Airlines to Test Anti-Missile Systems

by Iva Skoch on

I’ve been hearing for years that commercial airlines had been considering adding some type of anti-missile defense system. The first tests are right around the corner.

American Airlines will arm as many as three planes with the systems, starting in the spring, on transcontinental flights, probably to/from NY and California. It’s called Jeteye (and designed by Obi-Won Kenobi?).

The general idea is that some type of counter-measure would deploy in the case of an in-coming terrorist’s-shoulder-fired missile.

I had two questions:

  1. How will they test the systems? Apparently, they won’t even be armed. Which begs another question: why bother?
  2. How do they work? I’ve read they are of two general types: either a laser that “jams” the missile’s guidance system, or some solid chunks of stuff, called “chaff,” that confuses the missile.

Which makes me think: why not just use a warning system and have the flight attendants chuck out frozen trays of “beef medallions in red wine sauce”? It serves two purposes: saving the plane and saving the passengers from eating the airline food.

[Via Engadget]

Spotlighting the craziest travel stories of 2007

by Neil Woodburn on

2007 was a crazy year for crazy travel stories. Thankfully USA Today has kindly bundled them all together for our enjoyment.

The weirdest travel stories of 2007 treats us to tales of drunken in-flight brawls, stupid pilot delays, problematic airplane toilets, animals running amuck at 30,000 feet, corpses flying in First Class, airport security absurdities, lawn-chair pilots, and sexy women being told to button it up (on the right).

Gadling has diligently covered most of these stories over the last 12 months, but we unfortunately missed one of my favorites from the USA Today article: A Spanish hotel which allowed 30 “highly stressed-out people” to destroy their hotel rooms with sledgehammers (the hotel was undergoing renovation at the time).

So, it was a pretty whacky 2007 overall.

And, I’m sure we can all look forward to equally entertaining stories from the travel world in 2008.

FlightsFromHell.com: Wallow in the misery of others

by Justin Glow on

I’ll be honest: I’m a little surprised we haven’t covered this here on Gadling, but I’ve searched the archives to no avail. (Please, dear readers, correct me if I’m wrong!)

FlightsFromHell.com is just like the URL sounds: a depository of unsavory airborne experiences shared by people like us. It’s simple. You, as a reader, can peruse the collection of unfortunate stories, conveniently pigeonholed into categories like Reclining Seats, Luggage and Delays, and Weird People. Let’s jump into that last category and see what we can find! (If you’re eating, stop reading.)

“Then – a man, about late 60’s/early 70’s, sits in the seat one row in front and across the aisle from me. He situates himself, waits until we take off, and proceeds to take off his shoes….first the right, then the left….followed by, of course, his socks – first the right then the left…..he then begins to PICK at the dead, scaly skin on his feet. I’m not kidding – he used his finger nails to scrape, scrape and pull the dead skin from his heels, his toes, the arch of his foot.”

As a writer, and experiencer of horrible things on planes, you can submit your own stories. Do you have any bad experiences worth sharing? Give us the100-word version here, in the comments, and save the novel for FlightsFromHell.com.

[Via Grow-a-Brain]

Boeing 787 Dreamliner: h4ck4b|e?

by Justin Glow on

Think DDoS attacks are bad? Try this on for size.

A recent FAA report has revealed a flaw in Boeing‘s new mega-plane, the 787 Dreamliner. Apparently, the computer network in the passenger compartment — the one that gives passengers the ability to browse the Internet while flying — is linked to the “plane’s control, navigation and communication systems,” according to Wired. The physical link between the two networks means that the fate of your voyage could be determined by a 14-year-old kid with a bone to pick.

Have no fear; Boeing has already begun the process of fixing the goof, which they say will be corrected and fully tested before the plane’s official, public debut in November of 2008.

“This isn’t a desktop computer,” explains security expert Mark Loveless. “It’s controlling the systems that are keeping people from plunging to their deaths. So I hope they are really thinking about how to get this right.”

Fare wars to Germany

by Grant Martin on

Usually around this time of the year trans oceanic ticket prices start to fall. And winter and spring is a great time to travel if you’re a northerner (see pictured: my car yesterday), so if you can take advantage of some of the good fares it’s often pretty easy to bang out a quick vacation at minimal cost.

The first slew of good prices this year seem to be to destinations in Germany. Searching from a variety of departure points, I’m finding prices around the 400$ range to anywhere from Munich to Dusseldorf to Hamburg to Frankfurt, leaving over various times in the next few months.

Sure, it’s not the warmest part of the year in Germany, but if you’ve got friends, family or an adventurous streak you can always slip out for a few days and enjoy some authentic German food and beer. Or, if you’re willing to make a couple of connections you can always leave immediately from Frankfurt or Dusseldorf on a low-cost-carrier and be in the Mediterranean in a heartbeat.

Happy travels!