Say “I do” at 30,000 feet – easyJet wants to get into the wedding business

by Scott Carmichael on

Desperate to generate some extra cash, every airline in the world is scrambling for ways to introduce new money making services. Some have considered paid bathrooms, others are going to double charge fatties. UK low cost carrier easyJet is in the lead at the moment in the creativity top 10.

The airline is planning to introduce in-flight weddings on their planes, allowing couples to tie the knot at 30,000 feet.

Imagine being able to get married on the plane that is taking you to your honeymoon destination.

Of course, it’ll still be on a tacky orange colored low cost carrier, and many of the passengers around you are probably already drunk from all the beer at the airport.

There is one minor issue they’ll need to work on first – UK law states that the place of marriage has to be a legal building, and that the building has to be permanent and “not moving”. Still, if they are able to work out the legal problems, they may be onto the next big aviation money maker.

OpenSkies offers two for one tickets to Amsterdam and Paris

by Grant Martin on

With demand for airline tickets quickly shrinking, premium carriers like OpenSkies are scrambling to incentive passengers to continue flying Business and First class products overseas.

OpenSkies’ latest promotion is aimed at goosing that first class demographic. Passengers interested in traveling in their “Biz Bed” class (effectively their lie flat, premium product) can now get a free companion ticket when booking seats to Amsterdam or Paris from New York.

Before, it would have cost anywhere from $3,500 to $3,900 for the pleasure of this service. Now, if you bring a friend that price is effectively halved. $1,750 for a round trip first class journey across the Atlantic during the summer is a bargain.

Book you travel between now and May 31st to take advantage of the offer at flyopenskies.com.

Curious about the transatlantic OpenSkies experience? Check out Gadling’s first hand review.

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Drunk mailman threatens mayhem, grounded for half decade

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Why is it always the postmen?

Robert Russell had added “former” to his “mail carrier” title after being laid off by Royal Mail. So, he took a trip to Malaga, Spain. This isn’t unusual; plenty of people do something nice for themselves after losing their jobs. It’s great for morale.

It didn’t work.

Russell got wasted on lager and vodka in the Gatwick departure lounge. By the time he was literally flying high, he threatened to kill his fellow passengers and at one point tried to get off the plane early … via an emergency exit at 30,000 feet. The closest thing to a caring moment was when this unruly passenger yelled at a flight attendant, “Oi, blondie. Come and sit here so I can stroke you.”

Touching.

At one point, he said he would take down the entire plane … an awfully ambitious claim for a guy who couldn’t get the emergency door open. Eventually, crew and passengers were able to subdue the former postal employee, following his physical display of stereotype. .

All this happened on October 15, 2008. The Brighton Crown Court has finally ruled. Russell is banned from every airport in the United Kingdom for five years and will have to pay a fine of £4,643. A 12-month prison sentence was suspended for two years. And, in case there’s hope for the passenger’s humanity, he’s been ordered to complete 200 hours of community service.

As crazy as this incident sounds, in-flight disruptions are more common in Gatwick than you may realize. Sussex Police had to address 58 incidents on planes last year … an increase of almost 20 percent from the 50 in 2007.

Alaska Airlines offers double miles for frequent flyers

by Grant Martin on

It’s never too late to jump on the bandwagon. Behind nearly every other carrier in the airline industry, Alaska Airlines recently announced that frequent flyers can now earn double elite miles on all non-promo fares.

This now means that you only need to earn 10K or 20K miles to achieve MVP or MVP Gold status respectively. Codeshare partners only need 12.5K or 25K. That’s a pretty fine deal.

Tickets must be booked after registration and flights must take place between this Wednesday, the 6th of May and June 30th. Still, that gives you almost two months to (re)qualify for status. Sneak a couple of mileage runs in over Memorial Day weekend and you’ll be rolling in the perks in no time.

Sign up at Alaska Airlines promotion page here and get your flying pants on.

Virgin America launches Orange County service

by Grant Martin on

Last week, Virgin America kicked off service with to Orange County, California with its inaugural flight from San Francisco down to John Wayne airport, between which they’ll be running 5 daily flights.

Never ones to miss a party, Gadling stopped by the tarmac to pay a visit to Sir Richard Branson, dish with MC Hammer, apply a few layers of spray tan and boost our hipster credentials.

The after party brought us over to the Pacific Edge Villa, a gorgeous slice of Orange County beach front property, where hobknobbers and people in the know lined up for autographs from our award winning blog team. Stay tuned this week for some gorgeous photos and tidbits from the event.

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