Crazy budget airline names

by Abha Malpani on


What’s in a name? Nothing really, it’s just a name but I wanted to share some cheap thrill budget airline names with you guys:

– Wizz Air: Hungarian Airline (in Britain you want to pee when you go for a wizz :)
– Flybaboo: Has the tagline “A breath of Swiss air” hehe.
– One-Two-Go: The domestic wing of Orient-Thai Airlines.
– Spice Jet: Low cost domestic Indian airline. Well, India and spice can be synonyms, so it’s actually quite a valid name.
– Allegiant Air: Ironically it’s a Las Vegas based carrier, that also allows cats and dogs on board. (I didn’t think any airline allowed that. Are there more?)
– Tiger Airways: Asia-Pacific budget airline based out of Australia that seems to be a roaring success.
– Fly-For-Beans: Not in air yet, but the name is great! It’s planned to be an airline for Europe, and with that name I’m sure it’s based out of Britain.
– Spirit Air: Flies to the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Latin America.
– BWIA West Indies Airways: That stands for “British West Indian Airways West Indies Airways”, haha. (I don’t think that’s meant to be funny. It’s probably one of those errors that is so deep-seated, there’s no point fixing it anymore).
–Garuda Airlines: It’s an Indonesian airline, and ‘garuda’ is a Hindu/Buddhist mythological bird. Interesting as majority of Indonesia is muslim.

I remember when Virgin Airlines launched ages ago (now Virgin Atlantic) — I found its name cool and innovative; guess it’s way behind on that front now!

[Via News.com]

Storefront for Art and Architecture hosts BIG in NYC

by Grant Martin on

If you’re in New York City at all over the next month, be sure to check out the exhibit integrated into the Storefront for Art and Architecture at 97 Kenmare St. The nonprofit will be hosting BIG, a Danish group through the balance of this month, focusing on innovative residential spaces and ideas. The models of several designs are displayed in the Kenmare St. space, largely built out of LEGOS.

I know, we’ve all seen that giraffe or airplane built entirely out of Legos at the mall, but seeing this in person is different. You can get right up to the giant buildings, look straight into the 32nd floor across to the other side and see all the Lego people interacting. It’s like being Godzilla.

Entrance to the Storefront is free; stop by before November 24th for your giant-person fix. And make sure you have the audio on for that Youtube video — that song has been driving me buggers all week.

Hostelling International Christmas bike trip around San Diego

by Kelly Amabile on

Speaking of hostels, the latest Travelbytes newsletter from Hostelling International recently appeared in my inbox, with news of a unique holiday bike trip. It turns out that for over 50 years, HI has been hosting a 400-mile Christmas Bike Trip around the greater San Diego area.

So, if you’re looking for something different to do this holiday season, consider ringing in the new year after an intense six day bike trip! It would be a nice nod to the region, and a great way to support businesses that endured a tough wildfire fall. Just don’t expect to stay in many hostels along the way — alternative accommodations available for booking during the ride include inns, ranches and lodges. But riders can stay at San Diego’s Point Loma Elliott Hostel the night before the race, which runs from Dec. 26 through the 31. The registration cost for non-HI members is $350, which includes a year-long HI membership.

One for the Road: The Practical Nomad

by Kelly Amabile on

Ed Hasbrouck is a seasoned world traveler and expert on international airfares and travel technology. His Practical Nomad website and blog are loaded with resources about passports and the latest on RFID chips, making changes to airline flights or tickets, and important facts about travel insurance. He learned the business during his 15 years working full-time as a travel agent. But Hasbrouck eventually became quite dissatisfied with the limitations of his job — specifically, the lack of resources available for do-it-yourself travelers.

So, back in 1997, he took what he knew and created a guide for independent travelers — Practical Nomad: How to Travel Around the World. The just released fourth edition of this valuable guide is an expanded version of the previous three, with advice on choosing destinations and tips on travel documents, entry requirements and luggage restrictions.

Hasbrouck truly is an authority when it comes to practical travel matters. And he has a resume of travel experience that backs up his book of advice. He’s currently on his third round-the-world journey, traveling with his partner, Ruth. According to a recent post on her blog, the couple is in Argentina right now, with another seven months on the road before they return. I’m sure they’ll gather more travel tips to include in future editions of the guide!

Food-for-sale menu on airlines: How much would you pay for a Clif bar?

by Jamie Rhein on

Over at Blogging Stocks, Zac’s posted a tidbit about the food-for-sale menu on American Airlines. The carrier is offering special menus through December 17. Each week there are new items. How does a $5 turkey sandwich sound? That’s the sandwich offering Nov. 5–Nov. 11.

Right now, it sounds good to me since I’m a bit hungry and I didn’t have lunch– particularly if it’s a sandwich made with multi-grain bread with a crunchy crust, crispy iceberg lettuce, a slice of juicy tomato, the right sized dollop of mayonnaise and a dash of black pepper–Oh, yes, and toast the bread please.

However, I don’t think I’d pay the $3 for a Clif Bar. First off, I don’t know what it is. I wasn’t willing to pay $5 for a cinnimon roll on Skybus either. Or $2 for that dinky cup of coffee. I was willing to pay for the breakfast sandwich though, although, the airline ran out so I didn’t get the chance. It was a good thing we sneaked food on since the $2 for a granola bar was way too much to ask, in my opinion. The $2 for a whole can of orange juice seemed reasonable enough, so I bought that. Besides, it helped wash down that bagel with cream cheese that I was carrying in my backpack.

As Zac points out, the overpriced food does help keep airfares down if people are willing to pay to quench their thirst and fill up their bellies. In general, I will fork over $5 for a bottle of wine. I don’t know why. Maybe because when I’m up in the air flying somewhere, it feels like a celebration. I get giddy. Plus, those bottles are kinda cute. What are you willing to pay for? If you can’t think of something how about. . .

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