Airbus 380 Delayed

by Iva Skoch on

Gadling blogged about Airbus’ flagship plane A380 before. Looks like we are going to have to wait six more months before Airbus deliverers their first A380. The first plane was supposed to have been delivered to Qantas in October 2006, but Airbus pushed it back to April 2007. Qantas is “disappointed.”

Interestingly enough, none of the American airlines have expressed real interest in the A380. According to BBC, among the biggest customers so far are Emirates (43 planes ordered), Lufthansa (15) and Qantas (12).

Timing aside, does Qantas honestly need planes that fit 800 people? Will they be flying the entire population of Australia back and forth every time they fly this thing? Does anyone need a plane to fit that many people? The prospect of boarding 800 people in a timely fashion scares me. I can just imagine it now: “Now boarding passengers in rows 120-140…”

Wasn’t this plane supposed to make flying easier?

Welcome Aboard, Enjoy Your Flight

by Iva Skoch on

This week’s Economist had a great short piece (sorry, subscription only online) where they quoted a fictitious, but factual, in-flight service announcement, from “Veritas Airways.” The idea was that those largely-ignored, repetitive, pre-take-off announcements–that we’ve all memorized like something from catechism class–were less than truthful. I happened to be reading it just as the flight attendant was demonstrating that ever-so useful ‘proper method’ for buckling my seat belt.

There were some gems. For example: “Your life-jacket can be found under your seat, but please do not remove it now. In fact, do not bother to look for it at all. In the event of a landing on water, an unprecedented miracle will have occurred, because in the history of aviation the number of wide-bodied aircraft that have made successful landings on water is zero.”

Luckily, we had not yet reached cruising altitude and the drink cart had not yet come around with the beverage service, or else I would have snorted the contents of my plastic cup of cola through my nose while reading the article. Fortunately, my squirming with laughter was probably enough to ward off deep-vein thrombosis–at least on that flight.

Flights within Europe for $50

by Iva Skoch on

At one point, Europe had more than one hundred budget airlines. Not all of them made it through the turbulent few years, but those who remained (some fifty) are pretty solid. You know the spiel – you can book one-way tickets without penalty, there is no free food on board, usually no assigned seats, you are only allowed to carry on 1 bag and check 1 bag, otherwise you pay. That is after all, how they make their money. If your dates are flexible, the tickets are very cheap.

SkyEurope.com is one of those airlines. The biggest budget airline in Central Europe, headquartered in Slovakia, started a major promotion today to celebrate their 5-year anniversary. They fly to all major European destination and have new planes.

This week only, you can buy tickets anywhere they fly for FREE (you only pay taxes). I booked a round trip ticket from Prague to Rome for $50. Go snatch some!

Third World Expectations in the ´First World´

by Iva Skoch on

As I was waiting at the Barcelona airport for three hours yesterday trying to make a lost baggage claim, I realized I was angrier than I usually get when the airline loses my bags. After all, this is certainly not the first time my luggage didn´t make it to the same destination as I did, or made it late or damaged. Last year alone, airlines worldwide misplaced 3.7 million bags, according to USA Today.

It was also not the first time service people in charge were rude, slow and not helpful. Yesterday was the first time, however, that the sole baggage claim service woman closed the window and announced she was taking an hour-long lunch. The line of some 45 customers did not faze her.

In India, Egypt or China I would have been bummed, but would have probably laughed it off and considered it a cultural experience. However, in Barcelona, this simply was not acceptable. Last time I checked, Spain was considered a developed country?

When one travels throughout the Western world, one assumes a certain level of service. That is, after all, why a lot of people split their vacation time between the hard, cheap, adventurous trips to underdeveloped countries and those relaxing, civilized, but expensive, trips to Western Europe or North America.

However, when you pay First World prices and get Third World service, you feel cheated. It´s all about expectations. Next time I am at the Barcelona airport, I will remember to put on my ready-for-anything hat.

This certainly puts Barcelona on my list of nightmare baggage claim cities, together with Munich and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Any additional airports to avoid in the so-called developed world?

Effects of Terrorism – New Airline Restrictions

by Adrienne Wilson on

Ugh, it’s Friday evening and here I am riding the bandwagon by putting my teeny blog piece on the possible long lasting new airline restrictions in place at the moment into the blogosphere. Before the month end I’ve got a few airports to fly in and out of and I’m already dreading the process. Double UGH! What it must be like for the real Road Warriors/Business travelers out there, I don’t ever want to imagine, but reading this CNN article takes you there, man.

By this time we’ve all probably heard the no liquids, no beverages, no lotions and no hair gel restrictions, but how much further will it go? A friend of mine flying back home from Europe tomorrow tells me they won’t be allowed to take any carry-on luggage on the plane at all. What a nightmare! Think if they really were to keep a restriction like no carry-on luggage in place for a while. Longer waits at baggage claim would only be the beginning.

Anybody out there just getting in or out of an airport with all this commotion happening? If so, tell us what airport did you flew through and what the situation was like.