Terrible seat assignment kills airline passenger

by Tom Johansmeyer on

When Nas Air flight XY 720 from Beirut landed in Riyadh, airport workers found just how severe having the worst seat on the flight can be. The passenger wasn’t alive any more, of course … oh, and he was found on the landing gear. The corpse, ostensibly cold, has been shipped off to forensic medical experts for tests, according to local authorities.

So, how did he get there? According to AFP:

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) said passengers on the plane reported seeing a man in a baseball cap with a backpack make a dash for plane as it prepared to taxi. He stumbled once and then continued towards the plane.

The passengers and flight attendants let the pilot know about this, but he reportedly didn’t do anything about it. Nas Air is staying tight-lipped on the affair.

[photo by dynamosquito via Flickr]

Seven new hotels around the world from Fairmont in 2010

by Tom Johansmeyer on

This year promises to be exciting for fans of the Fairmont. New properties are set to open in London, China and many other cities, each with a distinct style. There’s no question that the Fairmont has the art and science of hospitality mastered, so these new properties are going to be exciting to watch.

1. The Savoy
With a design nodding toward Edwardian and Art Deco, the hotel reopens after a restoration program costing more than GBP100 million. The property has 268 guestrooms and a new luxurious Royal Suite. The Savoy Grill is going to come back … under the management of Gordon Ramsay Holdings. Look for the doors to swing open in the second or third quarter of this year.

2. Fairmont Peace Hotel
This Shanghai landmark will reopen in the second quarter of this year, with 269 guestrooms over 12 floors. The hotel faces the Pudong area over the Hangpu River, making it a great spot.

3. Makkah Clock Royal Tower
The Makkah will open in Saudia Arabia in the third quarter, where it will be the focal point of the Abraj Al Bait Complex. With 858 rooms, there will be plenty of space near Masjid al Haram, the Islamic holy site. The hotel stretches 76 stories high and will be the world’s tallest upon completion. The Makkah opens in the third quarter.4. Fairmont Pacific Rim
The 377-room luxury property will open this quarter in Vancouver and will include 175 residential condos. The property will be near the ocean, with great views, and the Willow Stream Spa and Fitness Center will make a commitment wellness easy to maintain. The Pacific Rim is scheduled for a first quarter opening.

5. Fairmont Pittsburgh
The new hotel, with 185 rooms, is intended for LEED certification, demonstrating Fairmont’s commitment to corporate social responsibility. Look for a mix of environmental concern and palpable luxury … and easy access to theater, entertainment and financial districts. Look for this property to open in the first quarter of this year.

6. Fairmont Beijing
Located close to The Forbidden City, the 222-room Fairmont Beijing is a solid location for visitors who worry about being intimidated by the scope of the city. After you’ve experienced the excitement of China’s capital, head back to the Willow Stream spa to have your muscles rubbed back to normal. The Fairmont Beijing is going through a soft opening already.

7. Fairmont Zimbali Resort
Enjoy views of the Indian Ocean from this South African resort, which is tucked between a forest reserve and the sea. The 154-room hotel is intimate and infused with luxury. Look for it to open in the first quarter. This property is scheduled to open in the second quarter.

[Photo courtesy of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts]

Homesick Indian man locks himself in airplane bathroom for a free trip back home

by Scott Carmichael on

An Indian man working as an airplane cleaner in the Saudi city of Medina was feeling so homesick, that he locked himself in the bathroom of an Air India plane for a free trip back home.

The man was discovered 30 minutes into the flight, most likely when the flight attendants unlocked the bathroom door to allow passengers to relieve themselves. The 25 year old man was not carrying his passport, as the cleaning firm he was working for, had taken it away from him (most likely to prevent an incident like this).

Air India points out that there was no real reason for concern, as the man had to clear airport security before he could go to work. Once in India, he was arrested and booked under several sections of the passport law. It is very unlikely that they’ll send him back, since he is an Indian citizen. The procedure for getting the plane ready for passengers only involves an announcement asking ground crew to leave the aircraft, and not an actual check that they do so.

The half a Billion Dollar flying palace – Rolls Royce not included

by Scott Carmichael on

Holy crap. That is about the only response I have to this Airbus A380 being developed for Saudi prince al-Waleed bin Talal. Of course, the prince has not officially announced that this will indeed be his new home on the road, but enough news has been pieced together to link him to the purchase.

Not only is this the first Airbus A380 sold to a private owner, it is the most expensive private plane ever put together. For comparison – one of the most popular large private planes in the world is the Boeing Business Jet, which starts at “just” $42 Million.

Seriously, someone obviously sat down with some crayons, and decided to design the most insane, over-the-top plane they could. This thing has it all – starting with the special cylindrical elevator that comes out of the bottom of the plane. His Chauffeurs can then drive his Rolls Royce up the ramp on the rear, and park it in his on-board garage.

Relaxation comes from a steam room, Turkish bath, concert hall (with a baby grand piano) or in one of the five private quarters, complete with king size beds. Less fortunate guests will have to spend the night in one of the 20 “normal” first class sleeper suites.

When his Royal Highness needs to get some work done, he can take the elevator up to his boardroom and play with the touch screen TV’s or the holographic projection system.

And finally in the lineup of ludicrous additions – get this – the well being room has a floor made from a giant screen, showing what the plane is flying over.

Total price? About $488 Million Dollars.

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Gadling + BootsnAll – Picks of the Week (3.27.09)

by Jeremy Kressmann on

If it’s Friday, it must mean it’s time for another installment of our Gadling and BootsnAll Picks of the Week, a weekly series where we take a look at some of the top stories from the past seven days from our travel partners at BootsnAll. Let’s take a look at what made the list this week, shall we?

  • Wild for Wildlife – for many of us, the only place we’re likely to see majestic animals like a polar bear or a rhinoceros is within the confines of a zoo. Not true, says Abigail King – she’s got a list this week of Seven Endangered Species You Can Find Outside a Zoo. If you’ve ever wanted to catch a sea turtle or panda in its natural habitat, here’s a good place to start.
  • Travel Religiously – holy sites are perhaps the original tourist destinations. Many years ago, pilgrims would travel from miles around to visit sites of religious significance like Mecca or Santiago de Compostela. Deanna Hyland takes a look this week at the Top Ten World’s Most Religious Cities. It’s a great list, whether you’re devout believer or just plain curious.
  • Head for the Coast – there’s something about the ocean that makes it a constant source of attraction for travelers. Whether its the beach, the salt air or the majestic vistas the coast never seems to disappoint. If you want to learn about some of the most beautiful coastal vistas worldwide, check out Nellie Huang’s list of 8 of the world’s most beautiful coastal towns.
  • Walking the Walk – to truly get a sense of a place, many travelers will tell you, you need to walk its streets with no particular purpose. What you encounter will tell you as much about that location as any museum or cultural site. Whether it’s the smells of fresh baked bread, the clanging of church bells or the sneak peek of hawkers at the market, your senses will reveal the tiny details you might otherwise miss driving through in a car or flying past in a train. Check out Andy Hayes’ list of his favorite small cities for walking to try some out for yourself.

That marks the end of this week’s Gadling and BootsnAll Picks of the Week. Stay tuned next Friday for another installment in our ongoing series.