Another hilarious airline complaint letter. This time it’s the food

by Jamie Rhein on

Back in June 2007, Justin wrote a post about a hand-written complaint letter to Continental Airlines. The letter included illustrations that were as hilarious as the text. There is a new airline complaint letter that is being touted as the funniest ever. This time the airline is Virgin Atlantic and the complaint is food–or what the airline tried to pass off as food on a flight from Mumbai to Heathrow.

The letter sent to airline owner Sir Richard Branson by a passenger is a tongue- in-cheek response to the passenger’s reactions to each dish on his tray–nothing he recognized. It all started when he couldn’t tell which item was the dessert and which was a main course. Each food complaint is accompanied by a photo.

“Look at this, Richard. Just look at it.” Is the description under the first photo of two custard like dishes. Utterly flummoxed by those two choices that looked like sponge shafts that moved every so often, the letter writer proceeded to the next item–also unrecognizable.

The third item, the one covered in foil that he opened with anticipation, similar to what one might feel opening a Christmas present, was worse. He likened it to finding his “hamster in the box and it’s not breathing.” That gem is what’s in the photo. Turns out the yellow stuff was gobs of mustard.

Attempting to watch the movie was as bad as trying to find something edible on his tray. The screen was grainy which made it difficult to see who was in the movie. The passenger thought, perhaps, Ray Liotta?

If you’ve ever had a flight that has left you exhausted, depressed, feeling like a sailboat that has lost its wind, you’ll certainly recognize the feelings expressed here. Yes, indeed. This is a funny, funny letter. Make sure you click through the photo gallery for the full effect.

As a note, the food, according to Sir Richard Branson who supposedly replied, would have made the Indian passengers happy. [Telegraph.co.uk]

So how do we get that Airbus 320 out of the Hudson River?

by Aaron Hotfelder on

I assumed US Airways Flight 1549 would simply lie at the bottom of the Hudson River for the next 10,000 years, where it would become a home to all the fish (if there are any) that live in that river.

But apparently the plane was already fished out of the river back on January 17, which, judging from the pictures that I’ve just stumbled upon, was no small feat of engineering. How was it done?

It appears to have been lifted out of the water using heavy cables hanging from a massive crane, and it was placed on an even more massive barge. The plane was then moved to New Jersey for examination by accident investigators.

Check out all the amazing photos here.

US Airways flight 1549 pilot receives hero’s welcome in hometown

by Jeffrey White on

Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, the anointed “Hero of the Hudson” who ditched US Airways flight 1549 into the river Jan. 15 and likely saved all on board, received a hero’s welcome this past Saturday as his hometown of Danville, California feted him and a crowd of thousands stood and chanted, simply, “Sully! Sully!”

City Hall presented the 13-year resident with the key to Danville.

What did he have to say? Not much. Sullenberger is holding off making detailed comments about the incident until the National Transportation Safety Board completes its investigation.

“It was circumstances that put this experienced crew (in charge) of that plane on that particular day,” Sullenberger, 58, said, as quoted in the San Jose Mercury-News. “We were simply doing the jobs we were trained to do.”

Sullenberger has catapulted into a degree of (deserved) fame since the accident. He attended last week’s inauguration at the invitation of Barack Obama, and he intends to soon sit down with Katie Couric on “60 Minutes” to tell his story.

Flexjet gives rich people new choices

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The wealthy feel pain, just like the rest of us. As we fight the tightening walls of a global recession, Flexjet is making things a little easier for the world’s financial elite. If you’re looking to extend the value of your private jet dollar, these two programs could be exactly what you need. If, on the other hand, you are like me, read something else, maybe the Cockpit Chronicles or Galley Gossip … this sale is too rich for your blood.

The Flexjet 25 “split-payment option” turns the obligation of one payment into two! Instead of having to pay for a 25-, 30- or 35-hour Flexjet 25 Jet Card, you can pay half up front and the other after six months – or when you have scheduled more than half of the purchased flight hours.

The other new development is that cardholders can now split their hours between two types of aircraft without incurring any additional fees. If you are among the privileged few, your choices include the Learjet 40, Learjet 45, Learjet 60, Challenger 300 and Challenger 604.

Among the capitally anointed? This is not a deal to be missed!

Get up close and personal with the calendar girls of VivaAerobus!

by Scott Carmichael on

UPDATE: Gadling managed to score exclusive access to the actual calendar, check out the photos here!

VivaAerobus, the upstart Mexican low cost carrier has taken a page out of the Ryanair guide to getting people to pay attention to you.

Each year, Ryanair publishes a calendar with their sexiest flight attendants, so VivaAerobus decided to bring that concept to their own airline. Of course, since VivaAerobus is partially owned by the Ryan family, I’m sure they did not have to look too far for inspiration.

To give passengers an idea what they can expect in the calendar, they posted a short video clip of the “making of” on Youtube. The video clip may not be entirely “safe for work”, so save it till you can close your office door, or better yet, watch it on your mobile phone.

The calendar will be available at VivaAerobus ticket desks and on board the airline for $10, but the best part is that all proceeds benefit a Mexican children’s cancer institute, so don’t feel too guilty for buying one.

Can’t watch the video at work? Check out some of the images from the “making of”!

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