Philly Airport WiFi: Only for College Kids and Weekend Travelers

March 7, 2008 at 3:52 PM | by juliana | 0 Comments

We love when airports offer free WiFi. And since there aren't that many big ones giving access away, we should probably be happy with whatever free sort of service we can get, right?

Um...not quite. Philadelphia International offers up some confusing "free WiFi" access. College students can get free WiFi whenever they're in the airport:

The program allows students to present college identification at any airport information counter to receive a coupon with a code that gives access to the Internet for up to 24 hours from their laptop.

Similarly, any weekend travelers--college-aged or not--can get free access in the airport on Saturdays and Sunday without having to enter an authorization code.

Naturally, the airport is reporting more internet connections---a 132 percent spike. But shrewdly, they are still charging business travelers during the week. WiFi goes for $8 per 24 hours or you sign-up for one of those $40-a-month accounts. Lame.

All these airports have free WiFi

Related Stories:
· Airport Users Taking Advantage of (Sometimes) Free WiFi [Bizjournals]
· Our Airport WiFi Guide [Jaunted]

[Photo: Magandafille]

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Zagat Airline Survey: The Winners and The Losers

November 21, 2007 at 2:30 PM | by pbb | 1 Comment


TPA: Great airport=no lines...

We admittedly have a bit of a Zagat obsession right now, but we can't overlook the latest survey from the folks at the Burgundy Bible. A look at US airlines, it was compiled in conjunction with the Today show and relied on the opinions of 7,498 flyers and travel pros.

We probably don't need to tell you the big-picture findings:

Overall, our survey results reveal continuing frustration with the state of domestic air travel... Delays and cancellations were cited as the top airline irritants, follwed by cramped seats/crowding and poor service.

But there were some high points. Virgin America ranked as a "premium" airline (rather than an "economy" one, despite low fares) and performed miles ahead of other carriers in comfort, service and food. VA topped second-place Continental in all three categories. On the budget side of things, Midwest Airlines was the clear favorite. (Could it be simply because of the free cookies on every flight?)

Airports also got the critical eye, with Tampa and Denver earning the best scores from travelers. Two of New York's much-maligned time vortexes (JFK and LGA) earned spots at the bottom of the list, along with Miami, LAX and Philadelphia.

Related Stories:
· Full Survey Results [Zagat.com]
· Virgin America coverage [Jaunted]
· Midwest Airlines coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Tampa International Airport]