British Airways scrapping first class on new planes

by Sean McLachlan on

It’s official, we’re in trouble.

British Airways has decided to remove first-class seating on four of its new flights, The Guardian newspaper has reported. The carrier is also considering removing the service from other flights.

The move comes after a fall in demand for first-class seating, brought on by the economic downturn, which apparently is even affecting people who will pay three to ten times more for a ticket just so they get to wear special British Airways pajamas and dine on lobster. Another problem is increased competition from business class, which offers many of the same amenities such as early boarding and seats that convert into miniature beds. In these hard economic times, even millionaires are willing to go without jammies and lobster if they at least get premium seating and don’t have to go to the bathroom with the middling classes.

British Airways needs to find ways to cut costs. Demand for both first and business class has fallen sharply, and it has just reported a 401 million pound ($638 million) loss even though it is still adding routes. A new direct flight from Heathrow to Las Vegas will not have first class seating.

Existing flights will keep their first-class seating at the moment because company officials state that the cost of tearing out the section and replacing it with business class or coach seating would be too expensive. This could have a good effect on the more proletarian passengers–because with more empty seats in the posh section, there would be a greater chance of getting upgraded. The potential bonanza may not last long, however, because BA might follow the lead of other carriers like KLM and Delta and scrap first class on transatlantic routes altogether.

Passengers pay twice to avoid Colgan

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Small planes just don’t resonate with some passengers. MaryBeth and Cy Christiansan of Queens paid the equivalent of an extra ticket each to skip a Colgan plane and fly on a jet. They indicated that the Colgan crash in Buffalo back in February wasn’t far from their minds. So, for a bit of comfort, it was $150 well spent.

A Colgan flight crashed in February, killing all 49 people on the plane and one person on the ground. A recent investigation suggests that the pilot did not meet Colgan’s standards and that the copilot may have suffered from fatigue.

Sentiments expressed by the passengers suggest that the size of the plane was the principal concern. The Christiansans changed flights for an aircraft that “didn’t have a propeller.” Richard Younglbood, who was about to board a Continental flight to Tennessee summed it up: “I don’t like any of these jets. I don’t trust any of them.”

Mile high WiFi at last!

by Annie Scott on

It’s finally happening. There will be WiFi on commercial flights!

Virgin America and AirTran have already begun equipping their fleets WiFi systems, and intend to have all their planes hooked up by the end of the summer. Bigger, still, Delta Airlines and American Airlines are planning to roll out their plans this year and next.

Oh mile high WiFi, where have you been?

According to the LA Times:

“After a three-year hiatus, airlines are bringing back wireless Internet service on planes, allowing business travelers to check their e-mails, browse the Web and log into their corporate networks while in flight. There hasn’t been in-flight Internet access since Boeing Co. killed a very expensive, multibillion-dollar project to wire planes all over the world with a satellite-based system.”

Boeing, you’re going on my “Naughty” list.

Is there a catch? Yes. There will be fees. The LA Times says “The fee will be $12.95 for flights longer than three hours and $9.95 for those that are less. Hand-held device users will be charged $7.95 regardless of the flight’s length.”

Apparently, American Airlines will have a $5.95 special for red-eyes — a red light special, if you will.

Galley Gossip: A question about packing jewelry

by Heather Poole on

Dear Heather,

I meant to ask you before my vacation — what’s your secret for packing jewelry? In what do you pack it and how? Some outfits I have look better with gold, and some look better with silver. Then there’s a myriad of “fun” jewelry that include bracelets, necklaces with different charms, earrings to match, etc. The thing about the “fun” jewelry is that it causes the security alarms to go off in some places, so I try not to wear it on days of travel, wearing either gold, silver or nothing at all, which means I’m forced to pack it. Just curious as to how you did it so it wouldn’t get broken, tangled or lost.

Angela

Dear Angela,

My secret to packing jewelry is simple. I don’t pack it. Ever. When I’m working a trip I wear my wedding band, a necklace and a nice watch. When I’m traveling for pleasure I might pack a cheap bracelet and a few pairs of earrings that wouldn’t cause me distress if they were to become lost, stolen, or broken. But I always leave the good stuff at home. When it comes to traveling, I firmly believe that less is more and that includes the jewelry. I mean do you really need all that silver and gold to go with all those outfits? And where will you hide it all after you’ve checked into your room? I ask because I’m not so sure I’d trust the hotel safe with something really valuable. I’ve used the safe on several occassions, and while I’ve never had any problems, I can’t help but wonder who many people out there have access to the code.

I decided to contact an expert who deals with security and high net worth. When I told him your question about traveling with jewelry, he had this to say…

I assume this is more than one piece and would be considered valuable. Couriers are told the same as I will tell you. You never pack your jewelry. Hand carry only. If you put it in your suitcase TSA will screen it and G-d knows who else. If its stolen from your suitcase you will get a few hundred dollars based upon their limit of liability which should be on the back of your ticket. No evidence, no suspects, no police investigation, no crime scene, no responsibility and if you by chance ever proved it, you will be in court with the Dept of Homeland Security until you grow old.

I would put the jewelry in a sandwich bag and hand carry it in your carry on. Leave it on top but put a few things over it. Watch the bag go through the x ray before you pass the metal detector. If they want to look at the bag ask for a private screening. Also ask for a supervisor or second screener to be present. You will not be allowed to touch your bag but they will be able to see the jewelry through the sandwich bag without having to touch it either. Do not leave the bag unattended for any reason during the inspection. Maintain hand or sight of the jewelry at all times even if you are asked by an agent to move. You are never to separate yourself from your property until the bag is returned to your custody.

Hope that helps, Angela! If you (or anyone else) have another question feel free to email me at Skydoll123@yahoo.com

Happy travels!

Heather Poole

Photos courtesy (Suitcase) Remon Rijper (Woman) Simone Koster

Misery works: airlines making money on baggage fees

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The one thing nobody says about the “nickel and dime” strategy is that it can work. For the airline industry, charging passengers for extra bags translated to more than $1 billion in lifeblood to a struggling business last year, according to the Department of Transportation. As much as you may hate to shell out that extra cash, last year, it went to businesses that desperately needed it.

Before the financial decay spread to every corner of the business community last year, airlines typically allowed two pieces of checked luggage per person and charged for anything else that followed. Then, United Airlines started demanding that passengers throw down $25 for a second bag, with US Airways following to the tune of $15.

It adds. Up. United brought in an extra $133 million. Delta picked up an extra $177 million. American Airlines wins with $278 million last year from baggage fees. Even Southwest Airlines pulled in an extra $25 million. Rick Seaney, CEO of Farecompare.com, believes that baggage fees could be worth up to $3.5 billion in 2009.