The Long Haul

by Neil Woodburn on

Having just got off a cramped, 10-hour flight from London to Los Angeles, I was pleased–albeit a bit frustrated–to come across the following New York Times article detailing the more comfortable airlines to enjoy on the long haul.  I flew British Air and while the service was decent and the movie selection okay, the seats were too narrow and the leg room non-existent–a big concern for a 6’4″ frequent traveler like myself.
 
It therefore made me cringe when Journalist Joshua Kurlantzick wrote that the seats on South African Airways were “cramped.”  This is because Kurlantzick is only 5’5″.
 
Kurlantzick uses this experience as inspiration to pursue the perfect airline where leg room, movie selection, food, and staff actually make flying comfortable and fun.  Check out the article and join me in my jealousy as Kurlantzick waxes on about the wonderful staff of Thai Airways, the “500-channel personal video system” on Emirates, and the walk-up bar on Singapore Airlines.  And all of this in economy! 

Can’t we just let United drown in bankruptcy and give Thai Airways their American domestic routes? 

Kid Travel Help

by Erik Olsen on

Way back during April, April 1 to be exact, we posted about a fictional ,but much-needed device for airplanes called the Baby Cone of Silence .The idea is that babies (you know who you are!), while cute, and fun and adorable…are also head-achingly loud when they want to be.

Now, I know how hard it can be to travel with kids, so I have sympathy. And more than that, I am here to offer a link to advice on how you might make your next rip with the kids a bit easier on everyone. Now, after reading these, I have to say that they might work for some kids ,but not all. And by no means will they be effective for anyone under 2, so beware.

1) Have a discussion with your child and explain how to behave during the trip. Tell them what to expect and how important it is to act in accordance with the Geneva Convention (OK, I made that up.)

2) Take a moment to explain the various safety features of a plane or train pointing out oxygen masks and emergency exits.

3) Ask crew members is there are any special safety equipment or issues for children.

4) Has your child slept well? I hope so.

5) Don’t send your child alone to the bathroom (duh?!).

6) Don’t allow the child to spread his/her things around (i.e. Game Boys, Power rangers, dolls, small nuclear devices).

So there you have it. Lots of fun rules to help make travel with the kids so much easier.

Flying First Class with the Emirates

by Erik Olsen on

Ah, first class. The real silverware, the champagne on your arrival, the cushy seats. It just doesn’t get any better than that. Or does it? Well, a site that features some of the best that Google Video has to offer featured this clip, shot by an obvious amateur, of his experience riding on United Emirate Airlines. The camera work is shoddy, but the seats, well, lets just say you’ll be seething the next time you ride coach.

Travel like a sheik with a gaping space all to yourself and fresh OJ in a crystal glass. All that’s missing are the belly dancers and the harem girls feeding you loins of lamb. Of course, maybe the guy’s tape ran out.

Iceland Air Drops Prices

by Erik Olsen on

It seems the Icelanders would like to entice more Americans to come and give their country a try .And why not? Beautiful countryside, midnight sun, a killer music culture in Reykjavik. And so Icelandair is offering fares of $648 per person fro many major airports several U.S. airports…well, East Coast ones ,anyway ,including Boston Logan, JFK, Baltimore-Washington International, Minneapolis-St. Paul International. Buy those tics by June 30, stay over a Saturday night (not so hard, right?) and travel between July 9 and August 6, 2006, and its off you go.

Free Audio Books

by Erik Olsen on

I posted recently about a site where you can download and read some classic books for free. Of course ,unless you read on your computer or on some handheld device, you’re likely to kill a tree if you want to print them out, so it is our hope you will be sparing. But here’s another idea: why not LISTEN to your books.

Now, I’ve also posted numerous times about the service over at Audible.com and how great it is. I’ve been a subscriber for a long time and get my monthly book and radio show with enthusiasm and glee. But here is a site where you can get some classic books for your ipod or other device for free. The book selection is solid, with some really excellent classics that you will be happy to add to your collection. These could make great listening while on the road or on a long flight.