Jaunted

Awesome Stuff / Space Travel / Science Travel / JetBlue / SEA / Canada Travel / Airplanes / → All Tags

True or False? You Can See the Northern Lights from an Airplane.

Just like being able to see Space Shuttle (RIP) launches from airplanes, spotting the Northern Lights from flights seems impossible, a tall tale. But, as you can guess from the photo above, it's TRUE; if your flight is in the right place at the right time with the right conditions, the Aurora Borealis could be your in-flight entertainment.

We can personally vouch for this, since the rare experience just happened for us earlier this month on a flight from Seattle to New York. Now, we'd heard of others spotting the mysterious green hues on the horizon, but we always assumed you had to be higher—over the North Atlantic or closer to the Arctic Circle—to truly have a worthy view of the display. Not so! Just after reaching altitude on our red eye, our JetBlue captain directed everyone to peek out the left side to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

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Flight Reviews / Photo Gallery / United / SEA / NRT / Economy Class Travel / → All Tags

Enduring United Economy Class from Tokyo Direct to Seattle

Last week we found ourselves way in the back of a United 777 flying direct from Tokyo-Narita to Seattle-Tacoma in economy class. Yes, believe it. Thankfully we scored an aisle seat, but that was about the only positive. Here's a little review of our experience:

What we liked:
· Seatback TVs! Holy crap, we weren't expecting that considering the United 777 on the way over (from SFO to NRT) didn't have them.
· Two square meals were served. Granted, the turbulence during the first one didn't allow for us to get up and grab our camera from the overhead bin, but it wasn't too bad. Chicken over rice.
· The flight left and arrived on time, so there's that.

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Animals / Alaska Airlines / SEA / Airline News / → All Tags

Rats on a Plane! Scurrying Critter Delays Seattle Flight

Instead of ruining your Monday morning (and appetite) with a real picture of rats, let this adorable rat finger puppet make you say "aww." Passengers on an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle this weekend probably wish they had to option to see a cute, harmless rat toy versus a real, live rat; their flight was delayed after a real rat was seen running around in the cabin.

According to the Press Association, the plane had already pulled away from the gate and was making its way towards the runway when the critter made itself known to passengers. The plane turned right back around and, 90 minutes later, all passengers and crew were transferred to a rat-less plane. Too bad there wasn't also a ratsnake on the plane; that woulda showed the little bugger.

[Photo: jensm]

Green Travel / Biofuels / PDX / SEA / Alaska Airlines / Airline News / → All Tags

A Biofuel Revolution is Coming, and Alaska Airlines Wants to Lead It

We've covered the ongoing development of solar-powered airplanes, which look almost space-age as they fly silently through the sky. But if sustainable aviation fuel is going to come from anywhere in the near future, it won't be from solar but from biofuel. Continental ran a biofuel-powered test flight last January out of Houston and flew around the Gulf of Mexico, and now Alaska Airlines is investigating whether biofuels can be used more broadly. The airline is teaming up with Boeing and Washington State University to run a pilot biofuel program across three Northwest airports.

PDX, SeaTac, and Spokane will see whether they can become part of their own little biofuel sub-industry, where nearby algae, agriculture, and wood byproducts are converted into something that can keep airplanes in the air. The details are a little sketchy but the idea—local, non-fossil fuel materials—seems pretty straightforward.

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New Routes / Seattle / Icelandair / Iceland / KEF / SEA / → All Tags

From One Cold Spot to Another, Icelandair to Seattle

If there's one good thing that's come of the bank collapse in Iceland, it's that Icelandair seems to be putting themselves out there and making the rounds in order to seduce frugal travelers to their hurting homeland. First, we noticed the advertisements popping up on the New York subway, reminding those with wanderlust that Iceland is only five hours away, and now Icelandair is letting more of the west coast in on their action.

Freshly announced yesterday, the news that the airline will add fellow cold climate city Seattle to its list of destinations is great for both ends. Flying four times a week direct from Reykjavik's Keflavik Airport to Seattle-Tacoma Airport, Icelandair will launch their first US west coast route on July 22. Although booking doesn't look to be open for the flights yet, we're hoping that these fares feature into the frequent Iceland specials.

For reference's sake, the press release does give a sample direct roundtrip price of $822 plus taxes. If they were to make inclusive of taxes and throw in a few nights' hotel stay, then we may yet be tempted to personally inject some cash into Iceland's economy.

Related Stories:
· New Seattle Service [Icelandair]
· Is it Icelandair? Seattle to announce new international route [Today in the Sky]
· New Routes Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: wicho]

Airports / T5 at JFK / T2 at RDU / ORD / SEA / LAS / IAD / → All Tags

Why Are Passengers Footing The Bill For All These Shiny, New Terminals?

Chicago O'Hare, Washington Dulles and Seattle-Tacoma are all paving new runways. The airport in Detroit just opened a new terminal, as did JetBlue, of course, with its long-awaited T5 at JFK (pictured). Since airlines seem to perpetually do the exact opposite of what’s good for them, we have to wonder whether pouring money into cushier digs on the ground really improves the process of flying for those who matter: Us.

Since congestion seems to be easing on its own, what with the increasing popularity of the delusional "staycation," it seems a bit frivolous for struggling airlines to continually unveil glistening, futuristic new terminals every few months. Passengers end up paying for these sweeping structures filled with interlocking corrugated iron and panoramic views of the tarmac. Whereas landing fees were less than $5 per ticket a few years ago, now they’re up to about $8. At the airport in St. Louis, with one of the most underused terminals anywhere, passengers end up paying an extra $13.

Executives at Southwest Airlines, which slowed its terminal expansions in the late 1990s, are particularly critical of the trend. Bob Montgomery, Southwest's VP of Properties, argued that the third terminal planned for McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas will basically screw over struggling consumers with unnecessary fees. The projects are "spending other people's money," added the company’s CEO, Gary Kelly. You tell ‘em, Gary.

Related Stories:
· US Airports Grow Apace, but the Timing Seems Off [IHT]
· New Terminals Travel: A Sneak Peak at T2 at RDU [Jaunted]
· New Detroit Terminal React-O-Matic [Jaunted]

[Photo: interpolactic]

JetBlue / Airfare Sales / Airfare Deals / SEA / → All Tags

JetBlue Ticket Sale Stunt Coming to Seattle

JetBlue apparently had so much fun selling cut-rate tickets in Washington, DC that the carrier is taking its Happy Jetting Happy Hour to the West Coast.

Here's the scoop, direct from Twitter:

On Tuesday Oct 14 we'll be doing another Happy Jetting Happy Hour. This time at Pacific Place in Seattle from 3:30-6:30. Stop on by!

If he's there, say hi to Kenneth from "30 Rock" for us!

Related Stories:
· Marketing Stunt Travel: JetBlue's New Dulles Sale [Jaunted]
· JetBlue's EBay Auction Winners and Losers [Jaunted]

Animals / Airports / SEA / → All Tags

Seattle Airport Is Newly Fond of Farm Animals

While part of Florida is having serious issues when it comes to goats, Seattle has invited 'em over en masse.

Sea-Tac has contracted a local company called Goat Trimmers to provide about 200 animals to organically trim weeds on airport grounds. Says the outfit's website:

Skip the mowers and get your goat. The scrub grass we loathe is like French fries to billies, so rent a few four-legged lawnmowers for pesticide-free weed-clearing.

There's no word on how long the critters will be grazing at SEA, but it likely won't be for more than a couple days, so get there now if you like your farm animals with heads attached!

Update: LA is also doing this!

Related Stories:
· Airport Check-in [USA Today]
· Goat Trimmers [Official Site]
· Decapitated Goats Terrifying the Florida Panhandle [Jaunted]
· Animals coverage [Jaunted]

Hainan Airlines / Airlines / China Travel / PEK / SEA / 787 / Dreamliner / → All Tags

If You Haven't Flown 'Em, They're New to You

We're a bit embarrassed to admit that today was the first we'd ever heard of Hainan Airlines. We're clearly behind the times on this one, as the carrier is China's fourth-largest and the country's biggest privately-owned airline.

Hainan is now making its first flights to America, with four-times-a-week service between Seattle and Beijing, giving you another non-stop option between the US and the Olympics. (Don't get your hopes up, though: Hainan doesn't use the new Terminal 3.)

For now, Hainan is flying Airbus A330s, but once Boeing finally rolls out the Dreamliner, you'll be able to fly SEA-PEK in carbon fiber bliss.

Related Stories:
· Airport Check-in: Seattle Beijing Service Starts [USAToday]
· New Airlines coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of a 737: Drewski2112]

Virgin America / SFO / SEA / → All Tags

Virgin America Service Sneaks Into Seattle

Virgin America is announcing today that tickets are on sale for service to Seattle from both Los Angeles and San Francisco. Flights between SFO and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will begin on March 18, 2008, with three daily roundtrip flights. In addition, three daily roundtrips between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and SEA will begin on April 8, 2008.

Virgin America's SFO-SEA fares start at $77 one way in the Main Cabin and $177 one way in First Class. LAX-SEA fares start at $99 one way in the Main Cabin and $199 one way in First Class.

We totally called it. This makes us two for two on nailing VA destinations before they are officially announced -- San Diego and now Seattle. Actually, a huge assist on this one goes to Jaunted member herz, who stuck with the VA to Seattle call out, even after SEA airport spokesman Perry Cooper denied that Virgin to SEA was a done deal. Oh, and to all you unnamed email tipsters and accidental tipsters -- hats off to you as well.

Port of Seattle Commission President John Creighton said:

Virgin America will offer Puget Sound travelers an additional airline choice with some unique, tech-driven features and flight amenities. The addition of Virgin America to Sea-Tac Airport will help further economic development and tourism for the Seattle region and the state.

This will be the first new destination under new Virgin America President and Chief Executive Officer David Cush.

Bonus shot of the VA team toasting in the aisle post jump.

Related Stories:
· Virgin America coverage [Jaunted]

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